Below is information to help faculty continue teaching courses if students are unable to attend classes in the event of an unusual situation e.g. COVID-19 or an Earthquake.

Where to go: https://blackboard.usc.edu/

How to sign in: Use USC netID and password (USC netID is used with WorkDay or GRS)

How to make course available to students: Done in Blackboard, using Qwickly or Course Menu

Through Qwickly:

  • Click Home Tab -> Tool Panel (left side of screen) -> Qwickly (Faculty/TAs)
  • Click Course Availability
  • Click On/Off button next to course (On – Available to students)

Through Course:

  • Click Home Tab -> Course ID
  • Click Customization (on left towards the bottom of the menu) -> Properties
  • Scroll down to SET AVAILABILITY and change “Make Course Available” to “Yes”
  • Click “Submit”

Communicating with Students within the Course: Email and Announcements

Emailing from Course

  • Click Course Tools (left side of screen) -> Send Email -> Click Recipient Group to send to
  • Follow on screen instructions to compose email.
  • Click “Submit”

Creating Announcements in Course

  • Click on “Announcements” (left side of screen) -> click “Create Announcement”
  • Fill in Subject and Message of announcement
  • Set announcement options (duration, course link, etc.)
  • Click “Submit”

Creating a Discussion Board

  • From Course Home Page -> click “Assignments” (left side menu)
  • Click “Tools” -> “Discussion Board”
  • Select “Link to Discussion Board Page” or “Select Discussion Board Forum” (select discussion board)
  • Click “Next”
  • Fill in information and click “Submit”

Creating an Assignment

  • From Course Home Page -> click “Assignments” (left side menu)
  • Click “Assessments” -> “Assignment”
  • Fill in information on page (make sure to enter points and to make available)
  • Click “Submit”