Different types of Learning resources

We'll look at some of the most popular formats so you can get the most out of your learning.

One of the most common learning resources in Blackboard is the document page:

Like web pages they are used to group different media such as text, images and video in one screen.  This is a document page and they are designed to be responsive, working well on both mobile and desktop. There is also a print button at the top which allows you to print out a formatted version of the page.

This represents a PowerPoint presentation item:

The majority of lecturers will use PowerPoint presentations in their lectures and they will often provide a copy for their students in Blackboard. PowerPoint files are best viewed on a tablet or desktop but also work in landscape view on your phone. If the lecturer has allowed it, you can download a copy using the icon in the right hand corner of the online viewer. Save the document to your OneDrive to view it in MS PowerPoint where you can make notes or print a copy.

This icon represents a PDF:

Lecturers will use often provide detailed information in a PDF file, these files can be difficult to read on a phone so it is best to read PDFs on a tablet or desktop. However, you can use the download symbol in the top right hand corner of your online viewer to download and save the file to your OneDrive. Then you can then open your file in Adobe Acrobat reader.

Adobe Acrobat reader is free and  allows you to highlight text, share, comment, make notes, and print a copy of your file. There's also an accessibility assistant.

Find out more at https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/reader/using/accessibility-features.html

Videos recorded by Ulster University staff will often be made available as an embedded Panopto clip, the following is a Panopto video icon

Panopto videos allow you to make timed notes and view and download a transcript. Click on the angled arrow to open the video in Panopto.

This will open up the video in a separate browser tab, allow the side you should see Notes and captions.

NB If viewing Panopto on your phone, you may be asked to login separately, just use your ulster email and and password, if still can’t access video, check your browser settings you need to allow Cross-site tracking/ Third party cookies see Panopto signin issues

These are examples of web links; links that take you to an external website. These links will open in a new browser tab by default.

You may also see course links that will take you to a specific item within your course.  For instance this is a course link that will open an assignment within the same Blackboard course, within the same browser tab:

×