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

Creating and personalising a Library Tab within Blackboard Communities

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Customised Layout & Design

• Customised & branded login page using HTML/CSS

• A new design template for all HTML and Building Block Communities Modules

• Standard Layout:

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login page

Action

Service Name

Service Info

Capability

Help

Institutional Roles

• Customised tabs include:

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• 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

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Typical Student Layout

Customised Modules on Library Tab

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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

Developing a personalised Library Account Building Block

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Library Account Building BlockA history…

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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 forLMS utilising Facebook App as GUI

Ref: https://jiscjanus.wordpress.com/project-team-contacts/

2010 – BB Learn 9.1 CommunitiesJSP Building Block + PHP Bridge

2013 – JSP incorporated SIRSI API

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BLACKBOARD LEARNCOMMUNITIES

Student ID

Acc

ou

nt

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

Lib

rary

ID

Library Account Summary as HTML

Displays resulting content in a Communities Module

Account Intermediate loading page Library Account (Catalogue)

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15

Embedding Reading Lists using a custom Resource List Building Block

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A Custom Resource List Building Block

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2013 - July Purchased by Library followingfunding approval and tender process

2013 - Integration of rebus:list with LMS and 2014 BB Learn

2014 – Semester 1 live launch400 Courses – majority Level 6

Customised Institutional RolesPass-through Mechanism (BB Learn to rebus)Embedded Course Tool Link

Resource List Process (Student)

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Non-login website link for Reading List by Course ID

Resource List Process (Instructor)

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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

Resource List Process (Instructor)

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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

Resource List Process (Instructor)

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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

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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

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Manage Resource List Dashboard

Instructor View

Using Analytics data to inform Module development

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Library Tab Analytics

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Blackboard LearnIndividual

Community Modules

Library Module Development

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2013-14

2014-15

(10.1%)

(2.3%)

(0.5%)

(3.8%)

0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000

Resources

Subject Support

IT Support

Using the Library

Total Events (Percentage of Tab total)

Google Analytics

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ga tracking code added to ‘onClick’

for each button

Sem

est

er

1 2

01

4-1

5

Summary

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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/