New features in Blackboard 9.1 (service pack 6)

New features in Blackboard 9.1 (service pack 6)

As many of you are aware, we recently upgraded our Blackboard system to service pack 6. Although there aren’t any significant differences between service pack 6 and the previous service pack used last semester, there are a few enhancements that I wanted to call to your attention.

1. Communications Tools (i.e. Blog, Discussion Board, Journals, Wiki) feature enhancements:

a.      If you are using the grading feature with any communication tool you can select how many student blogs, discussion postings or journals before the “Needs Grading” symbol appears in the Grade Center (see below)

b.      Also, you can now create and attach a rubric to any Assignment, Blog, Journal, Discussion forum or Wiki

You can create a rubric by defining what a novice, competent or proficient performance is on the assignment, blog, discussion or journal within your criteria and then apply the appropriate grading weight.

2.  Testing feature enhancements

a.       There is now an option in the “Test Options” area where you can choose to have your test or exam automatically submit when the time expires.

**If you choose to utilize this feature, I would be sure to inform your students that their tests or exams will be automatically submitted when their time expires.

b.      Student test answers are now automatically submitted 

If you have any questions regarding any of the features listed above or need assistance in any way, please don't hesitate to contact me in e-Learning.