Blackboard version 8.0 new features include:

Offering a Smarter Blackboard Grade Center(TM)
The newly redesigned Gradebook now enables teachers to focus on teaching, not data entry. New features include in-cell editing, grading periods, smart views, and progress reports.

Facilitating Self and Peer Assessments
Self and peer assessment features help facilitate student group work for faculty. Self Evaluation enables students to review and grade their own assessments by following criteria set by their instructor. With Peer Evaluation, students can review work submitted by their peers using specific criteria, compare their responses, and offer constructive criticism.

Managing Digital Content Easily with the Blackboard Content System
Enhancements in this release include: Reusable Objects (allows faculty to create and then reuse content) and 360 Degree View (conveniently summarizes file information, such as where it is linked, URL, etc.)

For more information about these new features, view our faculty What’s New document.

The OIT Learning Technologies group

OIT’s Institute for Instructional Technology will conduct a series of FREE workshops for the university instructional community this summer on topics including managing assessments, content, communication and collaboration in ELMS, as well as the new ELMS 8.0 Grade Center. For a calendar of workshop dates see: http://www.oit.umd.edu/iit/calendar.html. To view workshop descriptions and register see: http://www.training.umd.edu.