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What is Blackboard

Blackboard is a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). A virtual learning environment is a web-based application designed to facilitate lecturers in the management of modules for their students, especially by helping lecturers and learners with course administration. They are used to supplement face-to-face lectures and tutorials.

  • Blackboard is the VLE in use at NUI Galway. It allows students to download lecture notes, reading lists, assessment information and other course-related material from their Blackboard sites.
  • It also contains functions that enable students to interact via class announcements, email, discussion boards.
  • It's easy to upload any materials (e.g. Word files, PowerPoint slides, PDFs, etc) and to create simple quizzes, arrange for electronic submission of course work by students, establish online discussion areas, etc.
  • Not all academic staff will use Blackboard to support their face-to-face teaching.
  • Please follow this link for an excellent lesson from CELT about Online Learning

Click here for more details about Blackboard

‌Additional information

Logging in to Blackboard

  • ‌Blackboard is available 24x7 from on and off-campus
  • Students must be currently registered to access the Blackboard service. Students log in to Blackboard using their standard User ID and password (i.e. credentials).

Blackboard App

You can also access Blackboard on your mobile device using the Blackboard App. To get started on the Blackboard App, please see the following Quick Start webpage. 

Please note: the app is primarily designed for viewing content - not for tasks such as submitting assignments. To access the majority of Blackboard features you will need to log in via a web browser.

 

 Qwickly Attendance Monitoring

Qwickly Lecture Hall

The Qwickly Attendance course tool in Blackboard will allow instructors, course builders, and teaching assistants to take attendance in their modules. Staff can take attendance manually. Students can also record their attendance within each module on their own devices using a browser or the Blackboard App.  Qwickly Attendance can notify students via email when they have been marked absent.

Important: During the 20/21 Academic Year, it is mandatory for Students to register their attendance during on-campus Lectures. The Qwickly Attendance tool within Blackboard will be used to record Student attendance at scheduled lectures/lab sessions for contact tracing purposes. Please click the following link for some helpful guides on using Qwickly Attendance in Blackboard.

Submitting Your Assignment via Blackboard

Visit the Blackboard Assignments Help page for details and tips for submitting your assignment through Blackboard.

Note: if you have issues submitting your assignment in Blackboard, please contact your instructor in the first instance.

Submitting Assignment via Turnitin

Submission Issues: if you have issues submitting your assignment via Turnitin in Blackboard, please contact your instructor in the first instance.

File Limits: the maximum file size supported by Turnitin is approximately 40mb and the maximum paper length is approximately 400 pages

Viewing Your Originality Report: Your instructor controls whether or not the originality report is available to view before the due date. If the report says 'Pending' please return to the file at a later stage - typically around an hour after submitting but this can vary depending on the file size or whether it is a busy period. Please check with your instructor if you are unsure what options are available to you.

Taking an Online Quiz (MCQs)

Visit the Blackboard Quiz Help Page for tips for taking an online test in Blackboard.

Resetting a Test Attempt: if you encounter technical issues while taking an online quiz please contact your instructor in the first instance.

Browser Support:  Google Chrome is the recommended web browser while taking MCQs. Please see the supported browsers list for more details.

Using Blogs, Journals & Other Communication Tools

Visit the Blackboard Help Pages to view guides on other tools such as blogs and journals. How you will use these tools will vary greatly depending on your module so check with your instructor if you need further help.

Blackboard's Online Resource

Please visit the Blackboard Help Pages.