Equation Editor
Introduction
The Equation Editor is a web-based WYSIWYG (What you See Is What You Get) editor that allows you to type scientific and mathematical notation directly into Blackboard. Staff can use the Equation Editor in most content and assessment areas in Blackboard, and students can use it in Tests and Surveys.
The Equation Editor has specific browser and platform requirements. Windows users should be fine, but Mac users need to be running OS 10.3.5 and above with Safari, and Java 1.4. The Editor won't work in OS 8/9. In some cases, you may get a message informing you that you need to download Java components, or the Java runtime Environment. These are essential for running the Equation Editor.
Blackboard 8 includes a "Visual Text Box Editor" which is used for formatting text on both Windows and Macintosh browsers. However, when the Visual Test Box Editor is enabled, Mac users cannot see an Equation Editor Button (and therefore can't insert Equations). Users who want to use the Equation Editor (which is used to insert Scientific/Mathematical Equations) MUST USE SAFARI and follow the instructions below.
This tutorial will include the following:
- Using the WebEQ Equation Editor to create an Equation.
- Using the WebEQ Equation Editor to modify an Equation.
- Turning off the Visual Test box editor in order to see the Equation Editor button.
Notes and additional resources
The Blackboard Equation Editor
The Equation Editor is built in to many parts of Blackboard. For example, when creating an Item or questions in a Test, you will see a "
" button underneath the "Text" box. Anytime you see this button, you can click it to insert an equation. If you are using Internet Explorer on Windows, then you will be seeing the WYSIWYG Editor version of the text box, in which case the "Equation" button will appear in the second row of tools at the top of the text box. Click here for more information about the WYSIWYG Editor.
You will also see a "
" button - this is for the MathML editor. To use it, you must know how to write or generate (using some external application) Math Markup Language. If you do know how to use MathML, you can paste or type your code into the popup box (and contact me so I can find out how to do it!).
^Top
To use the Equation editor:
- Create or modify an Item OR create or modify a question in a Test, Survey or Pool
- Click the "" button - the Equation Editor will open in a new window.
- Type a name for your Equation - this will be useful if you have to edit your equation later on.
- Adjust the font size and equation size, if desired. We recommend leaving these settings at their default values.
- Click on one of the symbol categories in the grey toolbar, and then click on symbol in the list of objects that will appear. For example, click on the greater than/less than button to see all the objects in this category.
- Any objects you click on will appear in the editing area. You can move the red cursor by clicking in a new location with your mouse. Type any letter, number or symbol that appears on your keyboard directly into this area. Small black boxes in the equation represent spaces that you can type in letters/numbers/symbols from your keyboard, or insert more objects from the symbol menus.
- When you've finished, Click Add.
^Top
To modify an existing equation:
- Modify an existing Item or Test/Survey Question (depending on where the equation that you want to modify is)
- Click the "" button
- Choose the equation from the "Edit Equation" drop-down list
- Modify your equation
- Click the "Modify" button.
^Top
Turning of the Visual Test box editor in order to see the Equation Editor button
Even when the instructions (below) are followed, the Equation Editor does NOT appear on Firefox browsers (on the Mac). You MUST USE SAFARI.
Disabling the Visual Test Box Editor (to reveal the Equation Editor)
- Click the "Tools" button in any course menu
- Click "Personal Information" then "Set Visual Text Box Editor Options"
- Choose "Unavailable"
- Click "Submit".
The Visual Text Box Editor will now disappear and be replaced by a plain text box. Underneath the text box, you will see the Equation Editor Button.