Getting Started (Java) Track Presentations
Java Integrated Development Environments
Heather Natour, Blackboard
A discussion of Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) with a special focus on Eclipse.
PPT
My First Building Block
John Knight, Blackboard
Building Blocks technology gives developers the power to integrate systems, tools and services with the Blackboard Academic Suite. In this session attendees will learn step by step how to create their first Building Block for the Blackboard Learning System using the Java Building Blocks Software Development Kit (SDK).
PPT
My First Building Block as a Content Type
Heather Natour, Blackboard
In this session attendees will learn step by step how to create a Content Type Building Block for the Blackboard Learning System.
PPT
My First Building Block as a Portal Module
Heather Natour, Blackboard
The Blackboard Community System provides the ability to deliver a variety of information customized to each type of user on campus. In this session, attendees will learn step by step how to create their first portal module Building Block using the Java Building Blocks SDK.
PPT
| Sample Code
My First Building Block for the Blackboard Content System
Stephanie Cupp, Blackboard
In this session attendees will learn step by step how to create a Building Block for the Blackboard Content System.
PPT
| Sample Code
| More Sample Code
Java APIs in Depth: Content System
Dan Cane, Blackboard
In this session, Blackboard Software Engineers will walk through the Java APIs at a detailed level for the Blackboard Content System.
PPT
Security and Authentication with Building Blocks
Tracy Engwirda, Blackboard
An overview of the security in the Blackboard Learning System. Learn how Building Blocks interact with this framework including Authentication, Authorization and Java permissions.
PPT
Java APIs in Depth: Learning System and Community System
Tracy Engwirda, Blackboard
In this session, Blackboard Software Engineering developers will walk through the Java APIs at a detailed level for Blackboard Learning System and Blackboard Community System.
PPT
Tips and Tricks for Building Block Development
Murali Nagulakonda, University of South Florida
This session will cover tips and tricks in Building Blocks development including: common tags, loaders and persisters, using netbeans, and more. During the session Murali will demonstrate the new Student Performance Assistant.
PPT
Advanced Topics Track Presentations
Deploying a Complex Building Block
Andre Koehorst, Universiteit Maastricht
POLARIS is a complex building block that has been deployed in several institutions. After an outline of the system we'll present the problems we were faced with when the system was deployed and how we addressed these problems at the code level, at the architectural level or in the interface. Some of the issues we'll address are: using our own database and connection pool; synchronizing user information between POLARIS and Blackboard, managing disk access in a load balancing system, handling system properties in class files and properties, BB-manifest trouble, war file trouble getting rid of pop-ups, and using a "print" button.
PPT
AV Tools / Integrating Video-conferencing into Blackboard
Hao Dam, University of the Arts, London
The AV Tools is a suite of online audio/video communications tools developed using Flash Communication technology and integrated into Blackboard. Exposing the architecture and techniques used in developing the system, we can see the flexibility and potential of using such Flash-based tools.
PPT
Developing a Course Evaluation Tool
Malcolm Murray, Durham University
This presentation covers the development and subsequent revision of a complex course evaluation tool. It provides examples of setting custom data, communicating with external databases and using new classes to display the results to the user. The interface has been designed to minimize the need for intervention from a System Administrator
PPT
Usability from Idea to Reality
Zahra Safavian, Blackboard
Are you at a loss for how to take your idea from concept to reality? Using a real world example, this session will cover how to design your Building Block with accessibility in mind, provide an introductory grounding on interface design principals, and discuss usability and user testing as part of your design process.
PPT
E-grade: Building Blocks to Replace the Bubble Sheet
(Ting-Hong) Tan, Analyst/Programmer , California State University, East Bay
At the California State University, East Bay(Formerly CSU Hayward), instead of using traditional bubble sheet grade roster, our instructor has the option to submit the official grade online via Blackboard building block. This session will outline the difficulties we have encountered on technical side and feedback from end-user side.
PPT
B2 and System Administration Track
Mining the Database: Who?s Using Your Blackboard System?
Glen Parker, University of South Florida
The database contains a wealth of untapped knowledge about your Blackboard system. With a little detective work, you can learn how course sites are used, which users are 'power' users, trace student movement through their Blackboard courses, and graph how well your systems are performing.
PPT
System Performance Investigation (SPI): Blackboard
John Knight, Blackboard
Learn a methodology to investigate and improve your Blackboard System performance. This session will cover sizing, tuning (how and why), system configuration (network and physical), database configuration and code analysis.
PPT
Introduction to Load Testing: A Blackboard Primer
Stephen Feldman, Blackboard
This session will introduce developers, administrators and managers the practice of load testing your Blackboard application deployment. First we will introduce you to the basics of load testing Blackboard. Second we will discuss defining performance objectives and setting up your first benchmark. Third we will introduce the concepts of calibration and user abandonment. Along the way, we will reference ideal tool sets and take questions about your own benchmarking experiences. Everyone is welcome to attend this presentation, as no skills other then listening and asking good questions are required. If you plan on coming to this presentation, I suggest you also attend Performance Testing Your Building Block.
PPT
Understanding the Advanced System Reporting Database
John Knight, Blackboard
The Blackboard Advanced System Reporting Database is a powerful tool for helping to understand how your Blackboard system is being used. This session will review sample queries, the Blackboard database schema, and sample reports.
PPT
System Administration Best Practices & Troubleshooting Techniques
Jeremy Portzer, Blackboard
This session will provide Blackboard System Administrators and Developers with an overview of system administration roles and responsibilities and will highlight best practices for keeping the Blackboard Academic Suite running smoothly and problem free.
PPT