23
16 Blackboard
UWE supports "online learning and teaching" with resources on the web. The University's online
learning system is called Blackboard. It can be accessed from almost any computer with web access.
To log in, please use your username and password.
This guide is intended to answer basic questions about Blackboard:
· What is Blackboard?
· How to find Blackboard
· Who can use it?
· What will you find in it?
· Logging out of Blackboard
16.1 What is Blackboard?
Blackboard is a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). If you are advised that course materials are
available on Blackboard, visit myUWE and follow the relevant Blackboard links. In addition to
the presentations and documents you may find on Blackboard, the Discussion Board and Virtual
Classroom facilities may be used for online communication with your tutor or other students. Some
tutors may set online assessment exercises. Many modules are supported in Blackboard, but not
necessarily all. Please consult your tutor if in doubt.
16.2 How to find Blackboard
Follow the links to myUWE to log in to the University's portal. Once logged in, you will be able to
access Blackboard resources from the Courses tab and the Blackboard announcements area on the
Home tab of myUWE.
If you cannot reach the myUWE home page or Blackboard resources are unavailable, the University
may be experiencing technical difficulties so please try again later. Notices are usually posted on
the University home page if there are problems with availability, and these may include advice on
alternative arrangements for reaching Blackboard resources.
16.3 Who can use it?
All UWE students with an appropriate enrolment have access to Blackboard. However, you will only
have access to learning and teaching materials your tutor has chosen to make available through
Blackboard.
In some instances, your tutor may not regard Blackboard as appropriate to a particular area of
studies. For example, some tutors make resources available only for limited periods.
Your tutors will advise when your studies are supported in Blackboard. Also, you can check which
module runs are supported via the web page at http://info.uwe.ac.uk/online/blackboard/stats/
liveCourses.asp
16.4 What will you find in it?
If you are participating in a module run or other activity that is supported in Blackboard, you will
be able to access its course site. Within the course site, you might find reading lists, lecture notes,
details of assignments and other learning resources. This information may be in the form of web
pages or downloads (eg word-processed documents or PowerPoint presentations). You might also
find communication tools such as course discussion boards. The exact content of any particular
Blackboard course site is controlled by the appropriate tutor or tutors.