This article refers to the Original Course View. If you are in an Ultra course, please refer to the Blackboard Ultra Faculty Quick Start Guide.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Blog and Journal Comparison
- What is a Blog?
- Create a Blog
- Create a Journal
- Link to Your Blog or Journal
- View Individual Student Blogs or Journals
- Comment on Blogs or Journals
- Create a Blog or Journal Entry
Blog and Journal Comparison
MyLesley blogs and journals are only viewable to those in the course environment, however each tool is designed a bit differently. You may choose to create a class blog, individual blogs, or journals. The functionality of each tool is the same, the only difference is who can post, view, and comment. The chart below details the privacy options of each tool:| Blog Type | Who can post? | Who can view? | Who can comment? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class Blog | everyone in the course | everyone in the course | everyone in the course |
| Individual Blog | everyone can post to their own blog | everyone in the course | everyone in the course |
| Journal | everyone can post to their own journal | private between individual and instructor | private between individual and instructor |
What is a Blog?
Blogs allow students to complete reflective, research or reporting assignments while practicing their communication skills. Unfamiliar with blogs? View this fun and quick video to learn more about blogs: Blogs Explained by CommonCraft.
Create a Blog
To create a blog, go to your course Control Panel, select Course Tools, and select Blogs.
This will bring you into the Blogs area. Click Create Blog to create a new blog.
Enter a name for your blog and a description.
In the Blog Availability section, select Yes to make your blog available. If you would like your blog viewable after a certain date or within a date range, set the Date and Time Restrictions.
In the Blog Settings, select how you want the blog to be indexed (monthly or weekly) and whether to allow users to edit and delete entries and/or comments. And in the Grade Settings, you can choose whether or not to grade your blog.
Once you have finished, click Submit.
For more information and detailed instructions, refer to the Blogs in Original Courses support article.
Create a Journal
The journals tool offers students the opportunity to reflect on course content and communicate privately with the instructor. You can use the tool to gauge understanding and guide students in their knowledge acquisition. Your comments can help students refine their writing and ideas.To create a journal, go to your course Control Panel, select Course Tools, and select Journals.
This will bring you into the Journals area. Click Create Journal to create a new journal.
Enter a name for your journal and a description.
In the Journal Availability section, select Yes to make your journal available. If you would like your Journal viewable after a certain date or within a date range, set the Date and Time Restrictions.
In the Journal Settings, select how you want the blog to be indexed (monthly or weekly) and whether to allow users to edit and delete entries and/or comments. You also have the option to permit course users to view the journal (meaning that the journal will not be private). Select whether or not to grade your Journal and click Submit to save your changes.
For more information and detailed instructions, refer to the Journals in Original Courses support article or watch the Creating a Journal video tutorial.
Link to Your Blog or Journal
Once you have created a blog or journal you will need to create a link for students to access it. You may create a link directly from the Course Menu or from within a Content Area.
Create a Link from the Course Menu
To create a link to the blog or journal directly from the Course Menu, click the Add Menu Item (+) button at the top of the course menu and select Tool Link.
Give your link a name. In the Type area, select the tool you are linking to (ex Blogs or Journals). Check the box to make the item available and click Submit.
Your link will be added to the Course Menu. You and your students can click the link to navigate to the Blogs or Journals area of your course.
Create a Link from Within a Content Area
To link to your blog or journal from within a Content Area, navigate to the content area. Click the Toolsbutton at the top of the page and select the tool you wish to link to (ex Blogs or Journals).
Select whether you wish to link to the Blogs/Journals Page or link to a specific blog/journal. Or, to create a new blog/journal, click Create New Blog/Journal. Click Next to continue.
Give your link a name and a description or prompt. Make sure that the item is set to be Available and click Submit.
View Individual Student Blogs or Journals
By default, when you navigate to the individual Blog or Journal tool, you will see only your content. To locate your students' blogs or journals, go to the Details area. Click the chevron under your name to expand the selection.
You should see a list of your students' blogs under your name. Click on a student's name to open their blog.
Comment on Blogs or Journals
The blog and journal tools have the same functionality, the only difference being privacy. While the instructions below are for a journal , you may use the same instructions for creating a blog entry.
To comment on a blog or journal entry, click the Comment button below the entry.
Enter your (text-only) comment and click Add to post your comment.
Create a Blog or Journal Entry
The blog and journal tools have the same functionality, the only difference being privacy. While the instructions below are for a blog, you may use the same instructions for creating a journal entry.
To create an entry, navigate to your blog or journal. At the top of the blog page, click Create Blog/Journal Entry.
For more information, refer to the Using myLesley Blogs and Journals (Original Courses) support article.
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