Blackboard 6.3 Help: Faculty FAQs

Access to Blackboard

Who should use Blackboard?

Instructors who would like to create an online course or post course content, resources, discussion forums, grades, etc. may wish to use Blackboard. Instructors are encouraged to attend an Introduction to Blackboard class offered by the Center for Teaching Excellence at VCU. For upcoming Blackboard and multimedia classes, go to the course listing at the VCU Training (Enter Keyword = Blackboard) web site and Register online.

How do I login to Blackboard?

To login to Blackboard go to http://blackboard.vcu.edu/. Click the Login icon at the top of the page. Enter your user eID and password. If you don't know your eID and password, go to the Your VCU eID web page.

What is my username and password?

Your Blackboard username and password is your eID and password, the same combination used to access your VCU email account. To find your eID, go to VCU eID Finder.

If you don’t remember your password, contact the VCU Help Desk at 828-2227 or go to one of the following locations and bring your VCU Card:

  • Monroe Park Campus - Help Desk, Cabell Library, room B-9
  • Medical Campus - Help Desk, Sanger Hall, room B1-018

If you continue to have a username and password problem with Blackboard, please contact the Help Desk at http://www.ts.vcu.edu/helpdesk/ or 828-2227.

 

Create & View a Blackboard Course

How do I create a course?

You will need to login to Blackboard and go to the My Faculty Tools menu on the MyBlackboard page. Click Create a Course and select the course from the dropdown menu. For a more complete explanation, go to Bb Help - Create a Course.

How do I create a course if Blackboard says it already exists, but it doesn't appear in My Courses?

The course rubric may have been used by someone else when the course was created. Contact the Help Desk by clicking on Submit an Online Help Desk Ticket to enter a trouble ticket or call 828-2227.

Why don't I see my course listed in Blackboard when I login?

Someone else may have created the course in Blackboard for you, and did not add you to the course. You will also need faculty access to the course. For more information, go to Bb Help - Add a Teaching Assistant or Instructor.

Why are my students not appearing in the course?

• No Students Appear (Problem 1) - Student names do not appear automatically when the course is created. Student names are added or dropped from the roster once-a-day during the Blackboard update. The student names will appear within the course roster 24 hours after the course is created.

• No Students Appear (Problem 2) - The instructor creates a Course ID that is not on the official list. This course will not match the enrollment file and the students will not automatically load into the course roster. The students will need to be manually added into the course. For instructions on adding students, go to Bb Help - Add Students to a Course.

• Some Students Appear (Problem 1) - The students who do not appear on the roster may be enrolled in a different section or cross-listed course (same course, but different course ID). The course section or course will need to be merged to correct the problem. For more information, go to How can I merge multiple sections or cross-listed courses into one course?

• Some Students Appear (Problem 2) - The student may not be "officially" enrolled in the course. The student may have received an override to get into the course and may not have turned it in yet. The student may login to eServices@VCU to confirm the course appears on the student's Class Schedule.

Why is a student unable to view a course?

Created or Copied a Course - After you create or copy a course in Blackboard, it may take 24 hours (Monday - Friday) for the students to appear in the course roster.

New Student - A newly registered student will receive access to a Blackboard course within 24 hours after the time of registration during the regular work week (Monday-Friday).

Student Receives Override - The student may not be "officially" enrolled in the course. The student may have received an override to get into the course and may not have turned it in yet. It will take 24 hours (Monday-Friday) for the course to appear from the time of the override submission.

Course is Not Made Available - A course will not appear in the student's Blackboard account until the instructor makes the course available to the students. For more information, go to Bb Help - Make a Course Available or Unavailable to Students.

Courses are not Merged - You may be teaching a cross-listed course that appears under a different rubric (example: RELS 335 and HIST 335 is the same course.) These courses need to be merged. To merge the courses, go to How can I merge multiple sections or cross-listed courses into one course?

Courses have been Merged - It may take up to 24 hours during a regular business day for a cross-listed course to be merged. The student will have access to the course after the course merge and roster updated has been completed.

Why is a student unable to view the course content?

Course Content set to Make Unavailable - Go to the Control Panel and locate your content and click the Modify button. Scroll down to Options and change the Make Content Available to Yes.

Limited Availability of Course Content - Course content may be displayed for a specific period of time. Check the date and time restrictions for the content not being displayed.. To view the content restrictions or correct the problem, go to the Control Panel, locate your content, click the Modify button and scroll down to Options. Adjust the date and time as needed. The Display After and Display Until box must be checked, and the date and time properly selected for the restrictions to work properly..

Moved File in Content System (Document Access Error) - The file may have been moved from its original location on the Content System. Course documents should NOT be moved within the Content System if they have been linked to a course. The link will be broken if the file is moved. To correct the problem, the file will need to be returned to the original location or you will need to go into each course and create a document link to the new location.

 

Blackboard Course Management

Should I export, archive or copy my course?

Copy - Use the Copy Course feature if you wish to update your course for the upcoming semester. If the rubric and number for the upcoming semester course is not posted, you will need to create a special course (fictitious rubric and course number). When the course rubric and number become available, create the course and and copy the fictuiutous course into it. For more information on creating a special course, go to Bb Help - Create a Special Course.

Export - Use export if you wish to save all or parts of the course structure. Exporting does NOT include student activities or student information. This feature only exports the information you entered into the course and gives you the option to select areas you wish to export. The exported course will be saved as a .zip file and may be imported into a course at a later date. For more information, go to Bb Help - Export a Course.

Archive - Use archive if you wish to save all elements of the course, which includes all student grades and student activities related to the course. Archiving a course provides a historical record of the course, and all documented student activities and roster information. An archived course can only be read after it has been restored by the Blackboard System Administrator. For more information, go to Bb Help - Archive a Course.

How do I copy a course to a new semester?

The Copy Course feature is used for those who teach a course two semesters in a row or wish to update a course for use in a future semester. The Copy Course function copies all previously loaded documents; therefore, no document reloading is required. Information related to the previous student roster will NOT be copied. The student names will NOT appear in the class roster until the course is updated, which will occur within 24 hours after the course is copied to an active semester. The student names will appear in the course 24 hours after the students register for the course. For instructions on how to copy a course, go to Bb Help - Copy a Course.

How do I export a course?

Exporting a course will save only the course information you have entered into the course. You have the option to select specific areas of the course you wish to save. No student roster information or student activities will be saved with the course. To export a course, go to the Control Panel > Course Options > Export Course. For more instructions on how to export a course, go to Bb Help - Export a Course.

How do I archive a course I no longer use?

Archiving a course will save all aspects of the course, including the student roster information, activities, tests and grades. Archiving provides a historical record of the course, and all documented student activities and roster information. Exporting a course should be used if you wish to save course content for future use. To archive a course, select the course and go to the Control Panel > Course Options > Archive Course. For more information on archive, go to Bb Help - Archive a Course. An archived course can only be read after it is restored by a Blackboard System Administrator. Contact the Help Desk by clicking on Submit an Online Help Desk Ticket to enter a trouble call or call 828-2227.

How do I import a course that has been exported?

A course exported to your computer or a disk can be imported into Blackboard. To import a course go to Control Panel > Course Options > Import Package. This feature is used to import an exported course, typically from another Blackboard system. For information on how to import an exported course, go to Blackboard Help - Import a Course. If you wish a copy of the course to a new semester use the Copy Course feature under "My Faculty Tools" on the "My Blackboard" tab.

How can I merge multiple sections or cross-listed courses into one course?

The student roster from multiple sections of the same course or cross-listed course (a course offered under multiple course rubrics) can be merged into one course roster. Create your course and add course content into Blackboard using only one section and one course rubric. Contact the Help Desk by clicking on Submit Online Help Desk Ticket to enter a trouble call or call 828-2227 and provide the information listed below.

Provide the following to the Help Desk Staff:

  • Identify the name of the course you created, and include the course rubric, course number, section and semester of the course you created.
  • List all the other courses or sections you wish to merge. Include the course rubric, course number, section and semester of each section or course you wish to merge into the course you created.

How do I minimize updating course content in multiple sections without merging courses?

Use the Content System - Linking the file stored in the Content System to multiple Blackboard courses will minimizes the need to update files in multiple courses. Use the following procedures to develop your course:

  1. Create a course for the first section (001).
  2. Post all the course documents to the Blackboard Content System - My Content.
  3. Create a link in the course (001) to the file stored in the Content System - My Content rather than uploading files to the Blackboard course. For more information, go to Bb Help -and Link a File to a Blackboard Course.
  4. Copy the course to the other sections (002, 003, etc.) when you are ready to make the course available. For more information, go to Bb Help - Copy a Course.

Update Files in Content System - As you update your files in the Content System, the course documents will be updated in all course sections. DO NOT change the location of you file within the Content System. This will break the document link to all your courses.

Add New Links to Courses - If a new link is added to the first section (001), the same link must be added to each of the other sections (002, 003, etc.). After the link is added to the course, the document may be updated by updating the file in the Content System.

Copy New Content Links - New content and document links may be added to a course after it has been copied. To minimize the retyping, use the Item or Folder Copy Button to copy new content to multiple sections of the course. For more information, go to Bb Help - Copy and Move Content.

Why is a student not receiving an e-mail I sent through Blackboard?

Not Using VCU Mail Account - The student may not be checking his or her VCU email account, which is required to receive e-mail from a Blackboard Course. Current and incoming students are automatically assigned an eID that provides them access to their VCU Email account. Students can use the eID finder to search for their eID and to set their password. Direct the student to the Help Desk by clicking on Access Online Support to enter a trouble call or call 828-2227, if they continue to have email problems.

Not Checking VCU Mail Account - Many students have a second email account and may not be checking their account on a regular basis.

Forwarding VCU Mail Account - In the past, some students were able to forwarded their VCU Mail account to another email. Students are no longer able to forwarded their VCU Email account. Students must access their VCU Email account to receive emails sent through Blackboard. .

How do I add “My Faculty Tools” to the “MyBlackboard” page?

As an instructor (graduate student, previous student, etc.), you may haven NOT been given “Faculty Status” in Blackboard. Contact the Help Desk by clicking on Access Online Support to enter a trouble call or call 828-2227. Ask to have your status changed from "Student" to "Faculty." After receiving faculty status, go to Bb Help - Add "My Faculty Tools" to Your "MyBlackboard" Page for instructions.

How do I add a Teaching Assistant (TA) or another instructor to my Blackboard course?

A teaching assistant or instructor is added to the course through the Control Panel using Enroll User, then go to List/Modify Users, search for the user, click Properities and redefine the role of the user. For more information, go to Bb Help - Add a Teaching Assistant or Instructor.

How do I open a PowerPoint Slide Show after the January 2005 Blackboard System Upgrade?

Blackboard users are having a problem opening a PowerPoint slide show after the January 14, 2005 system upgrade. The solution to the problem is to update Microsoft Office. To update Microsoft Office, do the following:

  1. Open Microsoft Internet Explorer.
  2. Go to the top menu bar and click on Tools > Windows Update.
  3. Click on Office Family located on the menu bar just below Window Update at the top of the screen.
  4. Go to top/center blue box labeled Office Update and click Check for Updates.
  5. Follow the installation instructions.

Note: If you installed the Windows Service Pack 2 Update on your computer, you may need to do a right mouse to allow for pop ups to continue the installation.

 

Blackboard Content Management System (CMS)

What is the Blackboard Content System?

The Bb Content Management System (CMS) is a feature in Blackboard that was implemented August 1, 2005. If you have used VCU Files, it is very similar.  CMS provides you server space to store files that can be accessed from any computer connected to the Internet.  CMS provides you the ability to share files and to link them to a Blackboard Course. CMS has an ePortfolio component that is available in Blackboard. To view the Blackboard Content System Manaul, go to the CMS Manual link off the navigation menu at the top of the page or login to Blackboard, click on the Content System tab, click on Tools, and then click on Help.

How do I use the Content Management System?

A Blackboard Content Management System (CMS) Manual is available off the navigation menu at the top of this web page as CMS Manual. A few step by step instructions are listed under CMS Help on the above navigation menu. Hands-on workshops are also offered by the Center for Teaching Excellence and Technology Services. Go to the VCU Training and do a Keyword search under Content System or CMS to list course offerings.

How do I link a Content System file to my course?

Content System (CMS) files may be linked to any Blackboard course. Using CMS as your primary repostitory for course files will allow you to link a single file to may courses. When the file is updated in CMS, all the course links are updated. Read permission is automatically given to everyone listed in the course roster when a link is created. For more information, go to Bb Help - Link CMS Files to a Blackboard Course.

Why is my Content System file not linking to my course?

Applying changes to the file in the Content System (CMS) may create a broken link.

Name Change - If the file name is changed, the file link to the course will be broken. To correct the problem, you must return to the original file name or remove the original course link and replace it with a link to the new file name.

Move File - If a file is moved from its original location, the file link to the course will be broken. To correct the problem, return the file to the original location or create new links to all the courses.

How do I share a Content System file with a person at VCU?

Files stored on the Content System may be share with people within and outside the VCU Community. File permissions must be set to share a file, and "Passes" must be given to share a file outside the VCU Community. For more information, go to Bb Help - Share a Content System file with a person at VCU.

How do I upload multiple files in CMS using Web Folder?

Web Folder may be used to upload multiple files and folders from your desktop to the Content System or vice versa. Web Folder is a Web application that uses WebDAV technology, Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning, an IETF standard. Web Folder functions as an interface between your desktop operating system and the Content System. You must have the latest Windows Updates for Web Folder to work properly on your computer. For more information, go to Bb Help - Upload Multiple Files into the Content System Using Web Folder.

 

Blackboard Testing & Grading

Why does a "Lock" appear in the gradebook and how do I remove it?

The student's Internet Service times out from inactivity after a specified period of time, dropping the connection to the Internet while the student is taking a test in Blackboard. The test is not saved and the student must to take the test again.

To minimize the Internet disconnect problem, Blackboard recommends setting the test display option to "One at a time." Selecting this option will display one question at a time rather than the whole test, which will require the student to click the submit button for each question. This approach will provide periodic activity that will help maintain Internet connectivity. For more information, go to Bb Help - Modify Test Display Option. To remove the lock from the Gradebook, go to Bb Help - Remove Lock from Gradebook.

Blackboard testing and grading hands-on workshops are offered by the Center for Teaching Excellence. To search for scheduled training classes, go to VCU Training and enter Keyword = Blackboard. Contact the CTE if you wish to schedule special classes for your school or department.

 

New Blackboard Features

How do I use the new Assignments feature?

Previously an assignment was listed under the Assignment button and the student would submit it through the Drop Box, email the work or hand it in during class. The new Assignments feature allows the professor to post an assignment in any Content Area listed on the Control Panel (Course Document, Course Information, Assignments, etc.) This Assignments feature requires the student to submit the assignment electronically from the assignment link. When the student's assignment is submitted, it then becomes available for grading in the gradebook. For more information on how to use the Assignments feature, go to Bb Help - Create an Assignment in a Course.

 

Blackboard Training & Help

Where can I get training on the use of Blackboard?

Hands-on Blackboard training is offered on a regular basis by the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE). Special Blackboard classes may be scheduled for schools and departments by contacting the CTE at cte@vcu.edu. For upcoming Blackboard classes, go to the VCU Training website and enter Keyword = Blackboard.  Register online!

This Blackboard Help web site provides you access to step by step instructions on how to use the most common features in Blackboard and highlights those functions unique to VCU. Additional information is available in the Blackboard Faculty Manual located on the navigation menu at the top for the page.

Where can I find the Blackboard Manual?

The generic Blackboard Faculty Manual is listed under the navigation menu on this page listed as Faculty Manual and off the VCU Blackboard Homepage. The generic Blackboard manual is also available under the Control Panel listed under Help.

Where do I get Blackboard Content Management System Training?

The Content Management System (CMS) allows the user to store files and digital assets on a web server, which provides the user access to the stored material from any computer that is connected to the Internet. There are to types of Bb Content Management System (CMS) Training offered at VCU.  The Content System may be used in conjunction with a Blackboard course or independently as a web based file storage and sharing system. The Center for Teaching Excellence offers training on the use of CMS with your Blackboard course.  Technology Services offers training on the use of CMS as a file and digital asset storage, retrieval and sharing system that may be accessed via any computer connected to the Internet. To search for hands-on training courses, go to VCU Training enter Keyword = Content System or CMS.

How do I get help?

If your questions have not been answered by the resources and links on this web site, please contact the Help Desk by clicking on Access Online Support or enter a trouble call or call 828-2227.

 

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