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Author: Tasha Hussey

Uploading Your Syllabus to Blackboard

  1. Click the circle/plus symbol located in the top left corner of the course menu.
  2. Select Content Area.Left side content menu with mouse pointing on content area
  3. Name it “Syllabus,” enable the option Available to Users, then click Submit.Submit button
  4. Click the Syllabus menu item you just created.
  5. From the Content Area menu, click Build Content.
  6. Select File.Click Syllabus, Click Build Content, Select file
  7. On the Create File screen, type “Syllabus” in the Name field.
  8. Click the Browse My Computer button to upload a copy of your syllabus.
  9. Click Submit.Type Syllabus in Name Field, Click Browse My Computer, Click Submit Button

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This article was created and is maintained by the Office of Academic Technology.

If you need assistance incorporating this article in your course, please contact an Educational Technologist.

Add Files from Cloud Storage to Blackboard

Instructors can copy files from their favorite cloud storage solutions when authoring content Items or creating assignments. Students can also submit assignments from their favorite cloud storage solutions. Cloud storage that is supported includes OneDrive, OneDrive for Business, Google Drive including G suite accounts, Dropbox, and Box.

To learn more click Add Files from Cloud Storage to read the article.

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This article was created and is maintained by the Office of Academic Technology.

If you have found an error in this article, or if you need assistance incorporating this article into your course, please contact an Educational Technologist.

Creating an Average Grade Column in Blackboard

In the Blackboard Grade Center, you can create an average grade column by applying equal value to all columns within a category or proportionally based on points to all columns within a category.

For additional information, view the Create Average Columns article.

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This article was created and is maintained by the Office of Academic Technology.

If you need assistance incorporating this article in your course, please contact an Educational Technologist.

Test Cloning Procedure for Special Testing Situations

NOTE: For non-emergency period testing, this process has been replaced with Allow Students to Take Exams with a Remote 3rd-party Proctor.

Please follow these step-by-step instructions to clone your existing tests in Blackboard and make them available to your students:

  1. With your Blackboard course open, in the left-hand column under Course Management, expand Course Tools, select Tests, Surveys, and Pools, and then click Tests.
  2. Select the chevron that appears to the right of the test name, then select Copy from that dropdown menu.  This will duplicate the exam with the same settings and questions. A teal banner will appear, notifying that the copy was a success.
  3. Return to the home page of your Blackboard course. From the course menu or content area, select the menu item or folder that contains the links to your exams (e.g., Unit 1 Exams, Chapter 2 Tests, etc).  Under the Assessments dropdown menu, click Test.dropdown in assessments highlighting Test
  4. On the next page, below Add Test, find the name of the cloned test (denoted by the number 1 in parenthesis) in the window adjacent to Add an Existing Test. Select the test name and then click Submit.Add test dialogue box with test.test(1) example highlighted
  5. In the Test Options page, rename the test with a title distinct from the tests your students would generally take in the ACC Testing Center.  Apply the necessary deadlines and testing instructions you would require for the normal version of the test.

Once you have completed this process, your remote students will now be able to take their exams through a third party proctor or by using Respondus Lockdown Browser with Respondus Monitor.  We suggest that you provide instructions to your students on which exam to click on based on whether they are a regular student or if they are testing remotely through Distance & Alternative Learning.  You can also place the cloned tests in a folder, use the Adaptive Release option and assign students who can access the content of the folder which prevents other students from clicking on the wrong test.

To make your tests available, please review Test Availability Instructions for Online Exams.

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This article was created and is maintained by Distance Education & Alternative Learning.  If you have found an error in this article please contact Distance Education & Alternative Learning.

If you need assistance incorporating this article in your course, please contact the Educational Technology Support Staff.

Access Discussions in Blackboard

You can allow users to access discussions in your Blackboard course in two ways. You can add a customized link to the course menu and to a course area. When you provide a link to discussions in a course area, students can access the tool alongside other course content.

View the article on accessing discussions for additional information.

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This article was created and is maintained by the Office of Academic Technology. 

If you have found an error in this article or if you need assistance incorporating this article in your course, please contact the Educational Technologists.

Distance Education Semester Prep Checklist

Getting Ready

Can you see all of your courses? 

Are all your assigned courses for the next semester listed in the Online Schedule and in Blackboard? If not, please verify with your department that you are assigned the course. If you have verified you are assigned to the course and you do have missing classes, please send the synonym(s) of the missing course(s) to dlstaff@austincc.edu.

Course Copy

Have you copied your course from the previous semester or previous year to each and every section of the course you plan to teach? See Copying Course Content for step-by-step instructions.

Course Syllabus

A special adaptation of the master syllabus template has been approved for use during the current pandemic crisis while campuses are closed to students. Note that addenda and other changes will be made as the situation evolves. Visit the Master Syllabus Checklist & Template for details.

Is your current syllabus available in the Course Schedule? If not, visit Lighthouse.

Update Your Course for the New Semester

Have you made the necessary modifications and updates to your courses? If you use due dates or have ‘start and end dates’ for different assignments, have you reset these dates? Double-check course content and references (videos, hyperlinks, etc.). Make sure any course activities are active and working (quizzes, discussion forums, etc.). Is your orientation exercise ready? Check out the Teaching & Learning Knowledge Base for articles about Blackboard.

Online Testing

Testing for courses will be online. Visit the Testing Guide to find detailed instructions and procedures for all the online testing options available at ACC.

Resources for Students

The Office of Distance & Alternative Education has various resources that you are welcome to add to your Blackboard course. Here are a few helpful links:

Area of Study Advisors for Distance Education

Advisors are available for distance education students at every stage of their education journey at ACC. DE students starting their educational program are recommended to visit with an ACC Area of Study Advisor to help them get started on the right track.

Online Tutoring

Online tutoring is now available for ACC students. Find more information on the Learning Labs website and Schedule an Online Tutoring Session.

Class in Session

Blackboard Opens

Your Blackboard course should already be available to your students online. Remember: Classes need to be updated before the first day of class.

Welcome/Getting Started Message

Consider a Welcome/Getting Started message through email or on Blackboard to engage students early.

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This article was created and is maintained by the Office of Academic Technology.

If you need assistance incorporating this article in your course, please contact an Educational Technologist.

Respondus LockDown Browser Download and Sample Wording

Faculty and students can download the Respondus Lockdown Browser to administering online exams.  Click the following link to download the LockDown Browser Download Respondus LockDown Browser

Use LockDown Browser with a Webcam to Take Online Exams
This course requires the use of LockDown Browser and a webcam for online exams. The webcam can be built into your computer or can be the type that plugs in with a USB cable. Watch this short video to get a basic understanding of LockDown Browser and the webcam feature. A student Quick Start Guide (PDF) is also available.

Setting up a Webcam In the LockDown Browser:

1.Start LockDown Browser, log into Blackboard and select this course.

2.Locate and select the Help Center button on the LockDown Browser toolbar.

3.Run the Webcam Check and, if necessary, resolve any issues.

4. Run the System & Network Check. If a problem is indicated, see if a solution is provided in the Knowledge Base Troubleshooting information can also be  emailed to our institution’s help desk

5. Exit the Help Center and locate the practice quiz named  (NOTE TO INSTRUCTOR: CREATE A BRIEF PRACTICE QUIZ AND INSERT NAME OF QUIZ HERE; IF NECESSARY, INCLUDE LOCATION OF QUIZ)

6. Upon completing and submitting the practice quiz, exit LockDown Browser.

   Guidelines for Taking an Exam in the LockDown Browser

  • Ensure you’re in a location where you won’t be interrupted
  • Turn off all other devices (e.g. tablets, phones, second computers) and place them outside of your reach
  • Clear your desk of all external materials not permitted — books, papers, other devices
  • Before starting the test, know how much time is available for it and that you’ve allotted sufficient time to complete it
  • Remain at your computer for the duration of the test
  • If the computer or networking environment is different than what was used previously with the Webcam Check and System & Network Check-in LockDown Browser, run the checks again prior to starting the test
  • Ensure your computer or tablet is on a firm surface (a desk or table). Do NOT have the computer on your lap, a bed, or other surfaces where the device (or you) are likely to move
  • If using a built-in webcam, avoid tilting the screen after the webcam setup is complete
  • Take the exam in a well-lit room and avoid backlighting, such as sitting with your back to a window
  • Avoid wearing wide brim hats or caps.
  • Remember that LockDown Browser will prevent you from accessing other websites or applications; you will be unable to exit the test until all questions are completed and submitted.

Sample Wording about Using the LockDown Browser for your Course
The sample wording below can be used in your course to explain that students must use the LockDown Browser and a webcam (Respondus Monitor) for their online tests.

View Sample Wording

Alternatively, you can download this sample wording as a Word document.

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Allow Students to Take Assessments from Anywhere

Instructors have the option to allow students to take their exams anywhere.

To learn more, view the Restrict location article.

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This article was created and is maintained by the Office of Academic Technology.

If you have found an error in this article, or if you need assistance incorporating this article into your course, please contact an Educational Technologist.

Accessibility in Blackboard Learn

Blackboard is fully committed to ensuring all products and services delivered are both usable and accessible to all users regardless of age, ability, or situation.

To learn more, view this Accessibility in Blackboard Learn article.

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This article was created and is maintained by the Office of Academic Technology. 

If you need assistance incorporating this article in your course, please contact the Faculty Instructional Support Specialists.

LockDown Browser Quick Start Guide

LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment in Blackboard Learn. When students use LockDown Browser to take a Blackboard test, they are unable to print, copy, go to other websites, access other applications, or close a test until it is submitted for grading. Tests created for use with LockDown Browser cannot be accessed with standard browsers, either.

To learn more view the Quick Start Guide here.

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This article was created and is maintained by the Office of Academic Technology. 

If you have found an error in this article or if you need assistance incorporating this article in your course, please contact an Educational Technologist.