Blackboard Direct
for Academic Suite/Learn

The Blackboard Direct integration plug-in:

1. Supports Turnitin Originality Checking and GradeMark
2. Provides seamless integration with Turnitin and GradeMark using Blackboard workflow
3. Uses real information for Turnitin user accounts for instructors and students
4. Uses a 'pull' approach to information and has no 'call-backs' to the local CMS/LMS/VLE
5. Will run behind a fire wall
6. Allows for multi-part assignments (one assignment, many files)
7. Sends grades entered in GradeMark to the Blackboard GradeBook
8. Releases paper grades on the post date
9. Allows for course recycle to copy forward Turnitin information
10. Allows instructors to submit work on behalf of students
11. Supports multiple instructors on an assignment, allowing all instructors added to the assignment to have access when logging in to native Turnitin.
12. Requires running Java 1.6+ on the Blackboard server

The Blackboard Direct integration plug-in DOES NOT:

1. Manage Blackboard groups
2. Update information changed in Turnitin by users in Turnitin Native
3. Work with assignments created under the framed-in API
4. Support PeerMark
5. Support Revision assignments
6. Support Master classes
7. Support GradeMark analytics
8. Support zip file upload
9. Support QuickSubmit

Version 20111213.1

1. Added GradeMark Student view indicator.
2. Fixed bug where the user wasn't notified when unable to re-submit using the 'Text Submission' method.
3. Fixed bug where an updated grade wasn't displayed after an update using manual grading (Where GradeMark is turned off for the assignment).
4. Note: This release requires a DB update in all courses that make use of Blackboard Direct. This means running the DB Update tool from within the appropriate course. This is accessed from: Course tools > Turnitin Direct Tools > Verify Turnitin Direct Database.

Version 20120124.1

1. Added a new Unlink/Relink User Tool to the Administrator Tools
2. BB Direct database updates are now automated
3. Ability to export log files
4. Ability to export Database files
5. Additional checks to prevent users with duplicate email addresses being processed

Version 20120229.1

1. Added calls specifically to update class end date. Class end date should now be properly extended
2. Fixed bug where setup user wasn't updating stored email addresses
3. Added an option to the integration configuration to not store submitted papers locally on the Blackboard server

The Blackboard Basic plugin supports the full Turnitin Suite: Originality Checking, GradeMark, and PeerMark. When this plugin has been installed users can access Turnitin from within Blackboard. This means that all instances where Turnitin is used, the actual Turnitin screen appears within Blackboard. With this plugin, papers submitted to the Turnitin assignment are only stored in Turnitin.

The Blackboard Basic plugin is recommended for customers who would like to use the full Turnitin Suite.

Although the Blackboard Basic integration incorporates all of the Turnitin functionality, some users may prefer to only work from within the Blackboard interface. Customers with such a desire can use the Blackboard Direct integration.

The Blackboard Direct plugin currently supports Turnitin Originality Checking and GradeMark. By using the Blackboard Direct plugin, all Turnitin actions have been incorporated seamlessly into the Blackboard workflow. This includes: Turnitin assignment creation, submitting papers to the assignment, and accessing Originality Reports and GradeMark. With this plugin, papers submitted to a Turnitin assignment are stored in both Blackboard and Turnitin. This plugin allows student users to access their submissions in Turnitin.

The Blackboard Direct plugin is recommended for customers who would like Turnitin to be incorporated seamlessly into the Blackboard workflow and only wish to use Turnitin Originality Checking and GradeMark. Although PeerMark is not currently available in the Blackboard Direct plugin, there are plans to include PeerMark in the future.

No. Users cannot migrate their data from their older framed-in Blackboard Basic integration to the new Blackboard Direct Integration; however, users will still have access to their old data as long as they do not uninstall the Blackboard Basic integration plug-in.

Yes. Users can run a single Blackboard instance with both the Blackboard Basic ("framed-in") and the Blackboard Direct integrations installed.

Yes, users will need to install the plug-in for the Blackboard Direct Integration.

Yes, although this could be very confusing for both instructors and students to use two completely different ways to create assignments and submit papers.

Yes, the plug-in fully supports due-dates and post-dates.

Yes, the plug-in fully supports GradeMark including post dates.