Support

What is Blackboard?
Blackboard is a "Learning Management System" (LMS), a type of Web-based software that allows instructors to put course materials online easily and also provides students access to these materials securely.

Each class has its own Web site which is password protected, and only students that are registered in the course have access to the content. Students log into Blackboard, click on their course, and interact with course materials, the instructor and other students.

Through Blackboard, Spokane Virtual Learning courses can be accessed by registered users from anywhere in the world using the Internet and a Web browser.

Neither instructors nor students need to know HTML to use Blackboard. Content is added through the use of online forms. Files made in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and various other programs can also be added directly into Blackboard.

Blackboard provides an integrated environment which enables:

• Easy publication and access of course materials, such as handbooks, lecture handouts, slides, reading lists and web links;
• Communication between students and facilitators using discussion boards;
• Online presentations and tutorials, with students and tutors logged into a virtual classroom;
• The creation of group areas to support group tasks such as online discussion and file exchange;
• Setting and taking of online assessments with automatic marking and feedback facilities;
• Gradebook Management;
• Assignment Collection; and
• More!

Why Blackboard?
Besides being very full-featured, Blackboard is very popular and highly regarded by most educators.

Most institutions of higher learning, for example, in Washington also use Blackboard:

• Central Washington University
• Eastern Washington University
• Gonzaga University
• Spokane Community Colleges
• Washington State University
• Western Washington University
• Whitworth University

From the perspective of transitioning K-12 students to online higher education, Blackboard is a wise choice.

To learn more about Blackboard, please visit their Web site.

Confusing terminology?
See our online glossary!

Blackboard Student Manual
(1.3M PDF)

Technical Questions?

Contact:
Don Brummett
Web Programmer
DonB@spokaneschools.org
(509) 354-7545