Blackboard FAQ header
This page answers a number of frequently asked questions about Blackboard and will be most useful once you have already completed the online BB tutorial, which is available at http://bb.nursing.virginia.edu/tutorial/.
Feel free to contact, The School of Nursing Helpdesk, Lee Brunjes.
I cannot login.
Are you having trouble logging in? We can help.
- Need your password? Click here to reset your password.
- If you have recently signed up for a class but cannot log into blackboard please be patient adding you to the system can take up to 48 hours.
- Accounts are set up for new students automatically. If you are a first time user, retrieve your password by using the I forogt my password form. Your Password will be delivered to your University of Virginia email account moments later
To speak with our helpdesk, call (434) 924-8686 Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 5:30PM EST or you can
submit a heldesk request.
How do I view my grades?
Get into your Blackboard course and select the Tools button on the left of the screen. Then select My Grades. It is important to remember that some instructors put grades up during the semester and others wait until the end to post grades. Contact your professor if you are concerned about your grade and remember that other students cannot see your grade nor can you see theirs.
How do I use the Digital Dropbox?
The Digital Drop Box enables students to exchange files with the instructor. Files are added to the Digital Drop Box from the Add File page. The Add File page requests information on the title, file location, and any comments regarding the file. A file is not automatically sent to the instructor if it is placed in the Drop Box through the Add File option. Files must be sent through the Send File option for Instructors to receive them.
Files that are added to the Drop Box but not sent will show the date and time posted. Once the file is sent to the Instructor it will show the date and time submitted. Note: The date and time displayed in each instance is not the date and time on the user’s machine, rather, it is the date and time on the Blackboard server.
To use the Add File function do the following: Open a course website and click on the Tools button. Then select Digital Drop Box and Add File. Click Browse to locate the file. In the Comments field you can enter any comments related to the file. These comments will appear beneath the title on the Drop Box page.
To use the Send File function do the following: Open a course website and click on the Tools button. Then select Digital Drop Box and Send File. On the Select File drop-down arrow, select the file to send. Then click on Browse to upload a file and send it to the Instructor. Feel free to include any comments you want the instructor to see. It is important to email the instructor if you send a file before a due date and want the instructor to see it promptly. Instructors do not receive an alert when files are sent via Digital Dropbox.
Note: Not all instructors accept electronically-submitted assignments; your instructor will tell you the method of submission that he or she prefers.
How do I view old Announcements?
Open a course website and click on the Announcements button. Notice the tabs in the center of the page: View Today, View Last 7 Days, View Last 30 Days, and View All. Click on the appropriate tab to view the old announcement you want. .
How do I use the Discussion Board?
The Discussion Board is a communication tool that can be used to enhance a course website. Topics are posted to the Discussion Board that course participants can reply to and converse about online. This feature is designed for asynchronous use, meaning students do not have to be online at the same time to have a conversation. The Discussion Board logs and organizes all conversations, which are grouped into threads that contain a main posting and all related replies for easy retrieval.
To go to the Discussion Board, open a course and click the Discussion Board button or enter through the Communication button. To access a forum listed on the Discussion Board page click a forum topic link. When a forum is accessed a page appears which lists the different threads in the forum.
To start a new thread, click on Add New Thread. The Create New Message page will appear; enter a new subject, title, and discussion description. To reply to a message posted, click on Your Response. Attachments can be included when you reply to or post a message. Click on the Browse button to find the file you wish to attach.
What is the Virtual Classroom and how can I use it?
In the new Blackboard version 6 that was launched in August 2005, Virtual Classroom is now part of the Collaboration Sessions function, which also includes online Office Hours. The Collaboration Tools allow the instructor and students to participate in real-time lessons and discussions. Archives of previous sessions are also available for review. From the Collaboration Session page, users can search for and join Collaboration Sessions and view session archives. Your instructor will let you know if he or she is using Virtual Classroom for office hours. Do not use this tool for confidential information–anything you want to remain confidential should be communicated via telephone or email.
To find out more information about these features go to page 74 in the online Blackboard User Manual.
I cannot login.
Are you having trouble logging in? We can help.
- Need your password? Click here to reset your password.
- If you have recently signed up for a class but cannot log into blackboard please be patient adding you to the system can take up to 48 hours.
To speak with our helpdesk, call (434) 924-8686 Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 5:30PM EST or you can
submit a heldesk request.
How do I change my Blackboard password or find it if I have lost it?
To change your password, login to Blackboard and then before entering a course site, click on Personal Information under the Tools menu on the far left of the screen. From here select Change Password. If you have lost or forgottten your password fill out this form.
How do I get help for technical problems with Blackboard?
If you are having technical problems, it is best to notify your instructor so that he or she is aware of the problem. You can also contact Lee Brunjes or the School of Nursing Helpdesk For General Blackboard problems .
How do I take an exam or quiz on Blackboard?
Not all instructors use the exam function in Blackboard; however, if you are using it in an online course be sure to read all instructions carefully before entering the exam. Blackboard allows instructors latitude on how they can administer their exams. For example, your instructor may choose to specify a time limit for the test (such as 2 hours), or may set it up so you can only enter the exam once. Be sure you understand the instructions and parameters of the test before starting the exam. A few test-taking tips to be aware of: type and save your essay responses in Word and then copy and paste them into the exam and contact your instructor immediately if you see a ? as you try to re-login to an exam.
Once finished with an exam, be aware that although Blackboard can grade many questions, often times the instructor has to check the exams too. Please allow your instructor time to finish reviewing the exams. When the grades are complete, your instructor will make the grades available to you on Blackboard.
How do I open a PowerPoint Presentation in Blackboard?
Click on the PowerPoint link and it should open. If it does not, then right click on the link and select Save Target As. Then save the file to your desktop or hard drive and open it from the saved location. If you do not have Microsoft PowerPoint installed on your computer you will need to download PowerPoint viewer.
How do I view a PDF document?
Click on the PDF link and it should open in Adobe Acrobat. If it does not, then right click on the link and select Save Target As. Then save the file to your desktop or hard drive and open it from the saved location. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer you will need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader.
What do I need to use Blackboard?
For more information speak with our helpdesk, call (434) 924-8686 Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 5:30PM EST or you can
submit a heldesk request.
I Cannot Write in text boxes Internet Explorer 7.
Users using Microsoft Windows XP should simply be able to install an ActiveX control to make this work. If you do not know how to intall an ActiveX control please contact Lee Brunjes for assistance. The instructions below will also work for Windows XP users just as well as Vista users.
Users logging into Blackboard using Microsoft Windows Vista are unable to use the Visual Text Box Editor. In order to fix this the user must change a setting in Blackboard.
- Upon logging into black board, on the main screen, The left most column on the screen should end with an option labeled "Personal Information". Click on it.
- On the Personal Information screen, Select the second to last option labeled "Set Visual Text Box Editor Options". Click on this as well.
- On the following screen, Choose the Unavailable Option and click submit. This will allow you to enter text into Blackboard
For more information speak with our helpdesk, call (434) 924-8686 Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 5:30PM EST or you can
submit a heldesk request.