Blackboard at SHU

Key information about how Blackboard and other online Technology Enhanced Learning systems work at Sheffield Hallam.

There are two different types of Blackboard sites, module sites and organisations. This article explains the different features of the two types of sites.

The Site Menu appears on the left-hand side of a Blackboard site, and contains links to the sections and tools which comprise the site. 

If you have any empty/unused content areas, folders or items (e.g. irrelevant materials), then these should be hidden from students until needed.

Blackboard module sites are available as long as there are students still on that course. Organisation sites are only available one year typically.

Module sites from past years are available in the All Sites tab. You control which sites appear in the Current Sites tab.

At Sheffield Hallam University, online submission of student work and online feedback processes are managed using the Blackboard VLE. Work submitted online is stored in, and feedback and grades are uploaded to, the Grade Centre in Blackboard. Students access their feedback and marks using the My Grades tool. This is a private view of a student’s own feedback and marks. Students are informed that marks provided in this way are provisional. This article explains how to access student work and viewing the feedback and marks provided to them in the Blackboard Grade Centre.

At Sheffield Hallam University, online submission of student work and online feedback processes are managed using the Blackboard VLE. Work submitted online is stored in, and feedback and grades are uploaded to, the Grade Centre in Blackboard. Students access their feedback and marks using the My Grades tool. This is a private view of a student’s own feedback and marks. Students are informed that marks provided in this way are provisional. This article explains how to access a private content area in which a sample of marked scripts are provided.

Completed Feedback Rubrics can be downloaded from the Grade Centre and moved to another area of the Blackboard site if needed for external moderation.

Module Leaders must collate all marks for their module and clearly indicate the marks for each task identifying the tasks and the weightings as per the module descriptor. Complete sets of internally moderated marks must be submitted on a spreadsheet to Academic Administration by the marks submission deadline. The spreadsheet must be in Excel format and preferably downloaded from the Grade Centre in Blackboard. This comprehensive guide includes detailed step by step instructions for each stage of the process and the support available.

Module Leaders must collate all marks for their module and clearly indicate the marks for each task identifying the tasks and the weightings as per the module descriptor. Complete sets of internally moderated marks must be submitted on a spreadsheet to Academic Administration by the marks submission deadline. The spreadsheet must be in Excel format, adhering to requirements set out below, and preferably downloaded from the Grade Centre in Blackboard. This guide provides a summary of the information that Academic Administration require in the marks spreadsheet.

The Module Information Channel (listing module leader, external examiner, and a link to the module descriptor) can be added to your Blackboard module site home page.

Watch the recording demonstrating how to add the Module Information Channel to your Blackboard module site home page or follow the steps below:

Step 1: Go to the Module Home Page and click Add Module Channel.

The Key Support Advisers Channel (listing a student's personal Student Support Adviser, Academic Adviser, and Employability Adviser) should be displayed automatically on all 2022/23 Blackboard module site home pages. However, if it is missing or you wish the Key Support Advisers Channel to appear on the home page of a previous year's module site, or the home page of an organisation site, you can add it. 

LinkedIn Learning is an online educational platform that helps students discover and develop creative, technology-related and study skills through expert-led course videos. Each course is broken down into a series of short videos that are easy to follow. You can integrate entire LinkedIn Learning courses, or deep-link to relevant content from LinkedIn Learning courses, in your Blackboard sites allowing streamlined access to content and progress tracking.

Module Leaders should provide external examiners with all relevant information to support their role.  Whilst there may be some variation, there are some essential pieces of information that must be provided in the External Examiner content area in Blackboard.

 

At the start of the academic year:

Module Leaders must collate all marks for their module and clearly indicate the marks for each task identifying the tasks and the weightings as per the module descriptor. Complete sets of internally moderated marks must be submitted on a spreadsheet to Academic Administration by the marks submission deadline. The spreadsheet must be in Excel format and preferably downloaded from the Grade Centre in Blackboard.