BeachBoard Support

Each semester, a BeachBoard shell is automatically created for all courses; the instructor has the option to activate it at any time. Once activated, it will be visible to enrolled students. It's recommended that instructors become familiar with the tools and set up their course while it's deactivated in preparation for student use. To access your BeachBoard course:

1. Login to BeachBoard via Single Sign On
2. Activate Your Course
3. Request a BeachBoard Course Template (opitonal, but recommended)

Video: Get Your Course Started:

Video: Five Basic Tools on BeachBoard to Teach Your Class Remotely:

These optional tools can be used to communicate with your students while away from campus:  Classlist Email, News Tool, Discussion Tool, and Zoom.

Overview of News Tool and Email in BeachBoard:

Send email through BeachBoard with Classlist:

• Use Classlist to see who's enrolled in your course and who's online; a green dot appears beside names of student who are logged in. 
• Stay organized with Classlist as it keeps messages contained within the specific course site. This may be more manageable than using your personal email account.
• Get step by step instructions for using Classlist to send emails.

Post announcements and updates on the BeachBoard News Tool:

• News items appear on the home page and are clearly visible when students log in. 
• Encourage students to sign up to receive notifications when items are posted to the news feed.  
• Get step by step instructions for using the News Tool.

Stay connected with the BeachBoard Discussion Tool:

• Post question prompts or topics to start a discussion with your class. Instructors and students can read and reply to comments from others in each thread.
• Create a "General Questions" thread for students to share their concerns about miscellaneous topics.
• Get step by step instructions for using the Discussion Tool.
• View these tutorials to learn more:
  • Create a Forum
  • Create a Topic
  • Grade a Discussion Topic

Use Zoom for live meetings or to record lectures: 

• Consider using Zoom to hold virtual office hours and to keep appointments with students.
• Chat with students via Zoom (disable the video camera if you choose not to be on screen).
• Get written instructions for using Zoom.

Engage with Students Using Active Learning Tools:

Upload Course Materials with the Content Tool:

• Upload and organize course materials such as documents, images, media files, URL links, and more. 
• Include your syllabus and any notes about your contingency plan during the closure.
• Get step by step instructions for useing the Content Tool.
• View these video tutorials to get started:
  • Add a Module
  • Upload a Topic
  • Create a File
  • Upload a File and Add as a Content Topic

Source LinkedIn Learning to build your skills and your content:

• Although not a BeachBoard tool, LinkedIn Learning has a generous library of online courses and tutorials to support digital skill building.
• Modules on personal and career development are also available to share with students as as supplement to your course materials, if desired.

Using recorded lectures and announcements helps students maintain a sense of instructor presence and connection with the course.

Use Zoom to deliver a live lecture or record a lecture

• Be creative!  Zoom can be used in many ways.  Try virtual advising, short video announcements, live class discussion or chat (with the camera off, if you prefer).  
• Get written instructions for using Zoom.

Sharing, Retrieving, and Uploading Recorded Zoom Meetings in BeachBoard

Create media in BeachBoard with KalturaCapture:

• Kaltura Capture is a tool available through BeachBoard Media that provides an easy method of creating your own videos, presentations and podcasts. 
• Everything captured is uploaded to your BeachBoard Media Library and available for you to share with your students.
• Get step by step instructions for using Kaltura Capture

Use Camtasia to capture presentations:

• Camtasia is an easy to use tool for screencasting/recording interactions on your computer.  
• Record and import PowerPoint presentations and turn them into videos.
• Download Camtasia from the CSULB Software Depot; Camtasia is not integrated with BeachBoard but files can be exported and uploaded to BeachBoard.

Upload media to your course with the BeachBoard Media Tool:

• Upload, and organize video/audio files into a dedicated, secure space called "My Media Library." Students do not have access to your My Media Library.
• Publish content from your Library into the Course Gallery where students can view your uploaded content.  
• Get step by step instructions for using the BeachBoard Media Tool

Organize student assignment submissions with Dropbox in BeachBoard

• Set up folders on BeachBoard where students can upload their assignments.
• Track the day and time when assignments are submitted.
• Provide feedback on student assignments 
• Get step by step instructions for using Dropbox
• Learn more about Dropbox from these video tutorials:
  • Create a Dropbox Folder
  • Associate your Dropbox with a Grade Item
  • Grade Submissions in Assignments
  • Create a Submission Folder and Enable Turnitin (originality checker)
  • Assess an Assignment Using Turnitin
  • Set availability, release conditions, and special access (for students with disabilities) 

Set up Quizzes in BeachBoard

• Use the Quiz Tool to create, manage, and grade your assessments
• Watch these videos to get started:
  • How to Navigate Quizzes
  • Create a New Quiz
  • Modifying Special Access for Students with Disabilities
• More Quiz resources are available in our BeachBoard Help Topics

Manage and share grades with students using the Grades Tool

• Share individual student grades and comments.
• Show class averages and feedback.
• Share final grades
• Learn the basics from these quick videos:
  • Understanding Grades
  • Enter Grades
• Find more video tutorials in our BeachBoard Help Topics