Course Master Shell

After discussions with departments and individual faculty members, the Center for Innovation in Teaching, Assessment, and Learning proceeded with a redesign of the Course Master Template for Blackboard. The new template reduces the amount of pre-populated menu items, assignment examples, and provides a more user-friendly experience for faculty. Examples were left in place to help faculty new to the Blackboard system but hidden by default. Faculty have permissions to alter or customize the menu to their individual needs, but the most common tools and links are included by default when a course is requested.

Additions to the template include direct links to:

• Welcome Page (with integrated data dashboard)

• Simple Syllabus

• Zoom Meetings (renamed from "Online Sessions")

• University Resources

  • Library Guides (currently default link but can be customized to particular subject))

  • Emergency Preparedness Protocol

  • University Policies

  • Other Student Resources (e.g., Access & Accommodations, Writing Center, and Honor Council)

  • Submit a Helpdesk Ticket (Students are redirected to the IT helpdesk)

• Blackboard Help Resources (For Faculty and Students)

Please see some of the new template images below:

New Faculty Menu & Welcome Page

Open

Open

Example Simplified Student Menu & Welcome Page

Reduced Pre-Populated Page Examples (Hidden by Default)

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