Connection: Blackboard LMS with Building Block

David Rodriguez

March 22, 2021 16:58

The individual configuring the IntelliBoard connection must be a System Administrator of Blackboard.

Before you get started...

You must have an IntelliBoard account and have the IntelliBoard Building Block installed.
IntelliBoard is aware that the Blackboard is EOLing the Building Block and is building both an API and Blackboard Direct Data Access connection.
IntelliBoard is a web-based service. If your LMS is behind a firewall, a port will need to be configured for the IntelliBoard service to connect. Contact helpdesk@intelliboard.net for additional details.

General Overview

IntelliBoard Pro leverages a standard Blackboard Building Block (also known as a war file). Before a the LMS data can be processed automatically by the connection, the Building Block data must process.

Where can I find the IntelliBoard Pro Building Block? Is it the same as Lite?

Direct Link: https://github.com/intelliboard/bbdata
Note: To download the block, you must click on Code > Download ZIP from the page above, and unzip the file to get the ".war" file for installation.

This is a different Building Block than IntelliBoard Lite. Both may be installed.

Making the Initial Connection

Step 1: Integrations > Select Your LMS Type

Direct Link: https://next.intelliboard.net/connections/integrations

Click Integrations.
Under desired connection, click "+ Connect".

Step 2: Add Connection Information

Enter the following information:

LMS Name	Text Box; Required Field; Name the connection for identification purposes.
URL	Text Box; Required Field; Copy and Paste the URL of your LMS which is provided in the Building Block Set up. Note the additional steps below.
Token	Text Box; Required Field; Created inside Moodle. Note the additional steps below.
Category	Drop Down; Required Field; Select a Category for your Connection. Note the additional steps below.
Active	Check Box; Check on to enable the connection. Connections must be active to process.
Process at Hour	Drop Down; Required Field; Select the hour to process your data daily. Note additional steps below.

Determining the URL

Blackboard: System Admin > (Under Integration) Building Blocks.

Create URL and Token

Click on Installed Tools
Click on Upload Building Blocks

Browse to find the downloads IntelliBoard .WAR File/Building Block. Upload block and click Submit.
The IntelliBoard Building Block will install once you approve permissions.
Return to Installed Tools. Under IntelliBoard BBData, click on the dropdown arrow and select Settings.

Note the Block URL and Auth Token. Copy and Paste them from Blackboard to IntelliBoard Pro.

Creating a Connection Category

IntelliBoard allows you to create categories for your connections. For additional information click here.

Select a time for Daily Processing
IntelliBoard allows you to select a time to process your data. We recommend choosing an 'off hour' to have the freshest data for the next day.

Step 2: Return the Encryption Key from IntelliBoard to Blackboard

The Encryption Key is created inside IntelliBoard and needs to be returned to the the Building Block Settings.

Return to Blackboard > System Admin > Installed Tools. Under IntelliBoard BBData, click on the dropdown arrow and select Settings.

Copy and paste the Encrpytion Key from IntelliBoard to the Blackboard Building Block.

Click Save Properties.

Step 4: IntelliBoard - Click Continue

Upon clicking Continue, you'll see green check marks on URL, Token, and Encryption Key, and if the connection is successful and be directed to the LMS Filter Settings page. If unsuccessful, please review the steps above to adjust settings. For additional assistance, please contact Helpdesk@intelliboard.net

Step 5: Review Filter Settings

From within IntelliBoard, review the following Filter Settings, make selections, and save.

Note: These filters may be changed and edited, but a Migration must be run to pick up additional datasets. See Step 7 for additional details.

User Filters	Drop Down; Required; See details below for options.
Course Filters > Course	Drop Down; Required; See details below for options.
Course Filters > Term	Drop Down; Required; See details below for options.
Course Filters > Term	Drop Down; Required; See details below for options.

User Filters:
1) All Users - All Users in the System

2) Active Users - All unhidden/unsuspended users in the System

Course Filters > Course:

1) All Courses - All Courses in the System

2) Active Courses- All unhidden/inactive courses in the System

Course Filters > Terms:

1) All Terms - All Terms in the System, including newly added Terms

2) Partial Terms - Partial Terms; select certain Terms within your system to bring into IntelliBoard

Course Filters > Nodes:

1) All Nodes - All Nodes in the System, including newly added Nodes

2) Partial Nodes- Partial Nodes; select certain Nodes within your system to bring into IntelliBoard

Step 6: Review Role Settings

From within IntelliBoard, review the following Role Settings, make selections, and save. Each section is populated with all roles inside your LMS.

Map your LMS roles to IntelliBoard Roles. This is important for role clarity within the Builder, IB Users, and the LTI.

When complete, please click save.

Roles may be edited to match needs and do not require an additional migration.

Instructor Roles	Drop Down; Required
Learner Roles	Drop Down; Required
Admin Roles	Drop Down
Course Admin Roles	Drop Down

Step 7: Return to Building Block + Run Dump

From Blackboard > System Admin > Installed Tools. Under IntelliBoard BBData, click on the dropdown arrow and select Settings.

Then click Run Dump.

IntelliBoard Pro leverages a standard Building Block to create a table structure that then processes Blackboard data on a regular schedule into IntelliBoard Pro's tables. Before the LMS data can be processed automatically by the connection, they must go through an initial migration.

When should I complete the migration process?

Initial Connection: The migration must be complete after you make the initial connection and before your first processing.
Bluilding Block Updates: Restart the migration process each time you update the IntelliData plugin.
Filter Changes: When you change or add data through additional filters, restart the migration process.

How long does the Migration process take?

Initial migrations may take between 1 - 3 days depending on the size of your LMS database. LMS databases that have more than 200 GB of data may take up to 7 days with the default settings.

When will I know the migration is complete?
You'll see "FINISHED" for each table, noted below.

Step 8: Only after Migration/Run Dump is Complete - Process Data

NOTE: This step has to be done only when the migration is finished.

Direct Link: https://next.intelliboard.net/connections

From Manage my IntelliBoard Account, click My Connections
Click the name of the URL or Edit, to open the connection.
Click on Process Data

For additional assistance, please email helpdesk@IntelliBoard.net.