Blackboard Tip: Beginning of the Semester Checklist

Following is a checklist we recommend for the beginning of the semester

                Update the Syllabus

                Check if information accurate when copying from last semester

                Due dates are updated

                Points system and assignments

                Check Course Menu

Following helpful quick tips:

Make sure   Edit Mode is  ON. You may use the drag and drop feature to change the order of menu items. Course Menu items that do not contain any content are automatically hidden from student view but are visible to the instructor while in Edit Mode.

-  In the upper right-hand corner, make sure Edit Mode is ON.

-  To add a new link to the Course Menu, click the red “+” and select the area you want to add. Note: The “+” is unavailable when Edit Mode is turned off

-  Rename, Hide or Delete links as necessary using the chevron (pull-down menu) next to each link. Note: If you remove a content area  menu item, all information within that area is removed permanently.

-  Organize your course menu using the drag and drop feature. For longer course menus you may want to consider creating  Sub headers and Dividers by clicking on the “+” icon and selecting these features

Improve course design and menu options        From within the course control panel Click on Customization and then select Style where you can:

         Choose a course menu style

           Manage how the menu is displayed

            Select Course Entry Point

             Add/change the course banner

                 Note: On the Course Menu, you ca

    Re-arrange the order of menu items by clicking on the double-headed arrow to the left of the menu item then dragging and dropping the item to its new position on the Course Menu    Rename, show/hide, or delete a menu item by clicking on the action link (chevron) next to the item. Add a content area, a link to a course tool, a link to a course area, or an external link to the course menu by clicking on the Add (plus) symbol on the Course Menu

Rearrange

Chevron

Add Content

Turn Off unnecessary tools

1. Select Tools on the Course Menu.
2. Click Hide Link next to the tools that you are not using.

To view the Tools that will be available to students, turn off the Edit Mode button

Create a Banner in PowerPoint
You may also create a Banner very easily in PowerPoint.

1. Open a new PowerPoint presentation and select a Blank Content Layout.
2. Click Design Page setup – Select Banner from Slides size for drop down menu
3.  Design your banner using WordArt, Text boxes, ClipArt or digital Photos.
4.  Save the Banner as a JPEG file.
5. To upload the Banner into Blackboard, select Customization in the Control Panel area.
6. Click on Style and scroll down to Select Banner, click Browse and Select the JPEG file of the Banner you created in PowerPoint and click Submit

Set Office Hours and Contact Information

Changing the course entry point

1.      From the Control Panel  select Customization and Style.
2.      Change the Course Entry Point to Announcement

Make Course Available

1.       From the control Panel Select Customization and Properties in the Control Panel area.
2.      In the Set Availability, Make Course Available area select Yes and click Submit.

Post a Welcome Announcement

1.   Select Course Tools.  
2.  Click Announcements link and Create Announcement. 
3.  Fill in the Subject and Message fields and select the appropriate Options.
4.  Click Submit.

Send A Welcome Email

  Send an email to your students once the course is made available. You may want to consider copying and pasting the Welcome Announcement into the body of the email.  

1.       From the control Panel click   Course Tools. 
2.       Click Send Email. 
3.       Select the Users. 
4.       Type in a Subject and a Message and click Submit