We’ve compiled some tips and basic steps for novice Blackboard Learn instructors who want to learn how to create content in a course. We want to help you with the high-level principles and processes involved when you build a course from the ground up. As you work through this topic, choose what fits your teaching style and the needs of your students.
Blackboard Learn (Original View) allows you to download the whole Grade Center for a course, or selected columns, which can then be opened and worked on in a spreadsheet application such as Excel, and later re-uploaded into the Grade Center.
The Grade Center is an interactive grading tool that allows instructors to record data, calculate grades, and monitor student progress.
Now is an excellent time to evaluate whether students are on track to succeed in your course. Use Blackboard’s “Best Practices”, summarized below, to identify issues and provide an effective framework for success.
Give instructions up-front
Before your first poll, tell your audience that you will be asking them to participate using their mobile devices or laptops. Giving clear instructions upfront sets expectations and will encourage participation.
Do a practice poll
Start your session with a practice poll. We recommend a fun icebreaker poll. “What is the weather like today?” Doing so gives your audience…
Consistent and effective communication is vital in all learning environments. There are various options available for synchronous and asynchronous communication, one valuable and available tool is Blackboard Announcements. It allows instructors to post relevant information such as project due dates, course events, material changes, and more to a specific section within the course site. This one-way communication tool also allows announcements to be emailed to all students, immediately and simultaneously.
Learn more about this topic with the Art of Teaching medallion
Find more information related to this tip on the TLC’s Engaging Lectures resource page.
Last Revised:April 4, 2025 First Published:April 12, 2022 Inclusive learning has become an umbrella term to describe practices that support learners from a variety of backgrounds. Inclusive learning boosts educational achievement by providing learners and educators with tools to co-create learning experiences, to enhance cultural awareness, sensitivity and competency, and to personalize the learning experience.… Read More
Take it on the go! Listen to an AI-generatedTLC To Go podcast episode summarizing this resource. Reviewed:May 28, 2025 First Published:August 16, 2022 Faculty have a unique opportunity to support student well-being in both classroom and clinical settings. This can include using clear and flexible teaching approaches, offering regular check-ins to help students reflect on… Read More
Last ReviewedJuly 23, 2024 First Published:January 31, 2023 Multiple-choice questions inclusive of a question/stem, a key/correct answer, and distractors/incorrect answer choices are frequently used in health science education due to efficiency in grading and their frequent inclusion on licensing and board examinations. In addition to these advantages, Brame (2013) asserts that multiple-choice questions can… Read More
