To navigate or move around in the course you will use the navigation buttons down the left side of the screen. Please note that each button might not appear in your course.

A description of each button is listed below.

Announcements - Generally the opening page for your course. This is where your instructor will post announcements. These announcements found in the course and located in 'My Blackboard' are the same.

Course Information - This is where you will normally find information on the course itself such as syllabus, schedule, course objectives, etc.

Staff Information - This is where your instructor will give specific information such as their name, office hours, email address, phone numbers, etc.

Course Documents - This is where the content of the course is typically located. Lectures, documents, PowerPoint presentations will be found here.

Assignments - This area is where you will typically find course assignments, and exams, as well as other projects required for the course

Communication - This area contains several different methods of communicating with the classmates and instructors in the class. You can send e-mail, discuss topics in a discussion board, and participate in a virtual classroom as well as use other features and tools.

Virtual Classroom - This is a direct link to the Collaboration Tool found in the Communication area. This tool is designed to allow real-time chat and presentations.

Discussion Board - This is a direct link to the Discussion Board also found in the Communication area.

Groups - This area contains a list of groups created by the instructor for the course. Only members of the group will be able to access that group's communication forum.

Books - This area will typically contain a listing of books used for the course.

Student Tools - This area contains several features and tools that will allow you to send files, access your grades, calendar and homepage.

External Links - Here you will find helpful web addresses for the course.

Course Map - This button will access a course site map.

You can navigate through the course by single-clicking on any of the navigation buttons, folder titles, links, and communication and student tools buttons. There are two types of navigation you will need to be aware of:

To navigate within content areas in a course, use the navigational bar to move in and out of documents and folders.

Internal navigational bar like this one will appear at the top of each page within a content area or folder of a course.

The "Courses" link will take you to the courses page that lists all the courses you are currently enrolled in.

To open folders and files within a content area, click on the folder title.