Blackboard: The University’s Virtual Learning Environment

Blackboard is the core platform for delivering course content, learning materials, and online learning opportunities. Accessible on any device, it forms the backbone of the University of Bedfordshire BREO system.

Key Features of BREO Units

Each course unit has a corresponding Blackboard unit, tailored to different student groups. BREO units typically include:

• Welcome and orientation
• Unit information and learning materials
• Assessment submission and feedback
• Resource lists
• Teaching team details
• Announcements

Blackboard also supports video content, quizzes, discussion boards, wikis, journals, and interactive content from publishers.

For more information on Blackboard Ultra, Blackboard ALLY, and Blackboard Collaborate, visit the dedicated BREO site (sign-in required).

Further Information

• Upcoming training opportunities can be found on the Academy events calendar
• The Academy offers tailored CPD sessions. Please contact your Faculty Partner for details.
• For technical support, reach out to BREO support

The University uses audio-visual recording software (called Panopto) for numerous purposes, from capturing live teaching sessions to producing asynchronous audio-visual content and live-streaming events. The Digital Learning Team are available to support colleagues in their use of Panopto.

Panopto is available via: beds.hosted.panopto.com 

Further information

Details of upcoming training and development opportunities are listed on the Academy events calendar. The Academy can also provide targeted CPD sessions for faculties or schools related to Blackboard contact your Academy Faculty Partner to discuss.

For technical support contact BREO support

Turnitin is an originality checker and is also used to manage assignment submission, marking and providing feedback. Turnitin is a separate system to Blackboard, although access is provided to Turnitin through a background connection.

BREO is available via: breo.beds.ac.uk

Originality checker

The University of Bedfordshire is committed to ensuring and promoting academic integrity in students’ assessed work. Turnitin checks the originality of students’ assessed work by comparing students’ submissions against a range of digital sources.

Assessment submission, marking and feedback

As required, teaching staff are responsible for creating Turnitin submission points in Blackboard units.
Once assignments have been submitted, teaching staff check the originality of the assessed work to ensure academic integrity. Turnitin also provides the means whereby assignment feedback is provided electronically to students.

Further information

Details of upcoming training and development opportunities are listed on the Academy events calendar. The Academy can provide targeted CPD sessions for faculties or schools related to Turnitin contact your Academy Faculty Partner to discuss.

For technical support contact BREO support

MyEngagement, the new Learning Analytics dashboard, launched in 2024, is designed to enhance student performance and provide staff with tools to identify students who may be disengaging from their studies.

This proactive approach enables staff to offer timely support and guide students back on track.

Support Materials for Staff

To help staff make the most of MyEngagement, there are a variety of resources available:

• MyEngagement Staff Intranet Page
  A dedicated page with comprehensive support materials and guidance for staff.
  
  
• Teaching and Learning Staff Induction: MyEngagement (link to BREO)
  This resource provides an overview to help you get started with MyEngagement and understand its role within the University.
  
  
• University of Bedfordshire, Digital Learning Systems: Introduction to MyEngagement
  Learn more about the university’s digital technologies, including MyEngagement, and how this Learning Analytics dashboard integrates with BREO.
  
  
• MyEngagement Information for Students
  Information and guidance for students - directly accessed by students and/or presented during teaching/inductions by academics.

Further Information

Upcoming training & development opportunities are available via the Academy events calendar.

For technical support, please get in touch with myengagement@beds.ac.uk

Content coming soon!