Blackboard Vista

What is Blackboard Vista?
Blackboard Vista is Kent State University’s course management system that allows faculty to supplement their on-ground course with online components. It provides a state-of-the-art teaching and learning environment that streamlines course management for faculty, offers capabilities to help improve student outcomes, and creates powerful efficiencies institution-wide.

What are the advantages of Blackboard Vista?
The new enhancements and features of Blackboard Vista include:

- Upload and provide content to students
There is no file type restriction
There is no course size restriction (there is however 500 MB per file upload limit)
Provide access to resources by adding Web links(links to other website or resources)
You can organize your content in Folders or Learning Modules
You can customize the look and feel of you course: You can change the icons, background colors, header and footers, custom layout, custom colors for the course etc.

- Grade book:
Easy to manage and secure Grade book: Students only see their own grades

- Communication Tools:
Enhanced Discussion Tool with Gradable Discussions
Create Blogs and Journals
Online , printable calendar
Pop-up Announcements
In-built mail tool with option for forwarding emails

- Assessment and feedback tools:
Create online quizzes with many options for questions like multiple choice, paragraph, fill in the blanks, combination etc.
Provide students with Practice tests that they can take as many times
Online Assignment submission dropbox

- Some Other functions:
Streamlined Group Management: You can create Group Sign-up Sheets, random groups or selected members groups
You can selectively release content: Hide any content or set dates and times on any content to release it when you want
Copy content from one course to the other- Saves time
Combine multiple sections in to one: All students show up in one grade book and are a part of same shell. You need to upload your materials only once.

How do I request my Blackboard Vista courses?
You do not need to request courses. If you are scheduled to teach a course officially, it will show in your course list in Vista. If in case a course does not show up please contact your department scheduler as soon as possible and have them set up course for Vista (in Banner).

How do I access my Blackboard Vista courses?
You can login to Vista from Flashline> http://flashline.kent.edu/cp/home/loginf , Click on My Courses and then Click Vista Single Sign-on.

What support is available?

We encourage you to please take advantage of the support options available to faculty:
1. Help Site: Visit http://elearning.kent.edu often for update, training materials, announcements
2. Training Opportunities : Strongly recommend attending training sessions request group/departmental session (at least 5 users). Go to http://elearning.kent.edu to register.
3. Call Us : 330-672-8557 (for Faculty ONLY). If your students are experiencing any issues please have them contact Helpdesk.
4. Email us: vistasupport@kent.edu (Faculty ONLY)
5. Drop-in :304 Moulton Hall (Mon-Fri, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM) (for Faculty ONLY)

IMP:
* Please be mindful that we can only provide help with Vista related issues. If you need help with very basic computer issues or need help fixing computers please contact your department or the Helpdesk.
* If your students need help , they must contact the helpdesk at 2-HELP or helpdesk@kent.edu
• Why can’t I login to Vista?
Check to make sure you are able to login to Flashline using the same username and password
Make sure the caps lock is not on
If above does not work contact the Helpdesk at helpdesk@kent.edu or 330-672-HELLP.

What do I do if I forget my logon information?
Your logon information for Vista is same as Flashline. If you forgot your flashline username or password, you can contact the Helpdesk at helpdesk@kent.edu or 330-672-HELLP.

How do I logout of a Blackboard Vista session?
Look in the top right corner of your Vista page, you will see a logout link.

Who can access courses in Blackboard Vista?
Faculty who are officially scheduled to teach courses
Students who are officially registered for courses
TA’s who are officially listed as teaching assistants for a course
You as an instructor of a course however can add anyone who has a flashline user id (whi ic their @kent.edu email address) to your course.

What computers have access to Blackboard Vista?
As long as you have a computer with good internet connection you will be able to access Vista. We however would recommend highly that you view the Tech Support potion of the website (http://elearning.kent.edu ) to view the optimum technical requirements like browsers, operating system so that you can avoid issues.