Blackboard 9.

1 Tool Guide
Information Transfer Assess Learning Communication Collaboration Bloom’s Revised

Blackboard tools
Pedagogy
Is this a tool for Will this tool allow you and Interaction Can course Taxonomy
What you want to achieve?
• Remember
Technology
disseminating to assess student Can this tool be participants
information to learning? used for collaborate and • Understand
students? communication and create content • Apply
interaction among together? • Analyze
Ease of use course participants? • Evaluate
• Create

RU
Announcements Easy. Simply click Communication is
Yes. Include course No. This is a one Depends on how the
Use to send out Create No. Announcements one way – Instructor
updates, way communication tool is used. May be
information to all Announcement and are limited and only to student. Great for
encouragement, tool for instructors used to test
students enrolled in type in the instructors can post. keeping students
relevant links, etc. only. readiness for the
the course information. updated.
next class or module.

Yes. Instructors can

Item upload files (word, No.
Easy. Both text and None
Typical way to add ppt, etc) as well as An Item can only be
files can be added to No. No. This is not a learning
content to Bb provide students with added by an
an Item. activity.
instructions or instructor.
content.

Easy. Files are

File No. A file can only be
attached similar to Yes. Provides
Used for adding added by an None
attaching files to an instructors with an
content to Bb No. instructor however, No. This is not a learning
email and uploaded easy way to create a
students can add activity.
from course or directory of files.
files in the text editor.
computer.

No. An image can

Image Easy. Images can be only be added by an RUAAEC
Yes. Only instructors
Used for adding added from course, instructor however, Depends on how
can upload an No. No.
visual interest or as computer, or from students can add images are used in
Image.
content the Flickr Mashup. images in the text assessment.
editor.
No. URLs can only Potentially. Link to
Yes. Great way to
URL Easy. Find the Web be added by the collaborative sites, RUAAEC
lead students to
Link to a web page address and copy instructor however, such as Google Depends on where
information by giving No.
and past it into the students can add Docs and students you link and the
them a quick access
URL field. links in the text can add URL’s from assessment design.
point.
editor. Text Editor.

No. However, all No. However, all

Learning Module Yes. Offers
Fairly easy. With No. However, all communication and tools allowing
Used to organize instructors a way to None
planning the assessment types interactive student students to
content in a simple organize content in a This is not a learning
Learning Module can may be included in a tools may be collaborate, discuss
intuitive manner. logical sequential activity.
include all Bb tools. Learning Module. included in a and publish together
manner.
Learning Module. can be included.

No. However, all

Yes. Acts as a No. However,
Content Folder tools allowing
Easy. Simply add “container” for No. However, interactive and None
Typically used to students to
the tool and provide information. Clear assessments may be communication This is not a learning
organize course collaborate, discuss
a name. descriptions are placed inside. student tools may be activity.
content and publish may be
important. placed inside.
placed inside.

Blank Page Easy. Simply add Yes. Blank Pages Potentially. External
Can be created as the tool to either the are Content Areas links could lead to None
an item on Course Course Menu or in a that are limited to No. No. collaborative sites, This is not a learning
Menu or as a Content are and text, images, and such as Google activity.
Content Area provide a name. attached files. Docs or a blog.

Yes. Communication
Fairly easy. Add the Yes. Resources and
Home Page/Module tools designed to No. Only the
tool to the course tools such as Alerts, None
Can be customized to keep students up to instructor can add
menu, provide a Calendar Events, No. This is not a learning
include a variety of date on the course module to the course
name and select Announcements, etc. activity.
resources and tools can be added by the Module Page.
desired modules. can be added.
instructor.

Potentially. Students
Mashup Fairly easy. Search Yes. Great way to Yes. You could use RUAAEC
could create
Users can search for for and add content easily link students content from the Instructors will need
projects/assignments
content from from any Content to relevant content sites to generate No. to consider
and upload them to
YouTube, Flickr and Area or in the Text from these popular discussion and assessment design
the site - then link to
SlideShare Editor. sites. collaboration. to include all levels.
the course.

Test/Survey Tricky. Many Not really. Yes. This tool is RUAAEC

Can be used to question types and Depending on designed to assess Instructors will need
assess learning, several step process. questions Survey learning. There are No. No. to craft questions
formative or Go to Assessment tool may disseminate also self-assessment carefully to meet all
summative Tools workshop. information. options. levels.

Yes. Instructors can RUAAEC

Assignment Easy. Create in Not really. However, No. Only limited
set due dates, assign Yes. Instructor can When creating
Students may upload Content Area and a instructors can interaction between
points, collect set Group Assignments
individual or group link to Grade Center attach files to student and
assignments and Assignments. instructor will need to
Assignments is created. Assignments. instructor.
provide feedback. consider design.

Yes. Instructors can

SafeAssignment Fairly easy. Direct RUAAEC
Not really. However set due dates, assign No. Only limited
Students upload Submit or Create in When creating
instructors can points, collect interaction between
assignments which Content area and No. SafeAssignment
attach files to assignments, provide student and
are then checked for link to Grade Center instructors will need
SafeAssignments. feedback and instructor.
plagiarism is created. to consider design.
originality reports.

Pick the Right Blackboard Tool for the Job!

• Know what tool you want to use? Follow its row across to see it Can work with some Not the best tool for
legend Great Fit
learning design the job
strengths and weaknesses.
• Know what you want to achieve? Pick a column and follow it to
see what tool is best for the job.

T I L T Blackboard 9.1 Tool Guide

Blackboard 9.1 Tool Guide
Blackboard tools
Pedagogy
What you want to achieve?
Technology
Discussion Board
May be used for
many types of
learning activities
Blog
Can be individual or
course wide and not
accessible outside
course
Wiki
A place for students
to collaboratively
create online
projects
Journal
Designed to be a
self-reflective tool for
students
Glossary
Instructors are able
to create or upload a
course glossary
Groups
Instructors can
create groups of
students and provide
them with their own
tools
Collaboration – Chat,
Virtual Classroom,
Synchronous
communication tools
Elluminate
Dynamic web-
conferencing tool
Discussion Boards, Blogs, Journals, and Wikis – What’s the Difference?
Journal
Journals provide a place
for students to write.
Journals can be kept
private between the
instructor and the
student or shared with
the class. Only the
instructor and author of
the journal can add
comments. Group
journals can be viewed
and edited by all group
members.
Potential Uses: Reflect
on personal growth
throughout the
semester,. record lab
results, document
clinical experiences,
communicate “muddiest
points” that are private.
Note: Instructors can set options so that Groups have access to their own tools such as: Discussion Board,
Journals, Blogs, Wikis, Assignments, etc.
Need Blackboard 9.1 Help?
• Check out the User Guide in your Blackboard class
• Contact an Instructional Designer - 278-6892
• Come to training - http://www.csufresno.edu/tilt/training_opportunities
Information Transfer
Is this a tool for
disseminating
information to
students?
Ease of use
Yes. Great for
Easy. Forums have
sharing information,
usable default
resources, links or
settings. Students
files. Subscription
can add Forums in
feature sends
Groups.
messages to email.
Easy. Add the Name
and Description and Yes. Great for
select the settings. sharing information,
Can be accessed resources, links or
from Content Area or files.
Blog Tool.
Tricky. Instructors Yes. Consider using
create the wiki and as an informational
generally the first site. You can also
page. Go to close the editing so
Interactive Tools only instructors can
workshop. edit.
Easy. Add the Name
and Description &
select the settings.
No.
Can be accessed
from Content or Tool
Area.
Easy. Simply add a
term and a
Yes. Only instructors
definitions.
can add to the
Glossaries created in
Glossary.
Excel can be
uploaded.
Yes. Depending on
the tool, information
Tricky. Go to the
can be disseminated
Interactive Tools
through text, web
Training.
tours, Whiteboards
and more.
Yes. Depending on
the tool, information
Tricky. Go to the
can be disseminated
Interactive Tools
through text, web
Training.
tours, Whiteboards
and more.
Yes. Depending on
the tool, information
Tricky. The program
can be disseminated
is very robust. Go to
through audio, video,
Elluminate Training.
text, presentations
and more.
Blog Discussion Board
Blogs allow participants Discussion Boards allow
to post a chronological users to post and reply
series of entries on a to messages. Replies
particular topic, either that are associated with
individually or shared. the same post are
Newest entries come grouped together,
first in the list and users creating message
can add comments to threads that can be
blog entries. Blogs are expanded and
less structured than the collapsed. Generally, the
Discussion Board. The course instructor
format is more open and controls the topics.
conversational in style. Users can subscribe to
forums or threads and
Potential Uses: “What receive email when
we did/will do in class” there is new activity.
saves the instructor of Printing is managed with
having to answer a single click and there
individual inquiries, are options for rating of
online discussions about posts.
related topics, “muddiest
points” about what was Potential Uses: Popular
covered in class. tool for online
discussions. Consider
class debates, team
discussions, role plays,
etc.
T I L T Blackboard 9.1 Tool Guide
Assess Learning Communication Collaboration Bloom’s Revised
Will this tool allow you and Interaction Can course Taxonomy
• Remember
to assess student Can this tool be participants
learning? used for collaborate and • Understand
communication and create content • Apply
interaction among together? • Analyze
course participants? • Evaluate
• Create
Yes. Open to all
Yes. Students can
course participants or RUAAEC
collaborate, explore
Yes. Forums have a groups. Discussions Depending on the
and discuss topics
setting for grading. take place in forums prompts, all levels
as well as write
and threads are the can be addressed..
together in Forums.
conversations.
Yes. Great for getting Yes. Use as an open
students to be forum for students to RUAAEC
Yes. Blogs have a creative. More open- write about course Depending on design
setting for grading. ended and flexible topics. Course blog all levels can be
than Discussion allows all students to addressed.
Board. contribute.
Not suited for
discussion. Use for Yes. Students can RUAAEC
Yes. Wikis have a brainstorming, share resources, Depending on design
setting for grading. planning, explore topics, and all levels can be
collaborative writing, collaboratively write. addressed.
etc.
Yes. Journals have a Yes. Communication
RUAAEC
setting for grading. is private between
Depending on design
Consider a formative instructor and
No. all levels can be
assessment with student. Entries may
addressed.
student/teacher be viewed by other
interaction. participants.
RU
Provides students
with a list of course
No. No. No.
specific terms to help
them remember and
understand.
Yes. Options for
Yes. Options for
communication in RUAAEC
group work where
various forms Depending on design
No. students can
however, does not all levels can be
collaborate are
allow for audio or addressed.
available.
video.
Yes. Options for
Yes. Options for
communication in RUAAEC
group work where
various forms Depending on design
No. students can
however, does not all levels can be
collaborate are
allow for audio or addressed.
available.
video.
Yes. Instructors can
poll and quiz Yes. Students can Yes. Instructors can RUAAEC
students. Quiz communicate in real- create Breakout Depending on design
grades do not time through text, Rooms for all levels can be
automatically record audio and video. collaboration. addressed.
in Grade Center.
Wiki
Wikis are a collaborative
space where all students
can view, contribute and
edit content. Wikis can
be viewed, edited, and
commented upon by all
users in the course.
Each wiki contains a
History detailing all the
changes made to the
pages.
Potential Uses: Grant
writing, creative writing,
group research projects,
student created study
guides and course
glossaries.
In 1956, Benjamin Bloom headed a group of educational psychologists who
developed a classification of levels of intellectual behavior important in
learning. During the 1990's a new group of cognitive psychologist, lead by a
former student of Bloom's, updated the taxonomy reflecting relevance to
21st century work. The graphic is a representation of the new terms
associated with the long familiar Bloom's Taxonomy.
legend Great Fit
Can work with some Not the best tool for
learning design the job
Modified from Moodle Tool Guide for Teachers (http://www.cats-
pyjamas.net/2010/05/moodle-tool-guide-for-teachers/)
Joyce Seitzinger. May 2010