Course Features
The Course Tools
 Once in your course, on the left of the browser, is a panel that provides access to the Blackboard CE Course Tools. Some of these tools also are linked to icons on the homepage, such as Discussions and Chat. As well, Assessments, is connected to Tests and Quizzes.
Announcements
The Announcements tool allows your instructor to post important information to everyone in the course. The announcements can be set to appear in a popup window which opens as soon as you open your course.
Assessments
If your course has quizzes added to it, this is the tool that provides access. Your Section Instructor has the ability to determine when each quiz 'opens' (becomes available) or 'closes'.
Calendar
The Calendar tool lets you keep track of important dates and In-Service instructors are instructed to add assignment due dates to the calendar. If you are taking more than one course, the Global Calendar button lets you see all dates that have been added to all of your courses.
Chat
The Chat tool lets you communicate with others who are online at the same time. While In-Service courses do not use the Chat tool as a regular part of the course - it is available for those who wish to use it.
Discussions
This is the course discussion board. You can attach files to postings (please limit file size to less than 5MB). Replies to posts are pubic to all by default. If you wish to reply privately to a post, click on the hyperlinked name of the sender and select Send Mail to send your reply directly to their mail Inbox.
Mail
Send private messages directly to your instructor or other course participants. You can attach files to the messages (again - keep files under 5MB in size). If you are taking more than one course, the Global Mail button gives you quick, more direct access to each course's mail tool.
Search
You can search your entire course for every mention of a specific word or phrase. You can then open a found page directly by clicking on its hyperlinked title.
Who's Online
This tool lets you see which course participants are currently logged into the course with you. To open a chat, select the checkbox in front of each person's name and click the Send Chat Invitation button. You can also send them a mail message from here by clicking their name and selecting Send Mail.
My Tools
Notes
This tool can be useful for keeping track of your own ideas or reminders.
NOTE: If you find that the Course Tools panel reduces the space available to view the course pages, then collapse it by clicking the Expand/Collapse Menu Area button (oval highlight).
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