Whats New in Blackboard v6'3

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Whats New in Blackboard v6.3
19 November 2007
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What is Learnline?

• Learnline is CDUs online learning management
  system.
• Blackboard is the name of the software that
  Learnline is run on.
• Blackboard is a leading provider of e-Education
  enterprise software applications and services.
  Based in US, clients include primary, secondary
  schools, HE, government. At least half of
  Australian universities use Blackboard.
• So you will probably hear people refer to both
  Learnline and Blackboard.

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New Features in Bb v6.3

• Advanced course menu
• Advanced assessment questions
• New Gradebook option
• Syllabus builder
• Review status
• Adaptive Release
• Performance Dashboard
• Other Wimba Voice Tools become available (which
  were not available in v6.2)

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Advanced course design menu options

• If enabled by the instructor, students can toggle
  between the default Course Menu view and the
  Detail view
• Separates commonly used tools from the content
  area
• New "Detail View" allows students to expand and
  collapse the Course Menu

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Advanced course design menu options

• Resize the menu frame to view longer names for
  Content areas
• "Refresh" option shows content added during
  current session
• Detail View displays a clickable link to each
  item in the course
• New "Remote Control" feature of Course Map

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Enhanced question options

• Calculated Contains a formula with a number of
  variables. The correct answer can be a specific
  value or a range of values.
• Calculated numeric response Resembles a
  fill-in-the-blank question except a number is
  entered to complete the statement. The correct
  answer can be a specific number or within a range
  of numbers.
• File response Uploaded files are used to respond
  to the question.
• Hot spot A specific point on an image is used to
  indicate the answer.
• Fill in multiple blanks Multiple responses are
  inserted into a sentence or paragraph.

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Enhanced question options

• Jumbled sentence A sentence with a number of
  variables within it.
• Opinion scale / likert A rating scale used to
  measure attitudes or reactions.
• Short answer Similar to Essay questions answer
  length is limited.
• Either/or A statement with a pre-defined choice
  of two answers.
• Quiz bowl An answer appears the students uses a
  who, what, or where question to respond.

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Enhancements to student test taking

• New features that enhance the students
  experience with assessments include a variety of
  additions that make the test taking experience
  more stable. These include
• Question Completion Status bar which displays
  where the student is in the test and which
  questions they have completed and saved.
• In the take test all at once mode, there is now a
  save button after each individual question
  instead of just one save button at the end of the
  test.
• A clearer confirmation of completion at the end
  of the assessment to ensure that the student is
  aware that the test has been completed and
  submitted.

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New Gradebook option

• While most of the gradebook items and options are
  unchanged, one enhancement is to allow for
  uncompleted, ungraded or "null" grades
• A quick change to the options of the "Total"
  field give students a "Running Total"
•  A great way to allow for Extra Credit - rewards
  the go-getters, does not punish others
• Before and after shots of a gradebook with this
  option enabled for an extra credit item.

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New Gradebook option
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Syllabus Builder

• The Syllabus Builder guides the Instructor
  through a very simple process for building a
  syllabus without knowledge of HTML. 
• The tool automatically generates lesson shells
  and the Instructor either chooses a
  pre-formatted style or creates a new one.

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Review status

• Content items include a setting that allows
  students to mark those items as Reviewed.
• The student Progress or Performance Dashboard
  pages report which students have reviewed the
  content item.

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CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY
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Adaptive Release

• Content does not always apply to all students, so
  instructors can
• Display content to students for a limited of time
  
• Display content only after students meet
  predetermined requirement (mastery learning)
• Display content only after students fail to meet
  predetermined requirements (supplementary
  learning)
• Display content to specific audience (individuals
  or groups)

CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY
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Adaptive Release

• Create custom learning paths through course
  content and activities by setting criteria to
  release any of the items below
• All Content Items (pdfs, office files, urls)
• Discussion Board
• Assessments Surveys
• Assignment Module

CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY
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Adaptive Release

• Criteria for Adaptive Release rules include
• date/time
• specific individuals/students
• group membership
• grade on a particular test or an assignment in
  the Gradebook

CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY
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CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY
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Performance Dashboard

• Allows instructors to see key information and
  outcomes for all course students.
• The Performance Dashboard displays the last
  time each student logged in, their course role,
  Adaptive Release criteria, Review Status for
  content items, and grades.
• Instructors can sort the information by multiple
  criteria.

CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY
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CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY
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Wimba Classroom new functions

• Multi-way audio (VoIP) and Streaming
  videoReal-time voice and video.
• Telephone dial-inAllows users to participate
  when travelling, and acts as a back-up when
  network problems occur.
• Electronic whiteboard and polls, quizzes and
  surveysInteractive exercises.
• Flexible content area

CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY
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Wimba Classroom new functions

• Application sharingAllows you to work on any
  application everyone logged in will follow
  every action your cursor makes. Can also pass
  control so students can collaborate along with
  you.
• Break-out rooms
• Archivable presentationsRetain voice, chat,
  content, video from the live class, allowing
  classes to be played back.
• Accessibility to people with disabilities

CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY
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Wimba Voice Tools new / improved

• Voice Recorder
• Voice Email
• Voice Board
• Voice Direct
• Voice Presentation
• Wimba Podcaster

CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY
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Wimba Pronto
Wimba Pronto is a free instant messaging and
voice chat tool that allows students and
instructors to meet live online at any time to
discuss their unit work. Wimba Pronto works with
Blackboard to automatically populate students
contact lists with the other students in their
unit/s. Students can login to their computer and
see who is online, without having to login to
Blackboard.
CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY
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Questions???

• Will these new features change the way Blackboard
  works?
• No. Youll see some new options but Blackboard
  will still work the way it used to.
• Do I have to use the new features?
• No. These are OPTIONAL features.
• Where can I learn more about Bb 6.3 features?
• Blackboard manuals
• TLDG professional development opportunitieshttp/
  /www.cdu.ed.au/tldg/practice/pdprogram.html
• Learnline log-in page http//learnline.cdu.edu.au
  /

CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY
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People to Contact

• Paul Irving Production Manager- manages all
  print and online production.
• Zac Watt Materials Developers
• (vacant) - assist with the production of
  Learnline units provide support in how to use
  Learnline.
• EDU Information on Professional Development
  relating to online technologies.
• Dahlia Docherty Flexible Learning Co-ordinator-
  work on specific projects relating to online
  learning assist in planning of professional
  development.

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