Blackboard Upgrade Updates What's New and Issues

December 8, 2017

What’s New

Drag and Drop Files

It is easier than ever to attach files in Blackboard. As a faculty member, you can now add files to Items and Assignments by dragging files from your computer to the “hot spot” in the Attach Files area. Students can also drag and drop files to upload when they submit assignments.

Drag-and-drop locations

File drag and drop are now supported in the following areas:

Content Collection – file upload page replacing Java-dependent interface
Content Editor – embed attachment
Blank Page content type
Blog – Create Entry
Journal – Create Entry
Portfolio – add Artifact

If the browser allows, users can drag a folder of files and the files will upload individually.

Submission Receipts

Students can receive a notification email for each assignment attempt with information about the submission including attached files.

When students submit Assignments successfully, the Review Submission History page will include a banner and confirmation number. For assignments with multiple attempts, students will receive a different number for each submission. For group attempts, each student will receive a separate confirmation number. Students can also access receipts at any time on the My Grades page in the submissions filter area.

You can access all of your students’ confirmation numbers from the Grade Center. Access the Reports menu and select Submission Receipts.

Missing Coursework Reminders

Instructors can send email reminders from Grade Center columns to students and members of groups who have not submitted work. Students receive a system-generated email that lists the course, coursework, and the due date if included. Instructors can also send reminders for assignments with anonymous or delegated grading enabled. To protect anonymity, students’ names and attempt statuses aren’t revealed.

Known Issue

Content items and Grade Center Columns may not Reorder

When dragging and dropping content items, the items may scroll way past the bottom of the browser window. When dragging and dropping the grade center columns, the columns may not move.

Blackboard is aware of the bug, but at the time of writing have no ETA on a fix.

Workaround – Use keyboard accessible reordering

Reorder Content: http://wordpress.chapman.edu/blackboard/2017/12/06/reorder-content/

Reorder Grade Center Columns: http://wordpress.chapman.edu/blackboard/2017/12/06/reorder-grade-center-columns/