To search this page click on "Edit" on the menu bar.

Choose "Find (on This Page)" and type in the keyword. Ex: password.

Then, click Find Next" to search.

<<Telecampus Vs. Blackboard

<<Logging Into Blackboard

<<SETUP & Technical Requirements

<<Course management Questions

<<Digital Dropbox Questions

<<Assignment Function Questions

<<Gradebook Function Questions

<<Text/Exam/Quiz Management Questions

<<Pool Manager Questions

<<Survey Manager Questions

<<Discussion Board

<<Chat Questions

What is the difference between UT Telecampus and Blackboard?
(keyword: telecampus, blackboard)

<< back to top

How do I access UT Telecampus?
(keyword: telecampus)

<< back to top

How do I log into Blackboard 6?
(keyword: log, login, log in)

Go to the UT Tyler web site (www.uttyler.edu).

Scroll down and select the Blackboard Icon.

At the Blackboard Home Page, click the Login button.

At the Login page, use the username and password provided by Blackboard Administrator.

(If you have requested courses on Blackboard, you should see your courses in the "courses you are teaching" area.)

<< back to top

How do I change my password in Blackboard?
(keyword: password, change password)

To change your password in Blackboard, look for and click on "Personal Information" on the left side of the screen after you log into Blackboard.

Once in "Personal Information", click on "change password".

<< back to top

I forgot my password. What can I do?
(keyword: forget, forgot password, change password)

Go to the UT Tyler home page at www.uttyler.edu. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the Blackboard link.

On the next page, click on the LOGIN button for Blackboard.

On the next page, click on "Forgot your password?" (This will be a link just under the Login text boxes.)

On the next page, answer either the top three questions or the bottom three questions.

When you have answered either of the set of the questions, click on SUBMIT.

Blackboard will send an email to your listed email address on Blackboard (usually your UT Tyler Lotus Notes email)

You will need to find, open and read that email .

* This procedure is the same for students to reset their passwords.

<< back to top

I’am a new instructor who’s interested in using Blackboard. How can I obtain a Blackboard 6 account?
(keyword: adjunct account, request course, create account)

If you have a UT Tyler Lotus Notes email account, send an email to bbadmin@uttyler.edu requesting creation of a new account.

If you don’t have a UT Tyler Lotus Notes account, we will need an email from your chair or dean. The email should include your email address so that we can send the account information directly back to you. We will also need to know what courses you will be teaching.

This is necessary to verify you as an instructor with the school and to protect your identity. A UT Tyler Lotus Notes account automatically verifies you with the school.

<< back to top

An adjunct instructor needs a account on Blackboard. What is required?
(keyword: adjunct account, request course, create account)

Send an email to bbadmin@uttyler.edu requesting creation of a new account.

We will need the UT Tyler Lotus Notes email address for the instructor so that we can send the account information directly back to the instructor.

If the instructor will not have a Lotus Notes account, we will need a current email address for the instructor. We will also need to know what courses this instructor will be teaching.

<< back to top

My students are having difficulty in one of my courses, and I would like to view this course on Blackboard 6 as a student to see what they are seeing. How can I do this?
(keyword: student account, student view)

We have created a "dummy" student account for instructors to use to view their courses as students.

You will need to enroll as any other student would to your course.

Please see the Student FAQ, "How do I enroll in a course on Blackboard?
(keyword: enroll, enter, course, add course, find course)

Please see the FAQ, "How do I "unenroll" or remove a student?"
(keyword: remove, student, delete, unenroll)

<< back to top

I would like to add Blackboard to my favorites in Internet Explorer. How do I do that?
(keyword: favorites, bookmark)

Go to the UT Tyler web site (www.uttyler.edu)

Scroll down and select the Blackboard Icon.

When the Blackboard Home Page is visible, right-click anywhere in the page.

A menu will appear. Look in the center for the option "Add to Favorites...".

After selecting this, a text box will appear asking you how you would like to name the new favorite.

The default is usually the actual name of the web page (Blackboard Learning System™ (Release 6)).

Click "OK" to finish.

You should be able to access the Blackboard Home Page via this link (favorite).

<< back to top

How Do I make Blackboard a trusted site on my computer for Internet Explorer 7?
(Keyword: trusted site, IE7, ActiveX, test)

Login to the Blackboard web site at http://ccs.uttyler.edu/blackboard

In Internet Explorer 7, click on the button titled tools on the top left side of the window.

Click on the link titled "Internet Options"

A popup will appear on the screen.

Several tabs will be listed on the top of the popup.

Select the tab titled "Security."

Click on the green check mark titled "trusted sties."

A button will appear titled "Sites."

Click on this button, and confirm that the url:http://blackboard.uttyler.edu is listed in the first text box.

Uncheck the box at the bottom of the popup window.

Click on the button titled "add."

Click on the button titled "Close."

<< back to top

When I log into Blackboard, I have to "login" twice before I can access Blackboard. Why?
(keyword: login twice, login, log in)

You have book marked the Blackboard Login page and not the Blackboard Home Page.

Please see the FAQ "I would like to add Blackboard to my favorites in Internet Explorer. How do I do that?"

The Blackboard link on the UT Tyler web page (www.uttyler.edu) will successfully take you through the pages to login correctly.

<< back to top

What are the recommended computer requirements to access Blackboard?
(keyword: computer requirements)

128 MB of RAM.
Microsoft Windows 2000 or Microsoft Windows XP with the latest critical updates, or Microsoft Vista with the latest critical updates. (note: you will need to turn the text box editor off if you are using Vista as described below.)
Internet Explorer XP 7.0 with the default settings. (note: you will need to turn the text box editor off if you are using Internet Explorer 7 as described below.)
Microsoft Office XP and 2003 with the latest critical updates.

In addition, you might need the following software installed:

Adobe Acrobat Reader - download it here for FREE

Macromedia Flash Player - download it here for FREE
Note: If you do not want the Yahoo Tool Bar for your browser, uncheck the box BEFORE you download.

Real Player - download it here for FREE
Note: An "installer" program will download first, then you will be prompted to actually download the player.

Quick Time Player - download the Windows version here for FREE
Note: If you do not want the newsletter subscriptions, uncheck the boxes.

Windows Media Player - download it here for FREE


** Note: You can buy Microsoft Office 2003  at the UT Tyler bookstore at an affordable price.

<< back to top

How do I turn off the Text Box Editor?
(keyword: Text Box Editor)

Login to Blackboard and click on the "Personal Infromation" link listed in the "Tools" panel. Click on the link titled "Set Text Box Editor Options." Set the text box editor availability to "Unavailable" and click on the "Submit" button.

<< back to top

How do I make a request for a course to be created in Blackboard 6?
(keyword: request course, create course, add course, course added)

At this time, we ask that you send an email to bbadmin@uttyler.edu  requesting creation of a course.

We will need the following information:

Year
Semester
Course Department (Example: NURS, ACCT, ENGL)
Course Number
3-digit Section Number
Course Name / Description
(Example: 2006-SPRING-ENGL-1301.001 - Victorian English)

How do I remove a course that I previously taught in Blackboard 6?
(keyword: request course, create course, add course, course added)

Send an email to bbadmin@uttyler.edu  requesting a course to be removed for you.

We will need the following information:

Year
Semester
Course Department (Example: NURS, ACCT, ENGL)
Course Number
3-digit Section Number
Course Name / Description
(Example: 2006-SPRING-ENGL-1301.001 - Victorian English)

<< back to top

Will a course be automatically copied from one semester to the next semester (Fall to Spring)?

No. You will need to send a request to the Blackboard Administrators (bbadmin@uttyler.edu) asking for a new course each semester. In that email message, you can specify what you require for your course (course shell, copy a previous course, etc.).

<< back to top

How do I make my course available or unavailable?
(keyword: available, visible, unavailable, invisible)

Go to CONTROL PANEL
In Course Options Area, go to SETTINGS
Look for COURSE AVAILABILITY
Select YES to make it available to students
or select NO to make it unavailable to students
Click SUBMIT

<< back to top

Students are reporting that an enroll button is not present for my course. I have checked and did not see it. What happened?
(keyword: enrollment button, no enroll button)

1. Course Availability should be set to YES
(please see FAQ for Course Availability)

2. Course Dates should be set to CONTINUOUS.

Go To CONTROL PANEL
under Course Options
click SETTINGS
Then Click COURSE DURATION
Make sure the button is selected for CONTINUOUS

Go To CONTROL PANEL
under Course Options
click SETTINGS
Then Click ENROLLMENT OPTIONS
Make sure the button is selected for SELF ENROLLMENT

<< back to top

What is an "access code" , and why would I want it for my course?
(keyword: access, access code)

This is a code set to allow only the students who are supposed to be in a course to access the course.

This helps to add security for a course, and to cut down on students enrolling in the wrong course.

<< back to top

How do I set an "access code" for my course?
(keyword: set access code)

Within your course,

Go To CONTROL PANEL
under Course Options
click SETTINGS
Then Click ENROLLMENT OPTIONS
Click the small checkbox next to "Require access code to enroll" to active the access code
Enter your ACCESS CODE in the Texbox.

Students will be prompted for this access code when they attempt to enroll.

<< back to top

How do I add an announcement to my course?
(keyword: announcement, add announcement)

Go to CONTROL PANEL
Click on ADD ANNOUNCEMENT
Type in the announcement "Subject" and announcement message.
Choose the appropriate options for your announcement.
Click SUBMIT

Click here to see a video version of this instruction in Flash.

<< back to top

How to change the entry point of a course ?

Once you are logged into your course,
Go to Control Panel,
Click on Settings under Course Options
Click on Set Course Entry Point
Choose the new entry point from the Entry Point pull-down menu.
When you're done, click on the Submit button

<< back to top

How do I setup my profile in my course on Blackboard?
(keyword: profile, instructor photo, office hours, phone number)

Within your course,

Click EDIT VIEW at the far right-hand side of the page.
(This will take you directly into CONTROL PANEL for this particular item.)

Click MODIFY to change information within the profile.

Click REMOVE to completely remove the profile from Blackboard.

To upload a photo,
Go to the middle of the page (AREA 2).
Click the BROWSE button to find the picture on your computer to upload. When found, Click OPEN.

If you want to remove the photo already there,
Click the small box underneath the image "REMOVE THIS IMAGE"

When finished,
Click SUBMIT.
Click OK.

To return to the "regular" view for your Blackboard Page,

Click DISPLAY VIEW on the far right-hand side of the page.
(This should be in the same position as was the EDIT VIEW link.

<< back to top

Within your course,

Go to CONTROL PANEL

Go to the area in which you wish to put the Power Point Slides (ex. COURSE DOCUMENTS)

Click ADD ITEM and add the information you wish to display

In AREA 2, BROWSE to find the file you wish to add to Blackboard

Once you find the file and select it, add a name in the textbox for the LINK and select CREATE A LINK TO THIS FILE in the SPECIAL ACTIONS box.

(Note: If you do not "make a name" for the link, by default, Blackboard will set the link name to be the name of the file.)

Click SUBMIT.

When students click on the link, they should have a choice of opening the file or saving the file to their computer.

If they need to print, SAVING the file will be best.

Use these instructions to add files or documents to any content area.

<< back to top

How do I add audio to a powerpoint presentation?
(keyword: audio, PowerPoint, presentation)

* Make sure your audio file is located at the same place with your powerpoint file
-> Open the Powerpoint file with Microsoft Powerpoint.
-> In Powerpoint menu bar, go to Insert -> Movies and Sounds -> Sound from File
-> Choose the file you want to insert then click O.K

<< back to top

How do I put Powerpoint with audio on blackboard:
(keyword: audio, PowerPoint, presentation)

* The audio file must be accompanied with the powerpoint file to make it work.
* First, we need to zip (compress) the Powerpoint and the audio file into one file.
* Make sure you have Winzip installed
-> In My Computer, select the Powerpoint file and the audio file that you want to zip,
-> Right Click on the selection, and choose WinZip -> Add to Zip File
-> Type in the name for the new zip file then click ADD

** Student's computer does not need Winzip to open the zip file if they have Windows XP installed.

Now, all you have to do is upload the Winzip file to Blackboard. The Winzip File is added to Blackboard just like any other file.
(Please see the FAQ "How do I add a file to a content area in Blackboard".)

<< back to top

How do I add PowerPoint Presentation?
(keyword: PowerPoint, presentation)

A Power Point Presentation is added to Blackboard like any other file.
(Please see the FAQ "How do I add a file to a content area in Blackboard".)

Click here to see a video version of this instruction in Flash.

<< back to top

How do I open a Power Point Presentation in Blackboard ?
(keyword: can't open PowerPoint, presentation)

Blackboard doesn't always open Power Point slide correctly. The best way to view a Power Point presentation is:

1. Right-click on the link. (This will be blue.) You will see a small menu.

2. Select “Save Target As...” from the menu.

3. This will bring up a small window to let you select where you want to save the file. (This is usually either “My Documents” or “Desktop”.) Choose the location and Click “SAVE”.

4. Minimize the Blackboard window, and go to where you placed the file. You can now view the Power Point slides on your computer.

NOTE: If you do not have Power Point on your computer, you can purchase Microsoft Office 2003 from the UT Tyler Bookstore for $20. This will contain Word, Excel, Power Point, FrontPage, and Access.

<< back to top

Students are reporting that they can not open the files I have added to my Blackboard site. I have tried to open them, but my computer does not recognize them. What has happened?
(keyword: files, can not open files, bad files)

When you upload a file, make sure that the file extension is included with the name. The computer uses this to select the appropriate program in which to use to open the file.

Some common file extensions are:

Also, Blackboard doesn't always open some files, like PowerPoint slides and Adobe Acrobat files, correctly. The best way to access a file you can't open is:

1. Right-click on the link. (This will be blue.) You will see a small menu.

2. Select “Save Target As...” from the menu.

3. This will bring up a small window to let you select where you want to save the file. (This is usually either “My Documents” or “Desktop”.) Choose the location and Click “SAVE”.

4. Minimize the Blackboard window, and go to where you placed the file. You can now view the file on your computer.

Note: If you do not have Power Point on your computer, you can purchase Microsoft Office 2003 from the UT Tyler Bookstore for $20. This will contain Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, Access. You can also purchase Microsoft Office XP for $30. This contains a newer version of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access.

Also, scroll up to see the free applications available on the web for viewing various file types.

<< back to top

How do I copy items to another area ?
(keyword: copy, copy items, move, move items)

Go to the Content Area in which the files you want to copy are located (ex. Course Information, Course Documents, Assignments, etc.).
Click on EDIT VIEW on the far right side of the screen
Find the files or folders you wish to copy. Look to the right for 3 buttons: MODIFY, COPY, REMOVE.
Click COPY. At the Destination Area, click BROWSE to locate the area in which YOU WANT TO COPY THE FILES
(There should be a small window pop-up to the right with the tabs in your course. You may need to allow pop-ups on your internet browser.)

Click on the button next to the area to where you want the files copied.
(If you want to just make a copy a file, Click NO to REMOVE ITEMS AFTER COPY. To MOVE the file, click YES.)

Click SUBMIT.

Click here to see a video version of this instruction in Flash.

<< back to top

How do I add the Email button to my course ?
(keyword: email button, email tool)

Within your course,

Go to CONTROL PANEL,

Click on MANAGE COURSE MENU

Then, click ADD TOOL

Scroll down and select EMAIL (You have the option to change its name).

When done, click OK.

The EMAIL button will be added to the TOOLS. Student will be able to send email to different user groups (instructor, classmate, teacher assistant ...etc)

<< back to top

How do I add the Communication Area to my course ?
(keyword: communication area, roster, group pages)

Within your course,

Go to CONTROL PANEL,

Click on MANAGE COURSE MENU

Then, click ADD TOOL

Scroll down and select "Communications Area" (You have the option to change its name).

When done, click OK.

The "Communications Area" button will be added to the TOOLS. 

The available tools are:

Announcement

Collaboration

Discussion Board

Group Pages

Roster

Send Email

<< back to top

How do I "unenroll" or remove a student?
(keyword: remove, student, delete, unenroll)

Once you are logged into your course,
Go to CONTROL PANEL
Click REMOVE USER FROM COURSE (in User Management, top, right-hand side). In the textbox, enter the student's last name and click SEARCH.
Click on the box (small box) at the left of the name, type "Yes" (exactly like this) and click SUBMIT at the bottom.

Click here to see a video version of this instruction in Flash.

NOTE: This is FINAL and can not be UNDONE. All data regarding the student will be lost. The student will need to re-enroll in the course.

<< back to top

Make sure the user is already enrolled in the course.
Within your course, go to CONTROL PANEL.
Under User Management, click List & Modify Users,
Search for the student.
Look to the far right of the screen, and click on Properties.
On the next screen, scroll to the bottom.
Under Role and Availability, select the desired Role.

User Role:
· Course Builder: User is able to access most areas of the Course Control Panel but may not access Student grades.

· Grader: User is able to access all areas under Assessments and some Course Tools.

· Guest: Guests have access to course content not locked by the Instructor.

· Student: User is able to access all available course content and will be graded on Assessments.

· Instructor: User is able to control all aspects of the course through the Course Control Panel.

· Teacher’s Assistant: User is able to control most aspects of the course through the Course Control Panel. Teaching Assistants may not change the role of a user in the course and they may not modify the password of the instructor.
(Note: Setting a user as an INSTRUCTOR gives the user TOTAL control of the course, including removing other instructors)

Click Submit

<< back to top

How do I allow Guest Access in my course ?
(keyword: guest, guest access)

Go to CONTROL PANEL
Go to SETTINGS
Go to SET GUEST ACCESS
Click YES

You can see what the "Guest" will be able to access within your course

Again, in CONTROL PANEL
Go to MANAGE TOOLS (just above SETTINGS)
Go to TOOL AVAILABILITY
Look at the right-hand side for two columns:

AVAILABLE -	tools available to users enrolled in your course
ALLOW GUEST -	tools available to the "guest" (very limited)

<< back to top

How do I remove an instructor from a course?
(keyword: remove, instructor, teacher, delete)

NOTE: An INSTRUCTOR can NOT be removed directly.

You need to do two steps within your course:

1) Go to CONTROL PANEL.
Click on LIST/MODIFY USERS
Search for the user (or do "list All" twice).
At the user's name look to the far right for PROPERTIES. Click this and scroll to the bottom of the next page for ROLE AND AVAILABILITY.
Change the role to STUDENT.

2) Go to CONTROL PANEL
Click REMOVE USER FROM COURSE (in User Management, top, right-hand side). In the textbox, enter the student's last name and click SEARCH.
Click on the box (small box) at the left of the name, type "Yes" (exactly like this) and click SUBMIT at the bottom.

NOTE: This is FINAL and can not be UNDONE. The instructor will need to re-enroll in the course as a student, and then have his/her role changed to instructor.

<< back to top

You can make your course unavailable to a single student.

Go to CONTROL PANEL then LIST/MODIFY USERS.
Enter the NAME of the student in the SEARCH BOX, or click LIST ALL then LIST ALL again for ALL students in your course. Select the SPECIFIC USER.
Select PROPERTIES for the USER.
SCROLL down the list to ROLE AND AVAILABILITY (Area 4).
In the dropdown box, choose NO. Click SUBMIT.

This will make the course unavailable ONLY to the student you choose and will retain ALL of the grade information for that student.

<< back to top 

Within your course, go to

CONTROL PANEL

MANAGE TOOLS (under Course Options)

TOOL AVAILABILITY

Look for "Homepage" and make sure the box to the far right is checked.

Click SUBMIT.

This will set the button "My Homepage" in the course menu.

<< back to top 

How do I add the Homepage button to my course ?
(keyword: homepage button, homepage tool, student profile)

Within your course,

Go to CONTROL PANEL,

Click on MANAGE COURSE MENU

Then, click ADD TOOL

Scroll down and select HOMEPAGE (You have the option to change its name).

When done, click OK.

The HOMEPAGE button will be added to the TOOLS. Student will be able to build a simple profile page with texts, photos and links.

Note: For students to see others' profiles, they will need go to ROSTER within the Communications Area.

<< back to top 

How do I add / remove a banner in my course ?
(keyword: banner, add banner, remove banner, graphic, icon)

As an instructor, you have the ability to add a graphic banner on top of the Announcement page
Go to "Control Panel",
In the "Course Options", click on SETTING
Then click on "Course Design",
Click on "Course Banner".
If you already have a banner, it will show up next to "Current Banner", choose remove this banner to remove the current banner or click Browse and select the new banner in your computer.
Once you are done, click submit

Click here to see a video version of this instruction in Flash.

<< back to top

What does the Tracking Function do for my Blackboard site?
(keyword: tracking, tracking function)

The tracking function allows the instructor to monitor if and when students click on a link, a page,a folder, etc. within the course. The instructor can generate a report of number of times an item is accessed (clicked) and what time of the day, week, or month the item was accessed.

This is especially helpful if a problem occurs with a student in a course using Blackboard. Tracking will record the number of times he/she accessed the the site and or items in the site.

It should be noted that Blackboard reports twice the actual number of "clicks".
<< back to top

How do I turn on the Tracking Function to my Blackboard site?
(keyword: tracking, set tracking, turn on tracking)

Within your course,

Go to CONTROL PANEL,

Go to the Content Area where you added the video links. (If they are in a folder, enter the folder to access the items.)

Look to the far right for the MODIFY, COPY, and REMOVE buttons. Click on MODIFY.

Scroll down the page to the Options. You should see "Track number of views" as the middle choice. The default setting is NO. Change this to YES.

Click SUBMIT.

There should now be a TRACKING button in the button group to the far right, under the REMOVE button.

<< back to top

I have tracking set for some items in my course. How do I see the data or a report of usage?
(keyword: tracking usage, tracking data, tracking report)

Go to CONTROL PANEL,

Go to the Content Area where you added the video links. (If they are in a folder, enter the folder to access the items.)

Look to the far right for the MODIFY, COPY, REMOVE and TRACKING buttons. Click on TRACKING.

You will be asked for details to setup the report. (This can be changed any time.)

Click SUBMIT. You will see charts, graphs, and statistics for the item was accessed (clicked).

You also have buttons at the top to CHANGE FILTER (details for the report), PRINT the report, and EXPORT DATA from the report (spreadsheet).

It should be noted that Blackboard reports twice the actual number of "clicks".

<< back to top

How do I see the course statistics?
(keyword: course statistic)

Go to CONTROL PANEL

Go to COURSE STATISTICS

In area 1- SELECT REPORT: The type of report Overall Summary by default. It is probably best to leave as is.

Area 2 is for you to set the time and select students to monitor.

If you leave the settings alone, this will give ALL results for ALL students in ALL areas.

Click SUBMIT. (Note: This may take a little time to collect data.)

You should see data for each student and pie & bar graphs.

If you want to print the report, click PRINT at the top.

If you want to save the data in the report to your computer, click EXPORT DATA at the top. This saves the report data as a .csv file (comma delimited file) and can be opened in Excel.

If you want to change the way the report collects data, click CHANGE FILTER at the top. (You will go back to Area 1 and Area 2).

When done, click OK.

<< back to top

When I try to print a document from Blackboard it does not print what I expect it to. What do I need to do?
(keyword: print)

Because of framing and other issues, Blackboard doesn't always print the way you might expect it to. The best way to print a document from Blackboard is to:

1. Right-click on the link. (This will be blue.) You will see a small menu.

2. Select "Save Target As..." from the menu.

3. This will bring up a small window to let you select where you want to save the file. (This is usually either "My Documents" or "Desktop".) Choose the location and Click "Save."

4. Minimize the Blackboard window, and go to where you placed the file. Open the file, and print the document.

Note: If you do not have Power Point on your computer, you can purchase Microsoft Office 2003 from the UT Tyler Bookstore for $20. This will contain Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, and Access. You can also purchase Microsoft Office XP for $30. This contains a newer version of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access.

<< back to top

I get a Page not found - 404 error. What do I do ?
(keyword: error, page not found)

You can try to open the link again in a separate window (Right click on the link and choose Open Link in New Window).
If the link address doesn't include uttyler.edu, the link might be broken and not associated with Blackboard.
Please report broken links to your instructor. However, if the link is associated with Blackboard, please report to bbadmin@uttyler.edu

<< back to top

What is the Digital Dropbox ?
(keyword: digital dropbox)

Blackboard has a useful feature for sending files called the "Digital Drop Box."

It is different than using email. Email will limit the attachment size associated with a message. The Digital Drop Box does not.

The principle of the Digital Drop Box is like that of a bank teller box. One user "opens a drawer" and puts something in; the other user "opens the drawer" on their side of the box and retrieves it.

Similarly, a student "loads" a file into his/her drop box and "sends" it to the instructor's drop box. The instructor can then retrieve the file from his/her drop box. In turn, the instructor can "load" and "send" a file from his/ her drop box to a student's drop box for retrieval.

<< back to top

How do I access the Digital Dropbox ?
(keyword: use digital dropbox, where is digital dropbox)

After logging into Blackboard and accessing your course, scroll down the menu buttons on the left-hand side,  click on TOOLS.

In TOOLS, you will see the link for the Digital Drop Box

Click here to see a video version of this instruction in Flash.

<< back to top

To send a file through Digital Dropbox:
(keyword: send file, digital dropbox)

Clicking SEND FILE automatically adds and sends the file through the Digital Drop Box in one step. You do not have a remove option. Once the file is sent, the instructor will have it.
Once you are in the Send file area,
Select the file you want to send in the dropdown menu or click BROWSE to select the new file.
Type in the name of the file,
Type in the comments for the Files (optional)
Once you are done, click submit

Click here to see a video version of this instruction in Flash.

<< back to top

How do I clear out my Digital Drop Box?
(keyword: clear, clear drop box)

Once the student hits SUBMIT and sends a file to you, it is locked until you "release" it.

To release the file, look to the extreme right side for a REMOVE button. Click this and the file will be released back to the student.

The student will now be able to remove the file from his/her dropbox

<< back to top

ASSIGNMENT FUNCTION QUESTIONS

How to add an assignment ?
(keyword: add assignment)

Once you are logged into your course,
Go to Control Panel,.
Click on the ASSIGNMENT link in the Content Area
Choose ASSIGNMENT from the dropdown menu, click GO.
Type in the Name for the assignment,
Enter the possible points for the assignment (this will also appear in Gradebook)
Type in the instructions for the assignment (you can copy and paste the instructions from Microsoft Word..ect)
Choose the appropriate options for the assignment.
You can also attach any files that you would like students to see.
Choose Browse next to FILE TO ATTACH to choose the file you want.
Click Submit.

<< back to top

How do I download the students' assignment ?
(keyword: download assignment, view assignment)

Once a student submits an Assignment, it will appear in the Gradebook.

Go to Control Panel,

Click on GRADEBOOK in the Assessment Area.

Click on the assignment name. (an " ! " sign indicates that you haven't checked the assignment of this student).

Click on ITEM DOWNLOAD.



Select the student from whom you want to download an assignment.

(Click on CHECK ALL will select all the students that have submitted the assignment.

Click Ungraded will select assignments that have not been graded.)

Click Submit.

Blackboard will give you a link to download the assignment.
(ex: Download assignment now. (24KB))

Click on the link, and choose Save.

Locate to where you want to save the file, then click Save.



Note: Blackboard automatically saves the files in a compressed format (.zip).

More information on Zip file see "How to work with a zip file?"

<< back to top

How do I add grades to an assignment ?
(keyword: add grade, view assignment)

Add grades to the assignment is similar to add grade to a test. For more information, see "How do I add grades to a test already in my course on Blackboard?"

<< back to top

Can I transfer only the gradebook items (tests, quizzes, etc.) with no grades to another course in Blackboard?
(keyword: gradebook items, no grades, transfer gradebook)

Yes. There are two ways to do this.

1. You can export the gradebook as a comma delimited file to your hard drive and re-import it into a different course. However, you must import the gradebook items one at a time and you must specify each time which students may see individual items. This requires several "clicks" and is very labor intensive.

2. As an alternative, you can request that the Blackboard Administrator make the transfer for you. This would involve copying the course with only the gradebook portion, with no grades, and importing that on top of the other course.

<< back to top

How do I prevent Blackboard from rounding up a score in the gradebook?
(keyword: round up score, entering score, gradebook)

Blackboard automatically rounds up the number if you set the display as "percentage", and Blackboard will display a letter grade if you set display as "letter" . You can change the display to "score" to fix the problem.

Below is the instruction:
Once you are logged into your course,  click on GRADEBOOK.
Click on MANAGE ITEMS,
Click MODIFY on the desired items (test, assignment...etc)
Look for "Display As", use the drop-down menu to switch the display to "score".
Click SUBMIT

<< back to top

How do I export the Gradebook ?
(keyword: gradebook, export gradebook, save gradebook, grades, save grades)

Go to CONTROL PANEL
In the Assessment Area (on the right-side, middle), click on GRADEBOOK.
Select DOWNLOAD GRADES (fifth button at the top).
You will be asked to select a "delimited" format:

"Select the delimiter type for the downloaded file - COMMA or TAB." Select COMMA and click SUBMIT.

You should received the following message:

"The Gradebook has been saved to a delimited file. Download this file and view it using any software that accepts such formats. The file is named gb_export.csv by default.

Click Download to begin the download."

Click the DOWNLOAD button. (You may be prompted to Save or Open the file. Select SAVE.)

Locate the directory in which the file is to be saved and click SAVE. (Although the file is named gradebook.csv by default, you can change the name.). This file can be opened with EXCEL or any other spreadsheet program.

<< back to top

I have given a paper test but I want to add the grade to Blackboard. How do I add an item to the gradebook?
(keyword: gradebook, paper test, grades, add test grade)

go CONTROL PANEL

go to GRADEBOOK

Look at the top menu and click ADD ITEM.

In Area 1 (Item Information),

Type in an Item Name (name for the grade column in the Gradebook)(**MANDATORY)

The next settings are optional.

Category is the "type" of item you are adding (assignment, final exam, test, etc.) (Default is
ASSIGNMENT.)

Description - you can give a description of the item here.

Date - date of the item

Points Possible - the total points possible for the item.

Display - you can display the grade as SCORE (default), PERCENTAGE, LETTER,
COMPLETE/INCOMPLETE, and TEXT.

Area 2 (Options)

Make item available to users - this makes the item available to the students and allows each student to
see his/her grade only.

Include item in Gradebook score calculations - this tell Blackboard to include the values in this items to be
added to the overall calculation for the course.

When done, click SUBMIT.

Click here to see a video version of this instruction in Flash.
 

<< back to top

How do I add gradebook categories?
(keyword: gradebook category, add category, categories) 

Go to Control Panel, click on GRADEBOOK

Click on GRADEBOOK SETTING, then click on Manage Gradebook Categories

Then click on ADD CATEGORY button on the menu bar..

Type in the title and the description of the new category,

Click SUBMIT button once you are done.

Click here to see a video version of this instruction in Flash.
 

 << back to top

I have a test on Blackboard, but I do not want the grades to go into the overall grade calculation. What do I do?
(keyword: gradebook, grades, grade calculation)

Within your course,

go to CONTROL PANEL

go to GRADEBOOK

click on the HEADING of the exam

go to ITEM INFORMATION

Scroll down to Section 2: OPTIONS

Make item available to users. - choose NO (the test will not be available to students)

Include item in Gradebook score calculations. - choose NO (any grade added will NOT be used for calculation.)

Click SUBMIT.

<< back to top

I have a gradebook item I want to remove, but it has no remove option. How can I remove this item?
(keyword: remove topic, remove option)

<< back to top

How do I create a test /exam / quiz in my course ?
(keyword: test, assessment, exam, quiz, survey)


Go to CONTROL PANEL.

Click on TEST MANAGER (under Assessment).

Click ADD TEST.

Follow the screens and enter required data (marked with *).

Click Submit each time to continue.

(Please See How do I add questions?)

<< back to top

How do I add questions to a test /exam / quiz?
(keyword: add test questions, add questions, create questions, questions)

In the Test Canvas Area,

Click CREATION SETTINGS. These are the settings for the test and need to be set BEFORE creating the test.

(Options include Default point value, Adding images, Adding categories and keywords.)

Click SUBMIT.

Choose the type of question you want to add (Multiple Choice, True/False, etc.).

Click GO.

Follow the screens and enter the data:

Type in the question

Choose number of possible answers

Type in the answers

Choose the correct answer

Type in the point value for this question. (This OVERRIDES the default point value.)

(You can also type in the Feedback for correct and incorrect answers.)

Click Submit.



Please keep in mind that the students will not be able to take the test unless you make it available in a CONTENT AREA.

(See How to Make a Test Available for Students.)

Click here to see a video version of this instruction in Flash.


<< back to top

How can I add images to a test /exam / quiz?
(keyword: images, test, exam, quiz)

After you create a test, in the Test manager, click MODIFY then CREATION SETTINGS. You'll see a check box to Add images, files, and external links to questions.

The first two textboxes allow you to add a picture (Browse to the location, decide what action to do).

The next two boxes are to add a URL (web address, name). If you enter values in only one of these boxes, you will get an error message: "undefined". If you want to add a web address, must enter values into both text boxes.

After doing this, when adding questions to your test, you'll see the option "Upload Image".

<< back to top

How do I make a test /exam / quiz available for students?
(keyword: available, test, assessment, exam, quiz, survey)

To make a Test available in Blackboard 6:

(NOTE: This is for a test/exam/quiz already prepared on Blackboard 6)

Within your course,

Go to CONTROL PANEL

Go to the CONTENT AREA you wish to add the Test (ex. Course Information, Course Documents, Assignments, etc.)

Click TEST on the menu bar (in the middle of the page)

Select the Test you wish to use from the list.

Click SUBMIT.

On the next page,

Select MODIFY COURSE OPTIONS

Scroll down and look for MAKE ASSESSMENT AVAILABLE. Check the YES button
(right under is a selection to add a pre-formatted announcement for the test in ANNOUNCEMENTS)

You also have options to:

Set the Time Length for the test to be taken

Set Dates for the test to be available. (We recommend that this option not be used. If the course is copied to another semester, the Dates are STILL set to the original dates.)

Scoring ( You can select for the student to only see the score, his/her answers - right or wrong, all the questions and answers, or everything with feedback.)

Presentation of the Test (All the questions all at once, or one at a time, with the option for No Backtracking (going Back))

Click SUBMIT

NOTE: The COURSE OPTIONS can be changed anytime, even while the test is available to students.


<< back to top

How do I make a test /exam / quiz unavailable in the content area ?
(keyword: make test unavailable, assessment)

To make a test unavailable, go to the content area you wish to remove the test.

Click on "Modify"  on the right of test, then click on "Modify the test options".

Under Test Availability, choose NO for the question "Do you want to make the link visible ?"

** When you make it unavailable, it is still in the content area but the student won't be able to see the link to it. **

To remove a test from a content area, see "How do I remove a test from a content area?"

Click here to see a video version of this instruction in Flash.

<< back to top

How do I remove a test /exam / quiz from the content area ?
(keyword: remove test, remove assessment)

To remove the test from the content area, go to the content area to wish to remove the test,

Click on "Remove" on the right of the test.

Click here to see a video version of this instruction in Flash.

<< back to top

How do I "unlock" a student inside a test /exam / quiz in Blackboard?
(keyword: unlock, clear, clear attempt)

When you look at the gradebook you should see a padlock or exclamation point in the place of a student's grade. This indicates the system had a problem with the student's attempt.

Click on the padlock or exclamation point in the gradebook entry for the student.
Click on View.
Click on Clear Attempt.

The student will now be allowed to make another attempt at the exam/quiz (provided the exam/quiz is still available).

<< back to top

How do I add grades to a test /exam / quiz already in my course on Blackboard?
(keyword: add grades, grades)

go CONTROL PANEL

go to GRADEBOOK

You should see a list of students to the left and headings of graded "items" at the top.

Click on the heading of the graded item you need to add grades.

go to ITEM GRADE LIST

On the next page, you should see to the far right boxes to add values for each student.

Enter values for the grades in the boxes.

Click SUBMIT.

Click here to see a video version of this instruction in Flash.

<< back to top

How do I view the test /exam / quiz results?
(keyword: view results, test results, exam results, quiz results, statistics)

Go to GRADEBOOK VIEWS

Scroll to the end of the list (Blackboard puts the most recent addition at the end of the list)

Click on the desired item. Each item will labeled as to its classification ( assessments, survey, exam, etc.)

In Item options,

ITEM GRADE LIST will allow you to view the individual results and change them if needed.

ITEM DETAIL gives statistics for the item.

ITEM INFORMATION allows you to change the name, description and availability of the test/ exam/ quiz.

ASSESSMENT ATTEMPT DETAILS will allow you % answered and unanswered.
This will give a listing of the responses made to the exam, but not who made the responses.

DOWNLOAD RESULTS - you can download the exam results to your computer.

<< back to top

I would like to administer an exam on Blackboard 6 through the UT Tyler Campus Computing Center. What services are offered and what do I need to do?
(keyword: CCC, administer exam, proctor, proctor exam, give exam)

We can provide a limited proctoring service at this time.

Please see the attached bulletin, "PROCTORED TESTS - Campus Computing Center (CCC)"

<< back to top

What can I do with the Pool Manager?
(keyword: about pool, pool manager)

Pool Manager allows Instructors to stores questions that can be export into Tests or other Pools.

Click here to see a video version of this instruction in Flash.


<< back to top

How do I create a Pool in Blackboard?
(keyword: create pool, add pool, add a pool)

Creating a pool is similar to creating a test. Pool questions don't include points. The instructor assigns a point value when a Pool question is added to a test.

To create a pool:
Go to CONTROL PANEL.
Click on POOL MANAGER.
Click on ADD POOL,
Type in the title for the Pool in "Name"
Type in the description and instruction (optional) for the Pool
Click Submit

REMEMBER:  A Pool is like a Test Bank, and the questions are used to create tests / exams / quizzes.

To add questions to a pool , see How do I add questions to a pool?

<< back to top

How do I add questions to a pool?
(keyword: add question, pool question)

Choose the type of question you want to add (Multiple Choice, True/False, etc.). You can also add questions from another Pool, Test, or Survey.
Click GO.
Follow the screens and enter the data:
Type in the question
Choose number of possible answers
Type in the answers
Choose the correct answer
(You can also type in the Feedback for correct and incorrect answers.)
Click Submit.

<< back to top

How do I export a Pool ?
(keyword: export pool, save pool)

Go to CONTROL PANEL.
Click on POOL MANAGER.
On the right of the pool you want to export, click Export

<< back to top

How do I import a Pool?
(keyword: import pool)

If you have exported a pool, you can import it back into Blackboard.

Go to CONTROL PANEL.
Click on POOL MANAGER.
Click on IMPORT POOL
Click Browse to locate the path of the pool. Click Submit.
The receipt of the previous process will show up.

NOTE: The Pool file must be in .zip format when it is imported.

<< back to top

How do I pull questions from pool to create a test?
(keyword: use pool, pull questions, add pool, import pool)

Click here to see how to create a test.
Assumed you have created the test already,
Go to TEST MANAGER in Control Panel.
Click MODIFY on the test you want to add questions to.
Once you are in the test canvas, next to "Add Questions", choose "From a Questions Pool or Assessment".
Click on the pool you want to use. Select the types of questions you want to add to the test.
Click SUBMIT once you are done.

If you want Blackboard to randomly picks questions from the Pool, click on "Random Block" instead of " "From a Questions Pool or Assessment".
After that, type in the number of questions to import and the points per questions.
Click Ok once you are done.

<< back to top

How do I create a Survey in Blackboard?
(keyword: create survey, add survey, make survey, survey)

Creating a Survey is similar to creating a test. There are no point values for Surveys.

To create a Survey:

Go to CONTROL PANEL.
Click on SURVEY MANAGER.
Click on ADD SURVEY
Type in the title for the Survey in "Name"
Type in the description and instruction (optional) for the Survey
Click Submit

To add questions to a pool , see How do I add questions to a survey?

<< back to top

How do I add questions to a survey?
(keyword: survey, questions, survey questions, add)

Choose the type of question you want to add (Multiple Choice, True/False, etc.). You can also add questions from a Pool, Test, or another Survey.
Click GO.
Follow the screens and enter the data:
Type in the question
Choose number of possible answers
Type in the answers

Click SUMBIT.

<< back to top

How do I use a survey in a course content area?
(keyword:  display survey, show survey, deploy survey)

Within your course,

go to CONTROL PANEL

go to a Content Area (Assignments, Course Information,etc.)

Look to the far right, upper corner for the Select Drop Down Box (first selection will be LEARNING UNIT). Select SURVEY. Click GO.

In the next screen, you are asked the select a Survey from a list. Click on the desired survey and click the SUBMIT button.

The next screen will have two links:

Modify the Survey (Here you can change the questions)

Modify the Survey Options (click this one to set the availability, how the survey opens, and the times for the survey)

Click SUBMIT, OK, and another OK.

You should be back at the Content Area you selected in CONTROL PANEL.

The survey is now deployed and ready to take.

<< back to top

How do I view the survey results?
(keyword: view results, survey, survey results, statistics)

Go to GRADEBOOK VIEWS

Scroll to the end of the list (Blackboard puts the most recent addition at the end of the list)

Click on the desired item. Each item will labeled as to its classification ( assessments, survey, etc.)

In Item options,

ITEM GRADE LIST will allow you to view who has taken the survey, but not the individual's survey results.

ITEM DETAIL gives statistics for the item.

ITEM INFORMATION allows you to change the name, description and availability of the survey.

ASSESSMENT ATTEMPT DETAILS will allow you to view the Survey results.
This will give a listing of the responses made to the survey, but not who made the responses.

DOWNLOAD RESULTS - you can download the survey results to your computer.

Click here to see a video version of this instruction in Flash.

<< back to top

How do I add a new forum to the Discussion Board ?
(keyword: add forum, add discussion board)

Go to Control Panel

Click on Discussion Board

Click on on the Add Forum button

Type in the title and description

Select your desired settings for the forum.

You can also change user setting (apply privileges to users):

Admin: privileges to create and manage forums
Normal: Default setting
Block / Unblock: user from posting to the forum.

When done, click Submit

Click here to see a video version of this instruction in Flash.

<< back to top

I would like to use chat sessions this semester. What do I do to connect to the chat room?
(chat, chat room, collaboration)

You will need to click the Communication menu button.
(If you click the button and a message shows saying “Folder Empty”, you do not have the Communication Tool activated. Please scroll down and see

How do I add the Communication Area to my course? (keyword: communication area, roster, group pages)

for directions to add this button.)

In Communication, you should see several “tools”:

Announcements   Collaboration   Discussion Board   Roster   Send Email

Click on Collaboration. You will see various sessions to join.
(There will be two “default” sessions – Office Hours, and Lecture Hall.) You should specify which session, or setup a new session, to use for your course.

When you find the appropriate session, click on JOIN at the right.
You should see a Java Chat window pop up. Type text in the text area at the bottom and click SEND.

Use this as you would any other chat or immediate messaging program.

<< back to top

If you don’t see the window pop up, there are a couple of items you need to check.

1. You may need to allow pop-ups to the Blackboard site.

You can allow pop-ups by clicking on the notification bar at the top of the screen and selecting either “Temporarily Allow Pop-ups”, or “Allow Pop-ups”.

"Temporarily Allow Pop-ups" will permit pop-ups only while the current window is open to the site.

"Allow Pop-ups" basically turns off the Pop-up Blocker.

You can also allow pop-ups by opening a browser window (Internet Explorer), selecting TOOLS at the menu toolbar and then selecting POP-UP BLOCKER. Here you can turn off or change the settings of the Pop-up Blocker.

Turning off the Pop-up Blocker will allow ALL Pop-ups from ANY page.

Changing the settings of the Pop-up Blocker lets you specify sites for allowing pop-ups.

You can set a specific web site as "trusted". This will prevent pop-ups from being blocked only at this site.
To do this, enter an internet address in the text area and click ADD to make it a “trusted site”.

You can also change the filter setting at the bottom.
Setting the filter to “LOW: Allow pop-ups from secure sites” will allow some pop-ups.

2. You may need to install the Java Plug-in.

If you need to install the Java Plug-in, click on the Java Plug-in link on the Blackboard page and follow the directions.

(From the Blackboard page:)

If the Java Plug-in is not installed or there are problems loading Chat, download the Java Plug-in.

(To avoid problems, this should be checked well in advance of the time of the Chat Session.)