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Tips of the Month |
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| Month |
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Tip Description |
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| April 2008 |
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Invalid File Location Error in SafeAssign
Some of your students may have been experiencing an "Invalid file location"
error when they submit SafeAssignments while on campus. This is a problem
that usually occurs while using the Internet Explorer 7 web browser.
Students experiencing this problem using IE 7 should complete the following
steps to avoid this error:
When attaching a SafeAssignment document, click on "Browse". Choose the "your username on 'your campus location-fs\users' (Z:)." From there you may
choose the location of your file (i.e. My Documents, My Computer, or
Desktop).
Failure to do the above, and clicking directly on My documents, My Computer
or Desktop, will result in a File location error.
When done correctly students should see Z:\file location\etc. If the File
to Attach window displays \\your campus location-fs\Users\your username,
then it will display the File location Error. |
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| March 2008 |
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Flash-Based Learning Activities
Create Flash-based learning activities such as Flashcards, Crosswords, Jepoardy, Math Calculations and more with Study Mate. Its easy and useable in Blackboard and as a stand-alone in class. Available at most of your E-Learning labs. Want to learn more?
Go to: http://www.respondus.com/products/demos-sm.shtml |
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| Jan 2008 |
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Saving Files as PDFs
In January 2008, many faculty members were upgraded to Microsoft Office 2007. Office 2007 documents are saved in a different format from previous versions of Office. For example, Microsoft Word 2007documents now end in .docx as opposed to the former .doc. If a student does not have Microsoft Office 2007 installed on his/her computer, the student is unable to open documents created with the software. This applies to all programs (i.e. Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.)
Therefore, it is recommended that all documents be saved as PDF files for upload into the Blackboard Learning System. One of the new features of Office 2007 is that it saves files in PDF format without the necessity of third-party software.
To save files in PDF format, complete the following steps:
After creating and saving the Office 2007 document, click on the Microsoft Office logo in the upper left corner of the screen of the open file.
Next, let the mouse hover over the Save As option, and click on the PDF or XPS option.
If necessary, choose location to save file and click Publish.
PDF files are attached in Blackboard the same as all other files. |
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| Dec 2007 |
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How to View Your Class as a Student
There is a student account set up in every instructor’s course. The instructor’s student account appears in the gradebook as ZZStudent.
Instructors can view classes from the student’s perspective, allowing the instructor to see exactly what the student sees in Blackboard. This tool is especially handy for viewing how tests, quizzes or assignments appear to the student.
To view your courses from the student’s perspective, just complete the following step. Scroll down the My Courses page. Next you will see DTCC Instructor as Student. Click on the Click here to switch to or from your student account link.
To switch back to instructor view, simply click on the link again. |
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| Nov 2007 |
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Hiding Class Average for Students in Blackboard
Blackboard defaults to show students the class average next to his/her scores in My Grades. To prevent the student from viewing the class average, complete the following steps:
Step 1: From the Control Panel, click on Gradebook.
Step 2: Click on Gradebook Settings.
Step 3: Click on Column Settings.
Step 4: Under section 2, My Grades Display Options, uncheck the checkbox for Display Average Score.
Step 5: Click Submit. |
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| Oct 2007 |
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Is SafeAssign Missing from your Corse Tools?
If the SafeAssign link is not visible under the Course Tools area of the Control Panel, just complete these simple steps.
First, click on the Manage Tools link under Course Options.
Next, click on Building Block Tool Availability.
Finally, place a check mark in the box under Available next to SafeAssign by clicking in the box, and then click on Submit.
Once you have returned to the Control Panel, you will now see the SafeAssign link! |
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| Aug 2007 |
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My Courses
The My Courses (“Pencil”) area is once again functioning properly. This area allows you to select the courses that you want to see.
To hide the Courses: Quick View from your screen, simply click on the dash (minimize) in the upper right hand corner of the Courses: Quick View Box.
This will reduce the length of the window and prevent having to scroll through all of your courses. |
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| May 2007 |
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Report Card
Students may view their grades on the My DTCC My Courses page via the Report Card module. The report card grade defaults to show the students their score only.
For example if the student has completed 250 points out of 300 points available, it will only display as 250, not 83%. To change the display of the students’ grades from points to percentage complete the following steps:
Step 1 - From the Control Panel click on “Gradebook”.
Step 2 - Once in the gradebook click on “Running Total.
Step 3 - Next, click on “Item Information.”
Step 4 - In # Options area, click “Yes” in the “Exempt items that have not been graded”
– Exempting items that have not yet been graded will make this a running total.
Step 5: - Click the drop down menu for “Display As:” and choose “percentage.” |
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| Apr 2007 |
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A Character in Announcement E-Mails
Sometimes when sending an email of an announcement in Blackboard, the following character appears in the email: Â.
This is a Blackboard bug. To avoid seeing this character in the email, take the following steps.
- Before typing or copying the text in the announcement, click on the Toggle HTML Source Mode icon (< >) on the toolbar.
- Remove the “ ”
- Click on the Toggle HTML Source Mode icon (< >) again to return to plain text.
- Type or paste your announcement.
- The  should not appear in your emailed version of the Announcement.
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| Mar 2007 |
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Blackboard Test/Quiz Generator
Did you know there is a great tool that assists instructors in creating quizzes or tests in a zip file that can be imported into the Pool Manager in Blackboard?
The link is available through the Application Help Desk website. To access the website, click on the Help button located on the top of your my DTCC page.
Once at the website, click on the Tips & Techniques link under the Faculty tab. Next, click on the Blackboard Test Pool Generator link. This will open the Quiz Generator page. From there, click on the Documentation link to see the format for typing questions. Simply type or paste (from Word, Notepad, etc.) the quiz or test in the text area and click the Create Quiz button.
Click here to access this tool. (Please note this will take you to a different web site) |
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| Feb 2007 |
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Modifying the Test Options
When a test is deployed in Blackboard from the Test Manager, the option to “Modify Test Option” screen appears.
Once “Modify the Test options” link has been clicked, the “Modify the Test options” page appears.
With the recent upgrade there is a new testing option in the course content area when deploying a test that was previously only available in the Gradebook - Area 3 Self-assessment Options. This area allows students to self assess with two options. The first option, Include this test in Gradebook score calculations allows the instructor and student to view the grade.
The Hide the score of this test from the Gradebook only allows the student to view the grade.
In each case, the grade is not included in the final score for the student.
Blackboard defaults to Include this test in Gradebook score calculations.
If the exam or quiz is not “self-assessment”, and you want it included in the final score for the student, un-check the checkmark in the box, to allow students to take the test without affecting his/her overall score. Failure to do so, or selecting the Hide the score of this test from the Gradebook will cause difficulty in retrieving your grades in the gradebook. |
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