Using Journals
Journals are a private space between you and the instructor of the module. In Journals, you can share thoughts and ideas about module materials. Students can also use journals as a self-reflective tool. Your instructor can reply to your journal entries with comments and feedback. Other students cannot see the entries you make in a module journal.
Watch a video about creating journals
The following narrated video provides a visual and auditory representation of some of the information included on this page. For a detailed description open the video on Vimeo.
Click to viewAdditional Guides & Information
The difference between Discussions and Journals
Discussions are open to all students or groups of students. Students can comment on others' posts. You can allow students to post anonymously in Discussions.
Journals are private between the student and the Instructor. Other students cannot view the content of another student's Journal.
How do I find a Journal?
The icon of a notebook and pen indicates journals.
You can find your journals on the Module Content page of your module. A small bubble icon appears next to the title to indicate new activity.
Create a Journal Entry
Your instructor will provide a prompt for the journal. Make sure to read this carefully along with any associated rubric. Your instructor may embed images, videos or documents into the prompt.
- Under the prompt, you may create a new entry or reply with a comment to an existing entry.
- You can view, expand and collapse comments. You can view more entries (items) per page.
- You can use the options in the editor to format the text, embed images and attach files.
- As you type in the editor, the word count appears below the editor. After you save, the word count no longer appears.
Only your instructor can view the content you add.
Edit and delete entries and comments
You can edit or delete only your own entries and comments. If an entry is deleted, all comments about the entry are also deleted. If you delete a graded journal, the journal is removed from the Module Content page and the gradebook.
Select the three dots (..) to open an entry or comment's menu to access the Edit and Delete functions.
How will I be alerted to new comments on my Journal?
You're notified in the activity stream when new comments are made in your journal.
In your journal, the number of comments appears in a link below each entry. A New label appears with a count of new comments. Select the Show Comments link to open the comments section. Select the Hide Comments link to collapse the comments section.
Where are my Journal grades?
Journal submissions aren't graded automatically. Your instructor must grade your work and post the grade.
As your instructor posts grades, you'll find them in your activity stream
From the Journal
You can also access your graded submission on the Module Content page.
- Select the journal name to open the journal.
- Marks and feedback can be found in the Details & Information panel.
- Select the feedback icon to open the feedback panel.
From the Gradebook
Your marks also appear in the Gradebook.
- Select the journal name to view the full journal with its marks and feedback.
- Select the feedback icon to view your feedback.
Viewing your Marks and Feedback
Activity Stream
When marks are posted (released), you may receive a notification in your Activity Stream. Remember to check your notification settings to ensure you don't miss your marks.
- Select Activity from the left-hand menu.
- Select Marks and Feedback to view the mark.
- Select the Assessment Name to view your submission, mark, and feedback in your module.
Marks
- Select Marks from the left-hand navigation menu.
- Select the assessment name to view your submission, mark, and feedback.
- A maximum of five items will be displayed per module.
- Select View all work to view other assessed work within your course.
Gradebook
Each Blackboard Ultra module has a page called Gradebook. You can view your marks and feedback from this page. An icon shows the number of new assessed items you have to review.
Further Help & Support
If you are experiencing issues accessing Blackboard or specific modules, please get in touch with the Teaching & Learning IT team via the IT Service Desk by one of the methods listed below.
When you log a ticket, please include the module ID, name, and your instructor's contact details. Often, for issues related to accessing content, assessments, etc., within a module, we need to contact the instructor to verify, as they manage the settings for all content in a module.
Service desk opening hours are: Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00
The service desk is contactable by phone: +353 (01) 896 2000
You can email the service desk.
assist.tcd.ie
Using your Trinity computer account, log in to our IT Service Desk portal (assist.tcd.ie), and browse our knowledge base and service catalogue for solutions to common IT-related support questions. You can also log a ticket with the IT Support Desk, which will follow up with you to help resolve your query.
Alternatively, you can also email itservicedesk@tcd.ie, which will automatically create a ticket for you in the assist.tcd.ie portal.
In-person visit to the IT Service Desk
We operate a walk-in service on campus. For our current opening hours, see the link below.