Blackboard 9.1 and the MLE Project

Languages, Linguistics and Cultures

27 October 2010

KEY FEATURES AND BENEFITS

Key features and Benefits of Blackboard

• More up to date and easy to use

• Improved Interface

• Supporting flexible teaching methods and shared resources across courses

• Grade Centre and group management capabilities

• Tracking and early warning system

• Web 2.0 tools

• Embeds YouTube (“Mash-up” tool)

• Built in Wiki, improved Blog

• Continued support for other applications e.g. Wimba, Turnitin

Key features and Benefits of the Manchester Learning Environment

• Community• Provide personalised and targeted information to

students integrated with the current portal• Enables groups to collaborate and communicate using

BB9.1

• Content• Ability to share content across the University• Other tools such as an ePortfolio

• Blackboard Mobile Learn• Access to the Manchester Learning Environment and

BB9.1 on a variety of Mobile Devices • Interactive Information and services via Blackboard

Central

NEXT STEPSFinding out more and getting involved

Finding out more

• MLE Highlights, information about Blackboard 9.1 and the MLE Project include more information about Mobile Learn and Mobile Central• http://www.campus.manchester.ac.uk/tlso/newsbulletins/mle/

• Screen cast of a presentation delivered by Blackboard in June• http://www.campus.manchester.ac.uk/elearning/resources/

mle_webinars.html

• Blackboard On-Demand Learning Centre• http://ondemand.blackboard.com

• Coming soon• School based presentations – Project arranging these with Heads of

Schools and will take place between now and March 2011• Training / support for colleagues taking part in Phase 2• Training support for your eLearning team will be rolled out from 2011

Getting involved

• Encouraging the move to BB9.1 for next academic year

• Call for Phase 2 pilots – encourage everyone who wants to take part in a pilot to put their course forward• Deadline Friday 29 October

Transition to Blackboard 9.1

• eLearning team and the Project team will be working with Schools to look at moving courses into Blackboard 9.1 over the next semester

• Discussions about Sandpit/Development spaces ongoing

• Online and face to face support and training is to be rolled out from the end of October 2010• From beginning of November key support

resources will be in the University’s Knowledge Base www.manchester.ac.uk/servicedesk/

Questions?