Editing Blog Settings
This lesson will demonstrate how to edit the settings of a course blog.
Accessing the Blog Link
![Image of the Course Menu with the Blogs link highlighted.](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/002/045/773/original/1c52ca01-40bb-4165-a79b-05ec87e27d92.png)
To access the Blogs tool, log into your Blackboard Course and then click on the Blogs link in the course menu
Editing a Blog
You will now see a screen similar to the one above labeled Blogs that lists all the course blogs. To edit a blog's settings, locate the blog you wish to edit from the list of blogs, and click the chevron button next to the name of the blog. A menu will appear on screen. Select Edit from the menu.
Editing the Blog Information
![Image of the Edit Blog Screen with Blog Information with the following annotations: 1.Name: Type in a name for the blog here.2.Description: In the text editor, type a description and instructions for your students for the blog assignment.](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/002/045/777/original/1dc08651-29ec-4d69-b0fc-1513f1bf3318.png)
You will now see a screen labeled Edit Blog. The section labeled Blog Information allows you to enter a name and description for the blog assignment.
- Name: Type in a name for the blog here.
- Description: In the text editor, type a description and instructions for your students for the blog assignment.
Setting up the Blog Availability
![Image of Blog Availability with Yes or No options](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/002/045/770/original/8ad19f4e-f6f5-44bb-b0c3-15f8711a946d.png)
Blog Availability allows instructors to make the blog visible to students. Select Yes to permit students to view the Blog.
Setting up the Blog Time and Date Restrictions
![Image of Blog Time and Date Restrictions with date selectors for a beginning and ending availability date.](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/002/045/779/original/7db36e94-55c8-4caf-879d-6f4d745eaf6b.png)
Blog Time and Date Restrictions allows instructors to limit the availability of the blog to a specific time period. To restrict the blog availability, use the date and time selectors to select a Display After and Display Until date.
Setting up the Blog Participation Options
![Image of section 4: Blog Participation with the following annotations: 1.Blog Type: Once the blog has been posted, the blog type cannot be changed.2.Allow Anonymous Comments: Selecting this option allows students to leave anonymous comments on users' blogs. It is recommended to turn this feature off.](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/002/045/771/original/5c32d396-85f3-4cb2-8b64-84774084cd34.png)
Section 4: Blog Participation allows instructors to determine how students interact with others using the blog.
- Blog Type: Once students have posted blog entries, the blog type cannot be changed.
- Allow Anonymous Comments: Selecting this option allows students to leave anonymous comments on users' blogs. It is recommended to turn this feature off.
Setting up the Blog Settings
![image of the blog settings section with the following annotations: http://utlv.screenstepslive.com/s/faculty/m/BlackboardLearn/l/185470-deploying-a-test](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/002/045/781/original/2257f111-5a2f-4c46-bd08-fdbcd8103e23.png)
Blog Settings allows instructors to modify the indexing of blog entries and modify user permissions for editing and deleting content:
- Index Entries: This option allows users to change how the entries are organized. Select Monthly to organize blog entries on a monthly basis or select Weekly to organize blogs on a weekly basis.
- Allow Users To Edit and Delete Entries: Check the checkbox for this option to allow students to edit and delete their blog entries. It is recommended to disable this option.
- Allow Users To Edit and Delete Comments: Check the checkbox for this option to allow students to edit and delete their posted comments. It is recommended to disable this option.
Setting up the Blog Grading Settings
![Image of Grade Settings with the following annotations: 1.Grade Blog: No grading: Select this option to create an ungraded blog.2.Grade Blog: Grade: Points Possible: To grade the blog, select this option and enter the number of points possible. Selecting this option will expand the section below:3.Show participants in "Needs Grading" status (!) after every N entries: Check this option to report students' participation as Needs Grading in the Grade Center after the student has posted a specified number of times.4.Due Date: To enable a due date, use the time and date selectors to select a due date. The due date will then appear in the student's calendar and To Do modules, and items submitted past this date will be marked as Late.5.Associated Rubrics: Click on the Add Rubric button to add a rubric to use for grading the Blog assignment. 6. When finished click the Submit button at the bottom of the page to create the blog.](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/002/049/965/original/1e91fa9a-a1fd-4788-a89e-a756dad73be8.png)
Grade Settings allows you to enable grading options for the blog. Enabling Grading Options allows instructors to grade students within Blackboard and this option creates a Grade Center Column that corresponds with the blog.
- Grade Blog: No grading: Select this option to create an ungraded blog.
- Grade Blog: Grade: Points Possible: To grade the blog, select this option and enter the number of points possible. Selecting this option will expand the section below:
- Show participants in "Needs Grading" status (!) after every N entries: Check this option to report students' participation as Needs Grading in the Grade Center after the student has posted a specified number of times.
- Due Date: To enable a due date, use the time and date selectors to select a due date. The due date will then appear in the student's calendar and To Do modules, and items submitted past this date will be marked as Late.
- Associated Rubrics: Click on the Add Rubric button to add a rubric to use for grading the Blog assignment.
- When finished, click the Submit button at the bottom of the page to edit the blog settings.