On Friday, August 21st, IT will be performing a Blackboard Learn upgrade from 7am-5pm. During this time, Blackboard will be unavailable. This upgrade will bring our instance of Blackboard up to the latest version for self-hosted customers. Listed below are just a couple of the new features. Below you’ll also find three links to the new features available by each release between SP12 (our current version) and the latest version (October 2014 Release) that we are upgrading to.
Student Preview – The new Student Preview feature provides the capability for an instructor to see the course exactly as a student would see it. It accomplishes this by allowing the Instructor to easily transition into and out of a system-managed preview account that is automatically enrolled in the course as a student. This provides all the advantages of a dummy account while absolving the instructor and System Administrator of the management overhead.
Anonymous and Delegated Grading – Blackboard has implemented a robust Anonymous Grading feature to add another layer of fairness and impartiality to Grading capabilities. Without knowing who submitted the assignment, a Grader is not influenced by a student’s previous performance, class participation, conflicts, race, gender, or perceived student aptitude. Delegated Grading promotes reliability and removes bias by using grades and feedback from more than one Grader. These features may be used together or individually to meet grading requirements.
Assessments – Significant Figures – Blackboard has improved Calculated Formula Questions by adding the ability to define the significant figures required and used in the creation of answers and the automated grading process.
SafeAssign – Blackboard has enhanced the SafeAssign service to provide a more seamless integration with native Blackboard Learn Assignments and updated the SafeAssign Originality Report interface. With this update, the SafeAssignment content type is removed from the content areas, and SafeAssign becomes an additional feature available when creating native Blackboard Learn Assignments. All Blackboard Learn Assignment features are available in tandem with SafeAssign services with the exception of Portfolio submissions to Blackboard Learn Assignments.
Bb Grader – iPad app that provides instructors with a portable solution for reviewing, providing feedback, and grading student submissions in their Blackboard Learn courses. Available for iPad only.
BbStudent App – Students can view quick updates on their courses and course content, access a course outline for each of their courses, view Word, Excel, Powerpoint and .PDF content from their courses, and experience a rich aesthetic that is easy to use and simple to learn. Available for iOS and Android.
Bb Mobile App – Is now free! Available for iOS and Android.
SP13 New Features
https://en-us.help.blackboard.com/Learn/9.1_Older_Versions/9.1_SP_12_and_SP_13/Administrator/000_Product_Updates/010_SP_13_New_Features
SP14 New Features
https://en-us.help.blackboard.com/Learn/9.1_Older_Versions/9.1_SP_14/Administrator/000_Product_Updates/000_SP_14_New_Features
2014 New Features
https://en-us.help.blackboard.com/Learn/9.1_2014_04/Instructor/010_Whats_New
If you have any questions or concerns please contact IT Customer Support. You can reach us by sending an email to ITHelp@grcc.edu or by phone at 616-234-HELP. We thank you for your patience during this time.
GRCC IT Status Updates 