Embedding library services in Blackboard Learn
B. S. Becker @bsbecker1A. A. Watson @adlab
Technologies for LearningLibraries & Learning InnovationLeeds Beckett University
Overview
• Creating and personalising a Library Tab within Blackboard Communities
• Developing a personalised Library Account Building Block.
• Embedding Reading Lists using a custom Resource List Building Block
• Using Analytics data to inform Module development
2
Blackboard Learn 9.1
April 2014 (includes
Communities)
Current University Context
3
~93% of users, login at
least once during the
year ~69% of Modules being taught use the
VLE
40% of visits last at least ten minutes
4 out of 5 users have
downloaded / used the
Mobile App
Staff: 2,900
Academic: 1,500
Students:29,000
Portal & VLE Timeline
4
Portal VLE
2001 – WebCT Campus Edition
2003 – Sungard HE (Ellucian) Campus Pipeline
2008 – WebCT VISTA
2010 – Blackboard Learn 9.1
2011 – Blackboard Learn 9.1
2015 – Learn 9.1 April 2014
2004 – Sungard HE (Ellucian) Luminis
5
Creating and personalising a Library Tab within Blackboard Communities
Customised Layout & Design
• Customised & branded login page using HTML/CSS
• A new design template for all HTML and Building Block Communities Modules
• Standard Layout:
6
login page
Action
Service Name
Service Info
Capability
Help
Institutional Roles
• Customised tabs include:
8
• Displayed Portal, Tabs and Modules are dependent on Institutional Roles e.g. (Student, Staff, Admin)
• Customised Institutional Roles: e.g. Distance Learner, Franchise, Research, Learning Tech
9
Typical Student Layout
Customised Modules on Library Tab
10
HTML Modules
Mechanism: Website link
Library WebsiteDiscover (Library Search Engine)Student Meeting RoomsUniversity PC AvailabilityLibrary Catalogue
Building Block Modules
Mechanism: JSP & BB Data Tables
Library AccountResource List (Rebus)InterLibrary Loan ServiceOffsite Service RegistrationBeckett Books Extra
11
Developing a personalised Library Account Building Block
Library Account Building BlockA history…
12
2008 - Data Mash-up from LMS (Sirsi-Dynix Symphony)
Ref: http://www.sconul.ac.uk/sites/default/files/documents/8_6.pdf
2010 - JISC funded JANUS Project. Developed JANGLE Core connector
for LMS utilising Facebook App as GUI
Ref: https://jiscjanus.wordpress.com/project-team-contacts/
2010 – BB Learn 9.1 Communities JSP Building Block + PHP Bridge
2013 – JSP incorporated SIRSI API
13
BLACKBOARD LEARNCOMMUNITIES
Student ID
Acc
ount
Info
Custom Building Block: Library Bridge
Gets content of external PHP page with GET variable of Student ID from Blackboard Database
SIRSI API
External PHP Page with script to use SIRSI API
Looks up student account information based on Student ID received from Blackboard channel
Libr
ary
ID
Library Account Summary as HTML
Displays resulting content in a Communities Module
14
Account Intermediate loading page Library Account (Catalogue)
15
16
Embedding Reading Lists using a custom Resource List Building Block
A Custom Resource List Building Block
17
2013 - July Purchased by Library following funding approval and tender
process
2013 - Integration of rebus:list with LMS and
2014 BB Learn
2014 – Semester 1 live launch 400 Courses – majority Level 6
Customised Institutional Roles Pass-through Mechanism (BB Learn to
rebus) Embedded Course Tool Link
18
Resource List Process (Student)
Non-login website link for Reading List by Course ID
19
Resource List Process (Instructor)
Pass-through Process
User ID User Type (role) Course Code
Yes
Yes
No
No
Add/Update/ Delete Account in Database
Auto-Login and take to Manage Reading Lists
Updated Role?
Updated Course Code?
REBUS ListUser
Database
20
Resource List Process (Instructor)
Pass-through Process
User ID User Type (role) Course Code
Yes
Add/Update/ Delete Account in Database
Updated Role?
REBUS ListUser
Database
Create AccountUpdate Account
21
Resource List Process (Instructor)
Pass-through Process
User ID User Type (role) Course Code
Yes
No
No
Auto-Login and take to Manage Reading Lists
Updated Role?
Updated Course Code?
Update Permissions Pass User to Manage List
22
23
A Variety of Resources can be displayed – Books, Journals, Web links,
A variety of resources are available from the list:
Web Sites
Journal Article
Book
Report
Electronic Resource
Student View
24
25
Manage Resource List Dashboard
Instructor View
26
Using Analytics data to inform Module development
Library Tab Analytics
27
Blackboard LearnIndividual
Community Modules
Library Module Development
28
2013-14
2014-15
Resources
Subject Support
IT Support
Using the Library
(10.1%)
(2.3%)
(0.5%)
(3.8%)
Total Events (Percentage of Tab total)
Google Analytics
29
ga tracking code added to ‘onClick’ for each button
Sem
este
r 1 2
014-
15
Library Tab Total ga Events =422, 696
Summary
30
Personalised Content using
Tabs and Roles
Personalised Library Account
Information
Tailored Reading
Resources in Courses
Using Analytics for
further Development
Embedding Library
Services
Did it Work?
32 Ref: http://100scopenotes.com/2012/04/02/2012-book-spine-poem-gallery-2/