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Getting Started with Online@UT
Introduction
What is Online@UT?
Online@UT provides access to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's online course management system, as well as related support documentation.
What is Blackboard?
Blackboard is the company that makes the course management software currently in use by Online@UT. In the fall of 1997, a task force addressing teaching and learning online charged the Innovative Technology Center (ITC) with reviewing popular course management systems (CMS) and recommending one for the University. After extensive testing and review by a team of faculty members, administrators, and support staff from across campus, Blackboard's CourseInfo was selected. The name of the software was eventually changed to Blackboard Learning System.
How do I access Blackboard?
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville currently uses Blackboard software for online course management. You can access your online course sites, as well as related support documentation, at the Online@UT website. All students, faculty, and staff have access to Blackboard.
As an instructor who needs to access course sites for the classes you will be teaching, you should start with the Course Activation Form. This form allows you to select the specific sections you will be teaching. If you are teaching multiple sections of the same class, or have a class that is cross-listed with other departments, you can use our Combined Course Form to combine all of the sections into a new course site. You can also request a custom course site using our Custom Course Site Request Form. There are many reasons you might need a custom site, including developing content in advance of a section number being available, allowing students to explore the online teaching process, or preparing a site for tenure review purposes.
Use of the online forms requires CMS certification, which can be acquired by taking our Course Management System (CMS) 110 workshop in either a face-to-face or online version. This introduction to Online@UT's course management system will acquaint you with the system's main functions and features, including posting content, creating online assessments, tracking grades, transferring documents, and fostering effective electronic communication (e-mail, discussion boards, chats). If you are an experienced Blackboard user, but are new to UT, please contact us so we can help fast track your access.
