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BlackBoard frequently asked questions

These are the frequently asked questions about BlackBoard that do not involve using a tool, creating an assignment, or grading. A tool is anything that you would add to a Content Area (or page), from one of the three tabs, Building Content, Assessments, and Tools. All four of these have their own pages and each tools has its own page within, explaining everything you may need to know to use it, and then some.

  • How do I make my course available? - You MUST do this for students to have access

    • Go to the course being made available
    • Click Customization on the left menu
    • Click Properties
    • Under Select Availability, select Yes
    • Look at the start date and edit as necessary
    • Click Submit

  • How do I turn Edit Mode on and off?

     

    Edit Mode must be on in order for you to add content to your course.
    • Go to your course
    • Click On next to Edit Mode in the top right corner
    • Click Off next to Edit Mode is to return to Edit Mode.

    Note: If you do not see an Add Content page, you do not have the right permissions to edit the page.

  • What is the difference between Edit Mode Off and Student Preview Mode?

    File uploads are limited to 250 MB, but can be increased upon request to up to 2 GB, please contact blackboard@linfield.edu for more information.

  • How do I edit content previously made?

    Edit Mode must be on in order for you to edit content in your course.

    • Mouse over the name of the content
    • Click the arrow next to the name
    • Click Edit

  • How do I send all class emails through BlackBoard?

    • Go to your course
    • Click Tools on the Left Menu
    • Click Send Email>
    • Select the group to send the email to

  • How do I change my course's entry point? - highly recommended

    • Go to your course
    • Click Customization on the Left Menu
    • Click Teaching Style
    • Under Select Course Entry Point, select the page or content area you want to be your entry point

    Note: In order to select a page or content area as the entry point, it must have content.

  • How do I grade an assignment?

  • How do I enroll users?

    There are a variety of ways to enroll users in your course. Our enrolling users page covers the various ways to enroll and the user roles available.

  • How do i change what notifications my students get?

    Change General Notification Settings

    • Click your name in the top right corner
    • Click Settings
    • Click Edit Notification Settings
    • Click Edit General Settings
    • Select from the three options individual messages, daily email digest, and due date reminders (explained more below)
    • Click Submit
    Options:
    • Individual messages: For each document or course information added, an email will be sent, along with other due date reminders.
    • Daily Email Digest: All notifications are collected and sent once per day.
    • Due date reminders: Select yes and set the number of days before the assignment you want the notification to be sent
    Bulk Notification Settings for Courses
    • Click your name in the top right corner
    • Click Edit Notification Settings
    • Click on Courses I am Teaching, under Bulk Edit Notification Settings
    • Under Select Courses, select all

  • How do I clear my browser's cookies?

    Chrome:

    • Open Chrome.
    • On your browser toolbar, click the Chrome menu Chrome menu.
    • Click More tools > Clear browsing data.
    • In the box that appears, click the checkboxes for "Cookies and other site and plug-in data" and "Cached images and files."
    • Use the menu at the top to select the amount of data that you want to delete. Choosebeginning of time to delete everything.
    • Click Clear browsing data.

    Firefox:

    • Click the menu button and choose Preferences.

    • Select the Privacy panel.
    • Set Firefox will: to Use custom settings for history.
    • Click Show Cookies.... The Cookies window will appear.
    • In the Search: field, type the name of the site whose cookies you want to remove. The cookies that match your search will be displayed.
    • Select the cookie(s) in the list to remove and click Remove Selected.
    • Select the first cookie and press Shift+End to select all the cookies in the list.
    • Close the Cookies window. Close the about:preferences page.

    Safari:

    • Click Safari in the top left corner
    • Click Preferences
    • Click Privacy
    • Click Clear All Website Data...
    • Click Remove Now

  • How much can I upload at one time?

    File uploads are limited to 250 MB, but can be increased upon request to up to 2 GB, please contact blackboard@linfield.edu for more information.

  • How do I add a profile picture?

    • Click your name in the top right corner
    • Click on the blank picture on the drop down menu
    • Click Settings & Privacy
    • Click Change Picture, under Picture
    • Click Upload New
    • Select the photo you wish to use
    • Set the borders of the picture
    • Click X Close Profile to return to the main page

  • How do I copy/move tools (pages, items, boards, etc.) between courses where I am an instructor?

    Copying the tool keeps the content in the original course, on top of placing it in the new. Moving, on the other hand, deletes the content from the original course.

    • Mouse over the tools name
    • Click on the arrow next to the name
    • Click Copy/Move
    • Select the Destination Course
    • Select the Destination Folder
      - Click Browse
      - Click on the Content Folder/Area you wish it to be located
    • Click Submit

  • What is anonymous grading?

    This makes it so that the student's name is hidden from the graders. It is particularly beneficial if you have a TA, as it helps keep student information and grades private. This can also help with any concerns about grading bias.