Blackboard Login Tips

AVOID LOGIN PROBLEMS

Always use Internet Explorer to connect to your Blackboard course.

If Internet Explorer is already installed on your computer, check the version. Open Internet Explorer and click on the "Help" menu at the top of your screen. Then click on "About Explorer" to see your version. (Click here for a demonstration.)
As of May 2005, the latest version is Version 6, SP1. If you do not have Internet Explorer (IE), Click here to download the latest IE browser.

Always use the Internet Explorer browser instead of the AOL or CompuServe browser.
If you are an AOL customer and you use the AOL browser, you will have difficulty using Blackboard for Internet courses. Instead, connect to the Internet with AOL as you usually do, minimize your AOL browser screen as shown below, and then open Internet Explorer and use it to connect to your course:

Install and maintain an anti-virus program.
To make sure that your computer is not infected with a computer virus, especially if you download software from the Internet from sources other than updates to your operating system and anti-virus updates or if you use Microsoft Outlook to send and receive email message, you must install an effective anti-virus program. Traditional ones are Norton and McAfee, but the Panda Titanium Antivirus 2004 is reportedly inexpensive and more effective than others.

Use the appropriate screen resolution.
To make sure that your screen resolution is best, you should minimize all of your open programs by clicking on the "minus" button in the upper right corner of all open programs until you return to your opening desktop screen (the one with icons on it) and then click your right mouse button on any space on the screen (not on an icon). On the menu the appears, click on "Properties." Then click on the "Settings" tab at the top of the Display Properties dialog box.

If you are using a 15-inch monitor, your "desktop area" should be set at 640 x 480 with the highest "color palette" setting that your system will support.
If you are using a 17-inch monitor, your "desktop area" should be set at 800 x 600 with the highest "color palette" setting that your system will support.
If you are using a 19-inch monitor or larger, your "desktop area" should be at the largest setting (1024 x 768) unless you like larger images on the screen. If so, choose 800 x 600. In any case, use the highest "color palette" setting that your system will support.

Avoid login, browser, and software problems.
If you are denied login to Blackboard on your first attempt to enter your username and password and have entered your username and password correctly, or if you have problems taking tests or sending or receiving email from the course, be sure that you follow these guidelines:

Use an up-to-date Internet Explorer browser. Check your browser version and download the latest version of IE (IE6, SP1), if necessary, from Microfsoft Download. Note: To determine your version, click "Help" on your IE menu bar and then "About Internet Explorer."
Be sure to accept "cookies." Be sure to click "Tools" on the Internet Explorer menu bar and then click "Internet Options":

Then click the "Privacy" tab on the "Internet Options" dialog box:

Then click and move the slider to "accept cookies," but no higher than "medium." Finally, click the "OK" button:

Save the correct Blackboard login page in your "Favorites." In order to avoid this problem, always begin your login attempt from the page that displays the following image and save the address of that page in your "Favorites":

Remember: Save the address of the page that displays the above image in your "Favorites." After you click the "login" button, you will go to the next page, which displays this login dialog box:

Do not save the address of the page that displays the above dialog box or the page that displays your course. You must begin your login process from the page that displays the previous Blackboard login image.

Be sure that you have paid your bill to your Internet Service Provider.

Maintain the appropriate settings if you use a firewall. If you have installed a firewall on your computer, be sure that your firewall permits your Online Learning login page as noted above.
Disable an accelerator program. If you are using a dial-up connection that is also using an "accelerator" program, you will have to disable it. The reason you will have to do this is the "accelerator" programs do not actually speed up the dial-up connection. Instead, the "cache" the frequently used Web pages so that your browser already has a stored image of those pages. The problem inherent in this system is that Blackboard pages are dynamic; each time you connect to one you are receiving the latest version that may include updates from your professor. A discussion forum may change by the minute as teachers and students add comment.
Thus click the "Start" button at the bottom left corner of your computer screen, then click the link to all programs. Then find the name of the Internet provider, such as Earthlink Total Access. Then look for an accelerator program. You can also "right click" the link to the program on the status bar near the lower right corner of your screen and then click "disable" on the "accelerator" program. Then you will be able to access all components of Blackboard. You also have to make sure that you check the "Tools" menu item on your browser and make sure that the "Privacy" setting via the Internet Options link on the Tools menu allows "cookies" so that Blackboard can identify you each time you connect.

Use the required programs or plug-ins. Blackboard requires the Java client program to be installed on your computer since it uses "Java Applets" in its login procedure, text editor, and certain types of online tests. If you are using Windows XP, it probably does not contain the Java program. If that is the case, Blackboard will install the program on your computer unless you have blocked the ability of another program to install programs on your computer if if you are using a computer in a network environment whose firewall does not permit Blackboard to install the Java program on your computer. If you are unable to login or access tests, you may need to install the Java program yourself. The following link will give you a connection and directions to download the "Java Runtime Environment" and other plug-ins for using sound and video files: Download Center.

Check the settings if you use a pop-up blocker. If you are using a "pop-up" blocker," be sure to set it to permit access each page within the Blackboard site course site or within Blackboard Support. Pop-up blockers will prevent Blackboard discussion forums or quizzes from appearing in a new window.

Check the settings if you use a spam blocker. If you are using a "spam blocker," be sure to give it access to your Blackboard course and any email received from your course. Otherwise, you will have to turn off or disable any "spam blockers" before you attempt to login. Spam blockers will prevent your instructor from sending an email message to you from the course.

Tips for Printing Online Documents

Internet Web sites often display their pages in frames. A navigation or table of contents frame is often placed on the left side of the page (screen) with links to other pages within the Web site. The content pages are usually displayed on the right or center section of the screen. To print a copy of any page, follow these steps: Click in any white space in the frame on the right side of your screen (or in the content area that you wish to print) and then click on the Print button near the top of your Internet browser screen. If you prefer, click File on the menu bar. When the File menu appears, click "Print" if you are using Internet Explorer. click "Print Frame" if you are using Netscape. When the Print dialog box appears, click the OK button to print the text in the frame.