Blackboard 8 is coming for Spring. The upgrade is scheduled for the weekend of December 19-20.

In addition to resolving some technical issues we've experienced lately, Blackboard 8 is providing a more flexible Grade Center.
Some of the new features are listed below:

• Stationary Student Names - They don't scroll out of view
• Calculated Columns - Weighted, Total, Average, Minimum/Maximum
• Ability to Drop the Lowest Grade in a Category
• Management Features - Upload/Download, Categories, Smart Views, Grading Periods, and Schemas, Organization, Show/Hide Users
• Tools - Email, Reports, and Grade History

Join us for a Sneak Preview seminar in Gornto 411 in November or December. Hands-on workshops will begin in January.

Please register to save your seat now! http://clt.odu.edu/facdev.

If the sneak preview schedule is not convenient for you, please let us know what works best for you at clt@odu.edu so that we can consider additional sessions.

Manuals and Tutorials from Blackboard:

• Getting Started With the Grade Center (PDF/4 pages)
• Blackboard Academic Suite Instructor Manual for Release 8 gradebook (PDF/78 pages)
• Blackboard Manual (online)
• Grade Center: Self and Peer Assessments
• Grade Center: Determining Grades and Exemptions
• Grade Center: Analyzing Grades (orientation to differentiated instruction)
• Grade Center: Customizing the Grade Center

Schedule:

• Printable Calendar for Nov/Dec (PDF 1 page)

Other Links:

• "Top Ten" Flash Tutorials from University of Illinois at Chicago
• Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Instructor Guide
• YouTube Playlists for Blackboard 8