Bb Content

Adding past exam papers to your Blackboard course menu

Bb Content, Bb Course Design, Blackboard

Edit Mode

Edit mode is On.

  • Check that Edit Mode is turned ON. This can be switched by clicking ON or OFF

Course Menu

Blackboard control panel tool bar with plus button highlighted

  • Select the + (plus) button in the top left of the course menu

Tool bar drop down menu with "Tool Link" highlighted

  • In this drop down menu, select “Tool Link”

Tool link insert page past papers example

  • Name your menu item and select the tool link type “Past Exam Papers”
  • Leave the box “Available to Users” if you wish for the link to be hidden from students, or check the box to make the link immediately available. You can always edit link availability using these instructions.
  • Select “Submit” to create your Past Exam Papers link

More Information

Link to the past exam papers database: https://pastexampapers.soton.ac.uk/

If you discover a problem with any of the associated papers, for example a wrong module/paper code, send an email to the Hartley Library team stating the module, paper code and year: digitalscholarship@soton.ac.uk

Using TeX in Blackboard

Bb Content, Bb Tests and Surveys, Blackboard

There are a number of ways to use mathematical notation in Blackboard.  In this page I share a technique to use the Display mathematic mode of TeX within Blackboard.

This guide refers to typing and displaying mathematical notation.  This method is not suitable for building formulas for use in Calculated Formula question types.

For more information refer to:

Contents of this page

  1. Basic operation
    1. Superscript example
    2. Arithmetic Example
    3. Fractions
    4. Integrals
    5. Matrix
  2. Issues to be aware of
    1. If you go back to edit, be careful that your TeX is not adjusted.
    2. Adding text before and after the notation may not end up how you intend.
  3. Alternative approaches
    1. Use the Mathtype interface within Blackboard.
    2. Create your notation in a different application, take a screenshot of it, and add it within Blackboard.

Basic operation

When using the Blackboard text editor, for example when creating a content item, or a test question, you can use the $$..$$ TeX primitive syntax.

Back to top.

Superscript example

$$e^{e^{e^{e^{x}}}}$$

in Blackboard:

Blackboard text box. Entered is: $$e^{e^{e^{e^{x}}}}$$

Results in:

e to the power of e to the power of e to the power of e to the power of x end exponent end exponent end exponent

In the Blackboard App it looks like this:

Example in the Blackboard app

Accessibility

The notation is rendered as a graphic.  Importantly users with a screen reader will see accurate alternate text, which in this example is:

“e to the power of e to the power of e to the power of e to the power of x end exponent end exponent end exponent”.

Back to top.

Arithmetic example

$$\sqrt[3]{8}=8^{\frac{1}{3}}=2$$

in Blackboard:

Results in:

In the Blackboard App it looks like this:

Example from the Blackboard app

Accessibility

The notation is rendered as a graphic.  Importantly users with a screen reader will see accurate alternate text, which in this example is:

“cube root of 8 equals 8 to the power of 1 third end exponent equals 2”.

Back to top.

Fractions

$$\left.\frac{1}{1+x^2}\right|_0^\infty$$

in Blackboard:

Results in:

In the Blackboard App it looks like this:

Example from the bb app

Accessibility

The notation is rendered as a graphic.  Importantly users with a screen reader will see accurate alternate text, which in this example is:

“open fraction numerator 1 over denominator 1 plus x squared end fraction close vertical bar subscript 0 superscript infinity”.

Back to top.

Integrals

$$\int_0^2x^2dx$$


in Blackboard:


$$\int_0^2x^2dx$$ is shown in the Blackboard text editor


Results in:


Blackboard screenshot, shows "integral subscript 0 superscript 2 x squared d x"


In the Blackboard App it looks like this:




Accessibility


The notation is rendered as a graphic.  Importantly users with a screen reader will see accurate alternate text, which in this example is:


“integral subscript 0 superscript 2 x squared d x”.


Back to top.


Matrix


$$\begin{bmatrix}a & b\\c & d\end{bmatrix}$$


in Blackboard:




Results in:




In the Blackboard App it looks like this:


Example from the blackboard app


Accessibility


The notation is rendered as a graphic.  Importantly users with a screen reader will see accurate alternate text, which in this example is:


“open square brackets table row a b row c d end table close square brackets”.


Back to top.


Issues to be aware of


When you go back to edit, be careful that your TeX is not adjusted.


For example


$$\begin{bmatrix}a & b\\c & d\end{bmatrix}$$


may be changed to


$$\begin{bmatrix}a §amp; b\\c §amp; d\end{bmatrix}$$.




Back to top.


Adding text before and after the notation may not end up how you intend


For example


$$e^{e^{e^{e^{x}}}}$$ and then $$\sqrt[3]{8}=8^{\frac{1}{3}}=2$$


Results in:




Back to top.


Alternative approaches


Use the Mathtype interface within Blackboard


Select the Mathtype option from the text editor:




and refer to the Blackboard guide on using MathType.


Back to top.


Create your notation in a different application, take a screenshot of it, and add it within Blackboard


1. Crop and save your screenshot to a png file on your computer.


2. Use the Plus icon to add it within your text editor:




3. Select Insert Local File.




4. Right click on the image and open the Image… menu.




5. Enter and submit an alternative description that explains your notation in written terms, to make it accessible to those using screen readers.




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How to add a link to your Reading List in Blackboard 
		
					


				
				Bb Content, Bb Content tools, Blackboard
											

		
		


		
			
After your reading list is created, follow these steps to add a link to your Reading List from within your Blackboard course. For more information about Reading Lists creation check our online resources or contact Library Enquiries @ Southampton.


Below you can find a tutorial video, and a step by step guide.


Video




Step by Step


1. Check that Edit Mode is turned ON.  This can be switched by clicking ON or OFF.




2. Look at your Blackboard course menu.  Hover your mouse over the + (plus) icon.




3. A menu appears, select to add a Tool Link.




4. In the Name box, enter Reading List.


5. For type, select Reading List from the dropdown menu.


6. Select Available to Users so that students will be able to access the link.


7. Select Submit.




8. Your Reading List link will be created. You can re-position it within the course menu by clicking and dragging the up and down arrow icon beside it.




9. When you or you students select that menu item, you will be redirected to the Reading Lists page for that course.




 



    


		
		


		
	

	
	



							
						
											



	
	
	


					

		
					 
Using the whiteboard during a Blackboard Collaborate Session 
		
					


				
				Bb Content, Blackboard, Blackboard Collaborate, Collaborate
											

		
		


		
			
Return to Blackboard Collaborate Main Page ↵






Note

A much improved whiteboard feature is on its way to collaborate, expected within the next six months.		






The Whiteboard allows users to draw on the board individually or collaboratively.


 


Whiteboard Orientation


The Whiteboard is used for collaboration between session attendees, who can interact with the content using the Content Editing Tools. The “Draw on whiteboard and files” permission must be enabled in order for participants to see these tools. As a moderator or presenter, you can use all the available Content Editing Tools even if the permission has been disabled for the participant role.


Screenshot of Blackboard Collaborate Whiteboard


Content Editing Tools


The Content Editing Tools appear in the upper left corner of the Media Space. It takes practice in order to become proficient at using the Content Editing Tools. Initially, you may find you have added content in the wrong place, or in the wrong proportion to other related content. However, this is easily corrected by using the Selection tool to choose the object, and then dragging it to its new location or resizing it using the handles on the bounding box.


Whiteboard Controls


A: Use the Select tool pick a whiteboard annotation in order to move or resize it.


B: Use the Pointer tool to call attention to a specific area of the screen.


C: Use the Pencil tool to draw using a freehand style.


D: Add empty Rectangle, Ellipse, or Straight Line shapes using the Shape tool. When using the rectangle or ellipse shapes, hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and drag your mouse to maintain proportion.


E: Use the Text tool to create text as an object directly on the whiteboard. Use the select tool to select the text and it can be resized, or rotated by using the handles that appear once selected.


F: The Clear tool removes all annotations and text from the whiteboard but does not clear uploaded files.


G: The Colour tool appears only when the Pencil, Shapes, or Text tool is selected, allowing the user to choose a colour.


Using the Whiteboard


Multiple whiteboard pages are not yet a function of Collaborate. In order to create a blank canvas for additional work, use the Clear Tool available in the Content Editing Tools.


Participants will not have this tool. In order for a participant to erase their own annotations they will need to select the object using the selection tool and then tap the delete key on their keyboard.


Saving Whiteboard Content


Whiteboard content does not persist if a moderator or presenter navigates away from the board. In order to preserve whiteboard content, save the Whiteboard page by taking a screenshot of it.



    


		
		


		
	

	
	



							
						
											



	
	
	


					

		
					 
Create a link to a video with the Panopto insert video tool 
		
					


				
				Bb Content, Blackboard, Panopto
											

		
		


		
			
    

  • Go to the location within Blackboard where you would like to link to your Panopto video.
    • 

  • Click on the “Tools” menu and select “Panopto Video Link”.
    • 



Click image to enlarge


    

  • On the page that appears, use the drop-down menu to select the folder where your session is stored (usually this will be the course name).
    • 

  • Use the next drop-down menu to select the video.
    • 

  • The name field will complete automatically, you are able to change this now.
    • 

  • You can add a description in the description box, but you can leave it blank.
    • 



Click image to enlarge


    

  •  When you are happy click submit and then press OK on the confirmation screen. Your link will now be available.
    • 






    


		
		


		
	

	
	



							
						
											



	
	
	


					

		
					 
Embedded Panopto Video as a Content Item 
		
					


				
				Bb Content, Blackboard, embedding in Bb, Panopto
											

		
		


		
			
Go to your Blackboard course and navigate to the content area you wish to embed the video. Then under ‘Build Content’ select ‘Panopto Video Embed’.




It will open a new page that will show you previews of the videos in the courses Panopto folder.




Find the video you wish to embed and click on it so it becomes highlighted.




Once happy with the video select click on ‘Insert Video’.




It will then take you back to your Blackboard page and show the video embedded into your course and ready to playback.




From the same interface it is also possible to embed videos from other Panopto folders. Please make sure that you check the sharing permissions of the videos so that your students on your course are able to play them back.


To do this click on the drop down menu under ‘Select Panopto Videos’.




From here you can either type in the search box for the name of the folder that has the recording stored in, or click through folder structure to locate the folder.




Once you have located the correct folder you can add the desired recording as shown in the first set of steps.



    


		
		


		
	

	
	



							
						
											



	
	
	


					

		
					 
What to do if only the first page of a PDF is shown in Chrome or you are asked for a username and password 
		
					


				
				Bb Content, Blackboard
											

		
		


		
			
An occasional issue with the Chrome browser can result in only the first page of a PDF displayed, alternately it may demand a username and password and then forbid you from getting access.


This is not specific to Blackboard but we have produced this workaround to assist anyone who experiences this issue.


This video shows the whole process in 35 seconds.




Below is a step by step guide.


1. Select the three-dot Menu button and choose Settings.




2. Type the word PDF into the search box.




3. Scroll down the page and you will see that Site Settings is tagged as holding a PDF setting.  Select Site Settings.




4. Here, scroll until you find PDF documents and open it.




5. You’ll see an option titled Download PDF files instead of automatically opening them in Chrome. Toggle this on.




6. You may now leave the settings page.


7. Now when you open a PDF for the first time after making this change you will see it appear along the bottom of the browser




8. click on the upward pointing arrow to the right of the downloaded file and choose Always Open With System Viewer.




9. Then open the PDF in Blackboard once more – it should open in Adobe Acrobat Viewer instead of the built into Chrome PDF viewer.  From now on the files will always open this way.


 



 



    


		
		


		
	

	
	



							
						
											



	
	
	


					

		
					 
Enabling resources from Cengage within your Blackboard course 
		
					


				
				Bb Content, Blackboard
											

		
		


		
			
If you have an arrangement to use materials from cengage follow these instructions to set up your Blackboard course.


1. From your course Control Panel, expand the Customisation section and click on Tool Availability.




2. Find Cengage Learning MindLinks and Cengage Learning MindLinks Tools as shown below and tick the boxes beside them.




3. Click on Submit.




4. Enter the content area within which you wish to hold your cengage materials.

5. Hover over the Tools menu, choose More Tools, and click on Cengage Learning MindLinks.




6. You may receive a notice that you are being transferred to Cengage.  Click on launch to continue.


 


7. Choose the relevant content source:




8. Your cengage representative will guide you through any remaining steps.


For help and support with the cengage materials and integration with Blackboard, contact your cengage representative.



    


		
		


		
	

	
	



							
						
											



	
	
	


					

		
					 
How to Embed Material from Facebook into Blackboard 
		
					


				
				Bb Content, Blackboard, embedding in Bb
				 , , 							

		
		


		
			
It is possible to embed materials from Facebook into a content item or announcement that you add to your Blackboard course. Note that this method may stop working if Facebook change the way their service works. Facebook is a third party web site and iSolutions cannot be held responsible for the content held on it. iSolutions does not support Facebook.  Users should read the Facebook terms and conditions.






Access Facebook


1. Go to https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins




2. Choose the type of plugin you wish to use, for this example we will use the page plugin.




3. Click on the Web button








4. Enter the URL of the Facebook page you wish to embed and set the other options according to your preference.




5. There is an explanation of the settings and what the default, minimum and maximum values are on the same page, a screenshot of which is below.




6. When you are happy with the settings, click on Get Code.




7. Two code snippets are shown you will need both.




7. Open a new tab and go to Blackboard https://blackboard.soton.ac.uk


8. Identify where in your Blackboard course you would like to place the feed, add the item, announcement etc. Add the item desired.


9. Set a Name, and any relevant text in the text box.


Add Item






10. Click on the HTML button within the text box to open HTML mode. This will allow you to enter the HTML code required to embed the Facebook feed.


HTML Button


11. Paste both code snippets from Facebook into the HTML text box. One way to do this is to right click within the text box and choose paste or press CTRL + V. Click on Update to finish.








12. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the Submit button.






Submit


13. The Facebook widget you have chosen will now be embedded. Here are two examples:




This example uses most of the default settings.




This example has the timeline, events, and messages for tabs, a width of 450, a height of 600, uses the Small Header, hides the Cover Photo, and does not show friend’s faces.









    


		
		


		
	

	
	



							
						
											



	
	
	


					

		
					 
Using the Blackboard Date Management Tool 
		
					


				
				Bb Content, Blackboard
											

		
		


		
			


When a Blackboard course is copied any existing date restrictions on content will also be copied over. Usually those date restrictions will have become anachronistic. It can be an onerous process to adjust the dates manually. The data management tool allows you to adjust date restrictions en masse.


What types of content the date management tool works with.


    

  • Blackboard Native Content (items, files, folders, etc.)
    • 

  • Blackboard Native Assessments (tests, surveys, assignments)
    • 

  • Blackboard communication tools (discussions, blogs, journals, announcements, etc.)
    • 

  • Manually created grade columns
    • 

  • Blackboard tasks
    • 



The date management tool does not work with content which was not natively created by Blackboard, e.g. Turnitin assignments, Panopto videos, or other “third party” content.


Contents


    

  1. Accessing the Date Management Tool
    2. 

  2. Adjusting dates based on the course start date
    3. 

  3. Adjusting dates by a set number of days
    4. 

  4. Reviewing all dates and adjusting them according to preference
    5. 

  5. Starting Over / Refreshing the date management tool
    6. 



 


Accessing the Date Management Tool


Instructors may access the date management tool by


1. Accessing the course Control Panel


2. Expanding the Course Tools section


3. Clicking on Date Management




4. You are then presented with three options which are described below.




Back to top


Adjusting dates based on the course start date


If you know the start date of the original course and the start date of the copied course you can select those two dates and Blackboard will then move the date ranges by the number of days between those dates. This will not account for weekends, leap years etc. so if you choose to use this option you may wish to manually review the dates afterwards to make any small adjustments.


1. Select Course Start Date


2. Choose the original course start date from when the date restrictions had originally been set.


3. Choose the new start date for this new course.


4. Click on Start


 




5. You will be shown a progress indicator. Once it completes you will be sent an email. Usually the process will complete within a minute. Click Next.




6. You will be shown a list of affected date restricted content. You can review any dates and update them if appropriate.




Back to top


Adjusting dates by a set number of days


If you know exactly how many days you wish the dates for date restricted material to be moved by select this option.


1. Choose the option Adjust by Number of Days and enter a number of days between -999 and 999.


2. Click on Start.




3. You will be shown a progress indicator. Once it completes you will be sent an email. Usually the process will complete within a minute. Click Next.




4. You will be shown a list of affected date restricted content. You can review any dates and update them if appropriate.




Back to top


Reviewing all dates and adjusting them according to preference


If you wish to review all materials and make changes here and there use this option.


1. Choose the option List All Dates for Review.


2. Click on Start.




3. You will be shown a progress indicator. Once it completes you will be sent an email. Usually the process will complete within a minute. Click Next.




4. You will be shown content which has date restrictions.




5. You can filter the content by content type (e.g. content items, announcements) and by date restriction type (e.g. adaptive release rules, availability dates).




6. You can tick the boxes beside items you wish to adjust and a box will appear allowing you to adjust the dates by a certain number of days.




7. You may also adjust dates for an individual item by clicking on the pencil icon to the right of it.


8. Then you may adjust the relevant dates and click on the green tick icon to save your changes.




Back to top


Starting Over / Refreshing the date management tool


To start over from the beginning again click on Run Date Management Again which appears on the top left.  This will not undo any changes made but allows you to see the first three options again.




To refresh the information shown click on the Refresh button which appears on the top right.




Back to top


Be aware


    

  • The options to adjust dates based on the course start date, or by a certain number of days will not consider the day of the week that an original date was set. So an original date of a Monday will not necessarily mean that the new date also falls on a Monday.
    • 

  • Announcements that were originally created without a date restriction will have a date setting of the date they were originally created. The date management tool will not change this. This is a known issue expected to be fixed in a future upgrade.
    • 



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