Using Blackboard: Activities
In addition to communication-related features such as Discussion Boards and Chats, Blackboard courses may provide a variety of activities for students. These activities can include submitting Linked Assignments, submitting files to the Digital Dropbox, and taking Quizzes. Feedback is provided for many of these assignments in the Blackboard Gradebook and students can check their grades at any time..
Linked Assignments
A linked assignment is identified by a paper scroll and pencil icon shown at the left. Linked assignments are "linked" to the Blackboard Gradebook. Your instructor may write comments for you to read after he or she evaluates your assignments. These comments are available in the Blackboard Gradebook. However, not all instructors use linked assignments -- they may prefer you to submit your work via e-mail, the digital dropbox or on the discussion board. To learn more about linked assignments, explore the Blackboard Linked Assignment Tutorial.
Digital Dropbox
The Digital Dropbox can be used by instructors and students to exchange files. You can upload a document (such as a Word or PowerPoint document) to the Digital Dropbox so that it can be accessed by both you and your instructor. The instructor can then download the file, add comments to it, and send it back to the your Digital Dropbox. Your instructor will indicate if you should submit work using the Digital Dropbox. Explore the Blackboard Digital Dropbox Tutorial.
Quizzes
The Digital Dropbox can be used by instructors and students to exchange files. You can upload a document (such as a Word or PowerPoint document) to the Digital Dropbox so that it can be accessed by both you and your instructor. The instructor can then download the file, add comments to it, and send it back to the your Digital Dropbox. Your instructor will indicate if you should submit work using the Digital Dropbox. Explore the Blackboard Digital Dropbox Tutorial.
Check Your Gradebook
Most instructors use the Blackboard gradebook to record your course grades. Your instructor will inform you of their grading policy. Linked assignments, quizzes, and test results are automatically stored in the gradebook by Blackboard. You can check your grades in the gradebook at any time to check your progress. Explore the Blackboard Gradebook Tutorial.