Blackboard Ultra Self-Rostering Educator Guide

122 steps

Blackboard

Vhlcentral

Add vhlcentral Placement Link to a Course

Inside a Blackboard course, go to **"Course Content"**.

Screenshot of a Blackboard Ultra course "Dashboard" focusing on the “Content” tab.

Under Content, click on the **"+"**.

Screenshot of a Blackboard Ultra Course Content tab. A red circle demonstrates selecting the “+” icon.

Click **"Content Market"**.

Screenshot of a Blackboard Ultra Course Content tab. A red circle demonstrates selecting Content Market.

Find the **"vhlcentral placement"** link or the name provided by your institution. Click the **"+"**.

Screenshot of a Blackboard Ultra Course Content tab. A red circle demonstrates selecting the “+” icon under the vhlcentral placement link.

Alert! Your Admin will provide you the name of the vhlcentral Tool Placement

You will be taken back to the course content page. The vhlcentral placement will appear. Click **"vhlcentral content placement"**.

Screenshot of the Blackboard Ultra Course Content tab. A red circle demonstrates selecting the vhlcentral placement link.

You will be taken to the vhlcentral Login Page.

Screenshot of the Welcome screen of vhlcentral.

Alert! - If you **do not have a vhlcentral account**, you will need to create an account by either going to [vhlcentral.com](https://vhlcentral.com) or by launching the **"vhlcentral-placement"** link and being directed to[Create an account](https://scribehow.com/viewer/D2L__Brightspace_Self_Rostering_Educator_Guide__ujaGkcgURkCUaGtYM2fbQg?scrollToActionId=3aa4bef9) in vhlcentral. - **If you have a vhlcentral account** and this is the **first time** you are logging in to vhlcentral from Blackboard, you will be prompted to **Login to vhlcentra**l and agree to the **"Terms of Use"***.* - If you have **previously signed** in to vhlcentral through Blackboard but not in this particular course, you might be prompted to **Login to vhlcentral** but will not need to agree to the **"Terms of Use"***.*

If you have a vhlcentral account, enter your **vhlcentral credentials**. If you do not have an account, go to the [**"Creating an account"**](https://scribehow.com/viewer/D2L__Brightspace_Self_Rostering_Educator_Guide__ujaGkcgURkCUaGtYM2fbQg?scrollToActionId=3aa4bef9) section below.

Screenshot of the Welcome screen of vhlcentral. A red circle demonstrates selecting the “Username or email” empty field.

Click **"Login"*.***

Screenshot of the Welcome screen of vhlcentral with login credentials included. A red circle demonstrates selecting the red “Login” button.

Tip! Usernames and Passwords are case-sensitive. Also, ensure there are no extra spaces at the end or beginning of the fields.

Accepting Terms of Use for the First Time

Scroll and read through the "**Terms of Use"**.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral “Terms of Use”.

Click **"Agree"**.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral “Terms of Use”. A red circle demonstrates selecting the “Agree” button.

Creating an Account

Alert! If you have not created an account with [vhlcentral.com](http://vhlcentral.com) you must create an account before proceeding. - Keep in mind that: - Usernames and Passwords are case-sensitive - Passwords must: - Have a letter and a number - Be at least 8 characters

Click **"Create an account"**.

Screenshot of the Welcome screen of vhlcentral with login credentials included. A red circle demonstrates selecting the white “Create an account” button.

Complete all the fields required to create an account.

Screenshot of the Welcome screen of vhlcentral with login credentials included. A red rectangle demonstrates the “Create Account” field.

Tip! When assisting students in creating their accounts, we suggest giving them the naming conventions and password conventions you'd like them to use. This will help with forgotten usernames and passwords, especially in K-12 settings. Also, verify with your institution whether students are required to use institutional emails or if they can use their personal emails.

Click **"Create account"**.

Screenshot of the Welcome screen of vhlcentral with login credentials included. A red circle demonstrates selecting the red “Create Account” button.

Alert! If this is the first time you are logging in to vhlcentral from Blackboard, you will be prompted to log in and agree to the **"Terms of Use"***.*

Selecting a Program

Tip! Once you have logged in to vhlcentral from Blackboard, you will be taken to the **Course Connector** page.

Click **"vhlcentral"**. You will be taken to the vhlcentral **Course Connector** page.

Click **"My Dashboard"**.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Welcome page. A red circle demonstrates selecting My Dashboard of the appropriate Program that will be linked with this Blackboard course.

The **Course Connector** page displays all your courses for selection. Click the radial button next to the section in the program you'd like to link to the Blackboard Course.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Course Dashboard showing the Course Connector page displaying the available programs to be linked. A red circle demonstrates selecting the radial button for the selected course.

Click **"Link this section"**.

Once the course is linked, you will receive a pop-up verifying the successful linking of the section.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Course Dashboard showing the Course Connector page displaying the available programs to be linked. A red square demonstrates the confirmation pop-up after the course has been linked successfully.

On the Course Connector page you will see that the course is linked and have the ability to unlink if you link the wrong course/section.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Course Connector page. A red rectangle demonstrates the verification of a successful section link. A red circle demonstrates selection of the Return to vhlcentral button.

Unlinking a Course

Click **"Tools"** on the top right-hand side of the Welcome Page.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Welcome page. A red circle demonstrates selection of the tools drop down menu.

Click **"LMS Partner Links"**.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Welcome page. A red circle demonstrates selection of the LMS Partner Links.

Go to the course you want to unlink. Click **"Unlink"**.

Click **"Unlink"**.

Screenshot of the unlink pop-up. A red circle demonstrates the selection of the unlink button.

Once the course is unlinked, you will receive a pop-up verifying the successful unlinking of the section.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Course Connector page. A red rectangle demonstrates the pop-up showing the successful unlinking of a section.

Tip! To link to the correct section after unlinking the incorrect section, follow the [Selecting a Program](https://scribehow.com/viewer/Blackboard_Self-Rostering_Educator_Guide__STzckNUUQf6mJevtmbMcpQ?scrollToActionId=62fda253) steps above.

Create a Course in vhlcentral

You will be taken to your **"vhlcentral Dashboard"**. Click **"Add Course"**.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Course Dashboard showing the course information on the left and section information on the right. On the top of the page there are links for the dashboard, assign, grade, teaching tools, and student communications.

Tip! You can also click the "**+**" sign next to "**Courses**".

Under the **"Course"** section tab complete the: - **Course Name**: add your course name - **Start Date:** enter the start date of your course - **End Date:** enter the end date of your course Click "**Next"**.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Course Creation screen. A red circle demonstrates selecting the Course Name field.

Tip! For continuity, we suggest you utilize the LMS naming conventions.

Alert! When setting the **"End Date"**, verify whether the course tile on the LMS is for a semester- or year-long course. If it is a **Semester Course Tile**, the start date should be the beginning of the semester, and the end date should be the end of the semester. If it is a **Year-Long Course Tile**, the start date should be the beginning of the year, and the end date should be the end of the year.

Content Tab

Under the **"Content"** tab, complete the "**Access Level"** Select the **Access Level** and **Components** your students will have. This will vary based on your programs.

Under the **"Content"** tab, complete the: - **Assignment Settings**: - **Lessons** - select the **first**, and **last** Lesson or Unit this course will cover. - **Translations** - select "**Allow students to view English translations in the Vocabulary Tutorials**" if you'd like students to see English translations - **Estimated Time** - Select **"Allow students to see the estimated time necessary to complete assignments"** if you'd like the students to know the time it should take an average student to complete an activity or assessment. - **Assigning Tools**: - **Individualized Assigning** - Click **"Enable Individualized Assigning to manage assignments specifically for selected students"** if you'd like the ability to assign activities for selected students.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Content tab showing the Content tab. A red rectangle is highlighting Assignment Settings and Assigning Tools preferences.

Under the **"Content"** tab, complete the: - **Media Settings**: - This is where you can set the **defaults** for **Subtitles** and **Closed Captions, Video Transcripts** and **Audio Transcripts.** Individual settings can be found under Edit Section on the vhlcentral Dashboard.\*\* - **Student Support Requests**: - You can choose to allow students to send help requests or score reviews through vhlcentral.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Content tab showing the Content tab. A red rectangle is highlighting Media Settings, and Student Support Requests preferences.

Under the **"Content"** tab, complete the: - **Chats:** - "**Enable for chat activities only**" field should be checked if you'd like the students to only access chat during assignments if you'd like students to do chat activities. If you select Yes, students will have open access to chat with each other at all times. Once all of the fields have been completed, click **"Next"**.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Content tab showing the Content tab. A red rectangle is highlighting Chat preferences. A red circle demonstrates the selection of the “Next” button.

Gradebook Tab

Alert! Vhlcentral gradebook categories do not need to match your LMS categories. Once the grades pass back from vhlcentral to your LMS, you will need to recategorize them in the Blackboard gradebook. You can create a category in vhlcentral for practice assignments that you don't want to be added to the gradebook of record, such as tutorials. You can also have a Blackboard category for the assignments you want in your gradebook of record, like summative or formative assessments.

To set up Gradebook Categories, click **"Add Category"*.***

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Gradebook tab showing Gradebook Categories. A red circle demonstrates selecting the blue ADD CATEGORY button.

Type your first category, for example **"Summative"**. Click **"Next"**.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Gradebook tab showing the Add Category pop-up. A red rectangle demonstrates the selection of a category name example of "Summative". A red circle demonstrates selecting the "Next" button.

Select the "**Weight**" for that category. For example, type "25". Click **"Next"**.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Gradebook tab showing the Add Category pop-up. A red rectangle demonstrates the Weight percentage field circle demonstrates clicking the Next button.

Select **"For a grade"** if you want grades for each of your activities and assessments as well as the **"number of lowest grades dropped"**. Click **"Next"**.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Content tab showing Category grading pop-up. A red rectangle is highlighting the option to have assignments for a grade or credit/no credit as well as selecting the number of lowest grades dropped.

Choose the maximum number of attempts a student will have for any activity that will allow multiple attempts.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Gradebook tab showing the Category Attempts pop-up. A red rectangle demonstrates selecting the number of attempts you’d like to allow students to have for activities. A red circle demonstrates selecting the Next button.

Tip! If you allow multiple attempts, consider adding an extra attempt for technology issues, such as loss of connectivity or other technology issues.

Alert! This setting will not affect the number of attempts for assessments.

Choose the **"Category Strictness"** for your students.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Gradebook tab showing category strictness pop-up. A red rectangle is highlighting the option to have capitalization and punctuation taken into account during grading. A red circles demonstrates clicking on the "Next" button.

Choose **"Provide students with enhanced feedback"**.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Gradebook tab showing the category feedback pop-up. A red rectangle is highlighting the option to provide students with enhanced feedback. A red circle demonstrates selecting the "Next" button.

Tip! Providing enhanced feedback will not provide students with the correct answer, but it will provide some guidance on how to improve their response during any additional attempts.

To choose if you'd like students to be able to turn in overdue/late assignments for credit, click **"Students can submit overdue/late assignments for credit"**. If you're allowing students to turn in overdue/late assignments, choose if there will be a penalty and what that penalty will be. Click **"Save".**

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Gradebook tab showing the category overdue policy pop-up. A red rectangle is highlighting the option to allow or not allow students the option to submit late work, and the option to determine the penalty if students are allowed to submit late work.
A red circle demonstrates selecting the blue Save button.

Editing and Deleting Categories

Click **"Edit Category"**.

Make any desired changes, click **"Done"**, and then click **"Save Changes"**.

Red rectangles demonstrate selecting the Done and Save Changes buttons.

Click **"Return to Dashboard"** to continue the setup.

A red circle demonstrates selecting Return to Dashboard.

Course Editing

If you need to make any changes to your course, in your **"Dashboard"**, click the **"Blue Gear"** icon.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Dashboard showing the course and section. A red circle demonstrates selecting the blue gear of the course.

Click **"Edit Course"**.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Dashboard showing the course and section. A red circle demonstrates selecting the blue gear under Courses, and click on Edit Course.

Make the necessary changes and, click **"Save changes"**.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral “Course Editing “dashboard showing the course, content, gradebook, and summary tabs. A red circle demonstrates selecting the blue “Save Changes” button.

Create a Section

Tip! If you have already created a section for this course, skip these directions and go to your course Dashboard for Course Editing or Enabling Grade Passback.

Click **"ADD SECTION"**.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Course Dashboard showing the course information on the left and section information on the right. A red circle demonstrates selecting “Add Section”.

Click the **"New Section Name"** field and add the name of your section.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral New Section page showing the Add Section Name, Additional Section Information fields.

If this is the initial section creation, click **"Submit"**.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Add Section page for the initial section creation prompt. A red circle demonstrates selecting the Submit button.

Student Interaction Settings Page

In order to change the **"Student Interaction Settings"**, go to your course **"Dashboard"**. Click on the **"white gear"** icon on the Section blue bar to show the edit pop-up.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Dashboard showing the Course pop-up after clicking on the white gear icon within the Section blue band. A red rectangle is highlighting the pop-up. The pop-up includes the "Assignment Wizard", "Edit Section", "Student Interaction Settings", "View As Sample Student", and "Delete Section".

Click **"Student Interaction Settings"**.

You will be taken to the **"Student Interaction Settings"** page.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral "Student Interaction Settings" page.

To **"Manage default settings"** click on the link.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral "Student Interaction Settings" page. A red rectangle is highlighting the "Manage default settings" link.

The **"Manage default settings"** pop-up will allow you to click "Apply settings to all students" by ticking the box. Click "Save" once you have chosen your default settings. For the **"Video Subtitles & Closed Captions (CC)"** and the **"Video Transcripts"**, you can choose to turn them on (default is set for off), as well as the language(s) of the subtitles and closed captions. The "Audio Transcripts" can be turned on or off.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral "Student Interaction Settings" pop-up. A red rectangle is highlighting the "Manage default settings" pop-up. The pop-up contains the different choices for "Video Subtitles and Closed Captions (CC)", "Video Transcripts", "Audio Transcripts" checkbox, and the "Apply to all" checkbox. A red circle is showing the selection of the "Save" button.

To make changes for a specific student, click on the box next to their name. You can choose one student or several. The settings can be changed either to the right of each student or using the drop-down menus above the student list.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral "Student Interaction Settings" page. A red rectangle is highlighting the different choices for "Video Subtitles and Closed Captions (CC)" , "Video Transcripts", and "Audio Transcripts" when selecting a single student to change the settings.

Enable Grade Passback from vhlcentral to Blackboard

On your Course Dashboard, click **"Grade"**.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Dashboard showing the Dashboard tab, Assign tab, Grade tab, Teaching tools tab, and student communications tab. A red circle demonstrates selecting the grade tab.

Click **"Gradebook"**.

Click **"LMS Sync"**.

By default, the gradebook sync is **"Disabled"**. Click **"Edit Settings"**.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Dashboard showing the LMS Grade Sync Settings pop-up. A red circle demonstrates selecting the Disabled option.

Click **"Enabled"** to enable gradebook sync.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Dashboard showing the LMS Grade Sync Settings pop-up. A red circle demonstrates selecting the Enabled option.

Aggregated Grades

Tip! Aggregated grades will provide **one grade** that includes a variety of activities and assessments. There are several options to explore below.

Click **"Aggregated grade for**" to enable aggregated grades. You will see a drop-down menu with different options.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Dashboard showing the LMS Grade Sync Settings pop-up. A red circle demonstrates selecting the Aggregated grade for option.

**"Aggregated Grades"** can be set to: - **"All Work"** - includes **EVERY** activity and assessment in **ONE** combined grade - **"Each Lesson"** - includes **EVERY** activity and assessment in **ONE** combined grade **per Lesson**. If you teach six units during the course, you will have a total of six grades. - **"Each Week"** - includes **EVERY** activity and assessment in **ONE** combined grade **per week**. - **"Each Category"** - includes **EVERY** activity and assessment in **ONE** combined grade **per category**.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Dashboard showing the LMS Grade Sync Settings pop-up. The dropdown menu demonstrates selecting the Aggregated grade for: all VHL work, each lesson, each week, and each category options.

Click **"Save"**.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Dashboard showing the LMS Grade Sync Settings pop-up. A red circle demonstrates selecting the blue "Save" button.

Alert! You will see the categories you previously created in your vhlcentral course. If you don't see the categories, go to **"Course Editing"**.

Individual Grades

Tip! Individual grades will send one grade per activity/assessment.

Click **"Individual grades for selected categories (one or more required)"**. Select the category or categories that you would like to passback to D2L. Select **"Skip unsubmitted work"** and click **"Save"**.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Dashboard showing the LMS Grade Sync Settings pop-up. A red rectangle demonstrates selecting the "Individual grade for selected categories". A red circle demonstrates selecting the “Save” button.

Alert! "Skip unsubmitted work" will prevent unsubmitted work being sent to the LMS and allows the instructor to use any LMS features related to unsubmitted work.

You will have a confirmation pop-up.

Screenshot of the vhlcentral Dashboard. A red rectangle shows a pop-up verifying that the LMS Sync has been enabled for individual grades within the "Schoology" category.

Click **"Sync Now"** to "force" a sync.

Screenshot of the LMS Grade Sync Settings pop-up. A red circle demonstrates selecting the blue "Save Now" button.

Example of Cumulative Grade for **"All Lessons"**.

Screenshot of the VHL Gradebook view showing the vhlcentral grades. A red rectangle demonstrates the selection of All Lessons.

Example of Individual Grades for **"Lección 1"**.

Screenshot of the VHL Gradebook view showing the vhlcentral grades. A red rectangle demonstrates the selection of a specific lesson.

Blackboard Gradebook

In the current course, click **"Gradebook"**.

Screenshot of the Course Content page. A red circle demonstrates the selection of the Gradebook tab.

Alert! Grades that are passed back from vhlcentral will have a VHL prefix.

Under **"Gradable Items"**, find the grade that has been passed back from vhlcentral. Click the **"three dots"** on the right of that grade category.

Screenshot of the Gradable Items page inside the Gradebook tab. A red circle demonstrates the selection of the three dots on the right- hand side of the selected grade item.

Click **"Edit"**.

Screenshot of the Gradable Items page. A red circle demonstrates the selection of the three dots on the edit link.

Alert! Do NOT change the name of the activity, that is how vhlcentral identifies the activity/assessment to update. Any grade manipulation, needs to be done on vhlcentral. Vhlcentral will override any grade changes made in Blackboard during the nightly sync.

The "Edit" menu can also be found by clicking **"Grades"**.

Screenshot of the Gradable Items page inside the Gradebook tab. A red circle demonstrates the selection of the Grades tab.

Click the **"icon"** above the name of the grade column.

Screenshot of the Gradebook page. A red circle demonstrates the selection of the assignment icon above the name of the grade column that will be edited.

Click **"Edit"**.

Screenshot of the Gradebook page. A red circle demonstrates the selection of the Edit link.

Select the grading category you would like this grade to be under. Click **"Save"**.

Screenshot of the grade edit screen. A drop-down menu shows the different category types available to the grade column. A red circle demonstrates the selection of the submit button.

Repeat that process until all assignments have been recategorized.

Assigning Activities

Click **"Assign"**.

Click **"Activities"**.

The **"Activities"** page allows you to assign activities individually or in bulk based on the current unit.

Screenshot of the Activities page showing different activities.

Selecting the header of a section will select all of the activities under that heading. Once you have selected your activities, they will be highlighted in green. A green pop-up will allow you to select the due date. Click **"Assign"**.

Screenshot of the activities page with various activities selected and the assign pop-up showing the ability to select due dates. A red circle demonstrates selecting the assign link on the pop-up.

Select a single activity.

Screenshot of the activities page. A red circle demonstrates selecting an activity.

You can also click on "Assign Selected" to select due dates.

Screenshot of the activities page with various activities selected. A red circle demonstrates selecting the assign selected link.

You will see a pop-up that will allow you to select the **"Due Date"**, **"Category"**, and **"Assign to"**.

Screenshot of the Assign pop-up where you can select due date, category, and assign to for the selected activities.

Select the **"Due Date"** from the calendar.

Screenshot of the Assign pop-up where you can select due date, category, and assign to for the selected activities. A red circle demonstrates selecting a due date.

Select the **"Category"** that you would like those activities to be under.

Select who you want to **"Assign to"**.

Click **"Save"**.

Assigning Assessments

Click **"Assign"**.

Click **"Assessments"**.

Click on the appropriate lesson/unit.

Screenshot of the Assessments page showing different lessons/units. A red circle demonstrates selecting a specific lesson/unit.

Each lesson/unit will include different assessment categories. Each program will have its own assessment categories. In this example, you see: - **Vocabulary Quizzes** - **Grammar Quizzes** - **Lesson Tests** - **Optional Sections**

Screenshot of the Assessments page showing different assessment types. A red circle demonstrates selecting a specific assessment within an assessment type.

Select the desired assessment. A pop-up will appear. Click **"Assign"**.

Screenshot of the assignments page with an assessment selected. A red circle demonstrates selecting the assign selected link.

Once an assessment has been selected to be assigned, the following pop-up will appear. This pop-up will allow the educator to choose: - **Due date** - **Category** - **Assign to** - **Maximum attempts** - **Availability** - The Quiz will be hidden until - Results will be available - **Due time** - The quiz will be due at - **Time limit** - **Set time limit (minutes)** - **Randomize per student** - **Password** - Set a password

Screenshot of the Assign pop-up where you can select due date, category, assign to, maximum attempts, availability, due time, time limit, randomize per students, and password for the selected activities.

Select your "**Due Date"**.

Select **"Category"** and **"Assign to"** group.

Select **"Maximum attempts"**, **“Availability"**, **“Due time”**, **“Time limit”** and **“Randomize per student”**.

Under **Availability**, click **"edit"**.

Under "**Availability"**, choose when the **assessment will be released**.

Choose when **results** will be available to the students.

Click **"Edit"** under **Due Time** to determine when the assessment is due.

Screenshot of the Assign pop-up where you can select due date, category, and assign, maximum attempts, time limit, randomize per students, and password for the selected activities. A red circle demonstrates selecting the “edit” link for when the assessment will be due.

Select the **Time limit**.

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Decide if the questions will be **randomized per student** and if there will be a **password** included.

Alert! Please note that randomized questions will also change the order of the answers, this will be important in some multiple choice answers.

Tip! Passwords could be used to ensure that students don't have access to assessments when reopening or re-assessing make-ups, or if multiple periods will take the same assessment. When creating passwords, avoid using "period 1", or "p1", or reusing the same password for all assessments.

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Click **"Save"**.

Assignment Calendar

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Click on **"Assignment Calendar"** to view and edit assignments by date.

Screenshot of the activities page with the assign link showing the different options for that page. A red circle demonstrates selecting the assignment calendar link on the pop-up.

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The Calendar will allow you to view the activities, category and the amount of time an average student should take to complete all of the assignments set for a particular day. You will also be able to see how many activities are assigned for the month and the average completion time.

Screenshot of an assignment calendar showing several activities within different due dates, how much time those activities would take an average student, as well as how much time those activities would take within the month.

Reassigning Activities or Assessments

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To reassign an activity or assessment, click on the activity or assessment you wish to change. Click "Reassign".

Screenshot of an assignment calendar showing a pop-up of several activities with the same due dates. A red circle demonstrates selecting the reassign blue button.

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Click **"Save"**.

Screenshot of the reassign pop-up that will allow educators to change due date, category, or assign to for the previously selected activities. A red circle demonstrates selecting the save blue button.

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Any changes made will be reflected in the **Assignment Calendar,** along with an acknowledgment that the changes have been made.

Screenshot of the assignment calendar showing the acknowledgment that activities have been assigned successfully.

Deep Links

Alert! **Deep Links** are **"shortcuts"** or **"entry points"** to vhlcentral. Assignments must be completed via vhlcentral. Deep links help direct students to specific activities or assessments.

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In Course Content, click the **"+"**.

Screenshot of a Blackboard Ultra Course Content page. A red circle demonstrates selecting the “+” icon.

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Click **"Content Market"**.

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Click "vhlcentral-placement, or the name given to you by your administrator.

Screenshot of the Blackboard Ultra Course Content page. A red circle demonstrates selecting the vhlcentral-placement link.

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You will see the following pop-up with four options: - **Link to Current Assignments** - takes the students to a modified dashboard that will show all of the assigned activities within a seven-day period. - **Link to a Specific Activity** - takes students directly to a specific activity - **Link to a Specific Assessment** - takes students directly to a specific assessment - **Link to vhlcentral Home** - takes students to the vhlcentral homepage. This link is not necessary since there is a Launch vhlcentral link in Canvas Navigation

Screenshot the Deep Link pop-up showing the options for link to current assignments, link to a specific activity, link to a specific assessment, and link to vhlcentral home.

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Click **"Link to Current Assignments"**.

Screenshot of the "Launch vhlcentral" within "Add Materials" showing the selection of the link to "Current Assignments".

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The Current Assignments link will be created in the selected module. Click **"Current Assignments"**.

Screenshot of the build content page. A red circle demonstrates the selection of the current assignments link.

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This is the student view of **"Current Assignments"**. Notice there is also an "Overdue" category. That will show if you have allowed students to complete late assignments, if not, students can click **"Start"** to begin to complete work in order.

Screenshot of the current assignments view in vhlcentral. A red circle demonstrates selecting the blue "Start" button.

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For **"Specific Activity"** or **"Specific Assessment"**, you will repeat the initial process of clicking the **"Add Materials"** in the folder you would like to add the **"Deep Link"** to and choose either **"LINK TO A SPECIFIC ACTIVITY"** or **"LINK TO A SPECIFIC ASSESSMENT"**.

Screenshot of the "Launch vhlcentral" within "Add Materials". A red rectangle is showing the selection of the link "LINK TO A SPECIFIC ACTIVITY" or "LINK TO A SPECIFIC ASSESSMENT".

Alert! For **Grade Passback** to work properly, activities and assessments must be assigned in vhlcentral. **Deep Links** do not assign activities or assessments. If you link a specific activity or assessment that is not assigned and has a due date, students will be able to complete it, but as a teacher, you will not see the grade in vhlcentral. It will go into the student's unassigned grades.

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Once you are inside the activity page, you will see all of the available activities that have been assigned. Click **"Link"** next to the activity you would like to create a deep link for.

Screenshot of the Canvas, modules page. A red circle demonstrates selecting "Link".

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Click **"Create"** once you have selected the appropriate **"LINK"**.

Screenshot of the activities page with a Create Link pop-up. A red circle demonstrates selecting the Create blue button.

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Below you will find examples of both **"Current assignments"** and a **"Specific Activity"** under **Course Content**. Remember, the Current Assignments will take the students to a modified dashboard, while the other link will take you to the specific activity without having to see the dashboard first.

Screenshot of the build content page. A red rectangle demonstrates the current assignments, and a specific activity link.

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This is the student view of **"Specific Activity"**.

Screenshot of the student view of a specific activity in vhlcentral.

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Once students are done with that activity, they can click on **"Next Activity"** to proceed to the next activity.

Screenshot of the student view of a specific activity in vhlcentral. A red circle demonstrates selecting the Next Activity blue button.

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Once the students are in an actual activity, they will see a few links: - **Return to Dashboard** - takes the student to the full vhlcentral dashboard - **Assignment List** - shows a list of the assignments the students will need to complete - **Book icon 4-7** - shows the students the textbook pages that are relevant to that particular activity

Screenshot of the student view of a specific activity in vhlcentral showing links to Return to Dashboard, Assignment List, Info, and textbook pages.

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This is the student view of the **"Assignment List"**.

Screenshot of the student view of a specific activity in vhlcentral. A red circle demonstrates selecting the Assignment List link.

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This is the student view of the **vhlcentral** **Dashboard**. Notice students now have access to: - **Dashboard** - **Assignments** - **Grades** - **Learning Tools** As well as the **Modified Dashboard** they saw when they clicked on **"Current Assignments"**.

Screenshot of the student view of their Dashboard in vhlcentral that includes links to the Dashboard, Assignments, Grades, Learning Tools, and Communications.

Blackboard Ultra Self-Rostering Educator Guide

122 steps

Blackboard

Vhlcentral

Add vhlcentral Placement Link to a Course

Inside a Blackboard course, go to **"Course Content"**.

Under Content, click on the **"+"**.

Click **"Content Market"**.

Find the **"vhlcentral placement"** link or the name provided by your institution. Click the **"+"**.

Alert! Your Admin will provide you the name of the vhlcentral Tool Placement

You will be taken back to the course content page. The vhlcentral placement will appear. Click **"vhlcentral content placement"**.

You will be taken to the vhlcentral Login Page.

Click **"Login"*.***

Tip! Usernames and Passwords are case-sensitive. Also, ensure there are no extra spaces at the end or beginning of the fields.

Accepting Terms of Use for the First Time

Scroll and read through the "**Terms of Use"**.

Click **"Agree"**.

Creating an Account

Click **"Create an account"**.

Complete all the fields required to create an account.

Click **"Create account"**.

Alert! If this is the first time you are logging in to vhlcentral from Blackboard, you will be prompted to log in and agree to the **"Terms of Use"***.*

Selecting a Program

Tip! Once you have logged in to vhlcentral from Blackboard, you will be taken to the **Course Connector** page.

Click **"vhlcentral"**. You will be taken to the vhlcentral **Course Connector** page.

Click **"My Dashboard"**.

The **Course Connector** page displays all your courses for selection. Click the radial button next to the section in the program you'd like to link to the Blackboard Course.

Click **"Link this section"**.

Once the course is linked, you will receive a pop-up verifying the successful linking of the section.

On the Course Connector page you will see that the course is linked and have the ability to unlink if you link the wrong course/section.

Unlinking a Course

Click **"Tools"** on the top right-hand side of the Welcome Page.

Click **"LMS Partner Links"**.

Go to the course you want to unlink. Click **"Unlink"**.

Click **"Unlink"**.

Once the course is unlinked, you will receive a pop-up verifying the successful unlinking of the section.

Create a Course in vhlcentral

You will be taken to your **"vhlcentral Dashboard"**. Click **"Add Course"**.

Tip! You can also click the "**+**" sign next to "**Courses**".

Tip! For continuity, we suggest you utilize the LMS naming conventions.

Content Tab

Under the **"Content"** tab, complete the "**Access Level"** Select the **Access Level** and **Components** your students will have. This will vary based on your programs.

Gradebook Tab

To set up Gradebook Categories, click **"Add Category"*.***

Type your first category, for example **"Summative"**. Click **"Next"**.

Select the "**Weight**" for that category. For example, type "25". Click **"Next"**.

Select **"For a grade"** if you want grades for each of your activities and assessments as well as the **"number of lowest grades dropped"**. Click **"Next"**.

Choose the maximum number of attempts a student will have for any activity that will allow multiple attempts.

Tip! If you allow multiple attempts, consider adding an extra attempt for technology issues, such as loss of connectivity or other technology issues.

Alert! This setting will not affect the number of attempts for assessments.

Choose the **"Category Strictness"** for your students.

Choose **"Provide students with enhanced feedback"**.

Tip! Providing enhanced feedback will not provide students with the correct answer, but it will provide some guidance on how to improve their response during any additional attempts.

Editing and Deleting Categories

Click **"Edit Category"**.

Make any desired changes, click **"Done"**, and then click **"Save Changes"**.

Click **"Return to Dashboard"** to continue the setup.

Course Editing

If you need to make any changes to your course, in your **"Dashboard"**, click the **"Blue Gear"** icon.

Click **"Edit Course"**.

Make the necessary changes and, click **"Save changes"**.

Create a Section

Tip! If you have already created a section for this course, skip these directions and go to your course Dashboard for Course Editing or Enabling Grade Passback.

Click **"ADD SECTION"**.

Click the **"New Section Name"** field and add the name of your section.

If this is the initial section creation, click **"Submit"**.

Student Interaction Settings Page

In order to change the **"Student Interaction Settings"**, go to your course **"Dashboard"**. Click on the **"white gear"** icon on the Section blue bar to show the edit pop-up.

Click **"Student Interaction Settings"**.

You will be taken to the **"Student Interaction Settings"** page.

To **"Manage default settings"** click on the link.

Enable Grade Passback from vhlcentral to Blackboard

On your Course Dashboard, click **"Grade"**.

Click **"Gradebook"**.

Click **"LMS Sync"**.

By default, the gradebook sync is **"Disabled"**. Click **"Edit Settings"**.

Click **"Enabled"** to enable gradebook sync.

Aggregated Grades

Tip! Aggregated grades will provide **one grade** that includes a variety of activities and assessments. There are several options to explore below.

Click **"Aggregated grade for**" to enable aggregated grades. You will see a drop-down menu with different options.

Click **"Save"**.

Alert! You will see the categories you previously created in your vhlcentral course. If you don't see the categories, go to **"Course Editing"**.

Individual Grades

Tip! Individual grades will send one grade per activity/assessment.

Alert! "Skip unsubmitted work" will prevent unsubmitted work being sent to the LMS and allows the instructor to use any LMS features related to unsubmitted work.

You will have a confirmation pop-up.

Click **"Sync Now"** to "force" a sync.

Example of Cumulative Grade for **"All Lessons"**.

Example of Individual Grades for **"Lección 1"**.

Blackboard Gradebook

In the current course, click **"Gradebook"**.

Alert! Grades that are passed back from vhlcentral will have a VHL prefix.

Under **"Gradable Items"**, find the grade that has been passed back from vhlcentral. Click the **"three dots"** on the right of that grade category.

Click **"Edit"**.

The "Edit" menu can also be found by clicking **"Grades"**.

Click the **"icon"** above the name of the grade column.

Click **"Edit"**.

Select the grading category you would like this grade to be under. Click **"Save"**.

Repeat that process until all assignments have been recategorized.

Assigning Activities

Click **"Assign"**.

Click **"Activities"**.

The **"Activities"** page allows you to assign activities individually or in bulk based on the current unit.

Select a single activity.

You can also click on "Assign Selected" to select due dates.

You will see a pop-up that will allow you to select the **"Due Date"**, **"Category"**, and **"Assign to"**.

Select the **"Due Date"** from the calendar.

Select the **"Category"** that you would like those activities to be under.

Select who you want to **"Assign to"**.

Click **"Save"**.

Assigning Assessments

Click **"Assign"**.

Click **"Assessments"**.

Click on the appropriate lesson/unit.

Select the desired assessment. A pop-up will appear. Click **"Assign"**.

Select your "**Due Date"**.

Select **"Category"** and **"Assign to"** group.

Select **"Maximum attempts"**, **“Availability"**, **“Due time”**, **“Time limit”** and **“Randomize per student”**.

Under **Availability**, click **"edit"**.

Under "**Availability"**, choose when the **assessment will be released**.

Choose when **results** will be available to the students.

Click **"Edit"** under **Due Time** to determine when the assessment is due.

Select the **Time limit**.

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Decide if the questions will be **randomized per student** and if there will be a **password** included.

Alert! Please note that randomized questions will also change the order of the answers, this will be important in some multiple choice answers.

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Click **"Save"**.

Assignment Calendar

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Click on **"Assignment Calendar"** to view and edit assignments by date.

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Reassigning Activities or Assessments

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To reassign an activity or assessment, click on the activity or assessment you wish to change. Click "Reassign".

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Click **"Save"**.

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Any changes made will be reflected in the **Assignment Calendar,** along with an acknowledgment that the changes have been made.

Deep Links

Alert! **Deep Links** are **"shortcuts"** or **"entry points"** to vhlcentral. Assignments must be completed via vhlcentral. Deep links help direct students to specific activities or assessments.

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In Course Content, click the **"+"**.

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Click **"Content Market"**.

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Click "vhlcentral-placement, or the name given to you by your administrator.

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Click **"Link to Current Assignments"**.

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The Current Assignments link will be created in the selected module. Click **"Current Assignments"**.

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Once you are inside the activity page, you will see all of the available activities that have been assigned. Click **"Link"** next to the activity you would like to create a deep link for.

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Click **"Create"** once you have selected the appropriate **"LINK"**.

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This is the student view of **"Specific Activity"**.

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Once students are done with that activity, they can click on **"Next Activity"** to proceed to the next activity.

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This is the student view of the **"Assignment List"**.

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