Mastering Blackboard Learn at TCC: A Comprehensive Guide for Students
For students at Tulsa Community College (TCC), Blackboard Learn serves as the central hub for online and blended courses. This article provides a comprehensive tutorial on navigating Blackboard Learn, understanding online course formats, and accessing essential resources for academic success. Whether you're new to online learning or seeking to enhance your Blackboard skills, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need.
Understanding Online Course Formats at TCC
TCC offers various online course formats to cater to different learning preferences and schedules. Understanding these formats is crucial for choosing the right courses and succeeding in them.
Online Classes
Online classes deliver course content entirely through the internet, offering maximum flexibility with no scheduled class times. You'll complete assignments and assessments to demonstrate your understanding of the material, just like in on-campus classes. The primary difference lies in the delivery method: content is accessed online rather than through traditional face-to-face lectures. These classes are 100% online. Instructors and students do not collaborate in real-time.
Online Live Classes
These "web-conference style" courses require students to be present online at a designated time. Online live courses are 100% online. Instructors engage with students in real-time at a specified meeting time.
Blended Classes
Blended classes combine online and on-campus components. They offer more flexibility than traditional on-campus classes while retaining the benefit of in-person interaction with your instructor. You'll meet in a classroom regularly, but for less time than a traditional class.
Read also: Learn about Blackboard Learn at UD
Are Online and Blended Classes More Challenging?
The perceived difficulty of online or blended classes often depends on your self-motivation as a student. To assess your suitability for these formats, consider taking a self-test.
Navigating Blackboard Learn
Blackboard Learn is TCC's Online Learning Management System, used to deliver online courses.
Accessing Blackboard Learn
The best way to log into Blackboard is through MyTCC. Upon logging into MyTCC, you will see a box labeled Student Quick Links on the left. The button for Blackboard is the second from the left. Clicking the Blackboard link will take you to the Blackboard Institution page.
Finding Your Online Courses
When you enroll in a course, TCC automatically enrolls you in the corresponding Blackboard course section. Once the instructor makes the course available, you'll find it listed on the Blackboard Welcome page. Your classes will show up 7 days before your class start date.
Exploring the Blackboard Interface
Upon logging in, you'll arrive at the Blackboard Institution page, which provides helpful links and information. The Blackboard menu on the left side of the screen offers access to various features, including:
Read also: Learn Ultra Navigation
- Courses: Click this to view a list of your registered courses.
- Click the name of your desired course to open its course page.
Understanding Blackboard Original and Ultra
Blackboard offers two interfaces: Original and Ultra. The "Blackboard Tutorials for Students" page provides detailed information on the differences between them.
Essential Technology and Equipment for Online Courses
To ensure a smooth online learning experience, it's essential to have the right technology and equipment.
Computer Requirements
Most Windows or Mac desktop and laptop computers are suitable for online classes. While Chromebooks are supported by Blackboard, some instructors may use applications like Respondus LockDown Browser that are not compatible. In such cases, you may need to use alternative computer access, such as the computers available at the Tulsa Community College Library.
Important: Avoid relying solely on tablets (including iPads) or smartphones for Blackboard access, as not all features may function correctly on these devices. Access to a desktop or laptop computer may be necessary for certain tasks.
Internet Access
While Blackboard can be accessed with a dial-up internet service provider, a reliable broadband internet service will provide the best results.
Read also: Drexel University LMS
Essential Skills
Success in online courses requires intermediate skills in the following areas:
- Internet: Familiarity with navigating the internet, following hyperlinks, and searching for information.
- Word Processing: Proficiency in creating, formatting, saving, and retrieving documents using a word processing program.
- Web Browsers: Supported web browsers for use with Blackboard include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari.
Interacting with Course Content and Assignments
Online classes are like on-campus classes in that you will complete assignments and assessments showing that you have mastered course objectives. The primary difference is that content will be delivered through the Internet instead of through face-to-face lectures.
Accessing Course Information
You can find out about online/blended classes by looking for the class syllabus. While some instructors make their syllabus (and the class site) available before the first day of class, other instructors wait until the scheduled first day of class before allowing students to "enter the classroom." Search through the prior semester's syllabi online. The course syllabus will explain the requirements of the course you are taking.
Assignment Submissions and Grading
When you create an assignment, expand the Submission Details section. Select how many attempts to allow and which score to use in the Grade Center.
For example, if you allow three attempts, you can select one of these scores:
- Last Graded Attempt-the default
- Highest Grade
- Lowest Grade
- First Graded Attempt
- Average of Graded Attempts
On the Grade Assignment page, the number of attempts submitted appears next to a student's name. Students can view the attempt used for the final score, such as last graded attempt or the average of all graded attempts. Select the Attempt menu to view other attempts. After you select an attempt, type a grade and feedback, and submit.
Allowing Additional Attempts
If a student has submitted the maximum number of attempts for an assignment, you can allow an additional attempt. In the Grade Center, access a cell's menu and select View Grade Details. The Grade Details page appears. Allow Additional Attempt only appears if a student has already submitted the maximum number of attempts allowed for that assignment. You can continue to offer opportunities to resubmit attempts each time a student reaches the maximum number. You don't have to grade previous attempts to allow a student to submit again. When an assignment is in an anonymous state, you can still grant a student an additional attempt. You can view student names, but not their submissions or how many attempts are left. Your request is ignored if attempts remain.
Alternatively, select Ignore Attempt to ignore the attempt's score in grade calculations and not count it against the maximum number of attempts. To see each submission, go to your Full Grade Center, and find the column associated with the assignment.
Accessing Support Resources
TCC offers a variety of support resources to help students succeed in their online courses.
Tutoring Centers
TCC provides tutoring centers that offer help with writing, reading, math, science, and languages.
Online Tutoring
For after-hours and weekend assistance, Tutor.com offers academically certified, live 24/7 support in multiple subject areas.
How to Get Tutoring Help After Hours
To access tutoring services outside of office hours, log in to Blackboard. On the Institution Page, click on the Tools link on the left side of your screen.
Additional Information
Classes offered through TCC Connect Campus (sections that start with 8) require you to complete the Online Readiness assessment before you can register.
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