Blackboard Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a Blackboard account?

Students will automatically have a Blackboard account created for them if they are scheduled in a course that is using Blackboard. Students should be able to log in and access their Blackboard courses the first week of the semester. For those who later "add" a course, their account will be created the next day.

 

Where do I go if I need help with Blackboard?

The Blackboard Student Manual is available online. To view it from inside your Blackboard course, click on STUDENT TOOLS, and then click on STUDENT MANUAL. If you need technical assistance with Blackboard, call CTLT at (270) 809-2535. If you have questions about your Blackboard course content, contact your professor.

 

What's the best way to open a linked document in my Blackboard course?

Generally, you can left-click (option-click on Macs) on most documents to view them (except .exe files, which should be downloaded). Depending on your browser and its settings, the file may open in the same browser window or a different browser window, or it may launch the application associated with the file. If the document opens in the same browser window and it's difficult to view it, you can right-click on the link (click and hold on Macs), and choose "Open in new window" to open the document in a new browser window.

I am unable to open a linked document in my professor's course site.

Possible reasons:

  1. You may not have the right (compatible) software program for the document.
  2. The software version you have may be too old. Find out from your professor what software and version were used to create the document (i.e., Word 2000, PowerPoint 2000, etc.) For example, earlier software versions are usually unable to open files created in later versions.

Possible solutions:

  1. If the document is Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, you can download a corresponding helper application called a viewer (free) that will let you open, print, and download the document, but not edit it. Go to the Plug-in Download Links page and click on the viewer that you want to download.
  2. You may need to get or upgrade a plug-in (free) for your browser, especially for sound files, movie files, and Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files. Ask your professor about the type of file and format used. Go to the Plug-in Download Links page to download a plug-in or Acrobat Reader.

 

I tried to print a Blackboard screen, but only the navigation buttons printed.

Blackboard uses frames. Only one frame can be active at a time, and Blackboard prints the active frame. Click in the main document area (the right side) to activate that frame before using the PRINT command. You can choose FILE and then PRINT PREVIEW before printing to see what it will look like. If you just want to print a linked document, another option is to right-click on the document link (click and hold on Macs) and choose OPEN IN NEW WINDOW. This opens a new browser window, which makes it easier to view and print the document. When you're done with the file, remember to close the new window to return to Blackboard.

I'm having problems using Chat from a Macintosh - buttons disappear, windows are cut off, my Macintosh hangs.

Chat is actually a separate application written in Java, and runs on the Macintosh only if you have an Internet Explorer browser. Go to the Internet Explorer download site to get the latest version.  

Windows-based machines (PCs) work in either Netscape or Explorer as long as Java is installed on the machine.

 

What happens when I get "Authorization failed. Retry."?

When: Logging in to a Blackboard course or accessing a secured area, or after changing your Blackboard password.

Meaning: The username and/or password are not valid

Possible Reason 1: You may have typed an incorrect username and/or password. Remember passwords are case sensitive. Click OK. Reenter your correct username and password.

Possible Reason 2 : You are not enrolled in the course and the instructor has secured an area. If you believe you should have access, contact your instructor to confirm that you are on the roster and check your account with the Registration Office.

 

How do I know which browser version my computer is running?

To have your computer display the browser version, begin by accessing your Internet browser. Once your browser's home page appears, select the Help menu (apple icon on Macs). In the submenu listed under Help, click on either "About Netscape" or "About Internet Explorer". The version you are running will then display.

I am getting errors while trying to log in to the web site.

Make sure you allow your Internet browser (Netscape or Internet Explorer) to accept cookies.

Portions of this online help site adapted with permission from Bradley University.

How can I save documents for earlier versions of Office with Office 2007?

Follow the instructions here.

How do I take a test on Blackboard?

Follow the instructions here.