I have a student who is not currently enrolled in my course, but who needs access to the course Blackboard site. How do I request for this student to be added to the Blackboard site as an "exception"?

Is there a Blackboard Manual available online that I can access?

Q: How do I access Blackboard? What is my password and I.D.?

A: To login to the Blackboard system, here are the steps:

On the Internet, Go to the URL: my.ltu.edu
Enter in the Username as follows: The capital letter of your first name, the
capital letter of your last name, followed by your 9 digit Banner ID. eg.
LWxxxxxxxxx
For the Password, Enter in the 9 digit Banner ID (no initials). Click on Login.

Note: After initial login, please Go to the Tools button, after you have
entered into a course. Click on Personal Information. Then Select Change
Password. You can also update your E-mail address by clicking on the link
Edit Personal Information.
The My Courses box is at the lower right of your screen when you scroll
down.
Click on a course to enter into it.
Click on Course Information, to check where the syllabus is posted. You may
also check in the Course Documents button.

Q: What are my Blackboard Username and Password?

A: You have three different usernames and passwords on campus.

Here is the information to access each of the following systems:

1) BannerWeb
Username: Nine Digit Banner ID number
PIN: Initally your Date of Birth in the format of MMDDYY

2) Blackboard Account
Username: Your Initials (LW) followed by your Nine Digit Banner I.D. number
Password: Initially it is only your Nine digit Banner ID number.

3) Network/Email Account
Username: It is given to you when your are issued your laptop. Your Username
is usually your last name, or some form of your last name such as
your first initial followed by your last name
Password: It is also given to you when your are issued your laptop.

Q: How can I login to Blackboard if I have forgotten my Password?

A: You may reset your password using information entered in via E-mail.

Go to my.ltu.edu.
Click on the link, Forgot your password.
On the Lost Password Page, Enter in your First Name, Last Name, and User Name.
Click Submit.
An E-mail will be sent to the preferred E-mail you have listed in Blackboard. Go to this address to open the message sent from the Blackboard Administrator.
Click on the link provided in the text of the message.
Select a new Password. Enter it in.
Enter in the new Password in the Verify Password text box.
Note: Passwords are case letter sensitive, for lower and uppercase letters. You may also use numbers in your Blackboard Password. A suggestion is to have a password at least 6 characters in length.
Click on Submit. Your Password has now been reset.
Go to my.ltu.edu.
Login to Blackboard using your new password.
Note: Your Password will not expire in Blackboard. It will remain unchanged until you decide to modify it.

With any questions, you may contact the Veraldi Instructional Technology Resource Center (VITRC) during business hours, to have someone on our staff assist you. The direct phone number is as follows: (248) 204-3750. Our office location on campus is A-125.

Q: How Can I get a Banner I.D.?

A: Banner IDs are not requested. They are assigned once they are entered into Banner. For students, this process begins in the Admissions Department.

For faculty, this process begins with their academic department. The academic department first needs to follow through with HR to get a faculty member into the Banner system. Then the academic department follows through with the Registrar's Office, so the faculty member will be assigned to courses listed in Blackboard.

Q: I am not able to access Blackboard today at http://my.ltu.edu. The page does not display, so is the site down?

A: To check the status of Blackboard, go to http://www.ltu.edu. Select the Faculty & Staff navigation button near the top left of the screen. Select the VITRC link near the bottom left of the page. The Blackboard Status contact information is listed in view.

You can also contact the Blackboard advisory line at (248) 204-3999 to check the status of Blackboard.

Q: How does the Guest Access feature in Blackboard enable users to view my course?

A: When you enable Guest Access, it allows a guest that is not enrolled in your course to view course materials. A guest at LTU is someone within the university community with a Banner ID. First, the user has to login to Blackboard with their user account. If the course is Guest Enabled by an instructor, then the guest will be able to view course content in a Bb site.

Q: Blackboard is available to other users, yet I am unable to login to Blackboard from a computer off of the campus. What can you suggest?

A: Since Blackboard is available, and able to be accessed by other users off of the campus at other sites, here are some steps to clean out your computer. These steps will enable you to access the Blackboard portal page:

1. Open your browser, Internet Explorer for example.
2. Select Tools from the top menu bar.
3. Select Options.
4. Next, delete the cookies and temporary internet files.
5. Close your browser.
6. Please try again to access the following web page:
   
   http://my.ltu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp
   Please Note: The above steps may take some time to register with your internet service provider (ISP), when it is updated on their end. After the process is updated with your ISP, the Bb page should be in view for login from your computer.

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Q: How can I view a Blackboard course site using guest access?

A: Login to Blackboard, then:

1. Select the Courses tab to the upper left of your screen.
2. In the Course Search text box on the left, enter in the name of the course, eg. Human Resources Management. Or, you may enter in the 4 digit CRN for the course, eg. 1510.
3. Select Go.
4. The course and instructor’s name will be in view. Select the Preview button on the right of the screen. Note: If there is no Preview button, the instructor has not opened the course for guest access. Content areas only that are open for guest access will be in view.

Q: How do I change my Blackboard Password, so it is different than the initial login Password? Does my Password for login to Blackboard expire?

A: After initial login, Go to the Tools area on the left. Select Personal Information. Click on Change Password. Enter in a Password in the first box. Enter in this same password in the Verify Password box. Note: Capital and lowercase letters, as well as numbers may be used in your Bb password. Click on Submit. A date and stamped time receipt will be in view, indicating a successful password update.

This password will be used each time you login to Blackboard. Blackboard passwords do not expire. It is recommended that you change your password periodically, for your own security protection.

Q: How can I update my E-mail address for accessing messages sent from my Bb course site? When I specify my preferred E-mail address in Blackboard, where do I check my E-mail?

A: After initial login, Go to the Tools area on the left. Select Personal Information. Click on Edit Personal Information. The E-mail address you are set-up with in Bb is your LTU address. You may change your E-mail address by entering it in the box. Note: Bb will allow you to enter in only one preferred E-mail address. Click on Submit. The User Updated information will be in view, with a date and stamped time receipt.

When a user in Blackboard sends E-mail from their Bb course site, it will be received at a preferred E-mail address. This process depends on users checking their E-mail boxes for incoming messages regularly. Note: The preferred E-mail address listed in Bb is not a substitute for checking your LTU E-mail address for university related messages.

Q: The text size is too small to read the information posted in Blackboard. How can I adjust this text size so it is readable?

A: The text size is due to the browser settings within each user's browser. If you are using Intertnet Explorer as your browser, open Internet Explorer. In the View menu across the top of the screen, Slect Text Size. Choose the text size you prefer to read, ranging from smallest to largest.

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Q: How can I send E-mail to all of the students in my Blackboard site?

A: To send an E-mail message to all students, follow these steps:

Log-in to Blackboard.
Select the Blackboard site.
Select the Control Panel.
Select Send E-mail.
Choose the desired method to send, such as all users, select users, etc.

Q: Is there a list of Policies & Procedures available with guidelines for using Blackboard at LTU?

A: The list of Policies & Procedures includes information on course availability, multi-section courses, and course material. Enrollment information on exceptions and Organizations, or any non-official academic courses, is also included.

This list can be accessed with the following steps:
Go to http://my.ltu.edu
To the left on the screen, in the Tools area at the bottom of the box, Select Blackboard Procedures. The guidelines are in view.

Q: How do I have another instructor, course coordinator, administrator, or staff member added to my Blackboard site, to access it as a teaching assistant?

A: Enrollment exceptions for Faculty, Administrators, and Staff members are addressed using the following procedures.

If you are the instructor of a course, or a program director of course, and would like to have another faculty, administrator, or staff member added to the course that you are teaching, please send a request to vitrc@ltu.edu with the following information:

• Your name and Nine digit Banner ID
• Course Information (CourseID, Course Name, CRN Number, Term)
• Information of Faculty, Administrator, or Staff member to be added as TA (Full Name, BannerID Number)

Q: I have a student who is not currently enrolled in my course, but who needs access to the course Blackboard site. How do I request for this student to be added to the Blackboard site as an “exception”?

A: Enrollment exceptions for Students are addressed using the following procedures.

If you have a student who you believe needs to be added to a Blackboard site due to special circumstances, such as making up work for an incomplete grade, a request must come from your dean or department chair of the course.

Please send this request to vitrc@ltu.edu with the following information:

Your name and nine digit Banner ID
Course Information (CourseID, Course Name, CRN Number, Term)
Information of Student to be added as exception (Full Name, BannerID Number)

Q: After login to Blackboard, the course/s I am teaching are not listed in “My Courses”. How do I gain access to my current course/s Blackboard site/s?

A: Check with your department to make sure you are the officially listed instructor on the course/s.

Q: How do I request a Blackboard site for my course?

A: All courses officially offered through the Registrar’s Office each semester have a Blackboard site automatically setup. Blackboard is used for all university courses.

Q: How long are my courses available in Blackboard?

A: The following policies describe Course Availability:

• Up to one full year of courses are available to instructors to begin building their course content.
• Courses will be available to instructors as soon as the data is available within Banner.
• Courses will be available to students 28 days (4 weeks) before the course start date.
• Courses will no longer be available to students 42 days (6 weeks) after the course end date.
• Courses will no longer be available to instructors 56 days (8 weeks) after the course end date.

Q: How do I save my course materials at the end of the semester for reuse in future courses?

A: To preserve your course material, instructors can use the Bb functions copying, exporting, and recycling. Review the following descriptions of these functions to determine which of these processes you want to use.

Copying: This function would be used when you have a course in the current term that you want copied to a course that you are teaching in the next academic term.

Exporting: This function would be used if you wanted a copy of the course content for your records, as well as for a future course that may not fall within the one-year time frame.

Recycling: This function would be used if you wanted to delete portions of your course before you use the copy function and copy it to the next semester.

The steps for Exporting/Copying/Recycling Course Material can be accessed at the following URL: http://www.ltu.edu/vitrc/faculty_blackboard_.asp

Q: I'm teaching multiple sections for the same course. How can I combine these sections to make the process of posting content more efficient?

A: To request a combined Blackboard site, send an E-mail to the Blackboard Network Administrator at vitrc@ltu.edu, with the following information:

1. The CRN for all of the courses, eg. 3 CRNs for three courses
2. Specify that you would like to have all of the courses combined into one Blackboard site.
3. The names of the instructors of the courses, including their Banner IDs should be included.
4. When there are multiple instructors on a Blackboard site, each instructor has to send a separate E-mail with the request for the combined Blackboard site. For example, if there are two instructors on a section that is being combined, both instructors should initiate an E-mail request to the Blackboard Network Administrator.
5. After the request is completed, there will be only one Blackboard site for the instructors of the combined courses to access.

Q: Where do I officially post my course grades at the end of the semester?
I am using the Blackboard online grade book for recording students’ grades.

A: When you are ready to post your course grades at the end of the semester, grades are officially posted to the BannerWeb system. The Bb online grade book is only used to keep track of your grades.

For instructions on how to post your grades to BannerWeb, please click here.

Q: How do I add an item into Blackboard online gradebook for the homework that I had student's complete in my course?

A: Here are the steps to add an item into the gradebook:

1. Login to Blackboard.
2. Select a course to enter.
3. Select the Control Panel.
4. Select the Gradebook.
5. Select Add Item.
6. Enter in the Item Name.
7. Select a Category by using the pull down menu, eg. Homework,
8. It is optional to add in a Description of the item. The date of entry is recorded.
9. Enter in the Points possible for the item.
10. Select the Display As option using the pull down menu, for the grade to appear in the grade book, eg. Score.
11. Select Yes or No, to make the item Visible for students to view.
12. Select Yes or No, to Include this item in gradebook score calculations.
13. Select Submit.
14. Select OK.
15. The item is now added and can be accessed in the gradebook.

Q: How do I record students’ grades in the Blackboard gradebook?

A: Here are the steps for one option to record students’ grades:

1. In a Blackboard course site, Select Control Panel.
2. Select Gradebook.
3. Click on the Item name across the top column in the gradebook, eg. Test 1
4. Select Item Grade List, from the Item Options page.
5. Enter in the students’ scores in the text box to the right.
6. For ease of recording, you may enter in a score, hit the tab key on your computer, this moves you to the next student’s score for entering.
7. When you are finished entering grades, Select Submit.
8. The Grade Successfully Updated message is in view. Click OK.
9. The students’ scores are now recorded in the Blackboard gradebook.

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Q: How do my students view their grades in Blackboard?

A: There are two options for students to view their grades in Blackboard. Here is one option using the steps for students to view their grades:

1. Login to Blackboard.
2. Enter a Course.
3. Select the Tools button.
4. Select View Grades.
5. Both the grade and class average for each item are listed. Students only see their individual grades.
6. When finished, Click OK.

Note: In order for students to be able to view their grades in Blackboard, the Instructor has to select “Yes” to Make the Item Visible for students. In the Gradebook, if this option is not checked, there will be an * by the item name.

This indicates the item has not been made visible to students.

Another option for students to view their grades in Blackboard, includes the following steps:

1. Login to Blackboard.
2. In the Tools area to the left of the screen, Select View Grades.
3. All of the courses a student is enrolled in are in view.
4. Select a specific course, to check the grades for this course.
5. View the grades for this course. Students only see their individual grades.
6. When finished, Click OK.
7. To exit this course, Select the Courses tab at the top.

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Q: Is there a Blackboard Manual available online that I can access?

A: There is a general Blackboard manual available for reference. To access this resource, Login to Blackboard. Enter into a course, under My Courses. Select the Control Panel. In the Support area, Select Manual. The Blackboard Version 6 Manual is in view, organized with a Table of Contents.

Please note: This is only a general manual that may not contain some information that is specific to the use of Blackboard at LTU. For more LTU specific information for using Blackboard, please review the LTU developed documentation and resources.

Q: I am a faculty member who would like to learn about Blackboard. What instructional resources are available to provide Blackboard assistance?

A: There are a variety of resources available to assist you with Blackboard. Select from the following options to enhance your skills for using Bb features:

• Blackboard resources are located on the VITRC page of the LTU web site.

Go to http://www.ltu.edu/vitrc

Select Faculty Resources. The following documents are available for your review: the Bb Training Schedule, Bb Organizations, Bb Policies and Procedures, Login Instructions, and Exporting/Copying/Recycling Course Material.

• The Faculty Resource Center is a Bb Organization that faculty can access for Bb resources. After you login to Bb, under My Organizations, Select Faculty Resource Center. The navigation buttons to the left will lead you to additional materials. Select some of the following areas: Bb Ver 6 doc, Blackboard Tutorials, and Best Practices.
• Review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for faculty on the VITRC page of the LTU web site at http://www.ltu.edu/vitrc Select Faculty Frequently Asked Questions. This area has many Bb questions with answers provided.
• Video streamed Bb training recordings are available for viewing convenience at the following web site: http://www.ltuvitrc.com Select Faculty/Student Streaming Videos. Select Faculty. Select All Faculty. Select Bb Trainings. Please note: You may also want to Select Bb Best Practices to view sessions recorded by faculty on strategies for using technology tools in instruction.
• Bb training seminars are scheduled each semester. Participants can select from hands-on training sessions on a variety of Bb topics. The Bb training schedule and descriptions are available on the VITRC web site at the following: http://www.ltu.edu/vitrc/blackboardtrain.asp
• Linda Wareck is the Instructional Technologist in the VITRC that specializes in Blackboard. You can contact Linda directly at (248) 204-3756, or by E-mail at wareck@ltu.edu for instructional assistance with Blackboard.

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Q: How do I make a test created in Blackboard available for students to take online?

A: After a test is created in Bb, the next step is to “deploy” this assessment for student users to complete. You will make the test available in a Content Area.

Here are the steps to deploy a test:

• In the Control Panel, Select a Course Content area. Examples of Course Content areas include Course Documents or Assignments.
• In the Course Content area you have selected, such as Course Documents, Select Add Test from the menu.
• Select an existing test by highlighting it.
• Click on Submit. The message, test was successfully added, will appear.
• Click on OK.
• Select the second option, Modify the Test Options.
• In the Test Availability area, Select Yes, for making this test available to users.
• Next, choose the options that apply to your test such as Allow Multiple Attempts or Force Completion. Check off each of these options that apply to the test.
• Another option is to set time limit.
• Set the Display After and Display Until dates and times for releasing this test.
• Set the password, if you want to password protect this assessment.
• In the Test feedback mode area, Select your preferred feedback.
• Select your Test Presentation Mode.
• Click Submit.
• The test options successfully modified message will be in view.
• Click OK. Click OK again.

The test is now deployed for student users to complete. You may choose to move this item to the top of the list of documents you have posted in the Content area.

Click on the arrow next to the number by the test. Select the number to sequence the order of the documents.

Q: How do I view results from a Blackboard survey assessment?

A: 1. Enter into a course in Blackboard.
2. Enter into the Control Panel.
3. Select Gradebook.
4. Click on the name of the assessment item, across the top column in the gradebook.
5. Select the option, Assessment Attempt Details.
6. View the results of the assessment. Note: You may also print these details.
7. Click OK.

Q: How do my students get training and assistance with using Blackboard?

There are a variety of resources available to assist your students with Blackboard.

Students can select from the following options to enhance their skills for using Blackboard:

Video streamed Blackboard training recordings for students are available for viewing convenience at the following web site: http://www.ltuvitrc.com Select Faculty/Student Streaming Videos. Select Faculty. Select All Faculty. Select Blackboard Trainings. Select the topic, Introduction to Blackboard. Video streamed Blackboard training recordings for students on a variety of topics can also be viewed at the following web site: http://www.ltuvitrc.com Select Faculty/Student Streaming Videos. Select Students. Select All Students. Scroll down to the topic, Blackboard Discussion Board. Select this topic to learn more about using this feature.

Review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for faculty on the VITRC page of the LTU web site at http://www.ltu.edu/vitrc Select Faculty Frequently Asked Questions. This area has many Blackboard questions with answers that may assist you.

Blackboard resources are located on the VITRC page of the LTU web site. Go to: http://www.ltu.edu/vitrc/faculty_blackboard_.asp

Select Log-in Instructions for Blackboard.

Blackboard Policies & Procedures for students includes information such as course availability. This list can be accessed with the following steps:
Go to http://my.ltu.edu
To the left on the screen, in the Tools area at the bottom of the box, Select Blackboard Procedures. The guidelines are in view.

Contact the VITRC for assistance with Blackboard questions at (248) 204-3750, or by E-mail at vitrc@ltu.edu
The VITRC offices are located in A125.

Q: What are Blackboard Organizations? How are they used at LTU?

A: Blackboard Organizations are non-instructional Blackboard sites. At LTU, there are many groups that collaborate, by communicating information between members. Some examples of Blackboard Organizations that are active at LTU include Blackboard Advising Sites, the Faculty Resource Center, and Student Organizations overseen by faculty advisors.

Please view more information on Blackboard Organizations on the VITRC website at the following: http://www.ltu.edu/vitrc/faculty_blackboard_org.asp

Q: How do I request a Blackboard Organization for a campus group I participate in?

A: To request a Blackboard Organization, contact the Blackboard Network Administrator by E-mail at vitrc@ltu.edu. Here is the information that should be included in your E-mail request:

The name of your Organization, the names and Banner IDs of users who will be managers of the Blackboard Organization site, the names and Banner IDs of users who will be participants, the names and Banner IDs of users who will be co-managers of the site.

Please note: The above information should be included in your message with only one name and Banner ID per line. For Student Organizations, the faculty advisor for the student organization is the person who makes this request.

Q: How can I view a Blackboard Organization site using Guest Access?

A: To visit a Blackboard Organization site that is open for guest access, follow these steps:

1. Login to Blackboard.
2. Select the Organizations tab to the upper left of your screen.
3. In the Organization Search text box on the left, enter in the name of the organization, eg. Faculty Resource Center.
4. Select Go.
5. The organization and managers’ names will be in view. Select the Preview button on the right of the screen. Note: If there is no Preview button, the managers have not opened the site for guest access.
6. Content areas only that are open for guest access will be in view.

Q: Where can I get an updated class list in Blackboard with the E-mail addresses of student registered in my course?

To access this information in Blackboard, please follow these steps:

Select a Course.
Select the Control Panel.
Under the User Management area, select List/Modify Users.
Select the Search button.

The list of users populated into your course will be in view. This list includes all students, instructors and T.A.s listed in the course.

Q: I am attempting to download Java onto my computer using the Java plugin link in Blackboard. How can I get this process started, so I can access the Blackboard Collaboration Tools?

A: There my be something on your computer impeding Java from loading properly. Here are some steps to clean out your computer. These steps may assist you with properly accessing the Java download.
1. Open your browser, Internet Explorer for example.
2. Select Tools from the top menu bar.
3. Select Internet Options.
4. Under Temporary Internet Files, Select Delete Cookies.
5. Select OK.
6. Under Temporary Internet Files, Select Delete Files.
7. Select OK.
8. When this process is finished, Select OK.
9. Close your browser.
10. Login to Blackboard, and attempt to download Java using the link again.

Q: I need to use the Collaboration feature in Blackboard. How do I load Java onto my computer to access th virtual classroom?

1. Enter into the Control panel of a course.
2. Select Collaboration.
3. Select Join, to the right of the virtual classroom.
4. Select the Java plugin link.
5. Select the link, Get Java Plug-in for Windows.
6. The download will be initiated.
7. When the download is finished, Click OK.

Q:How do I add an image to the top of the main page of my Blackboard site?

A: Here are the steps to add an image, or banner, to your course:

1. to Bb.
2. Enter a Course.
3. Select the Control Panel.
4. Under Course Options, Select Settings.
5. Select Course Design.
6. Select Course Banner.
7. Select the Browse button.
8. Locate the image on your computer. Highlight the image. Click Open.

A: In a Blackboard Course, locate the document:

1. Right click on the document link.
2. Select Save Target As.
3. Select an area to save the document to on your computer.
4. Select Save.
5. Select Close, after the Download is Complete.
6. Select the file. Open it to view the document content offline.

A: There are a variety of resources available to assist you with Blackboard.  Select from the following options to enhance your skills for using Bb features:

• Blackboard resources are located on the VITRC page of the LTU web site. 
  
  View resources at the following:  http://www.ltu.edu/vitrc/faculty_blackboard_.asp
  Select Faculty Resources.  The following documents are available for your review:  the Bb FAQs, Bb Organizations, Bb Policies and Procedures, Bb Training Schedules, Login Instructions, and Exporting/Copying/Recycling Course Material. 

• The Faculty Resource Center is a Bb Organization that faculty & staff can access for Bb resources.  Go to http://my.ltu.edu  Login to Bb.  Listed under My Organizations, Select Faculty Resource Center.  The navigation buttons to the left will lead you to additional materials.   Select some of the following areas:  Blackboard Documents, Blackboard Tutorials, and Best Practices. 

• Review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for faculty on the VITRC page of the LTU web site at http://www.ltu.edu/vitrc/faq.asp  This area has many Bb questions with answers provided.

• Video streamed Bb training and Best Practices recordings are available for viewing convenience at the following web site:  http://www.ltuvitrc.com   Select  Faculty/Staff/Students Streaming Videos.  Select Faculty.  Note:  You need to have RealOne Player on your computer to view a recording.  Select the link for the RealOne Player free download as needed.   Select All Faculty.  Select Blackboard Best Practices.  Select the link such as BP31, to access the recording on a specific topic such as Safe Assignment.  The total time for presentations is also listed.

• Bb training seminars are scheduled each semester.  Participants can select from  hands-on training sessions on a variety of Bb topics.  The Bb training schedule and descriptions are available on the VITRC web site at the following:  http://www.ltu.edu/vitrc/faculty.asp

• Linda Wareck is the Instructional Technologist in the VITRC that specializes in Blackboard.  You can contact Linda directly at (248) 204-3756, or by E-mail at wareck@ltu.edu for instructional assistance with Blackboard.