How to turn in Written Assignments

To prepare and submit written assignments:

1. Prepare your project

   • Use Microsoft Word or a similar word processing program.
   • Name your assignment with your name and the assignment name.
   • Save your assignment as a .docx file or .odt file. See this tutorial on saving files as .docx or .odt.

2. Submit your project

   • Click on the assignment link in the Learning Module of choice.
   • At the bottom of the Assignment panel, click View Instructions
   • Drag and drop your assignment file into the Submission box or click the paperclip icon in the text editor to attach your file.
   • Click Submit at the lower right.

View the graded assignment and feedback in the Gradebook.

All papers are subject to plagiarism detection programs.

How to take an Assessment

You can access assessments, such as exams or quizzes, in the Learning Modules. Only start an exam when you are ready to take the assessment and have met the requirements indicated by your instructor.

In most instances, once you start the exam you must finish it. Only documented technical issues from the Academic Instructional Technology Center will allow for a retest based on the instructors discretion.

To take an assessment, follow the steps below:

1. Click on the assessment in the Learning Module.
2. In the Assessment panel, you will see a summary of details about the assessment. Pay special attention to time limits.
3. Click Start attempt at the bottom of the Assessment panel.
4. Read the instructions and answer each question.
5. As you work on the assessment, answers auto-save and you can view the last saved time on the lower left above the Questions Filter.
6. At the end of your assessment, check that you’ve answered all questions by referencing the progress bar at the top, then click Submit.

When taking an assessment, if possible, use an ethernet connection rather than a wireless connection to the internet.

How to use Messages

Messages is the preferred way to communicate with your instructor or group about coursework.

To send a message:

1. Within your course, click Messages in the navigation bar.
2. Click New Message to create a message.
3. Select Recipients from the dropdown menu.
4. Check the box next to Send an email copy to recipients.
5. Enter your message, then click Send.
6. Do not submit assignments through the Messages tool.

How to post in Discussions

Discussions in Blackboard allow students and faculty to communicate asynchronously (anytime) via posts. You will use this tool frequently.

You can find discussions within Learning Modules on the Content page as well as under the Discussions tab in the navigation bar.

To respond to a discussion prompt:

1. Click on the discussion within a Learning Module or under the Discussions tab in the navigation bar.
2. Enter your response in the text entry field immediately under the discussion prompt.
3. Click Post to the lower right of the text entry field to add your post.

To respond to a colleague:

1. Click Reply immediately beneath their post on the lower left.
2. Enter your response.
3. Click Reply on the lower right beneath the text entry field.

Click the bell icon next to the word follow at the top of a discussion prompt to receive notifications about activity in a discussion. Check discussions regularly to contribute to an active learning environment.

Netiquette

When participating in discussions, please:

• Be courteous.
• Don’t flame (i.e., post insults, invective, or other personally disrespectful comments) or post flamebait (i.e., deliberately provocative or manipulative material intended or likely to elicit flames).
• Be careful in the use of sarcasm and irony. Online communication lacks the subtle nonverbal cues that help us interpret sarcasm or irony in face-to-face settings, so it is easy to miss the point or misunderstand. More importantly, it is easy to give or take offense where none is intended.
• Give people the benefit of the doubt, and if you are misunderstood, don’t get defensive.
• Consider using such rhetorical devices somewhat less in this medium than you would in ordinary conversation.
• Remember that multiple, short posts are much less effective than fewer carefully-thought-out ones.
• Use patience in responding to encourage more contributors with a wider variety of ideas and perspectives to participate.
• Be tolerant of those who are still learning how to use the Web and this forum.

How to turn in Written Assignments

All written assignments, except discussion assignments, will be submitted through the assignment link in each Learning Module.

Use the following process to prepare and submit assignments:

1. Prepare your assignment:

   • Prepare your project using Microsoft Word or a similar word processing program.
   • Then name your assignment with the following convention: last name, first name, project title (ex. lastnamefirstnamemod1.rtf)
   • Choose the .rtf file type from the drop down menu in your save window, under the name of the document. For assistance, see this tutorial on saving documents in Rich Text Format.

2. Submit your assignment:

   • Click on the assignment link in the Learning Module of choice.
   • You will see:

     • Instructions and attachments at the top of the page
     • The due date, points, possible, and rubric on the right
     • Submission options at the bottom

   • Under the submission options, select Upload Files to upload your assignment.
   • Less commonly, an instructor may ask you to use Create Submission to enter your assignment in a text editor.
   • Use Add Comments to leave any messages to the instructor about the assignment.
   • Click Submit at the lower right.

When assignments are received, an instructor may open them in a word processor for grading or leave comments, questions, and annotations within the document in Blackboard. View the graded assignment and feedback in the Grade Center.

Be advised that your papers are subject to plagiarism detection programs.

How to take an Assessment

Assessments such as quizzes or exams may be available in the Learning Modules or the Assessments tab, and sometimes both. Do not start an exam until you are ready to take the assessment and have met the requirements as directed by your instructor.

In most instances, once you start the exam you must finish it. Only documented technical issues from the Academic Instructional Technology Center will allow for a retest based on the instructors discretion.

To take an Assessment:

1. Click on the assessment either the Assessments tab or Learning Module.
2. Read the instructions provided, particularly about the time limits.
3. When you are ready to begin the assessment, click Begin.
4. If the assessment is being timed, a warning will appear when half the time has expired and when 5 minutes, 1 minute and 30 seconds remain.
5. Answer each question and click Save Answer. By saving each answer as you go, you may prevent the loss of test material if you computer locks up or other technical problems occur.
6. At the end of your assessment, save any answers you have not saved. Then click Save and Submit.

When taking an assessment, it is recommended to use an ethernet connection rather than a wireless connection to the internet.

How to send Messages

The Messages feature is similar to an internal email client and allows only for communications to be transmitted within Blackboard and not to external email accounts.

To communicate via Messages within the course:

1. Click the Messages link to the left in the Course Menu.
2. Click Create Message to send a message.
3. Select recipients (All Users or Select Users)
4. Do not submit assignments through the Messages or Email tab.

How to send Emails

Use the Emails feature to send email from your Adams State email account to a classmate or instructor’s Adams State email account from within Blackboard.

To do send an Email:

1. Select the Email link from the Course Menu to the left.
2. Select recipients by role or use the Select Users option to manually assign recipients.
3. When assigning recipients manually, select the users name from the Available to Select box and move the intended recipient over to the Selected box.
4. Enter your subject and message along with any attachments if necessary.

Keep in mind that because this email is external, there will be no record of the communications within Blackboard.

Do not submit assignments through the Messages or Email tab.

How to post in Discussions

The Discussions feature in Blackboard is an online discussion forum in which students and faculty can communicate asynchronously (anytime) via message postings. You will use this tool frequently. When you click the Discussions tab located on the left or within the Learning Modules, a listing of available forums will appear. Students can (and will be required to) respond to forum prompts in the course discussion.

To respond to a prompt:

1. Click the Discussions tab located in the left-hand navigation bar under the Course Menu or click on the Discussion link within a Learning Module.
2. Click on a forum topic link to open it.
3. Click Create Thread to post your initial comments or select a thread and click Reply to respond to any existing posts.
4. Click Submit to add your posting.
5. Your response will now appear, along with your name as author and date/time of posting.

Be sure to check the Discussions area each time you log into the course, to view any added material.

Netiquette

When posting in a discussion, please:

• Be courteous.
• Don’t flame (i.e., post insults, invective, or other personally disrespectful comments) or post flamebait (i.e., deliberately provocative or manipulative material intended or likely to elicit flames).
• Be careful in the use of sarcasm and irony. Online communication lacks the subtle nonverbal cues that help us interpret such rhetorical flourishes in face-to-face settings, so that it is easy to miss the point or misunderstand. More importantly, it is easy to give or take offense where none is intended.
• Give people the benefit of the doubt, and if you are misunderstood, don’t get defensive.
• Consider using such rhetorical devices somewhat less in this medium than you would in ordinary conversation.
• Remember that multiple, short posts are much less effective than fewer carefully-thought-out ones.
• Use patience in responding to encourage more contributors with a wider variety of ideas and perspectives to participate.
• Be tolerant of those who are still learning how to use the Web and this forum.