BlackBoard Information

BlackBoard is the Online learning tool that Linfield makes available for instructors who wish to build an online component to their courses. BlackBoard provides a web interface that allows for the uploading and downloading of files by students and instructors as well as a multitude of tools for online interactivity such as whiteboards, chat rooms, testing, and evaluation. To quote from the "Getting Started Guide":

"BlackBoard ... allows course designers to create an interactive learning environment that brings instructors and students together in a virtual classroom. This online course management solution combines course development and delivery tools with a comprehensive course administration system. With BlackBoard, you can create entire courses online or complement a classroom-based course.

What's the difference between BlackBoard, CatFiles and Google Docs? Maybe this matrix will help you see the differences.

How it Works:

As of August 29, 2007, all BlackBoard courses will be created automatically. In addition, instructors and students will be automatically added to BlackBoard, so it is no longer necessary to enable self-registration or to manually enroll your course members. A software script will be run each work day to address student adds and drops.

HOWEVER, should you need a course that exists outside of the Registrar's list of official Linfield courses, you can still have one. To create a course, fill out the course creation form. This will provide the information the Administrator will need to set up your course. Once a course has been set up by the BlackBoard Administrator, the instructor will have full control over the management of the course content using web-based tools.

What if I have problems?

BlackBoard has a "Help" link that contains many good context-specific support documents. You may also find useful documents in the left menu section on this site. If the answer isn't in either of these two places, fill out the "I have a question" form and your question will be emailed to the BlackBoard Adminstrators. We'll get back to you as soon as we figure out the answer.

If you have suggestions for ways we can improve the system or how we help you, please let us know.