Blackboard in Your Classroom

How do you use Blackboard software in your classroom?

Some schools are encouraging (or enforcing) the use of Blackboard software. I know teachers here at Duquesne University and several surrounding high schools get training on it. some use it well; some don't. I've been given the assignment of "webmaster" of my senior secondary English education methods class. I have to figure out how we can utilize Blackboard for this class. I've toyed around with ideas and come up with a few. I'm interested in how you all use it. Just a digital home for your syllabus? An effective out-of-class communication tool? A collaborative learning community? A necessary evil to get through your mandatory to-do list?

How do YOU use Blackboard software in your classroom?