Blackboard Tools > Blogs and Wikis (A.K.A. Journal & Teams Site)
What is a Blog (Journal)?
Blog (Journal) is an online diary, or a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web page. Within Blackboard the Blog feature is referred to as “Journal”.
The Journal tool in Blackboard provides you with the ability to add links to other websites, upload documents, upload images and comment on the journal entries.
Journal can be used to provide a forum for students to reflect on course topics or projects, can be used as an online filing cabinet where assignments and course reference material are stored, collaborative writing spaces where students can give feedback to one another or create student research logs.
There are two types of Journals in Blackboard
1) A Course Journal
- Post Class Assignments
- Comment on Lectures
- Provide background reading for lessons
2) Group Journals
- Group journals only allows specific individuals, or groups, to have access
What is a Wiki (Teams Site)?
A Teams Site (Wiki) is a collaborative Web site set up to allow user editing and adding of content. Through Blackboard the Wiki feature is referred to as “Teams Site”.
What can be added to Teams Site?
- Multiple pages linked together
- Add links to other websites
- Upload images
n HTML formatting
- Comment on the entries of journal entries
Teams sites allow both instructors and students to collaboratively build a shared knowledge base associated with a course.
You can also build an up-to-date resource to accompany your course, create a course “document” that can be edited online or allow for a report of a group's collaborative work.
There are two types of Teams Sites in Blackboard
1) A Course Teams Site
- Post Class Assignments
- Comment on Lectures
- Provide background reading for lessons
- Create knowledge base or shared resources
2) Group Teams Site
- Group teams site only allows specific individuals, or groups, to have access
Download the user guides for the Journal or Teams site
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Related FAQ's
Q: How do I create a Course Journal?
Login to your course site and click on Control Panel. Under Course Tools click on Configure Journal. You will be provided with a few settings options. The Journal can now be accessed through the tools section of the course site.
Q: How do I create a Group Journal?
Login to your course site and click on Control Panel. Under Content Areas choose where you want the Journal to reside (assignments for example). Within the Content Area select from the drop down menu on the right Journal. If you already have groups assigned for the class you can select the individual group you want associated with this Journal and select your options. (If you do not have students enrolled into groups yet create these first). The Group Journal can now be accessed through the Content Area you selected.
Q: How do I create a Course Teams Site?
Login to your course site and click on Control Panel. Under Course Tools click on Configure Teams Site. You will be provided with a few settings options. The Teams Site can now be accessed through the tools section of the course site.
Q: How do I create a Group Teams Site?
Login to your course site and click on Control Panel. Under Content Areas choose where you want the Teams Site to reside (assignments for example). Within the Content Area select from the drop down menu on the right Teams Group Site. If you already have groups assigned for the class you can select the individual group you want associated with this Journal and select your options. (If you do not have students enrolled into groups yet create these first). The Teams Group Site can now be accessed through the Content Area you selected.
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