by Lynn Zingraf
Learn about Blackboard Learn: Introducing the Self-Help Portal
The Byrds famously sang “Turn! Turn! Turn! To everything there is a season…”
At Blackboard, we don’t sing as much (or as well) as they did, but we do have a song. It starts “Learn! Learn! Learn! To every question there is an answer…”
For questions relating to using Blackboard Learn, those answers are in a new self-help portal for students and faculty, Behind the Blackboard. (No relation to VH1’s Behind the Music. That spreads scandal. This saves time.)
Behind the Blackboard contains a bounty of information for both faculty and students. It’s divided into two main sections, Self Service (info from Blackboard itself) and Community Resources (info from Blackboard users).
Self Service highlights:
- Digital Content: student access codes and keys, Blackboard e-Packs and Course Cartridges, and information on Integrated Partner Solutions and Blackboard Building blocks.
- Documentation: links to Blackboard Learn user guides and quick reference materials grouped by topic area
- Knowledge Base: information on a wide range of topics including supported browsers and operating systems.
- Mobile Resources: a wealth of information on using Blackboard Mobile Learn including how to get started, FAQs, and known issues. You can also submit questions about Blackboard Mobile Learn.
- On-Demand Learning Center: instructional documents and training videos on how to effectively use Blackboard Learn 9.1.
- Upgrade Center: the tools needed to upgrade to Blackboard Learn 9.1.
- Webinars and Demos: sign up for webinars and demonstrations on a variety of Blackboard-related product and best practices. Access recordings of past sessions.
Community Resources highlights:
- Ask Dr. C: a free question-and-answer service moderated by a dedicated group of expert Blackboard clients.
- Connections: the Blackboard User Group community.
- Edugarage: the Blackboard Developer Community.
- Listservs: question-and-answer forums run by the Blackboard user community.
Even more help:
Beyond Self Service and Community Resources, your primary source of support remains your own institution’s help desk. If your institution has provided Blackboard with information on the services they offer, you’ll be able to search for it here.
One thing you will not find in Behind the Blackboard is vocal lessons. Maybe one day, because we sure need some.
Special note for Bb Learn administrators: This new student and faculty version of Behind the Blackboard does not require login credentials. Not only can you direct your students and faculty to this new portal for information and other resources on how to use Blackboard Learn, but you can also set up information on your institution’s help desk that students and faculty can find there. To learn how: What to Do the First Time you Login to the New Behind the Blackboard.
