ECU has transitioned to a new identification method, which affects access to applications such as e-mail, Blackboard, OneStop, etc.

The New Faculty Orientation Planning Committee and the Center for Faculty Excellence have developed a Blackboard site where you can see how Blackboard works and discover a wealth of information which, we hope, you will find helpful. If you wish to visit the New Faculty Orientation Blackboard site prior to obtaining your personal email address, you can do so by using newfaculty as both the username and password.

Blackboard (Bb) is a virtual learning environment that enables instructors and students to share learning resources electronically, communicate and collaborate, and evaluate student progress. Blackboard was implemented at ECU in 1999. Through Blackboard students can read/download information and participate with the communication and student tools that have been enabled by the instructor. Instructors can control their individual Bb sites by adding, modifying or deleting content, enabling or disabling tools, setting up groups and discussion boards, and creating surveys and quizzes.

Blackboard software runs on the internet, allowing access both on and off campus at any time of the day or night. The university regularly upgrades Blackboard versions, usually over semester break in December. In Fall 2007, ECU migrated to Blackboard 7.3. Academic Outreach offers training and support in Blackboard and other course management systems.

In planning for response to a weather or other situation that would require the university to close, the university creates Blackboard sites for ALL ECU courses. ALL course sections offered at ECU have an individual Backboard site ready for content to be added. If you need to collapse course sections or rollover course content, please visit http://www.ecu.edu/blackboard. Access to the Blackboard system is limited to members of the ECU community and faculty have to activate their Blackboard courses.

Students can only access Blackboard courses they are enrolled in. The exception to student access happens when a student is given instructional responsibilities within a particular course. Population of students into a Bb course is done automatically through the Registrar's Office.

Support options

The Blackboard Team has a selection of ways to provide support for faculty and students

• To contact the Blackboard team: If you have an immediate need, you can contact the Administrator, Matt Long (longm@ecu.edu or 328-9074.) You can also contact James Cook (cookja@ecu.edu or 328-9088.)
• Online support: In addition to live support, the Blackboard Team has created an online support space that supports faculty and students at http://supportcenteronline.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=557. This site has information on the latest version of Blackboard, tutorials, FAQs and a knowledge base.
• Training opportunities: Blackboard training and assistance are provided by the Bb administrator who offers courses through OneStop*. Login to Onestop and look for the faculty and staff training link. Search for Blackboard training in this location.

Additional assistance:

• The academic unit Instructional Technology Consultants provide one-on-one training and consultants are experts in the use of Blackboard.
• The Walk-in IT Help Desk (formerly the Technology Resource Center) is a central location for faculty and staff to receive walk-in one-on-one IT consulting support and access to technology resources. The Walk-in IT Help Desk is located in Austin 103.