The Blackboard Learning System includes a robust Spell Check feature supported by a full English dictionary, a supplemental word list for each Virtual Installation, and custom word lists that are stored as a cookie on a user’s local machine. The spell check feature is available wherever users can enter blocks of text. It is also available as a module with the Blackboard Portal System.
Misspelled words are determined by the following three sources:
· Spell Check Dictionary: A full English dictionary of words that will not be flagged for correction. The dictionary is also the only source for suggestions when a misspelled word is found. This dictionary cannot be modified.
· Virtual Installation Supplemental Word List: A list of additional terms added by the System Administrator that do not appear in the default dictionary. For example, a medical school might wish to upload a list of medical terms so they are not flagged as incorrect terms for their users. This word list can be modified from the System Control Panel.
· Personal Word List: This word list is stored as a cookie on each user’s local machine. Words are added to this list using the Learn feature within Spell Check. Like the supplemental word list, the words on each personal word list are not flagged for correction and are not included as a suggestion for errors.
Note: Extensive supplemental and personal word lists may slow performance of the Spell Check tool.
The personal word list is stored as a cookie on the user’s local machine. The cookie is not user or Virtual Installation specific. Therefore, a user’s word list will be available to them whenever they are using Spell Check with the Blackboard Learning System, as long as they are on the same local machine. Also, if another user logs onto the same machine, that user will have the same personal word list stored on that machine applied when running spell check. Since word lists are cookie-based, users are unable to transport them. Word lists cannot be disabled on a computer.