Month: May 2014

Missing/hidden blog and journal entries

Problem:  The new layout of the blog and journal interface that is presented by default to instructors makes it look like there are no entries.

Solution:  Clicking on the arrows on either side of the instructor’s name in he grey column on the right will show other user’s entries.  Also clicking on your name in the grey column will show a list of other user’s posts.  These screenshots illustrate the buttons needed to click to see student blog posts:

blog_journal_entries

Copy and Paste issues in Bb text editor

Problem: Copying from within the text editor, then attempting to paste back into the editor, results in text not being pasted (nothing happens).

While we are waiting on a patch for this from Bb, we have been provided with the following workaround in Firefox:

  1. Type “about:config” into the address bar. You’ll see a warning about violating warranty, please ignore that and continue.

  2. Type in “clipboardevents”.

  3. Double click the search result item to toggle value from “true” to “false”

You may need to restart your browser in order for this to take effect.

Resolved: Assessments causing NullPointerException errors

This has been resolved.  If you continue to see this problem, please contact blackboard@uvm.edu as soon as possible.

Problem: Deploying an assessment in a content area displays a “NullPointerException”. The test can be seen and previewed when edit mode is off, but no other content in the content area is visible. Further, attempting to access the “Tests” or “Surveys” area of the “Tests, Surveys and Pools” section of a course displays a similar error.

We are working directly with Blackboard to find a resolution to this issue as soon as possible. In the meantime, please note the following work-arounds:

  • Students can still access and submit deployed exams. Results of these exams can be graded and feedback provided via the Grade Center and My Grades, respectively.
  • Tests can still be deployed, just not in areas where another test is currently deployed.
  • Deployed tests/quizzes can be edited by going into the grade center, clicking on the grey icon next to the column name for the test, and choosing “Edit Test”. From there instructors can add/edit the questions, or edit the options by selecting from the grey button to the right of the test name in the edit test screen.
  • Content that shares a content area with a deployed assessment will be inaccessible to the instructor, however students may in some cases be able to access that content.
  • Instructors can access sub-folders that exist in the same area as a deployed test by clicking the folder icon at the top of the course menu and navigating from there.

To deploy a new tests, deploying each test in its own folder will allow tests to be delivered to students without interfering with instructor access to the rest of the content areas. For example, one might create a new content area on the left hand menu entitled “Quizzes 2”, and structure it like so:

  • Quiz 1 Folder
  • …..> Quiz 1 (inside Quiz 1 folder)
  • Quiz 2 Folder
  • …..> Quiz 2 (inside Quiz 2 folder)