Welcome to the Blackboard Mailbag, where we feature a commonly asked question that has been hitting our mailbox recently: blackboard@fordham.edu. You’ll find an archive of all of the previous questions and answers on our fordham.edu/blackboard website.
Note: Features may change with future updates.
Q: Is there anything new about Blackboard that I should know about for the Fall semester?
A: Yes! Blackboard’s most recent update in August included the following exciting changes:
- Flexible Grading, including:
- Grade question by question
- Collapse side panels to view more of the student submission
- Learning Module image
- Unread Message indicator
- Group Messaging improvements
- Course Banner image improvements
- Replace files in course content
For the full list of changes made to Blackboard in the recent update, visit the current Release Notes.
Other important information for the Fall semester:
Course Merge Requests
If you teach multiple sections of the same course, the sections can be merged in Blackboard as “child” courses connected to a single “parent” course. You only have to manage that “parent” course, which can be accessed by students from all sections.
To request a course merge, please submit the Course Merge Form.
Course Copying
Copy content from a previous course into your new fall 2023 course/s:
- Copy content from a newer Blackboard Ultra course
- Copy content from an old Blackboard classic course
Note: If you are requesting a course merge, your material must be copied into the Parent course prior to adding the Child courses.
One-On-One Consultations and Workshops
Set up a 1-on-1 Zoom meeting with an Ed Tech team member on our EdTech Consultation calendar. If none of the times work for you, reach out to blackboard@fordham.edu. Don’t forget about our workshops! Visit the IT Calendar to RSVP and get the link to our workshops.
For additional FAQs and resources about Blackboard, visit fordham.edu/blackboard, attend one of our workshops, or reach out to us with your availability and we will accommodate small groups and one-on-one sessions.
Have feedback or suggestions on features? Blackboard’s parent company Anthology hosts The Idea Exchange. This is a place specifically for Blackboard to track and manage enhancement requests. It allows for things like upvoting ideas and sharing development plans and statuses. You will need to create an account to access the Idea Exchange.