Go to: User Support Services
Go to: Academic Technologies
TCS Quickstart Guide - FAQs
GENERAL QUESTIONS
How can I access the ESU network?
What is my Blackboard username and password?
How do I log on to Blackboard?
What browser should I use with Blackboard?
I logged on to Blackboard, but my course was not listed. Why?
How do I change my Blackboard password?
How do I get into my course once I log in to Blackboard?
I'm stuck in Blackboard and don't know how to continue? What next?
Why must I enable "cookies" for Blackboard?
We're going to use Adobe Connect for a class meeting. What do I need to do to get started?
Is there a place I can look to see what services are provided by User Support Services within TCS?
STUDENT QUESTIONS
Can any other students see my grades in Blackboard?
I accidentally clicked SUBMIT on an assignment in Blackboard before I was done. Can I redo it?
Will my e-mail account save my messages forever?
FACULTY QUESTIONS
How do I make a course available?
I added a menu item to my course, but the name isn't bolded like the rest of the items. How can I fix that?
I posted an assignment for my students, but they are telling me there is no link. What did I do wrong?
Are there tutorials available for me to view for help with Blackboard?
ANSWERS AND RESOURCES
How can I access the ESU network?
To log on to the ESU network, your username is the first letter of your first name, followed by the first seven letters of your last name. Anne Sample's username would be asample. Your password is originally set as the last six digits of your E-number, which you can see on your University ID card. To learn more, watch this getting started tutorial.
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What is my Blackboard username and password?
These are the same as your Novell login. In fact, if you enter Blackboard from Buzz In, you will not need to reauthenticate. Need help loggin on? Contact the HelpDesk at 341.5555 (toll free at 877.341.5555).
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How do I log on to Blackboard?
You may access Blackboard directly at http://elearning.emporia.edu; from the ESU homepage, by navigating your browser to http://www.emporia.edu -- from there, select Blackboard from the ESU Quicklinks at the left side of the page; or from BuzzIn, by navigating to http://buzzin.emporia.edu and selecting BlackBoard from the Quick Links section at the right of the homepage.
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What browser should I use with Blackboard?
While you may use any browser (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, etc.) with Blackboard, we find the most stable performance is experienced with Firefox. Be sure you allow pop-ups for the Blackboard site, and enable the site to accept cookies. (Link to resource manual)
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I logged on to Blackboard, but my course was not listed. Why?
Course enrollment is based upon your status in the Banner system. If you are a faculty member, check with your department administrative assistant to ensure you've been associated with the class. If you are a student, check the date the course is scheduled to begin. Many faculty do not make courses available until that date. If the course has begun, check your enrollment status under the Academic Life tab in Buzz In. If you still have questions, contact the HelpDesk at 341.5555 (toll free 877.341.5555) for more help.
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How do I change my Blackboard password?
Your Blackboard password is tied to your Novell password. It cannot be changed separately. To change your Novell password, go to the home page in Buzz In and select Change Password from near the bottom of the Quick Links section on the right side of the page.
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How do I get into my course once I log in to Blackboard?
The entry page in Blackboard is called My Homepage. On the right-hand side of that page, you will see a list of courses in which you're enrolled and/or are teaching. Click the underlined link to enter a course.
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I'm stuck in Blackboard and don't know how to continue? What next?
First, check out the tutorials located on the main Blackboard page on the TCS website (http://www.emporia.edu/tcs/actech/bboard). If you still have questions or need help, contact the HelpDesk at 341.5555 (toll free at 877.341.5555).
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Why must I enable "cookies" for Blackboard?
A sessionID cookie is used to identify and authenticate you throughout your Blackboard session. Follow the steps below to configure your browser to accept cookies.
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We're going to use Adobe Connect for a class meeting. What do I need to do to get started?
Prepare your computer by accessing the Adobe Connect Prosite for ESU. Once there, click on the resours tab and follow the steps in "Getting Started."
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Yes, there is. Take a look at the pdf version of the User Support Service Catalogue. If you still have questions, contact the Help Desk for more information.Can any other students see my grades in Blackboard?
No. You are only able to access your grades by authenticating your user information via your username and password. Other students are not able to view any grades, instructor comments, or other information that pertains to you only.
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I accidentally clicked SUBMIT on an assignment in Blackboard before I was done. Can I redo it?
Not without contacting your instructor. He or she will need to reset your assignment attempt.
Will my e-mail account save my messages forever?
No. Student e-mails are automatically deleted after 180 days. If you will need to access the information for a longer period of time, save the document external to the e-mail program.
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How do I make a course available?
From within the course you wish to make available, select Control Panel --> Settings --> Course Availability. Change the button from No to Yes and click Submit. View a brief tutorial here.
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I added a menu item to my course, but the name isn't bolded like the rest of the items. How can I fix that?
Use simple HTML tags to make your menu items appear in boldface. To do so, go to Control Panel --> Manage Course Menu, and select the Modify button next to the item you wish to appear in bold. The opening bold tag consists of three characters: left carat (<), the letter b, right carat(>). Key this directly before the Name. Also, add the closing bold tag. It consists of four characters: left carat(<), slash (/), b, right carat(>) directly after the name. The menu item will now appear as < b >menu item< / b > (without the spaces) and display as menu item. Select Submit to save your changes and return to the Manage Course Menu area.
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I posted an assignment for my students, but they are telling me there is no link. What did I do wrong?
Did you create the course as an item, or as an assignment? You must select Assignment from the dropdown menu at the right of the action bar in the content area (assignments, course docs, etc.) in which you wish to place the assignment. Simply adding an item (+Item) from the action bar will not create a link for student submission, nor will a grade center column be created. Not sure how to do this? View the Create Assignment tutorial.
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Are there tutorials available for me to view for help with Blackboard?
Yes! We are striving to create and maintain a robust online catalogue of tutorials. They may be accessed at the Blackboard link.