Blackboard
Blackboard is course management software. Teaching faculty and staff at St. Mary's may use the software to support their educational effort. Blackboard courses are accessed using a Web browser, which requires no special downloads for either instructors or students in most cases. See the computer requirements section for further information on hardware and software requirements. This page covers logging into Blackboard and some general usage.
Link to Blackboard Student Resources (including user manual)
Blackboard FAQ
- Where do I log into Blackboard?
- What computer hardware and software do I need?
- What is the best Internet browser to use with Blackboard?
- What settings does my browser need to properly access Blackboard?
- How do I change my personal information in Blackboard?
- How do I download files from Blackboard?
- How do I open files in Blackboard?
- How do I print files from Blackboard?
- How do I print PowerPoint handouts from Blackboard?
- Where do I find my courses on Blackboard?
- What is the Blackboard Digital Drop Box?
- How do I use the Blackboard Digital Drop Box?
- How do I send email from Blackboard?
- Why am I not receiving email from Blackboard?
- How do I use the Discussion Board on Blackboard?
- Can a document sent to the Digital Drop Box be unsent or replaced?
- How do I adjust the text size on the Blackboard navigation tabs?
- How do I set my Internet Service Provider (ISP) time-out settings to the maximum allowed time?
- Where can documents be posted to share with classmates?
- Why are past semester courses showing up in Blackboard?
- Why do I get a "No authentication credentials were provided with the request" message when I try to log into Blackboard?
- Why does an attached file give 404 errors when opening is attempted?
- Why does Blackboard occasionally prohibit logins?
- Why is my course not listed in Blackboard?
Where do I log into Blackboard?
The Web address for Blackboard at SMCM is http://blackboard.smcm.edu/. You will need your student username and the default Blackboard password. This password is generated using "Abcd" and the last four digits of your Social Security number. For example, if Jane Doe's SSN is 123-45-6789, her password for Blackboard will be "Abcd6789". Once you have logged in for the first time, you may change your password to one of your choosing.
What computer hardware and software do I need?
Blackboard developers recommend the following hardware specifications:
Minimum Hardware Requirements (Any computer new after 2005 should meet these requirements)
- PC Configuration:
- 400 Megahertz Intel Pentium III Processor (933 preferred)
- 64 Megabytes RAM (128 or more preferred)
- 6-Gigabyte Hard Drive
- 17" Monitor
- 56.6 Kbps Modem (or Cable Modem / DSL if available)
- Mac Configuration:
- 400 Megahertz iMac (933 preferred)
- 64 MB RAM (128 or more preferred)
- 6 Gigabytes Hard Drive
- 56.6 K Modem (or Cable Modem / DSL if available)
- 17" Monitor
- Macintosh OS 9
These specifications ensure that all aspects of Blackboard will function properly. For software: Blackboard recommends that participants use the Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher Web browser. Microsoft Word is recommended as SMCM faculty members frequently use Word for their course documents. Microsoft PowerPoint or a free download of the PowerPoint viewer are suggested to provide easy access to instructor presentations. Another free download, Adobe Acrobat Reader, will be needed if the instructor uses files in PDF format. Certain other software may be requested by individual instructors to access their course files.
What is the best Internet browser to use with Blackboard?
Blackboard recommends that participants use the Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher Web browser and Firefox 2.0 or higher browser may work with Blackboard 6, but Internet Service Provider (ISP) browsers do not. You may access the Internet through your ISP; e.g. AOL, MSN, AT&T, etc.; however, to access Blackboard properly, minimize the ISP browser after you reach the Internet, open Internet Explorer (IE) or Firefox (FF), and use IE or FF to access Blackboard.
What settings does my browser need to properly access Blackboard?
Required browser settings for logging into Blackboard include the following:
- Accept all cookies
- Security Level set at Medium
- Enable JavaScript
In Internet Explorer you may reset these settings by clicking on Tools in the menu bar at the top of your browser. Next click on Internet Options and find and set proper features under the Security tab and Custom Level button. If your instructor is using the Blackboard Virtual Classroom, Java must be enabled. Macintosh Netscape users will need Java MJR 2.2.5 (http://www.apple.com/java) and the Mozilla MJR plug-in for Netscape (http://www.mozilla.org/oji/MRJPlugin.html).
How do I change my personal information in Blackboard?
Click on Personal Information in the Tools box. Click on Edit Personal Information. Correct your email address to the one you most commonly use or desire to use for Blackboard related e-correspondence. Your first name, last name, and email address are required fields. All other fields are optional but may be used to share information about yourself with others in your classes. Remember anyone in the St. Mary's Blackboard system can see your personal information so enter only information you are willing to share with everyone.
How do I download files from Blackboard?
From a content area in Blackboard, right-click on the file name to be downloaded and select Save Target As. In the Save As window that pops up browse for the folder where the file is to be stored on your network drive space, hard drive, zip drive, or floppy drive. After this drive or folder is present in the Save in: box, click Save. Click Open or Close to proceed.
How do I open files in Blackboard?
From a content area in Blackboard, right-click on the file name to be downloaded and select either Open or Open on New Window. Open should open the file for viewing in the Blackboard desktop unless the Instructor has determined that the file should be opened in a new window. Click either Open or Save when prompted. Click back on a course content button or on the browser back button to return to the Blackboard course. Clicking on Open in New Window will cause a new browser window to open with the file present. Click either Open or Save when prompted. Click the close button of the newly opened browser window to return to the Blackboard course. If you have difficulties opening a file from within Blackboard, try saving it to your computer (with Save Target As or Save) and then opening the file and printing it from the application it was developed in; e.g. PowerPoint, Excel, Word, etc.).
How do I print files from Blackboard?
From a content area in Blackboard, right-click on the file name to be printed and select Print Target. Select desired printer and printing options in the popup Print window. To print PowerPoint slides as handouts with note areas: click in the Print what: box and select handouts, then under Handouts, select 3 Slides per page: . Finally click either Print Preview and Print, Print, or OK to print the file or selected portions of the file.
How do I print PowerPoint handouts from Blackboard?
From a content area in Blackboard, right-click on the PowerPoint file name to be printed and select Print Target. Select desired printer and printing options in the popup Print window. If you want to print only the current slide or selected slides make your choice(s) in the Print range area. Click in the Print what: box and select Slides, Handouts, Notes Pages, or Outline View. To print PowerPoint slides as handouts with note areas: click in the Print what: box and select handouts, then under Handouts, select 3 Slides per page:. To select other numbers of slides per Handout, select the number you want printed under Slides per page: and select to print order you desire. Finally click either Print Preview and Print, Print, or OK to print the file or selected portions of the file.
Where do I find my courses on Blackboard?
After logging into Blackboard you will be positioned under the My Institution tab. All of your courses that are available on Blackboard will be listed by name. Clicking on any course name will take you directly into the selected course. You may also find your course(s) by clicking on the Course tab, then clicking on the course name from the My Courses box on the right side of the Courses page. Note: not all instructors use Blackboard and some may not yet have made their courses available for access on Blackboard. If you cannot find a course you are enrolled in on Blackboard and your instructor has indicated that Blackboard will be used, contact Technology Services by phone at 240.895.2357 or by email at studenthelpdesk@smcm.edu.
What is the Blackboard Digital Drop Box?
Blackboard's Digital Drop Box can be used to store your work-in-progress files for access from anywhere via the Internet, send homework and other files to instructors, and receive private feedback from instructors. It can be found under the Tools button in the course content area.
How do I use the Blackboard Digital Drop Box?
To access the Digital Drop Box, click on Tools. Click on Digital Drop Box. To add a document, click on Add File, type in a Title and Comments, then browse for file to be added and double-click on the file name. Click on Submit when finished, then click OK twice. Important : This only stores the file in the Digital Drop Box. To send the file to the instructor, click on Send. Select file to send by clicking on down arrow at the right of the Select file box. Add comments. Click Submit, then click OK twice.
How do I send email from Blackboard?
To send an email from Blackboard start by clicking on Send Email in the Tools box under the My Institution tab or by clicking on the Communication, Groups, or Tools buttons in the course content area. Click on Send Email. Select groups or the entire class by checking the appropriate box, or select the Instructor or individual recipients of email by clicking in check boxes next to their name. Type in Subject and Message. To add attachment(s) click on Add, browse for the file, double-click on it, click Submit, and repeat as needed. Note: Blackboard does not retain Sent mail so either send a copy to yourself in the Send To list or check the Send Copy To Self box before clicking on Submit. Click Submit then click OK twice after seeing Receipt:Success notice.
Why am I not receiving email from Blackboard?
The spam filter on your email client (Yahoo, Hotmail, AOL, Earth-link, etc.) is set too high or rules have not been set to recognize email from Blackboard as being valid email. Look for an email message from Blackboard in your Bulk, Junk, or Spam mailboxes and set rules to accept mail from that Blackboard source. Spam filters commonly regard any mail sent to a multiple recipient list as spam. If you continue to have difficulty receiving email sent to you from Blackboard and your instructor or classmates have confirmed that Blackboard email has been sent to you, contact Technology Services by phone at 240.895.2357 or by email at studenthelpdesk@smcm.edu.
How do I use the Discussion Board on Blackboard?
The Discussion Board is a way to conduct asynchronous (not at the same time) discussions and share information and files with classmates and your instructor. Discussion Boards or Forums are set up by the instructor and may involve the whole class or be organized as group activities. To enter a class or group discussion forum click on Communication, Discussion Board, or Groups. To participate in a Forum, click on the Forum Name. To open a new discussion thread, click on the Add New Thread button. Type in the Subject and Message of your contribution. You may attach a file to support your position or share additional information with the class or group. Click Submit when finished. To respond to a message, click on message, click on Reply and follow step 4 above. Some instructors require and/or monitor Discussion Board participation and may include your contributions in their grading system.
Can a document sent to the Digital Drop Box be unsent or replaced?
A document placed in the Digital Drop Box can be edited, removed, or replaced only if it has not been sent. Once the document has been sent to the instructor it cannot be unsent or replaced. Contact the instructor by email or phone and ask permission to replace the sent document with a new document. Add comments to the new document be before clicking Send to explain the circumstances of the replacement.
How do I adjust the text size on the Blackboard navigation tabs?
- Click on View in your Internet Explorer browser dropdown menus.
- Hover the cursor over Text Size and select Medium or larger.
How do I set my Internet Service Provider (ISP) time-out settings to the maximum allowed time? (This only applies for dialup users)
To do this (in Windows):
- Click on Start, Settings, and then click on Control Panel.
- Double-click on Internet.
- Click on the Connection tab near the top of the Internet window.
- Under Dial-up settings, choose the service you use to connect to the Internet.
- Click on the Settings button.
- Click on the Advanced button near the bottom. You should see a check box in the window that appears that says "Disconnect if idle for _____ minutes."
- You can set this higher than its current value, but do not uncheck the option.
If you have a Macintosh computer, please contact the Student Help Desk if you are having connection problems with Blackboard.
Where can documents be posted to share with classmates?
If your instructor has enabled the Discussion Board, documents may be shared in a discussion forum by attaching them to New Threads or to replies.
- Click on the Discussion Board button in your Blackboard class
- Click on the forum you want to enter
- Click on New Thread or on the comment you want to reply to
- Click Reply
- Add message text
- Add the attachment file path and file name in the Attachment box OR
- Click the Browse button
- Find the file and double-click on the file name
- Click Preview to see what the document looks like
- Click Submit to post the final document
If your instructor has enabled Groups and you want to share a file with group members only:
- Click on the Groups button in your Blackboard class
- Click on the group you are in and either attach the file to a group discussion forum OR
- Use File Exchange
- Click Add File
- Enter a Title and add the file path and name in the File box or
- Click Browse button
- Find the file to be attached and double-click on the file name
- Click Submit
- Click OK
Why are past semester courses showing up in Blackboard?Instructors sometimes forget to make courses unavailable to students at the end of a semester. Either contact the instructor to remind them that the course is still available or contact Technology Services by phone at 240.895.2357 or by email at studenthelpdesk@smcm.edu.
Why do I get a "No authentication credentials were provided with the request" message when I try to log into Blackboard?
You may have failed to log out of Blackboard using the logout button. Your password may have been incorrectly entered, be expired, or be disabled. Try reentering your password or wait 30 minutes and try logging in again. Always log out of Blackboard using the logout button.
Why does an attached file give 404 errors when opening is attempted?
The file name probably contains a special character: e.g. #,&,',@ etc. Blackboard 6.0.10 and lower cannot open files with special characters in the file name. Rename the file without using special characters in the file name before attaching files.
Why does Blackboard occasionally prohibit logins?
If you sometimes seem to be locked out of Blackboard, the problem is likely a failure to log out of Blackboard with the logout button. Logging out incorrectly can interfere with subsequent log in attempts. Wait 30 minutes and try logging in again. Always log out of Blackboard with the logout button, never by just closing the browser.
Why is my course not listed in Blackboard?
Not all instructors elect to use Blackboard in their courses. Ask your instructor if the class is on Blackboard. Your instructor may have forgotten to make the course available to students or may be delaying making the course available until components are ready for access. Check with your instructor or contact Technology Services by phone at 240.895.2357 or by email at studenthelpdesk@smcm.edu.
