Navigating the Course
When you first access the course, you will see three icons on the homepage of the course: (1) Orientation -- Start Here, (2) Coursework or Course Content, and (3) Help or Resources.
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- Orientation -- Start Here is an orientation to the course. The orientation contains a welcome letter introducing you to the course, an explanation for how to navigate the course, and three required activities (scavenger hunt, student introduction discussion, and syllabus quiz).
- Coursework or Course Content contains all of your learning materials, grouped by unit, for the course (i.e., lecture notes, assignments, assessments, discussion topics, etc.). Please note: You will NOT gain access to any course content until you successfully complete the orientation activities and receive a perfect score on the quiz (you may take the syllabus quiz as many times as you need until the due date).
- Help or Resources provides access to the Blackboard Help Desk, available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week (1-800-630-8715).
Also notice the course tools menu located in the left-hand margin of your screen, which allows you easy access to various course components (e.g., mail, syllabus, announcements, etc.) Note: you may have to click on the gray arrows to expand or collapse the course tools menu. Click here for assistance using Course Tools.
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- Course Content returns you to the Course Homepage.
- Announcements allows you to view course-wide notices from the instructor. Click here for assistance using Announcements.
- Assessments allows you take online quizzes and the final exam. Click here for assistance using Assessments.
- Assignments provides you with instructions and directions for how to submit your work. Click here for assistance using Assignments.
- Calendar enables you to view daily schedules and enter your own calendar entries. Click here for assistance using the Calendar.
- Discussions allow you to engage in dialogue with your classmates about course topics. Click here for assistance using Discussions.
- Help Desk provides you with access to the Blackboard Help Desk, available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week (800-630-8715). Click here for assistance with the Help Desk.
- Learning Modules provides you with access to lecture notes and coursework. Click here for assistance using Learning Modules.
- Mail enables you to privately communicate (i.e., send and receive email messages) with your instructor and classmates. Click here for assistance using Mail.
- My Grades allows you to view your grades. Click here for assistance using My Grades.
- Syllabus displays important course information including: how to contact your instructor, course outcomes, prerequisites (if any), required materials, methods of instruction, attendance and participation policies, schedule, assignments, and due dates, grading policy, communication policy, and additional policies and procedures specific to the course. Click here for assistance using the Syllabus.
- Web Links enables you to access Internet resources provided to you by the instructor. Click here for assistance using Web Links.