No matter how you choose to structure your course, there are certain elements that should be a part of every Blackboard course.

• A Welcome or Getting Started Statement
• Staff Contact Information
• Syllabus, with course goals & objectives & list of assignments
• Grading Policies
• Attendance Policies, including inclement weather policies.
• Required Texts
• Netiquette Standards
• Necessary Technology Skills and Equipment
  Blackboard is a web-based program. You do not have to buy or download any software to use Blackboard. Blackboard is compatible with both mac and Windows computers, but it works the most reliably with Internet Explorer and the Windows operating system. There are a few features within Blackboard, such as the Virtual Classroom, that do not work as well (or at all) on a mac. Make sure that your students are familiar with the technology requirements at the beginning of the class.

Tips:

You can find examples of netiquette policies and welcome statements in our Essential Course Content handout. To download a pdf version of the document, click here.