Blackboard FAQ's
- What is Blackboard?
- How do I login?
- Who can use it?
- How is it delivered?
- How do I access Blackboard?
- How do I change my password?
- How do I change personal information?
- How do I reset my password?
- Why am I getting "cannot find server" or "this page cannot be displayed" errors?
- Password / Login problems
- How do I use Blackboard?
- How do I access an attached document?
- Unable to open documents?
- How do I print in Blackboard?
- How do I delete courses I have already taken?
- Why am I not receiving e-mails sent through Blackboard?
- How can I get a Blackboard manual?
- Other problems
- Feedback
What is Blackboard?
Blackboard is a virtual learning environment, which enables you to access the materials and tools that you need for your courses.
How do I login?
Once you have a username and password, simply go to the Blackboard login page at http://courses.sxu.edu/ or use http://blackboard.sxu.edu/
Who can use it?
All registered students have access to Blackboard. If you are registered in a Blackboard enhanced course, the course title will appear when you log on to Blackboard.
How is it delivered?
Blackboard is entirely Web based. All you need is a Web browser and an Internet connection. So you are not restricted to using campus based labs simply follow this link: http://courses.sxu.edu/ or use http://blackboard.sxu.edu/ to access Blackboard.
How do I access Blackboard?
You will need a username and password to access Blackboard. These are not the same as your IMail or CLAWS username and password. If you have been told by your instructor that you will be using Blackboard, then an account will be created for you using your SXU e-mail login ID (first initial and last name without the period, e.g. j.doe@sxu.edu = jdoe) and password. Your initial password is the six-digit number on your SXU ID card. You can change the password as soon as you log into the system.
How do I change my password?
To change your password, once logged into Blackboard, do the following:
- Access a course you are enrolled in by clicking on the course link
- Click on "User Tools"
- Click on "Personal Information"
- Click on "Password"
- Follow the directions on the screen
How do I change personal information?
Some basic information is applied when your Blackboard access is provided: first name, last name, e-mail address, username, and password. You can change or edit your personal information through the "Tools" bar.
To change your e-mail address or password, click on the "Personal Information" link then select either "Edit Personal Information" or "Change Password" to make changes. Always click the "Submit" button when you make any change to your personal information.
How do I reset my password?
If you don’t remember your password, Blackboard will deny you access. You can reset your password by taking the following steps:
- Open your browser and type the address for Blackboard environment.
- Click on "Login" button
- Click on the “Forget your password” link
- Complete the form and click on the "Submit" button.
- Blackboard will send you an e-mail message containing a link that will enable you reset your password. For this to work, you must be able to access the e-mail account on file for you in Blackboard.
- Login to your e-mail account and retrieve the e-mail, click on the link or copy and paste the link in the “Address” space in your browser and click the Enter or Return key.
- Follow the online instruction and reset your password.
Why am I getting “cannot find server” or “this page cannot be displayed” error?
There are several reasons for this error. The following is a list of possible causes:
- Make sure you are going to http://courses.sxu.edu/. If you type "http://www.courses.sxu.edu/", you will get the "Page cannot be displayed" error.
- You are not currently connected to the Internet. If you use a modem (not a cable modem) to connect to the Internet, you might try reconnecting.
- The Blackboard server is down, contact the Information Services Help Desk at ext. 3291
Password / Login problems
If you cannot login with your username and password, please contact Nubi Achebo at ext. 3884 or via e-mail at achebo@sxu.edu
How do I use Blackboard?
If you are familiar with navigating Web pages then you should have little difficulty in using Blackboard. If you have not used Web pages before then we suggest that you speak to someone in Learning Assistance Center about getting some general guidance in using Blackboard.
How do I access an attached document?
If your instructor has attached a document file in a content area (e.g. "Course Documents") or uploaded a file to your "Digital Dropbox" in Blackboard, the file title will appear as a link. You can either view the document or save the document file to a floppy disk or hard drive to be edited.
To view the document, simply click on the document name link.
To save the document for later editing:
- Put your cursor over the document name and right click
- Choose "Save Target As"
- Save the file to your hard drive or to a floppy disk
Unable to open documents?
Documents are usually posted to Blackboard courses in a format that you should be able to open and view, or at least download. Occasionally, however, you may experience problems particularly when using Blackboard off campus. If you experience any problem opening a document, please report it to your instructor immediately.
How do I print in Blackboard?
Printing while using Blackboard is not any different than printing at other Internet sites. There are a couple of things to keep in mind.
- If the site contains frames, as Blackboard does, you must first click in the area that you want to print. A frames page is a special kind of HTML page that divides the browser window into different areas called frames. Each frame displays a different page.
- Rather than clicking on the print icon on the browser tool bar, you have more control over what you print by choosing "File > Print". From here you can make selections about what you want to print (e.g. all pages, one page, a range of pages).
How do I delete courses I have already taken?
You can’t delete them. Send an e-mail to the instructor of the course and ask that they either remove you as a student or recycle their course to remove all the students from a previous semester.
Why am I not receiving e-mail sent through Blackboard?
All student e-mail addresses entered into Blackboard are Saint Xavier University e-mail addresses. Students can either forward their SXU e-mails to a preferred e-mail account or change the listed e-mail account in Blackboard to the account that they want to receive e-mails. Messages from instructors and students sent via e-mail through Blackboard will go to an SXU e-mail account or your preferred e-mail account. If you regularly use a non-SXU e-mail account, you will need to access your SXU account. You are responsible for changing the forwarding information for your e-mail accounts.
How can I get a Blackboard manual?
Blackboard has an online manual for students. Feel free to consult the online manual for problems.
Other problems
If you are having a problem that relates to content then discuss it with your instructor first. Please search these FAQ's for answers to any other questions first. If you cannot find the answer please contact the Information Services Help Desk at ext. 3291 or Nubi Achebo at ext. 3884 or via e-mail at achebo@sxu.edu
Feedback
Blackboard is a pilot scheme and sometime during your course you may be asked to give some feedback about how you feel about using the platform. Any general feedback should be sent to achebo@sxu.edu