Available Tools

Tools Available in Blackboard

The following tools are available in UMBC’s Blackboard Learn environment as of SP2023. Please click on the name of the tool to access UMBC FAQs or vendor support websites. A tool on this list does not mean Instructional Technology provides direct support. In some cases, users must obtain support directly from the vendor.

Select the tool's name, status icon, or vendor resources for additional resources and support information.

Tool Status Assessments Content Collaboration Attendance Polling

Tool Name	Status	Description	Tool Uses
		Bubble sheet test scoring
		Provides access to AOK Library Reserves systems
		Synchronous meeting platform. Formerly Blackboard Collaborate. end of support scheduled for summer 2025
		Supports integration of interactive, web-based lessons.
		Create an assignment that students utilize a Google Drive file type and instructors grade through Google Drive.
		Embed a native Google Drive file in your Blackboard course as a view-only document.
Library Research Guides		Access Library Research Guides from the UMBC Library.
Microsoft OneDrive ↗︎		Allow faculty to add a read-only document or create a collaborative document for student
Microsoft OneNote		Allow faculty to add to a Bb course shell.
		Allows faculty to create Microsoft Teams Classes in Ultra courses.
		Allow faculty to link course to Panopto video platform.
		Faculty may sync Poll Everywhere participation and grade data with the Blackboard gradebook.
		Supports taking attendance & student check-in.
& Monitor		Customized browser to secure the Blackboard test environment.
VoiceThread		Supports interactive discussions and asynchronous engagement.
		Allows faculty to schedule Virtual Meetings and create appointment slots for Office Hours with students. NOTE: You can use Webex to set up meetings, but the Teams integration does not work due to Blackboard's email configuration.

Publisher Integrations Available for Course Adoption

The following publisher integrations can be linked to Blackboard along with certain course materials selected through the Course Materials Initiative (CMI). Please contact the UMBC Bookstore if you are considering adopting a tool listed below. If you need help with a specific publisher integration, please visit the Vendor Support links below or visit the technical support directory.

Tool	Description	Vendor Support
Academic Writer	Supports students who have questions about how to conduct research, structure their papers, and format what they write using APA Style.	Academic Writer Support↗︎
	Supports adaptive learning of specific course curriculum.	Acrobatiq Support↗︎
	Supports interactive homework & quizzes for science & math.	McGraw-Hill Support↗︎
	Supports access to e-textbooks & course materials on computers & mobile devices (for the UMBC Course Materials Initiative).	VitalSource Support↗︎ VitalSource Status↗︎
	Integration for Mindtap, Aplia & CogLab course materials.	Cengage Support↗︎ Phone: 800.354.9706 Cengage Support.
Knewton Alta↗︎	Wiley adaptive courseware	Knewton Alta Support↗︎
InQuizitive	Integration for W.W. Norton course materials. Instructor help notes for InQuizitive ↗︎ Add a digital tool link to your Blackboard course ↗︎	Norton Support↗︎ Knowledge Base / Support Notes Instructor Student
Jones & Bartlett Learning	Integration for JB Learning course materials.	JB Learning Support ↗︎ Phone: 1-800-832-0034 Monday - Friday, 8:30am-8pm Eastern option #2)
LabArchives Notebooks	Provides curated collections of 500+ lab activities, protocols, course-packs, and OpenStax textbooks for faculty to use in course	LabArchives Support↗︎
Labster	Provides virtual labs for science courses	Labster Support↗︎
Lumen Learning	Supports integration of Open Educational Resources	Lumen Support↗︎
	Provides seamless access to Macmillan’s Achieve, LaunchPad, or Sapling Learning. Key functionality includes single sign-on, deep linking capability to all Macmillan content at the chapter and asset level, and automated gradebook refresh.	Macmillan Support↗︎ Sapling Learning Knowledge Base ↗︎
	Integration for McGraw-Hill course materials. How-To Guides / Knowledge Base: Faculty Students	McGraw-Hill Support↗︎ Registration is required for support Phone: 800-331-5094 Chat: http://mpss.mhhe.com/
MyDesign (e4usa)	Provides Blackboard integration for the e4usa MyDesign engineering platform.	Support: mydesign-support@e4usa.org
Open Learning Initiative	Supports interactive textbooks with learning activities, assessments, and rich simulations.	OLI Support↗︎
& Oxford Learning Link	Integration for Oxford course materials. Oxford resources↗︎	Oxford Support↗︎
	Integration for Pearson course materials. How-To Guides / Knowledge Base: Faculty Students	Pearson Support↗︎ Registration is preferred for Pearson Support, but guest/anonymous access is available.
PsycLearn	PsycLearn is a component of the American Psychological Association's effort to provide effective digital solutions for undergraduate students and instructors.	PsycLearn Support ↗︎
Signing Naturally Interactive Online Student Materials	Signing Naturally provides curricular materials for the instruction of American Sign Language (ASL) as a second language	DawnSign Support↗︎
Soomo Learning	Frequently Asked Questions↗︎	Email support: support@soomolearning.com Call support: 888-240-0314 (M-F, 9 AM - 9 PM)
TestOut	Provides IT training courseware and certification exams	TestOut Support↗︎
Top Hat	Integration for TopHat course materials and assessments. Instructor resources: Connecting Blackboard Ultra to Top Hat↗︎ Deep Linking Top Hat Content↗︎	Top Hat Support Online Form↗︎ (online form) Email: support@tophat.com Top Hat Support↗︎ Phone and live chat hours: Monday - Friday \| 9AM - 9PM EST Phone: +1 (888) 663-5491. Live chat can be accessed from within the Top Hat platform.
Turning Technologies Clickers	Synchronizes clickers to Bb roster & Bb grade center.	Turning Technologies Support↗︎
Vista Higher Learning (VHL) Central	Incorporate structures and vocabulary from a variety of sources including text, video, and live communication practice, with opportunities for skill-building in every lesson	Vista Higher Learning Support↗︎
	Integration for WebAssign course materials & assessments. How-to Help Faculty Manual or Quick Start Guide (pdf) Student Manual or Quick Start Guide (pdf)	Cengage Support↗︎ 24/7 Support for Students Online: support.cengage.com Phone: 800.354.9706
	Integration for Wiley course materials.	Wiley Support↗︎
	Interactive web textbooks.	zyBooks Support↗︎
	Supports access to e-textbooks & course materials on computers & mobile devices (for the UMBC Course Materials Initiative).	VitalSource Support↗︎ VitalSource Status↗︎

Department Tools

The following tools are used by specific departments or units. Please submit an RT request for questions related to these tools.

Building Block / Tool

Purpose

Vendor Support

Badgr

Supports badging, achievements, and gamification in courses. Also known as Canvas Credentials.

Crowdmark

CSEE Department use only for CMSC courses.

Student Guides↗︎

Crowdmark Support↗︎

Submit a support request ↗︎

Email support: support@crowdmark.com

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