Category: Hub

Blackboard Ally Support Information

Instructional Technology Services is piloting new software in each section of Comm103 during Spring 2019. There are approximately 110 sections of Comm 103 this spring.

What does Blackboard Ally Do?

Blackboard Ally takes uploaded documents in a Blackboard course and converts them to Alternative Formats. Below is a list of the Alternative Formats and how each format can be used:

• PDF (PDF files are good for printing and do not require Microsoft Office to view and read)

• HTML  (HTML files are good for viewing in web browser and do need Microsoft Office or Adobe Acrobat to view)

• ePub (ePub files work well on mobile devices such as phone or iPad by accommodating smaller screen sizes or dynamic screens)

• Electronic braille (This format is designed for tactile braille displays) Note that students will likely not need this file type.

• Audio MP3 (This format allows you to listen to documents on a computer or mobile device)

How Do Students Access the Alternative Formats?

This short movie shows how students access these alternative formats: https://youtu.be/R5AZM5uqtSo

How to Support Blackboard Ally

Students may need help in the following:

• How to locate the Alternative Formats in the course

• How to locate a downloaded Alternative Format file

• How to open a file (PDF, ePub, or MP3)

• Help understanding which Alternative format is best for their purpose

Questions you need to forward to Josie or Jon Rizzo:

• Students report that an Alternative Format is inaccurate

• Students report that there are technical problems that do not let them access the Alternative Formats. Please keep in mind that Alternative Formats are generated for items that are documents such as PowerPoint, PDFs, MSWord, Excel, etc. Links to websites, tests, discussion board, and course tools will not have Alternative Formats.

• Any other questions in which you are unsure of the answers