Congratulations for taking the time to learn about the Blackboard Learning System! Blackboard can best be described as a course management system incorporated into all Section B (blended), Section C (classroom support), and Section D (100% online) courses at SFCC.
This Help Page is divided into three primary sections:
- Overview videos (Flash player required)
- Demonstrations (Flash player required)
- Detailed help pages
Blackboard has a variety of tools that are used to create an online learning environment that closely mirrors a regular classroom environment. There are three types of Blackboard tools: Course Content Tools, Communication Tools, and Evaluation Tools.
Course Content tools are used to deliver course material, such as the course syllabus, online lectures, and relevant web links to relevant course sites. Some of the Course Content tools include:
Course Content/Home Page
Learning Modules
Web Links
Communication tools allow you to communicate with your classmates and instructor. Some communication tools are used to facilitate class discussions while others are used to allow for more private communication. Some of the Communication tools include:
Discussions
Chat
Who's Online
Evaluation tools are used to help you gain a better understanding or test your knowledge of the course material. My Grades allows you to track your grades throughout the semester. The evaluation tools include:
Assignments
Assessments
My Grades
Maybe you heard of them . . . Breadcrumbs. Named after leaving bread crumbs along your trail so you can find your way back, breadcrumbs is a quick way to know your location whenever you forget, or want to return to a previous screen. Find the breadcrumbs at the top left of your main Blackboard window. Here's an example:
Refer to the links below for more information.
If you encounter questions while using Blackboard, you can access the online help by clicking the Help link. The link appears in the top right-hand frame of every page.
These videos introduce you to the primary tools in Blackboard and what they are used for:
Introduction/Overview* Discussion Tool My Grades Announcements Tool Learning Modules Syllabus Assignments Tool Logging In Who's Online Assessments Tool Logging Out Conclusion Calendar Tool Mail Tool *If the video appears jerky, click the Pause button to allow your computer cache to buffer for about 30 seconds, then click Play to continue.
Watch these demonstrations of the Blackboard tools being used.
Because each course is unique, the tools you use and how you navigate your Blackboard course will depend on how it's been set up. However, there are some features that are commonly used to organize course content and to allow you to access tools. Follow these links to learn about specific aspects of the Blackboard Learning System. They open into new windows. just close those windows to return here.
Course Content (your Home Page)
Course Tools and Breadcrumbs
Common Blackboard Tools
Discussions in Blackboard
About Discussions
Discussion Topics and Threads
Navigating the Discussions Screen
Navigating the Messages Screen
Assignments
About Assignments
Assignment Types
Assignment Collaboration Options
Navigating Assignments
Completing and Submitting Assignments
Assessments (Quizzes, Tests, Surveys, Self-Tests)
About Assessments
Navigating Assessments
Taking Assessments
Viewing Assessment Results and Statistics
Using Mail in Blackboard
About Mail
Navigating Mail
Using Chat in Blackboard
About Chat
Navigating Chat
Mail
