Blackboard Learn

What is Blackboard Learn? 

Blackboard Learn is the learning management system where students find the content provided by their instructors of their past and present classes. Faculty use Blackboard learn to deliver the content modules, assignments, grades, activities, discussion boards, groups, tests/quizzes, and a lot of other things for the students to navigate through their course work. 

Whether you are a freshman, transfer, or a current student, learn more about the Blackboard navigation by enrolling in Navigate Blackboard Learn Training.

Blackboard Access

Students can access the Blackboard Learn via:

• A web  browser running on a computer.
• A web  browser running on a mobile device.
• Or the  Blackboard Learn Student App running on a mobile device.
  (functional limitation exist. Don't take tests ot quizzes from the mobile app.)

Generally, a browser will work for all tools.  The App is very handy but cannot handle all of the necessary tools. Where noted, use a browser for best performance.

Login into Bb Learn(opens in new window)

Tech Tips 

• Recommended Browsers for Blackboard(opens in new window)
• Browser Support for Blackboard(opens in new window)

Tutorials

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• Assignment submission

  How to Submit Assignments

  1. Go onto your course and locate your assignments.
  2. Go ahead and click on the assignment.

  

      3. Once you have clicked on the assignment, you will have the option to attach a file or write a text submission (depending on the assignment and what your instructor wants you to do). Once the assignment is complete and ready to submit, click on the Submit button at the bottom right of your screen.

  
• Assignment Feedback (How to view feedback from instructor)

  How to View Feedback

  1. In your course, click on My Grades.
  2. Click View Rubric or title of the assignment.
  3. Your assignment should be displayed and there will be feedback to the right hand side of the assignment, under Feedback to Learner.

  Help can be found in this video: Finding your grades in Blackboard (opens in new window)

• Blackboard Mobile App(opens in new window)
  • The Blackboard app is designed specifically for viewing content.
  • Completing assignments, tests, or other activities in the app is not recommended.
  • You can download the app on your phone from your app or play store.
  • More help can be found in this  video (opens in new window).
• Blackboard ALLY for Students (Download Course Materials in Alternative Formats)
  Blackboard ALLY for Students (Download Course Materials in Alternate Formats)
  

  Multiple areas of campus have been working on a project centered on creating and remediating accessible content. Chico State has long had a commitment to the improvement of content used on our websites and classrooms. This project takes that commitment to the next level. In hopes of providing you the best support possible, your professor has elected to turn on a tool in Blackboard called ALLY. ALLY is first-of-its-kind software that allows you to absorb information however you feel is best.

  Have you ever read a PDF repeatedly but it just doesn't seem to stick? Do you have to commute to campus and waste hours of potential study time? You are not alone. ALLY will allow you to download an alternative version in just a few clicks. Below is an example of what it will look like next to a document in your course.

  Outside of Blackboard, you can use the   Blackboard Ally File Transformer(opens in new window) to test how BB Ally works or transform any documents to one of the many file options (i.e. audio files, HTML, translated, etc.)

  Ally for Student Tutorial Video(opens in new window)
• Blogs, Journals, & Wikis

  Blogs

  • A blog is your personal online journal. Each blog entry you make can include any combination of text, images, links, multimedia, mashups, and attachments. Blogs are an effective way for you to share knowledge and materials created and collected in the course. You can post entries and add comments to existing blogs. Use your blog to express your ideas and share them with the class.

  • This  Help with Blogs(opens in new window) page includes information on:
    • Finding Blogs.
    • Creating Blogs.
    • Editing Blogs.
    • Commenting on Blogs.
    • View Blog Grades.

  Journals

  • The journals tool provides a personal space for you to communicate privately with your instructor. You can also use a journal as a self-reflective tool to post your opinions, ideas, and concerns about your course, or discuss and analyze course-related materials. For example, you can describe problems you faced and how you solved them. Your instructor may narrow the focus and list topics for discussion.

  • This  Help with Journals(opens in new window) page includes information on:
    • Finding Journals.
    • Creating Journals.
    • Editing Journals.
    • Commenting on Journals.
    • View Blog Journals.

  Wiki

  • A wiki is a collaborative tool that allows you to contribute and modify one or more pages of course-related materials. A wiki provides an area where you can collaborate on content. Course members can create and edit wiki pages that pertain to the course or a course group.
  • This  Help with Wikis(opens in new window) page includes information on:
    • Finding Wikis.
    • Creating Wikis.
    • Editing Wikis.
    • Commenting on Wikis.
    • Linking to other Wiki Pages.
    • Viewing your Contributions on Wikis.
• Calendar and Announcements

  How to View Calendar

  • The Calendar feature on blackboard allows you to view the dates of when assignments, tests, quizzes, and other class-related activities are due.
  • You can find the Calendar using these instructions:

  1. Go to the Student Home page on Blackboard.
  2. On the right-hand side of the page, there is an area called My Announcements.

  

      3. A drop-down menu will appear. Select the Calendar icon at the bottom of the left panel. 

  

  How to View Announcements

  1. Go to the Student Home page on Blackboard.

  On the right-hand side of the page, there is an area called My Announcements.

  

• Content in Blackboard

  Content

  To navigate through the content, the student needs to log in to blackboard either through the portal or by just typing it in on Google, “Chico State Blackboard”. This will require a duo authentication implemented by the school. Once logged in you'll be able to see the different classes you are enrolled in. Now you can choose a class and navigate through the content(opens in new window).

• Discussion Boards

  Discussion Boards
  

  Working with Discussion Board

  Discussion Boards are used for content engagement in an asynchronous format – not all participants are logged in at the same time. The instructor initiates the discussion by creating the topic or Discussion Board forum. Once created, students click the title of the forum to enter the discussion and post threads. Instructors provide the structure for each Discussion Topic, but it’s important to note that not all instructors participate in the Discussion Board at all times.

  Posting a Comment to a Forum

  To post a comment to a forum, follow these steps:

  1. Left-click on the “Discussion” button on the Course Content Menu. NOTE: Your instructor may have labeled the button differently.
  2. Click on the Forum to which you need to make a post.
  3. Click on “Create Thread”.
  4. Enter the subject and comments in the space provided. Add attachments.
  5. Click “Save as Draft” (instructor can NOT see your post) or “Submit” (instructor CAN see your post).

  Reading other students postings and Reply to their threads

  To post a comment to a forum, follow these simple steps:

  1. Left-click on the “Discussion” button on the Course Content Menu. NOTE: Your instructor may have labeled the button differently.
  2. Click on the Forum Title to view all the posting’s under the forum.
  3. Click on the “Collect” button to see the whole post of each thread OR click on the Thread title to view the posting.
  4. Click on the Reply button to post a message.
  5. Click on the person’s name to send a private Email message.

  Subscribing to a Thread

  Subscribing to a thread is useful, in that you receive an email stating the contents of the thread if any postings are added. This way you can view updates or information regarding the topic.

  To subscribe to a Thread:

  1. Click on the Thread title.
  2. Click the “Subscribe” button at the tech top of the Thread Detail page.
  3. Continue with viewing the Thread.
• Grades

  Grades

  Not all instructors post grades in Blackboard during the semester. If you do not see your grades in My Grades, please refer to your syllabus or contact your professor directly.

  The grade center looks a lot different from a student's perspective than from a professor’s perspective. There are several functions you can do at the grade center like checking your grade for an assignment/quiz/test/discussion and different things. You can also view the feedback a professor has left you in the grade center as well(view the Assignment Feedback tab above). 

  1. Click on the “My Grades” button in the Course Content Menu or if there is no "My Grades" button, click the “Tools” button in the Course Content Menu.
  2. View Assignments that are listed in the Grade Center, points, submissions, and any comments from your instructor.
  3. Click on the title of your course at the top of the page to return to the course entry point.

  For tests, after you select the title, the  View Attempts page opens. Select the grade to review your submission.

  On the  My Grades page, you can view all the coursework and grades for the course you're in. If your work hasn't been graded, grade status icons appear.

  

• Groups

  Groups

  To find groups, the same steps above are followed. Once in a class, on the left hand side you will be able to see a link that your professor uploads with the group(opens in new window) title and you’ll be able to click on it. With this tool you'll also be able to see your group assignments(opens in new window).

• Mail and Messages

  Mail and Messages

  The purpose of Blackboard Email (opens in new window)is to allow users an easy way to send email messages outside of the Blackboard system without having to log in to a separate email client. This is an easy way to send an email to either the whole class or just the instructor.

• Organizations

  Organizations

  1. Go to the Student Home page on Blackboard.
  2. Click on the “Organizations” tab right next to the Student Home tab.