JumpStart Program

The Blackboard JumpStart Program is for any faculty/instructors that have never used Blackboard. It’s simple; the Learning Systems staff in Technology Services will create your Black­board course site for you. Then we'll personally show you how to keep it up-to-date. Your initial course will include everything your students need to get started; the actual online course presence, your syllabus and, if you like, your office hours and other contact information.

To get started: Send an email to the Learning Systems staff in Technology Services at blackboard@vcu.edu, include the following information and attach your syllabus to the email:

• Your Course ID (e.g. ACCT-101-001)
• Your Name
• Your VCU eID
• Your phone contact information (so we can contact you--will not be on the course unless you provide it below)
• Optional contact information (to add to your course) 
      o Title 
      o First Name 
      o Last Name 
      o Email 
      o Work Phone 
      o Office Location 
      o Office Hours

You will be notified and sent the Next Step Tip Sheet once the course is created. Because the program is new we cannot promise a specific turn-around time, but the sooner we receive the information before the start of any semester the better!

After the course is created, you will receive plenty of support to keep your course up-to-date. We have a variety of resources available to help you get the most out of your Blackboard course:

• Your initial Blackboard set-up is a way to start connecting and communicating with your students. As you explore how to use technology in your teaching we encourage you to contact the VCU Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE). The CTE offers workshops that address specific instructional uses of Black­board and using technology to support teaching and learning. The CTE staff is also available for individual consultations related to instructional technology. To learn more about the CTE’s many workshops and programs visit www.vcu.edu/cte.  
• Explore all the training materials we've put online by going to the Content System tab (when you're logged into Blackboard – http://blackboard.vcu.edu), and then click the Institution Content link on the left menu panel.  
• Personal support from the Technology Services Learn­ing Systems staff is available by phone or email during the work week. Simply call the Technology Services Help Desk at (804) 828-2227 or email blackboard@vcu.edu.
• We have an easy-to-understand guide (“Blackboard for Intellectuals”) that will help you with sending announcements, sharing files and links, posting assignments and grading stu­dent work, all from within Blackboard. Look for it in your department office or call us at (804) 828-2227 and request “Blackboard for Intellectuals.”