COURSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM UPGRADED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

Northwestern University's Course Management System, Blackboard, has been successfully upgraded ahead of schedule.

The upgrade brings new features and enhanced functionality that will allow users to more efficiently manage content and access information. The navigation and basic functionality of the system will be familiar, as the additional features are integrated into the existing design.

Hands-on Workshops Sign up for a workshop to learn more about the new features! Tue, 6/24/08, 3:00pm Wed, 7/2/08, 2:00pm Tue, 7/8/08, 10:00am Fri, 7/11/08, 1:00pm Mon, 7/14/08, 1:30pm Thu, 7/24/08, 10:30am Locations Register now!

New features:

Self and Peer Assessment

The Self and Peer Assessment tool provides a way for students to constructively critique their own work and the work of their peers. Instructors are able to track the students' progress, review the assessments, and when the assignment is completed can send the grades to the Grade Center.

Grade Center (formerly Gradebook)

Improved features include:

• The ability to freeze panes
• Scroll easily through the spreadsheet
• Add columns
• Modify grades
• Organize information

New features include:

• Creating/Adding Categories tab is for organizing like items, like quizzes, or assignments
• Weighted Totals/Drop Lowest Grade option makes it possible to weight a group of items and drop grades
• Instructors can add a comment to a grade to help remember details about a grade, or send a short note to the student
• Smart Views allow instructors and their Teaching Assistant(s) to independently view their specific students and/or student groups
• Reports are easy to generate and instructors can provide students with a written progress report