Tip #68: Drag and Drop in Blackboard 9

Tip: In Blackboard 9, you can use drag and drop to arrange and reorder items.

What can you drag and drop?
You can drag and drop any item that has either a double-headed arrow or a four-headed arrow to the left of it. Here are some prominent places you will see them:

• the Course Menu
• Content pages
• the Announcement page
• the Column Organization page

Here’s how to drag and drop:

1. Use your mouse to left-click and hold on the arrows next to an item you would like to move.
• NOTE: Your mouse pointer will turn into a four-headed arrow when your mouse is properly positioned over the arrows.
  
  
2. Drag the item up or down to the spot where you would like to place it.
   
   
3. Release your left mouse button to drop the item in place.

Web 2.0 Tool of the Week: Screenr

(http://www.Screenr.com)
Screenr is a web-based tool that provides creation of screencasts without installing any software. Screen activity is recorded along with narration from a microphone.

Account Information:

• A Twitter (free) ID is needed to log in to Screenr to record screen casts or comment on them

Features of Screenr:

• Screenr publishes screen casts in high-definition Flash format
• Screenr recordings can be shared on Twitter, YouTube or anywhere else on the web
• iPhone users can view a screen cast
• The number of screen cast recordings is unlimited

Considerations for using Screenr:

• All screen casts are public
• Screenr records only your primary display

Why use Screenr?

• Capture information from the internet to share with students
• Demonstrate how to use software
• Use clips as part of a presentation

Ready to explore Screenr?
Sign up for an account here.

Already using Screenr?
Tell us how Screenr has worked for you in this post's comments.

Tip #67: Hiding the Course Menu in Blackboard 9

Tip: In Blackboard 9, you can temporarily hide your Course Menu so that it’s easier to read content on a small screen

• NOTE: Toggling Course Menu availability affects the display for all of your courses and only your courses. Hiding or Showing the Course Menu will not affect whether it’s viewable to the students in your course.

Hiding the Course Menu:
Click on the button that is to the right of the Course Menu as indicated below to hide the course menu.

Click to Hide	Click to Unhide

Showing the Course Menu:
Click on the button that is on the left edge your browser as indicated above to show the course menu.

Microsoft Office Tip of the Week: Recent Document List

Applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Many Microsoft Office programs display the last few files opened in that program. The list of recently documents can be customized to adjust the number of files or specific files that it displays.

Change the number of files that appear in the list of recent documents

1. Click the Microsoft Office Button , and then click (Excel, PowerPoint, or Word) Options.


2. Click Advanced.


3. Under Display, in the Show this number of Recent Documents list, click the number of files that you want to display.

To keep documents on the Recent Documents List:

1. Click the Microsoft Office Button .


2. Click Pin this document to the Recent Documents list .

Note: When a document is pinned to the Recent Documents list, the pin button looks like a push pin viewed from the top: .

To undo this feature, push the again, and it will appear as .

Tip #66: Blackboard 9 Edit Mode

Tip: In Blackboard 9, you can make changes to content from within the course view by turning Edit Mode: ON. When viewing a course with Edit Mode: OFF, you will have the same view as student, viewing only available menu items and content areas.

Edit Mode On:
Toggle Edit Mode to On by clicking the Edit Mode Button on the upper right-hand side of the screen. When in edit mode:

• the button will read Edit Mode: ON
• the background of the course will display grey diagonal lines

Edit Mode Off:
To toggle Edit Mode to Off, you click the same Edit Mode Button on the upper right-hand side of the screen. When edit mode is off:

• the button will read Edit Mode: OFF
• the background of the course will be clear of grey diagonal lines

Web 2.0 Tool of the Week: Digg

(http://www.digg.com)
Digg is a social bookmarking site place for people to discover and share web content. Digg is organized into categories based on topics. All content is submitted by Digg users. Once something is submitted, other people see it and “Digg” (rate) the sites they feel are most relevant. If your submission receives enough Diggs, it is promoted to the front page for visitors to see.

Account Information:

• Digg accounts are free
• Accounts can be connected to other social networking sites
  

Why use Digg?:

• Discover popular news
• Submit your favorite web content
• Check the homepage for popular stories
• Use Digg to promote sites you find relevant and important
• Subscribe to RSS feeds of particular topics, popular/upcoming sections, individual users
• Search with terms of your choice
• Build a network of friends or find them on Digg and add them to your friends list
• Share popular articles with friends
• Share your opinions by commenting on stories, images, and videos
  

Ready to explore Digg?
Sign up for an account here.

Already using Digg?
Tell us what you like on Digg.

Tip #65: Blackboard 9 Classes

Tip: You can learn about Blackboard 9 and receive a sandbox course by attending a Blackboard 9 training session.

You can access Blackboard 9 at http://twupilot.blackboard.com

You can register for classes or request a small group session for your department at http://www.twu.edu/professional-development


What’s New in Blackboard 9

Blackboard 9 has a revised user interface and many exciting new features. This facilitated, hands-on workshop will introduce participants to key changes and new features of Blackboard 9.

Thursday, March 4 – 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. SH 307
Tuesday, March 9 – 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. SH 308
Wednesday, March 10 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. SH 307
Tuesday, March 30 – 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. SH 307
Friday, April 2 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. SH 307
Monday, April 5 – 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. SH 307
Thursday, April 8 – 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. SH 307

What’s New in BB9 Webinars

Join us for a What’s New session online from the location of your choice. Upon registering for the webinar, you will receive a link to access the session.

Friday, March 5 – 10:00 a.m.
Friday, March 12 – 11:00 a.m.
Friday, April 9 – 12:00 p.m.
Friday, April 30 – 1:00 p.m.

The Blackboard 9 Grade Center

This hands-on, facilitated workshop will introduce participants to the new Grade Center.

Wednesday, April 7 – 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. SH 307
Tuesday, April 13 – 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. SH 307
Thursday, April 15 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. SH 307
Wednesday, April 28 – 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. SH 307
Thursday, April 29 – 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. SH 307

Enhancing Communication

This hands-on, facilitated workshop will focus on how to use select Blackboard 9 communication tools effectively to increase student engagement within a course.

Wednesday, April 14 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. SH 307
Monday, April 26 – 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. SH 307

Creating Assessments & Assignments

This hands-on, facilitated workshop will emphasize the features and functions of Blackboard 9’s assessments and assignments tools.

Monday, April 12 – 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. SH 307
Monday, April 27 – 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. SH 307