Learning Edge: Frequently Asked Questions

Learning Edge is a suite of programs and systems which can be accessed online to support your learning experience. At the heart of Learning Edge is Blackboard Learn (version 9.1) which is where you will find your Course or Module areas. Blackboard Learn is Edge Hill University's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). A VLE is a system designed to support teaching and learning within an educational setting. It can be used in a number of ways, from fully online teaching and learning to supplementing face to face learning.

Most courses have a presence on Blackboard within Learning Edge, providing your module handbook and other key information. Some courses will have more of a focus on online learning, for example with learning modules being completed, assignments being submitted and assessments undertaken via Blackboard. Your tutors may also use Blackboard for announcements, discussion forums, and communication of grades. Within these course areas you have 24/7 access to a range of tools and information.

Learning Edge also contains other university systems such as Blackboard Mobile, Turnitin, Pebblepad and eShare. Have a look at our guide for details of these systems.

Learning Edge is accessed via the GO portal. During the enrolment process you will be given log-in details for the university network and given instructions on how to log into GO. Tabs are displayed at the top of the screen for mail, the library catalogue and Learning Edge. Click on the Learning Edge to enter. This will take you to the Learning Edge holding page where you will find the link to login to Blackboard 9.1 as well as information on where to find help and guidance. When you have logged into Blackboard your 'My Institution' homepage will display all the modules/courses you have access to in your 'My Courses' panel.

Turnitin is a tool that is used within some courses and is an internet-based plagiarism detection service. Tutors may request that text based assignments are submitted through Turnitin. Turnitin is accessed through Learning Edge and you will be informed by your tutors if you are required to use this tool. Guides on using Turnitin can be found on the Learning Services website.

Yes! Learning Edge has an app - Blackboard Mobile Learn - which can be accessed by anyone with a smartphone or tablet device (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, iPad, Blackberry, Android or Palm). You can download the app and start using it now by following these four simple steps:

1. Search for "Blackboard Mobile Learn" in your app store.
2. Once the app is installed, search for Edge Hill University using the search bar that automatically appears when you open the app.
3. Select Edge Hill University.
4. Log in using the same username and password you normally use to access Learning Edge.

Installation guides and other helpful FAQs can be found here: Apple: http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/805/1/LTD4014.pdf Android: http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/805/1/LTD4015.pdf Blackberry: http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/805/1/LTD4016.pdf
Please note, currently mobile phones running Symbian(Nokia) or Windows Operating Systems are not supported by Blackboard Mobile.

This usually indicates a problem with your network password. If you change your password or have forgotten it and reset it, it may take up to 20 minutes for the university systems to synchronise with the change. If after 20 minutes (or if you have not recently changed your password) please contact the Learning Services Help Desk on 01695 584286 or lsdesk@edgehill.ac.uk

If you have fully enrolled you should see the modules you are enrolled onto within Learning Edge. If you cannot see modules you need to contact your tutor, as they are responsible for making content available to you. If you have not fully enrolled you may not see all of your modules until the enrolment process has been completed.

When you have a new grade available, you will see a message displayed under 'My Grades' on your Blackboard 'My Institution' page. Clicking on this link will take you to the module/section you have received a grade for. Past grades can be accessed by entering a particular module/section, and selecting 'My Grades' from the 'Tools' section on the left hand side of the page. Please note that not all grades are released through Learning Edge - your tutor will be able to advise you if your grades will be available here.

Two kinds of announcements are used in Blackboard within Learning Edge. Institution announcements are displayed on your Blackboard homepage and are usually information for all students. These may be dates of career fairs, examination timetables etc. Course announcements are specific for students enrolled on a particular course. Both types of announcements are available from your homepage, and course announcements can also be viewed from within the specific course under the 'My Announcements' tab.

Please note that not all courses within Blackboard will utilise the announcements tool; this is determined by the course tutor.

This problem is usually due to certain workplaces using high security settings. This includes hospitals and schools in particular. We advise that you contact your IT department at your place of work to see if there is anything they can do to resolve this. If they are not able to adapt their security settings then it may not be possible for you to fully access Learning Edge whilst at work.

A small number of courses have remained on the old version of Blackboard (CE8). Some tutors have requested this for specific reasons, such as students being in their final year and remaining on the old version would ensure consistency to their learning experience. There are only a handful of courses that will be accessed through the old version of Blackboard, and you will have been told by your tutors if you need to access this version. The vast majority of courses will be accessed through Blackboard 9.1 as part of Learning Edge. From September 2012 all courses will be accessed through Learning Edge.

You can access Blackboard CE8 by selecting 'Learning Edge' from the top menu of the GO portal, and then clicking on the 'Blackboard CE8' box which is on the right hand side of the page. Help and guidance for Blackboard CE8 can be accessed on the Learning Services web pages. Search the A-Z for 'Blackboard'.

If you experience problems and these questions are not able to help you resolve them, please contact the Learning Services Help Desk on 01695 584286 or lsdesk@edgehill.ac.uk. The Learning Edge 'Help and Guidance' and 'Getting Started' documents contain more information.

You can also have a look at our Learning Edge Guides, availabe as online .pdfs.

You can also use the 'Help' function within Learning Edge. Click the 'Help' link near the 'My Places' link at the top of the Learning Edge page to access 'Blackboard Help for Students'.