If you have used Blackboard 8.3, there are at least five new functions in Bb 9.1 that will be essential for you to know in order to successfully work within the new Blackboard 9.1 environment. View the Blackboard video for a brief overview of the Blackboard 9.1 course environment, as well as the Blackboard video which outlines further enhancements to that environment introduced in the latest service pack. You are also encouraged to visit our Blackboard 9.1 Upgrade: New Features, and Enhancements to Existing Tools and Features web pages which highlight some of the more exciting enhancements to existing Blackboard 8 tools that are introduced in Blackboard 9.1.
Replacing the "Edit View" and "Display View" links is a new Edit Mode button. To make changes to the course, turn the Edit Mode button ON. To view the class as your students see it, turn the Edit Mode button OFF.
Rearranging or reordering items has gotten easier with drag-and-drop functionality in a variety of locations from modules, to the course menu, to content areas and the test canvas. For a more streamlined look and feel, drag and drop icons remain hidden from view until a user points to an item, at which point the icon is revealed and becomes useable.
All the modifying, managing, moving and deleting of items in Bb 9.1 is done through a single drop-down menu for that item. For a more streamlined look and feel, the action links icon remains hidden from view until a user points to an item; at which point an icon is revealed giving access to the drop-down menu that allows the user to select the appropriate action.
Adding new content or tool areas to the course menu is done by mousing over the "plus" button at the top of the course menu and selecting the appropriate item from the list of options listed there.
Adding content to a content area of the course is done by mousing over the appropriate option at the top of the screen (Build Content, Assessment, Tools, and Publisher Content) and then selecting the appropriate item listed within that option.
The Control Panel is no longer a separate screen. The Control Panel, with all of its functions, is now located directly beneath the course navigational menu with expandable sub menus.
A new “Home” icon replaces the Course Title beside the course breadcrumbs. Users can return to the course home page at any time simply by clicking on the “Home” icon. Beside the “Home” icon is a new Course to Course Navigation option that allows users to jump from their current location (e.g. Need Grading) in one course to the same location in another course by simply selecting the other course from the drop down list. View the Blackboard video for more information about Course to Course Navigation.
