Blackboard
The Online Discussion Forum for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Tertiary Students and NZSL Interpreters
What is Blackboard?
How do I join Blackboard?
I've joined Blackboard, now what?
- Blackboard is an online area where Deaf and hearing impaired tertiary students can find information about different services and facilities, social events, websites of interest, scholarships, exam preparation tips and more.
- It is a place where students can discuss issues and exchange info with each other, with disability coordinators and with other organisations such as the Advance Centre.
- Sign language interpreters and AUT sign language students are also warmly welcomed to participate so that they have the opportunity to professionally network. Blackboard also enables students and interpreters to communicate together online.
How do I join Blackboard?
Joining is easy and free! To join, simply e-mail your first name, last name and e-mail address to Kyle MacFadyen at: kyle.macfadyen@aut.ac.nz. Kyle will be in touch soon with more details.
I’ve joined Blackboard, now what?
Welcome aboard!
Blackboard is very easy to use once you know how. It may seem confusing at first, but a good way to learn how to use Blackboard is by exploring it yourself.
If you’d like some more instructions on how to use more complex features, such as post messages, send emails and participate in the discussion forums, check out the “How to use Blackboard” tip sheet in the resources section of the Advance Centre website.Some things you might want to check out now are:
The "What's New" section is updated every couple of days with upcoming events, messages and information - have a look every few days to keep up to date.
This section has video clips of Blackboard members introducing themselves in NZ Sign Language. You can make your own introduction clip too. Ask Kyle MacFadyen (email: kyle.macfadyen@aut.ac.nz) for more details.
This is a list of different topics that you can discuss with other Blackboard members by posting messages. The layout is similar to other internet discussion forums.
The Learning section contains documents, links and information of interest on a range of topics including exam preparation tips, newsletters, articles about deaf culture, scholarships and more.
The Internet section contains links to a wide range of websites of interest
The Staff Information section contains staff details from many of the major polytechnics and universities, from the Advance Centre as well some interpreters.
