Blackboard Learn at UM: Your Complete Guide

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Blackboard Learn at UM: Your Complete Guide

Blackboard Learn (often simply referred to as “Blackboard”) is the University of Maryland’s (UM) central learning management system (LMS). It’s a powerful online platform that serves as a hub for course materials, communication, assessments, and collaboration for both on-campus and online courses. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Blackboard Learn at UM, covering its features, how to access it, and tips for maximizing its use.

I. Accessing Blackboard Learn at UM

There are two primary ways to access Blackboard Learn at UM:

  1. Directly through ELMS (Enterprise Learning Management System):

    • Go to https://elms.umd.edu (This is the preferred and recommended method).
    • Click the “Log In to ELMS-Canvas” button.
    • Use your Directory ID and password (the same credentials you use for Testudo, UMD email, etc.).
    • You will be taken to your ELMS-Canvas dashboard, where you can see a list of your currently enrolled courses that use the system.

  2. Through the UMD Website (Less Direct):

    • While you can find links to Blackboard through various UMD department pages, going directly through ELMS is always the fastest and most reliable method. Avoid searching for “UMD Blackboard” on general search engines, as you might end up on outdated or unofficial pages.

II. The ELMS-Canvas Dashboard

Once logged in, you’ll see your ELMS-Canvas Dashboard. This is your central control panel for all your Blackboard courses. Key elements include:

  • Global Navigation Menu (Left Sidebar): This menu is always visible and provides access to:

    • Dashboard: Returns you to the main dashboard view.
    • Courses: Lists all your current and past courses. You can “favorite” courses to keep them at the top of the list.
    • Groups: Access any groups you are a member of within your courses.
    • Calendar: Shows deadlines and events from all your courses in a single calendar view.
    • Inbox: A messaging system within Blackboard for communicating with instructors and classmates.
    • History: See a record of the pages you’ve recently visited within ELMS-Canvas.
    • Help: Accesses a variety of help resources, including guides, FAQs, and contact information for support.
    • Account: Where you can control your notification settings, your profile (including uploading a profile picture), and manage your files.

  • Course Cards: Each of your current courses is represented by a “card.” These cards typically display:

    • Course Name and Number: Clearly identifies the course.
    • Announcements: A preview of recent announcements from the instructor.
    • To Do: A list of upcoming assignments and deadlines.
    • Recent Feedback: Shows recent grades and feedback on submitted work.
    • Course Navigation Icons: (Usually at the bottom of the card). Quick links to common course areas like Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, and Grades.

  • Coming Up (Right Sidebar): A summary of upcoming deadlines and events from all your courses.

III. Inside a Blackboard Course

Clicking on a course card takes you to the course’s homepage. The layout may vary slightly depending on how the instructor has customized it, but generally, you’ll find the following:

  • Course Navigation Menu (Left Sidebar): This menu is specific to the current course and provides access to:
    • Home: The course’s main landing page (often with announcements).
    • Announcements: Important messages from the instructor. Check these regularly!
    • Syllabus: The course syllabus, outlining policies, grading, and schedule.
    • Modules: The most common way instructors organize course content. Modules often contain readings, lectures, assignments, and quizzes, grouped by week or topic.
    • Assignments: A list of all assignments, with due dates and submission instructions.
    • Discussions: Online forums for class discussions.
    • Grades: Your grades for all graded components of the course.
    • People: A roster of students and instructors in the course.
    • Quizzes: Access to online quizzes and tests.
    • Files: A repository of course documents, readings, and other files.
    • Zoom/Panopto/Collaborate Ultra (May Vary): Links to video conferencing or lecture capture tools, if used by the instructor.
    • Other Tools (May Vary): Instructors may add links to other tools, such as external websites, library resources, or specialized software.

IV. Key Features and Functionality

Let’s delve deeper into some of Blackboard’s core features:

  • Modules: Think of modules as folders that organize all the content for a specific unit or week. Within a module, you might find:

    • Pages: Text-based content, often with embedded images, videos, or links.
    • Assignments: Instructions and submission portals for assignments.
    • Quizzes: Links to online quizzes.
    • Discussions: Links to relevant discussion forums.
    • Files: Downloadable files, such as readings or lecture slides.
    • External URLs: Links to websites or resources outside of Blackboard.

  • Assignments: Blackboard offers a variety of assignment types:

    • File Upload: The most common type, where you upload a document (Word, PDF, etc.).
    • Text Entry: You type your response directly into a text box within Blackboard.
    • Media Recording: You record audio or video directly within Blackboard.
    • External Tool: Assignments that use external tools integrated with Blackboard.
    • Important: Always carefully read the assignment instructions. Pay attention to file format requirements, deadlines, and any specific submission guidelines.

  • Discussions: Online discussion forums allow for asynchronous communication with classmates and the instructor. Key features include:

    • Threads: Discussions are organized into threads, usually started by the instructor with a prompt.
    • Replies: You can reply to the original post or to other students’ replies.
    • Attachments: You may be able to attach files to your posts.
    • Grading: Some discussions may be graded, so be sure to follow the instructor’s guidelines for participation.

  • Quizzes: Blackboard supports various quiz types, including multiple-choice, true/false, essay, and short answer. Important considerations:

    • Time Limits: Many quizzes have time limits, so be sure to start the quiz when you have enough uninterrupted time.
    • Attempts: Some quizzes allow multiple attempts, while others are one-time only.
    • Auto-Submission: If there’s a time limit, the quiz will usually auto-submit when the time runs out, even if you haven’t finished.
    • Feedback: Instructors may provide feedback on your quiz answers, either immediately or after the due date.

  • Grades: The Grades section provides a comprehensive overview of your performance in the course. You’ll see:

    • Individual Assignment Grades: Scores for each graded component.
    • Feedback: Comments and annotations from the instructor on your work.
    • Overall Grade: Your current overall grade in the course (if the instructor has enabled this feature).
    • Grading Rubrics: If the instructor uses rubrics, you can view them to understand the grading criteria.

  • Calendar: The integrated calendar is a powerful tool for staying organized. It displays:

    • Due Dates: Deadlines for assignments, quizzes, and other activities.
    • Events: Class meetings, office hours, or other events scheduled by the instructor.
    • Personal Events: You can add your own personal events to the calendar.
    • Syncing: You can sync the Blackboard calendar with your personal calendar (Google Calendar, Outlook, etc.).

  • Notifications: ELMS-Canvas allows highly customized notifications. You can choose to receive notifications via email, text message (if you set it up), or through the Canvas Student app (see below). You can control notifications at a global level (for all courses) and at a course-specific level. Highly recommended to set up notifications for Announcements, Due Dates, and Grading.

  • Inbox (Conversations): The Inbox is a messaging system within Blackboard. It’s separate from your UMD email. Use it to communicate with instructors and classmates about course-related matters.

V. Mobile Access: The Canvas Student App

The Canvas Student app (available for iOS and Android) provides convenient access to Blackboard on your mobile device. Key features include:

  • View Course Content: Access announcements, modules, assignments, and discussions.
  • Submit Assignments: Upload files or submit text-based assignments.
  • Participate in Discussions: Read and reply to discussion posts.
  • Take Quizzes: Complete quizzes (depending on the quiz settings).
  • Check Grades: View your grades and feedback.
  • Receive Push Notifications: Get notified about announcements, due dates, and grades.
  • To Do List and Calendar: The app includes convenient to do list and calendar features.

VI. Troubleshooting and Support

  • Browser Compatibility: Blackboard works best with the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Avoid using Internet Explorer.
  • Clear Cache and Cookies: If you’re experiencing technical issues, clearing your browser’s cache and cookies can often resolve them.
  • Check Your Internet Connection: A stable internet connection is essential for using Blackboard.
  • Contact the Division of IT (DIT) Service Desk: For technical support with Blackboard, contact the DIT Service Desk:
  • Instructor Contact: For questions specific to the course content or policies, contact your instructor directly, either through the Blackboard Inbox or their UMD email address.

VII. Tips for Success

  • Log in Regularly: Check Blackboard at least once a day, even if you don’t have any specific assignments due.
  • Read Announcements Carefully: Announcements are the primary way instructors communicate important information.
  • Stay Organized: Use the calendar and to-do list to keep track of deadlines.
  • Ask for Help: Don’t hesitate to contact the DIT Service Desk or your instructor if you have any questions or problems.
  • Explore the Features: Take some time to explore all the features of Blackboard to get the most out of the platform.
  • Customize Notifications: Make sure you’re getting the notifications you need, and not getting overwhelmed with ones you don’t.
  • Use the Canvas Student App: The app can be a real lifesaver for staying on top of things on the go.

Blackboard Learn is a vital tool for your academic success at the University of Maryland. By understanding its features and functionality, you can effectively manage your coursework, communicate with instructors and classmates, and stay on track to achieve your academic goals.

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