What is Blackboard? How do I access Blackboard?
Blackboard is the online course platform through which most JSU Online courses are taught. Blackboard is a highly beneficial improvement over typical "web postings" that other universities may use. In addition to document postings on the web, Blackboard allows students to interact with their classmates and with their instructor through Communication tools such as real-time Virtual Chat and postings to an asynchronous Discussion Board.

To access Blackboard, go to the Blackboard Access page and follow the instructions.

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What is my Username and Password in Blackboard?
Your Blackboard User Name and Password are described on the Blackboard User Names & Passwords page. Access to Blackboard and your course is usually available by the first day of class.

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What technical skills and equipment do I need to take a course in this method?
Only minimal to moderate level skills are needed; necessary ones are as follows:
* Basic knowledge of computer software and tools
* Capable of using a word processor, email, an Internet browser, search engines, copy and paste tools, and switching between windows and applications
* Ability to download and install software and plug-ins if necessary

Equipment required is minimal; specifications can be found here.

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How long does it take to study for an online class, and what is involved?
Prior to taking an online course, many students assume this format is easier. However, depending upon various factors, the initial time demand can be greater than traditional classroom delivery methods. You will need to organize your materials (textbooks, notebooks, floppies) and find a comfortable and quiet place to study. Most assignments and projects are compatible with online teaching methodology, so you will probably be submitting your work through email or through the Assignment Management feature. We suggest you go through the Blackboard Demo Course prior to beginning your course so you may become familiar with Blackboard. The class time, then, largely depends on your current course document status, your motivation level and your familiarity with computers.

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Is there a spellchecker in Blackboard?
Yes, a spellchecker is available in most areas of Blackboard with a few exceptions. In areas where no spell check function is available, you may type the original document in a word processor (such as Microsoft Word) that does have a spellchecker. Then do one of the following:

* Simply highlight the material and select "copy" in the original document; then, select the text box in Blackboard where the material is to be placed, right click, and select "paste"

* Save the document to your computer, and then simply use Blackboard's "browse" function to attach the document

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What is my email address in Blackboard? What if I already have an email account that I prefer?
The email address listed in Blackboard will be one assigned to you by JSU on the JSU Email system. You may be required to use this email address for all official JSU information, including information related to your online course. Note: The JSU student-mail system offers a feature that allows you to automatically forward your email to a different address. It is very important that you check the email address listed for you in Blackboard on a regular basis. This is for your instructor, students, and others to send you important information regarding your Blackboard course and account, in addition to other important JSU information. You do not receive mail in Blackboard, you can only send mail. In order to check your email, you must open the appropriate email service and view your mail in that program.

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Is there a cost associated with using the Blackboard method?
The Blackboard course development platform was bought by JSU in August 2000 to assist students and faculty in online coursework; the basic course that you will use, along with all of the features, is provided to you free upon registration for the course. Other course materials required by the instructor are the responsibility of the student.

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Can I access Blackboard/JSU Email from off campus?
Yes; the Blackboard course management system and JSU Email system are both Internet based, which you can access from anywhere with an Internet Service Provider, including your home, office, and anywhere else you can think of that has an ISP available. You can even work on your course and keep in touch with your instructor through JSU Email while you are out of town if you have access to an ISP.

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How do I ensure success as an online student?
Research indicates that above everything, motivation is the major factor for success in an online course. This motivation involves setting aside a certain amount of time to work on the course, preferably 4-5 times a week. The benefit of this is that classes may be accessed at almost any hour or day. Whatever your schedule, you must recognize that this type of class will take just as much time as a regular class; if you are not yet familiar with the required computer skills listed above, it could take even longer. You must budget this amount of time into your work week and concentrate on the work. You must communicate with your instructor via email: many instructors may also utilize Blackboard's Communication Tools area, including the Discussion Board and the Virtual Chat. If you are unsure if this, or any other type of distance learning course is right for you, take a look at our short, informative survey, "Is Distance Learning for Me?".

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Is there an orientation that I can take that will familiarize me with Blackboard?
We suggest you go through the Blackboard Demo Course prior to beginning your course so you may become familiar with Blackboard. Updated information may be provided by your instructor.

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How do I change my password?
* Log in to Blackboard and remain on the "My Institution" tab
* Under “Tools” on the top left, choose "Personal Information"
* Choose “Change Password” and enter your new password
* Click "Submit"

         Or

         *Log in to Blackboard
         *Select your course under the "My Courses" heading on the top right
         *Once inside your course, select "Tools" in the navigation menu
         *Select "Personal Information"
         *Select "Change Password" and enter your new password
         *Click "Submit"

Either procedure will change your password in all courses you are taking
through Blackboard.

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How do I access my course after I have logged into Blackboard?
After you have logged in, click the name of your course under "My Courses" on the top right side of the page. If you are registered for more than one online course, you will see all of them listed here. You will see a list of announcements or assignments displayed. Use the navigation buttons on the left hand side to view various areas of your course. Please review the My Courses Window Edit and Course ID Legend pages for helpful tips.

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Who is responsible for initial contact, the student or the instructor?
Unless otherwise instructed, the student should access the course on the first day of classes, just as you would attend class on the first day in a traditional classroom. Similar rules apply within online courses in regard to absences; missing a long period of online class with no contact could be considered over cutting. If you are still concerned about your status in the course once the semester begins and you have followed the necessary steps and read initial information provided in the course, you may want to contact your instructor. Related links: Notes for Online Courses, Contact Information, Blackboard Access, Blackboard Course Availability.

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Course Assignments

Can I work on and submit homework in Blackboard?
No and Yes. Assignments to write papers, make charts, etc., must be created outside of Blackboard (for example, in Microsoft Word). You must then save them to your hard disk. From there, you may use several areas of Blackboard to submit your assignments, depending on which areas your instructor chooses to use for your course. One method is the use what we like to call the "assignment management system". Please review the help sheet on this topic at "Student Help sheet for Assignment Submission & Review". (Note: This is a .pdf file. To read it, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.) Another way of submitting assignments is via email, as an attachment. You may also post assignments in other areas of Blackboard, such as the Discussion Board, and Virtual Classroom if the instructor enables and instructs you to use these options.

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What format should my homework assignments and other work be saved in?

Most of your instructors will have Microsoft Word; however, the version may vary. For these and other types of documents, such as PowerPoint, it is best to save files in a format viewable by older versions of the program (an option usually available in the "Type" drop down menu in your "Save As" box ). Online readers, viewers and converters are also available for Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Adobe Acrobat. (These are available on our System Requirements page.) Using a variety of formats or a basic format helps to meet the needs of all software programs. Do NOT use spaces or symbols (#,@,&,!,$,etc.) when naming files that will be used in Blackboard. User letters and numbers only.

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Course Tools

How do I submit to the Discussion Boards? Your course may have a quick button that links to the DB area along with the other navigation buttons. If not, simply select the Communication button, followed by selecting Discussion Boards. You will see one or more Forums or topics posted by your instructor. You may click on the title of the Forum to enter and read messages posted by classmates and your instructor. To post your message, either select the Reply button available from your instructor's message, or select Add New Thread, if available.

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What is the fastest way to view/print out/save to disk all of the threads from a Forum in a Discussion Board? You may read Discussion Board posts on one screen, rather than one at a time. To do this, enter the Discussion Board forum. Use the drop down box at the bottom of the page and choose "Select All", then click "Go". Click the "Collect" button at the top of the page. This will place all of the threads with their messages onto one page where you may then view/print/save the collection of threads.

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How do I log into Collaboration/Virtual Classroom? I cannot log in, or the tool does not load properly. Your course may have a quick button that links to the Collaboration area along with the other navigation buttons. If not, simply select the Communication button, followed by selecting Collaboration. Your instructor will have scheduled a session for you to meet. Simply click on the appropriate link to the collaboration session. Note that an instructor must create a session before you are able to enter it. The Collaboration tools are Java-based, and have certain requirements in order to operate correctly. Review the information here to verify you meet the requirements.

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I want to view the recordings/archives from a Virtual Classroom session I missed. How do I do that? To view recordings/archives from a Collaboration session you select Communication, then Collaboration. If recordings/archives have been made available by the instructor, click the "Recordings" button to the right of the appropriate session. Now click the name of the session recording/archive to open the session content.

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How can I communicate with my Group Members? The Groups function of Bb allows students to utilize communication tools such as Send Email, Discussion Boards, and Collaboration to work together on projects. To access the group area, select Communication, then Group Pages. You are only able to access groups in which your instructor has enrolled you.

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How do I create my homepage? How do I view other students' homepages? To create your homepage, enter the appropriate course after you login to Blackboard, then go to Tools/Edit Your Homepage. You may enter websites, textual information, and attach a picture in this area. To view others homepages, select Communication/Roster. From this area you may either type in the student's last name or select the Search button to list all students in the course. Select the student's name to view his or her homepage.

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Assessment & Gradebook

What does a "?", "!", or mean in the Gradebook of Blackboard? Each of these symbols are notifications that further information about the test is not yet available. The padlock may either mean that the assignment is currently in progress or that the attempt has failed during submission. The exclamation mark means that the assignment is waiting to be graded by the instructor, and may sometimes appear if a student exceeds a timed examination. The question mark indicates an error in grading has occurred. If you have questions about any of these symbols you should contact your instructor.

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How do I take exams? What about proctoring for students living too far from campus?
This is up to the instructor. Most instructors set up several days in which the students are responsible for taking exams--maybe 3 days throughout the semester that you would need to come to campus to take exams. Typically, a block of time (usually around two hours) would be set up for you to take your exam. It may be administered via computer through Blackboard, or it may simply be a written exam. Your instructor will provide you with more detail about this. Proctoring arrangements may also be available to students living at a distance from JSU. Refer to the our Proctoring page for further information. It is the responsibility of the STUDENT to obtain an instructor-approved proctor if you are unable to come to campus to take an exam.

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What happens if I get disconnected during an examination?
Your instructor will decide the best way to handle this situation. Your exam may be reset for retaking through Blackboard if necessary. All information that was not saved prior to being disconnected is typically lost.

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How do I access my exams or assignments to view the results after I have submitted them for a grade?
To view your grades go to Tools and select "My Grades". If your instructor has provided any feedback on Assignments or Exams submitted through Blackboard, you will also be able to view this information in this area.

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Starting & Ending a Term

If I am registered for a class, does that automatically mean I am enrolled in Blackboard? What if I registered late for a class?
The process is now automated. All students are enrolled into Blackboard courses corresponding with all JSU courses on the registration system. For more information, review the information under "Registered Users" on the Blackboard Access page. Other helpful links: Blackboard Course Availability, Blackboard User Names and Passwords.

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How do I Drop/Add an online Blackboard course?
The procedure for dropping or adding an online course is the same as the procedure for dropping or adding a traditional on-campus class. You may view more information about dropping/adding classes here.

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How do I display Blackboard Course ID's or hide courses in the "My Courses" module on the "Welcome" page?
Editing the "My Courses" Module - Go to this page to learn how to display Blackboard Course ID's or hide courses from your course listing.

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Is JSU an accredited university?
Yes. Please see the JSU Accreditation page for more information.

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What does it mean when I go to http://jsu.blackboard.com and get a page that says something about the server being down for maintenance, but it is during a time when no maintenance is scheduled?
If you get a message like this outside of a scheduled maintenance period, you have most likely cached the page during a maintenance period and your browser is not refreshing the page to force it to load the most recently available information for the page. You simply need to refresh your browser when loading the page at http://jsu.blackboard.com to force it to load the most recent page information. Use the refresh button at the top of your browser (it usually looks like a page with two arrows going in a circle). In some browsers, you may need to hold down the [Shift] key on your keyboard while clicking that button. If this doesn't work, try clearing your temporary Internet files cache and cookies. (In Internet Explorer, you can do this in Internet Options available from the Tools menu at the top of the browser.)

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