General Information::
Here you can see the Designer view of a course within the eLearning system. This is a sample that contains default components in which Colleges will use in their template. There is a slight change of items when in the Teach and Student views, but it pretty much looks like this. Blackboard has put together a brochure about the eLearning system, here is a PDF link for further product information.
The "Image Branding" format consists of the SUU logo, scheme colors, College banner, Icons, Instructor contact information, and required support footer. With the eLearning system, all image branding items are preset in the DevServer and locked in the eLearning server. Faculty and Staff with Designer or Instructor roles are not authorized to alter any component of image branding. This format will be placed on all courses using the eLearning system.
Instructors will have the ability to customize some features within their college's template requirements.
Snapshot Key::
Mouse over the area of interest above and then read the reference about it below.
- The Build Tab: This tab is available to Faculty and Staff assigned with the "Designer" role. The Build tab puts the course shell into a developmental view so that Designers can build content into a course. Designer role access is only given on the DevServer, this is to ensure that changes to content are not performed while a course is being taught on the eLearning server.
- The Teach Tab: This tab is available to Faculty with the "Instructor" role. The Teach tab makes the tools available for course management and the ability to add new/current events content. The Instructor role access is available on both the DevServer and eLearning server.
- The Student View Tab: This tab gives either the Designer and/or Instructor the ability to view the course as a student would. This feature eliminates the need of faculty needing a dummy student account as previously used in WebCT 4.
- The eLearning Navigation Links: These links are self explanatory. The My Courses link will take the user to the main list of courses that they have access to.
- The Course Number - Section Instructor: It is here that we identify the course and the instructor (last name only). This is part of the course file naming system that we use. Because section numbers vary from one semester to another, we do not use it (i.e. Dr. Smith's class taught as section 30i during the Fall may be section 32i for the Spring, and yet be the same course that is used). There may be some additional characters to quickly identify the delivery type (Online, EdNet, Breeze, etc.) for technical support and maintenance and not to confuse students.
- The Course Tools menu: In eLearning this is where all course content will be accessed from. In WebCT 4 content was accessed from the main organizer page. With the migration content will be placed in their respective tool slot.
- The Role Tools: In this location, depending on which tab you use, tools for the specified role you have will be made available. If you have Designer access you will be able to work with Manage Course, File Manager, Grading Forms, and Selective Release Tools. If you have Instructor access you will be able to have Manage Course, Assessment Manager, Assignment Dropbox, Grade Book, Grading Forms, Group Manager, Tracking, Notes, and Selective Release Tools.
- The Breadcrumb Navigation: This is where the user is able to find their pathway back to the homepage in the course.
- The Main Organizer Page Toolbar: This tool bar is only available to Designers. It allows the ability to add tools and content to the homepage. Though this feature will be available on the DevServer, depending on each College template and layout requirements, content may not be added or removed. Consult with your College administration regarding their restrictions.
- The College Banner: The banner contains an image of the building where the College Dean's office is, the name of official name of the College, and course title - course number. As a part of the required image branding this cannot be altered or removed by unauthorized individuals. This banner uses a custom CSS language in the Header slot. Take a look at the College Banners.
- The Organizer Page Tool Icon Area: This like in WebCT 4 is an area where tools and content can be found. It functions much like WebCT 4. The template default consists of only two custom icons; each are folders to content that can only be accessed there and not in the Course Tool menu.
The College Information icon contains "College and Department only" information and resources.
The Section Information (Start Here) icon contains guides, information, etc. from the Section Instructor to assist students on how to get started, the expectations for the course and etc.
However, this Tool Icon area is under the discretion of the College as to additional content and tools used. Please consult your individual College administration for any questions about its use.
- The Section Instructor Information: This area is where the course section instructor's contact and other information is located. This section may vary slightly depending on information supplied and College requirements. This section uses a custom CSS language in the Footer slot. Instructor's will need to supply this information to the IMIC to avoid corruption caused by the HTML editor.
- The SUU Footer: This footer is much like the required footer seen on all SUU web pages. This contains links to a error report form (that the IMIC receives) and to a contact page (in which is sent to the [IT] Student HelpDesk) found in the gray section. The black section gives general university information. This is also a mandatory part of image branding and cannot be removed. It also uses the Footer tool of the Page Options, and cannot be altered.
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