Blackboard

Blackboard is a web-based course management system used at Dickinson College. It allows instructors to post course content, communicate with students, conduct quizzes or surveys, and manage grades online. Blackboard provides some significant features listed below.

Security

Blackboard provides a secure environment with each student using a unique login name and password. Students who are registered are the only ones who can access Blackboard content. Students can have secure access to their grades at all times but cannot access the grades of other students. They can also securely submit assignments.

Easy to Build

Creating a Blackboard course is easy. All content is added using online forms and documents are easily added such as Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Adobe Acrobat PDF files, and others.

Communication

Blackboard allows instructors to email students (either as a group or individually), discussion boards enable students to post questions or comments, and chat rooms enable synchronous online discussion. Instructors can divide the class into small groups and assign communication tools to each group.

Access

Students have one Blackboard account and can access all of their courses from a common place. The basic navigation structure for each course is the same, although instructors are able to customize content areas.

Students

If you are taking a course that uses Blackboard, you will want to read the Student FAQ , the Guide to Using Blackboard. Blackboard's On Line Student Manual. These will help you to become familiar with Blackboard and its tools.

Faculty

Faculty who want to use Blackboard have a number of options for help and training. You can use the online training materials listed here or contact Academic Technology Services for assistance.