Blackboard, which is primary accessed through MyHallam, is our online teaching platform and provides a virtual learning environment where you can access your modules. Blackboard Ultra is a new interface for Blackboard sites which is mobile-friendly and more accessible. 

On your Blackboard module sites you expect to find: 

• your course materials
• recorded lectures
• assessment information
• online submission points
• your grades and feedback as they're updated by your lecturers

What to find on Module sites 

The tools academics use on Blackboard sites can vary, but will generally include the following:  

Module Information – information about the module generally, including the staff teaching on it and how the module will work. 

Assessment - information on assessments or tests, such as essay briefs or assessment criteria and assessment submission points will be available in this area. 

Key Learning Materials - materials relating to mandatory lectures/seminars on the module, for example lecture slides or handouts. 

Announcements – key updates and reminders from your module teaching team.  

Gradebook - access to the feedback and grades from previous assignments on the module. 

Discussions, Groups and other Collaborative tools – tools your module tutors may use which allow collaboration and communication with your peers. 

Blackboard Ally

Your course materials on Blackboard can consist of many different file types. Wherever you see the Alternative Format icon next to a file name, you can choose to download that file in a version that is best for your needs. You can choose from a variety of formats including HTML and e-book for reading on mobile devices and versions that improve the experience of using assistive technologies.

Your course materials on Blackboard can consist of many different file types. Wherever you see the Alternative Format icon next to a file name, you can choose to download that file in a version that is best for your needs. You can choose from a variety of formats, including HTML and e-book, for reading on mobile devices and versions that improve the experience of using assistive technologies.
By using the Alternative Format function, you can download your files in the following formats: 

• OCR’d (Optical Character Recognition data) version 
• Tagged PDF (currently for Word, PowerPoint and OpenOffice/LibreOffice files) 
• Mobile-friendly HTML 
• ePub 
• Electronic Braille 
• MP3 Audio version for listening
• BeeLine Reader 
• Immersive Reader (to aid reading comprehension and grammar skills)