{"id":16008,"date":"2024-09-18T12:00:42","date_gmt":"2024-09-18T11:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/lteonline\/?p=16008"},"modified":"2024-07-31T09:07:04","modified_gmt":"2024-07-31T08:07:04","slug":"blackboard-features-and-functionality-update-august-2024-part-02-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/lteonline\/2024\/09\/18\/blackboard-features-and-functionality-update-august-2024-part-02-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Blackboard features and functionality update August 2024 (Part 02)"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/a>Introduction<\/h5>\n

Anthology releases monthly incremental updates to their Blackboard software, the August update brings a larger-than-normal set of new features and improvements.\u00a0 Because there are several things that we want to bring to your attention we have split the regular blog post into two parts.<\/p>\n

The first blog post covered the major changes to how Blackboard documents have been enhanced.\u00a0 To view part one of the blog release click here.<\/p>\n

In the second instalment of this month\u2019s Blackboard August update release blog, we cover the following features and functionality:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Improvements to creating \u2018Assignments\u2019<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  2. Anonymous student responses for \u2018Forms\u2019<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  3. Improved navigation between students in \u2018Flexible Grading\u2019<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  4. Ability to \u2018follow\u2019 discussions in discussion boards for Enhanced Engagement<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  5. Contact Us<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    This blog post will guide you through these new features, how they can benefit a module and the workflows to implement them.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    <\/a>1. Improvements to creating assignments.<\/h5>\n

    Several updates have been made to Assignments created in Blackboard, these updates aim to enhance the process of creating and managing assignments, ensuring a smoother experience for both instructors and students.<\/p>\n

    Key Improvements:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    1. Enhanced Instructions Box: <\/strong>A new Instructions box with a full content editor allows module leaders to craft detailed assignment instructions to support students in identifying the assessment requirements.<\/p>\n

    \"Image<\/a>
    \n<\/strong>Module Leaders view of the New Assignment page with the new\u00a0Instructions\u00a0box.<\/em><\/p>\n


    \n<\/em>2. Streamlined Settings Panel: <\/strong>The Settings options panel now includes only options relevant to assignments, making it easier to navigate and configure.<\/p>\n

    \"Image<\/a>
    \nModule leader\u2019s view of adding instructions to an assignment.<\/em><\/p>\n


    \n<\/em>3. Improved Attempt Handling: <\/strong>Blank attempts are no longer created when students view assignment instructions. An attempt is only created when students add content to the file drop zone or content editor.<\/p>\n

    \"Image<\/a>
    \nStudent\u2019s view of the new Assignment Information panel and the View Instructions option.<\/em><\/p>\n

    \"Image<\/a>
    \nStudent\u2019s view of the assignment instructions.<\/em><\/p>\n


    \n<\/em>*NOTES <\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Group, timed and invigilated assignments will still create attempts when students view the instructions.<\/li>\n
    2. Assignments created before this release will continue to create blank attempts when students view the instructions. This issue will be addressed in a future release.<\/li>\n
    3. No changes<\/u> have been made to the creating tests, module leaders can access all the same question types and settings options with attempts still automatically being created when students view the test questions.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Back to Top<\/a><\/p>\n

      <\/a>2. Anonymous student responses for Forms.<\/h5>\n

      The ability for students to submit anonymous responses in forms encourages honest and sincere feedback. This anonymity can lead to more genuine responses, higher participation rates, and better-quality results.<\/p>\n

      Key Features<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

      1. Anonymous Submissions Option: <\/strong>The new \u2018Anonymous submissions<\/strong>\u2019 option is available in the Marking & Submissions<\/strong> section of Form Settings.<\/p>\n

      \"Image<\/a>
      \nAnonymous submissions option.<\/em><\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Default settings for anonymous submissions when the Form is configured to be graded.<\/strong><\/p>\n

      When both the Grade Form<\/strong> and Anonymous submissions<\/strong> options are selected, the following settings are enabled by default:<\/p>\n