What's New in Blackboard

From BbWiki

New for Fall 08, Blackboard now offers the following features:

Grade Center at a Glance

New for Spring 07, Blackboard now offers the following features:

More Robust Discussion Board

The revised discussion has a new look, and offers many new features including the option to grade forums and threads, and the ability to send discussions to email.

Improved Blog Tool

The tool, formerly called "journal" has been renamed "blog". Along with the new name, the tool now offers new, more blog-like features. Most notably you will see a new appearance, improved editing tools, and an RSS out option. See Does BlackBoard have a Blog feature? for more information.

Improved Wiki Tool

The tool, formerly called "team sites" has been renamed "wiki". Along with the new name, the tool now offers new, more wiki-like features. Most notably you will see a new appearance and improved editing tools. See Does BlackBoard have a Wiki feature? for more information.

Expanded use of the Visual Text Box editor

The Visual Text Box editor (VTB) allows web publishers to add content in a wysiwyg (what you see is what you get) format. It is slower than the old style editor, but you can disable it. See Can I speed up Blackboard's response time when I add or modify a content item?

New for Fall 06, Blackboard now offers the following features:

Asynchronous export and archive package downloads

Instructors and leaders can form periodic export and archive package (.zip) files through Control Panel > Export or Control Panel > Archive. After submitting the request, an email will be sent when the process is complete. The individual can store and retrieve the packages from the server at a later time through the control panel.

Multi-Language Support (English, French, German, Spanish, Portugese, Chinese, Japanese) by Course and User

Individuals can set Blackboard's main menus, usage instructions, and error messages to appear in English (the default), or alternative Languages. Instructors can set individual courses to appear in these foriegn languages.

New as of Fall 05:

Toggle between a Quick View (the default) or a Detailed View of course menus.

The quick view provides the course navigation menu you are used to seeing. The detailed view allows you to navigate more quickly through course folders.

Advanced Assessment Questions

Instructors using Blackboard's Test feature now have more options for creating test questions.

Gradebook Null Option

Instructors using the gradebook feature can now remove untaken tests and quizes from the course total or weighted total grade.

Review Status

Instructors can able a review status button for course content items. If enabled, students easily see when they have already reviewed a Blackboard content item.

Instructors can enable the Review Status feature in the new Manage option when you add or edit a content item.

Performance Dashboard

This new tool helps faculty view student progress. Instructors will find this tool in the Control Panel.

Adaptive Release

Instructors may use this tool to set up content which is only available according to a set of rules the instructor creates. Instructors can set up the Adaptive Release feature in the new Manage option when you add or edit a content item.

What’s New Module

Blackboard's What's New tool has changed. It now longer works with individual courses. Instead, it allows you to see what has changed in all your courses at once.