Blackboard (Bb) Collaborate is a web conferencing tool that is accessible in all UMBC Bb courses under the tools menu.Bb Collaborate  allows instructors and students to meet virtually, anytime and anywhere. Instructors can supplement in-class dialogue by offering virtual office hours or review sessions to answer questions students have regarding course content.  Bb Collaborate  has many interactive features, including chat, video conferencing, whiteboard, and screen sharing. Students can access a collaborate session from their computers or mobile devices.

To learn more about Bb Collaborate:

• visit our Bb Collaborate FAQ page

• open an RT ticket  for any technical issues

• view the schedule of training workshops on the DoIT group page

• contact  the Instructional Technology Team with any questions or concerns

The  Grade Center is the instructor’s central hub for keeping track of student assignments to grade, reviewing submitted assessments, and tracking student performance. Whenever graded items, such as an assignment or assessments, are created in a Bb course, the system will automatically create a column in the Grade Center.

Save time and paper by requiring students to submit assignments through Blackboard. Then, use the Inline Grading tool  to embed feedback. Describe expectations and standardize the evaluation process with Rubrics.

Instructors can customize many Grade Center  features, such as grading schemas (points/percentages converted to letter grades), categories (labs, projects), color coding (e.g., red to indicate at risk) and other important column information. The Grade Center also works well with many other areas of Blackboard including the Retention Center.  

To learn more about the Grade Center:

• please visit our Blackboard FAQ page

• open an RT ticket  for any technical issues

• view the schedule of training workshops at the DoIT group page

Please contact the Instructional Technology Team with any suggestions or concerns. 

Due to an unforeseen logistical issue, Blackboard has moved this event to October 20. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to seeing you in October.

Blackboard is going on tour and coming to the Baltimore area for a free teaching & learning day! This event is an official stop on the national Bb on Tour. 

Hosted by Towson University, this event will take place on Wednesday, October 20. [original date: September 17]

The agenda highlights include: 

• Dynamic Presentations: given by your fellow peers in the Maryland and DC area on their best practices.
• Breakout Sessions: robust multi-track breakout sessions for Higher Education, and Learn & Collaborate users.
• Ask the Expert Stations: sit down, one-on-one, with Blackboard technical experts and get your questions answered.
• Feedback Sharing: help shape the future of Blackboard products by sharing your feedback in person and tell Blackboard about your needs and concerns.
• Partner Interaction Zone: from content providers, media and technology companies to system integrators and more, Blackboard is bringing a select group of partners on tour. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet with them.
• Expanded Higher Education Faculty Track: hear about new ideas and learn best practices to increase efficiency, improve student engagement and further enhance your skills on creating engaging content to meet course objectives.

Register for free today! We look forward to seeing you!

Beginning in September, Instructional Technology & New Media  is launching a series called "Instructional Technology of the Month".  This series will highlight an instructional technology supported by our office that can enhance teaching and learning both in the classroom and online.   The first spotlight will be posted next week and will feature the Blackboard Grade Center. Stay tuned.....