What is Blackboard?
Blackboard is a course management system that Columbus State uses to allow instructors to easily put their classes on the Internet without needing to know HTML or web development. Blackboard easily allows instructors to place copies of class materials such as course syllabus, handouts, presentations, and exams/quizzes. Blackboard also has an online integrated grade book, that enables faculty to keep students updated on their grades. Blackboard is not just for faculty who are teaching online, its also a great tool for traditional classes!
How does it work and how are courses created?
In order to login to Blackboard a user must be an active student, faculty, or staff member of Columbus State. All active faculty members have access to Blackboard complete with course shells for each course sections they are teaching. All course shells are automatically generated each quarter based on class assignments made by department chairpersons.
All active students also have automatic access to Blackboard. Students only have access to courses they are currently registered for, and students have access to any courses that have guest access enabled.
What kind of support do faculty of CSCC have for Blackboard?
Columbus State understands the importance of providing quality help for instructors who want to use Blackboard to teach online or as a support tool for a traditional classes. All faculty at Columbus State have a web developer assigned to them in the event an instructor needs assist while building and maintaining their Blackboard course shell. All web developers that assist faculty are located in Davidson Hall (DH) 241 in the Teaching Learning Resource Center (TLRC). For more information on how to find out who your assigned web developer is, please contact the TLRC via phone at 614.287.5991.
Are there any books written on the use of Blackboard?
If you are either new to Blackboard, or have been using Blackboard for some time, the Blackboard for Dummies book would serve as a valuable asset to your DL library. If you are interested in reviewing a copy of this book, please contact the TLRC at extension 5991.
Also, please contact the TLRC at extension 5991 to see how to access to the latest Blackboard instructor manual.
What kind of support for students is there for Blackboard?
Student support is provided by the IT support Center, located on the bottom floor of the college's library - Columbus Hall. They can be contacted via e-mail at helpdesk@cscc.edu or telephone: 614.287.5050. There is also an online student support area for Blackboard under development that will be ready at the start of Autumn 2004 quarter. Other resources helpful to your students:- Students Assistance Center
The mission of the Student Assistance Center is to help students navigate the Columbus State enrollment process. Staff conduct daily New Student Orientations in collaboration with the Admissions Office as well as provide weekly workshops on financial aid.
- CSCC Distance Learning Getting Started
- password.cscc.edu
This site allows students the ability to discover and change their access password for various Columbus State computer systems such as Blackboard.
What ITI Seminars should I start with to learn how to use Blackboard?
If you have never used Blackboard before, the best way to get a solid foundation on the use of Blackboard is by taking the Getting Started with Blackboard (BB600) seminar offered through the Instructional Technologies Institute.Other recommended seminars offered via ITI:
- BB620 Creating Exams & Quizzes Using Respondus
- BB630 Course Maintenance - Lets Clean House & Backup
- BB640 Building Interactive Games using Study Mate
- To view other Blackboard related courses, visit the ITI seminar homepage.
Useful Documents for getting started:
- How do I login to Blackboard (PDF)
- Steps for getting Started (PDF)
- Blackboard Course Check List (PDF)
- Course Planning Sheet (PDF)
- Instructional Design Tips (PDF)
- 8 Ways to Engage Students (PDF)
Useful Documents For Your Students:
(NOTE: DO NOT PLACE THE URL FOR THIS PAGE IN YOUR CLASS!)