Add a Syllabus
Control Panel > Under Content Areas - Syllabus > add Item.

Add Lectures
Control Panel > Under Content Areas - Lectures > add Item.

Add Course Documents
Control Panel > Under Content Areas - Course Documents > add Item.

Add Assignments
Control Panel > Under Content Areas - Assignments > add Item.

Add External Links
Control Panel > Under Content Areas -  External Links > add Item.

Add Announcements
Control Panel > Under Course Tools - Announcements.

Add Instructor Information
Control Panel > Under Course Tools - Staff Information.

Send Email
Control Panel > Under Course Tools - Send E-mail.

Manage Course Menu
Control Panel > Under Course Options - Manage Course Menu.

Set Course Availability
Control Panel > Under Course Options - Settings > Course Availability.

Archive my Course
Control Panel > Under Course Options - Archive Course.

Enroll Users in my Course
Control Panel > Under User Management - Enroll Users.

Remove Users from my Course
Control Panel > Under User Management - Remove Users from Course.

Combine Sections
Click the link and follow steps.

See the course ID for each of your courses follow these steps:

On the My Home tab, click the pencil icon next to the My Courses channel (right side)

Show/Hide courses follow these steps:

On the My Home tab, click the pencil icon next to the My Courses channel (right side)

If at any time you want to see all your courses go to the Courses tab

Reset your password

For security reasons login information cannot be emailed. Users just need to reset their password.

To do so go the University website (http://www.montevallo.edu) and select the Blackboard link under Faculty and Staff.

Click the User Login button and then the Forgot Password link.

Fill out the first three boxes. You can get your first name, last name and username from your email address.

Blackboard will send you an email with a link that will allow you to reset your password.

Which one should you use? When deciding which tool to use, think about your needs and your students' needs. Consider using the Digital Drop Box when file exchange is required between you and a student, a select group of students (via "Group File Exchange Function" in a study group), or when a project/assignment will not be graded. Using the Assignment Manager may be more effective when a grade will be assigned and the graded product requires the submission of one document, such as a research paper or essay.

Here is a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages of each tool.

Assignment Manager

      Advantages 

• Allows multiple files for the same project/assignment all in one entry/submission 
• Allows faculty to retrieve and grade an assignment right from the Gradebook 
• Enables enhanced item management options, including bulk downloading and cleanup of files 
• A column for each assignment is automatically created in the Gradebook when you create an assignment using the Assignments Manager
• After students submit their assignments, the faculty member sees an exclamation point (!) in the Gradebook signaling the assignment needs to be graded
• Students can view graded assignments from the "Tools>>View Grades" link from the course menu 
• Availability dates allows instructor to set deadlines for assignments; once deadline passes, students lose the opportunity to submit the assignment
• Provides time and date stamp for all submissions

      Disadvantages 

• Submissions using the Assignment Manager cannot be shared with other students 
• Can only submit assignment one time; no multiple submissions
• Additional time needed to set-up assignments using Assignment Manager

Digital Drop Box

      Advantages 

• Provides a private and/or shared area where students and instructors can store and exchange files
• Students are able to send files to the instructor where the instructor can retrieve and review those files and then return them to the students
• Faculty can send files to a single student, selected students, and all students enrolled in a course
• Provides time and date stamp for all submissions
• No set-up time needed for assignments
• Can have multiple submissions of one assignment

      Disadvantages 

• Assignments are not automatically entered into the Gradebook; faculty need to add Digital Drop Box assignment items manually (if they are to be part of the Gradebook) 
• Limited organization capabilities
• Multiple files appear as multiple entries (i.e. multiple files from one student cannot be sent together; students can only send one file at a time)
• Cannot control availability dates for assignments