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Hi this is Crystal Barger, the Blackboard Support Manager in Instructional Technologies with
OIT at FAU. Today, I’m going talk about the new features coming in the Blackboard
Service Pack 14 update, scheduled for May 8th, 2014.
I’m so excited about the new features that this service pack will offer. Quickly, here’s an
overview: You will now have availability exceptions, test feedback control, a test access
log, as well as a few other improvements. Some other new features will include grade
center improvements, course messages notifications, improved group management, date
management and achievements. And a quick note about this video - you can quickly access
other parts of the video by clicking on the terms below – it will time jump you ahead.
If you see any “YouTube Video” links on the slide, click and you can jump off to learn more
about that feature. Okay, lets get started.
Test availability exceptions allow instructors to select one or more groups of students and
make a number of exceptions to provide accommodations for their students. You are able to
change these settings at any time. Some types of exceptions that can be applied
are, the number of attempts, time allowed, auto submit, availability of the test using
start and end dates, and force completion.
Instructors now have the ability to control when and what feedback is given to students.
By setting up rules, instructors can set the release of progressive feedback to keep
test results secure, which could prevent cheating. For example, you can choose After
Submission to present only the Score. Then after the due date of the test, you could show the
students their score, All Answers, Correct, Submitted, Feedback and Incorrect Answers.
With the Test access log, you will now see a detailed list for every interaction that
students engage in when taking a test. If a student claims to have started a test the log
will show the time the test was started. If a network or internet disruption occurred
during the test, the log would show an unusual gap in the time.
Here are some other updated test features. When using multiple attempts, students will now
have a clearer picture of how they progress to take a second (or third) attempt. With this
new layout, you can see how students can easily retake their exam or view their
previous attempt. In the test canvas, there is now an improved area for adding
questions. You can add questions directly where you want them, instead of having to
drag and drop your questions after their creation. Also, there is a more streamlined
question creation process, you can now “Submit and create another” – this allows you to
create the similar types of questions with out having to go back to the main test canvas
page. You also have improved due date options. With this newly included feature, you can
prevent students from taking the exam past the due date, with out having to set the
availability dates.
The Grade Center has had a few improvements made. For the students, the MyGrades can now
be sorted by course, last activity, or due date. They can also narrow down the items
listed by All, graded, upcoming, and submitted. Built right into the tests
and assignments, you can now score multiple attempts by using a drop down that lets you
choose how you want those attempts graded Instructors can now adjust the total points
possible for a test, however, this does not change the point value of the questions. This
could possibly be used to “curve” exams by reducing the total points possible.
And finally, you can create grading schemas greater than 100%
Course messages can now be added to the notification options, which means you can decided to
be notified via email when you receive a new message. You can also view new messages through
the updates page and the What’s New Module.
The group management area has changed. You now have an “All Users” page. Here you can
easily see which groups students are enrolled in, including students not
currently in a group. You can easily modify group memberships right from this page.
After the group creation, you now have an easy way to mange tool availability for all groups,
simply by clicking. On the all groups page, you can now sort columns, perform bulk
actions for deleting groups and create Grade Center smart views. Also notice the import
and export buttons. This means you can now bring your group enrollments outside of
and export buttons. This means you can now bring your group enrollments outside of
and export buttons. This means you can now bring your group enrollments outside of
blackboard and manipulate them. After you are done, you will be able to import them back into
Blackboard and apply the changes. Lastly, you have an improved enrollments page.
As you can see in the screen shot the enrollments now include the student avatars for easy
identification as well a more streamlined enrollment management window.
You can use the date management tool to easily adjust all content and tool dates in your
course. You access it from the control panel under the course tools section. You can choose to
adjust dates automatically or individually from one location.
The Achievements tool allows instructors and course designers to designate criteria
for issuing rewards to students in the form of both Badges and Certificates. Students can see
which rewards they’ve earned and what is required of them to receive additional rewards.
Students are able to share these awards outside of Blackboard and Instructors can
easily see which students have reached learning milestones. Basically, the instructors
would define a description for the achievement, define the triggers, and pick a reward. A
would define a description for the achievement, define the triggers, and pick a reward. A
would define a description for the achievement, define the triggers, and pick a reward. A
certificate could be printed and a badge can be shared on places such as websites, facebook,
twitter, wordpress and tumbler, their resumes, or even employment sites.
We’re here to help! The best way to reach out is by submitting a ticket at helpdesk.fau.edu OR
by clicking on the red submit a ticket button that you will find in various locations
around Blackboard. If you want to learn more, please visit our webpage or sign up for a
training. Thanks and I hope you’re as excited about the new features as we are.