A blog is a searchable list of postings displayed in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Blackboard allows you to create multiple blogs in each course. You can create blogs that are open to all students in the class, or blogs for specific groups.
In Blackboard, there are two types of blogs: course blogs (all students can contribute and comment) and individual blogs (a specific student is the “owner” of the blog and sole contributor and other students can comment).
An alternative is the Blackboard “Private Journal” which functions like a blog for each student but which is visible only to the individual student and to you as the Instructor. Read more about Journals
A Blackboard blog is not open to the general public, only to the class.
How to set up a Blog
- Make sure Edit Mode is ON.
- Go to a content area page, such as Course Materials
- Under the Tools button, choose “Blogs”
- On this page, choose “Link to a Blog” and select the correct blog from the list in the box, and click “Submit.” IF there are no blogs listed, you’ll need to click the button below that says “Create New Blog”
- Fill out the form, choose your settings, and click “Submit”
- Make sure your newly created blog is now selected (highlighted in blue), and click “Next”
- Adding a description is optional – click Submit
How to place the Blog in your course
In order for students to access the Blog, you have to place it in your course.
- You can place the Blog on the Course Menu, by adding a tool link. See this article for Course Menu Management.
- You can add the Blog in a Content Area. Here is a 3-minute video showing how to add a Tool to a Content Area.
How to grade students' Blogs
Your first option is to go to Control Panel > Grade Center > Needs Grading. Click on the link for each student. This will take you to each student’s blog post where you can enter the grade value and narrative feedback in the boxes to the right. Click Submit when you have finished grading a student’s work.
You can also go to Control Panel > Grade Center > Full Grade Center and scroll to the column for the blog. Submissions that are ready to be graded are indicated with a yellow exclamation point. Click on the small button within that cell, choose “Grade User Activity,” and proceed to grade the student’s blog post by entering the grade value and narrative feedback in the boxes to the right. Click Submit when you have finished grading a student’s work.