When we upgrade Blackboard this summer, there will be a number of updates to the user interface.  Blackboard has listened to feedback from users who found the user interface too cluttered.

The main theme of the new interface is to only see icons when you need to, rather than seeing them all the time.

Watch this video to find out about the updated interface with a focus on the drag and drop “handles”.

Below follows more detailed explanation and screenshots.

The drag and drop “handles”

We use the drag and drop handles to re-order content on a Blackboard page we are viewing.

In our current version of Blackboard the drag and drop “handles” are shown beside every relevant item all the time while Edit Mode is enabled.

drag and drop “handles” are shown beside every item that may be re-ordered while Edit Mode is enabled.

When we upgrade Blackboard instructors will find that the drag and drop “handles” are only shown while their mouse is hovering over the item they wish to change.  This reduces on-screen clutter.

The drag and drop “handles” are shown when we hover over an item.