How Do I?

 

How Do I? — Index of Topics

 

Video Tutorials:


 

 

 

Use the Discussion Board to Post, Read and Reply

 

Post to a discussion (participate in the "conversation"):

Enter the discussion board by clicking on the title of the discussion board (i.e., "Activity 1: Introduce Yourself").

  • Once inside the board, click the "Thread" button (at the top).
  • Type your response in the textbox that will appear.
  • Finally, click "Submit" to post your response on Blackboard, for the class to see.

 

Read other postings in a discussion:

  • To read a posting of a classmate, click on the subject of their posting (NOT on their name: this will create an email message).
  • Note: Everything posted in the discussion board is public for all participants in the course to view. This is not the place to share items of a personal nature that you do not want the entire class to see.

 

Reply to a posting in a discussion:

  • To respond to a posting of a classmate, while reading the posting, click "Reply" (there are two buttons---in the top and bottom right corners---both work);
  • Then type your response.

 

This is the power of an online course. We encourage you to "talk" to your classmates by responding to items they post in the discussion boards. You will be surprised how many connections you can make with your classmates and instructor without ever seeing them!

 

 

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Use the Digital Dropbox:

How do I use my Digital Drop Box?

Use the Digital Drop Box, Blackboard's student drop-box feature, to easily upload and send assignments, PowerPoint presentations, or term papers to your instructor for grading.

 

Some things to remember:

 

  • Prepare your files using your word processor. Name your files according to the format recommended by your instructor. If the instructor does not give you a specific format, use the following format: (first initial)(your last name)(assignment name). For example: jsmithAssignment1
  • Be sure to click on Send File rather than Add File. If you Add File the file is merely placed in your own Digital Drop Box but does not get sent to the instructor until you click on Send File.

 

Here is how to send a file to your Instructor using the Digital Dropbox:

 

  1. Login to Blackboard and go to your course.
  2. From the left navigation bar in your course, click on the Tools button.
  3. Click on the Digital Dropbox.
  4. Click on the Send File Button under the black banner labeled Digital Dropbox. You will see a numbered list of things to do:
  5. Type in the Title of the assignment in this format: (first initial)(your last name)(assignment name)
  6. For example: jsmithAssignment1
  7. Locate the file for upload by clicking on the down arrow to the right of the Browse field.
  8. Select the file.
  9. Click Open so the file name and path appear in the Browse field. Your file name should also be in this format: (first initial)(your last name)(assignment name)
  10. For example: jsmithAssignment1
  11. You can put comments in the field if you wish but this is not required.
  12. Click on Submit to send the file to your instructor.
  13. You will receive a receipt that your file has been successfully sent to your instructor.



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Take Tests and Exams

How you take tests and exams really depends on what your instructor requires. Below are two possible ways in which tests/exams are given in online courses:

Objective or essay exams through Blackboard. You login to your Blackboard course, click on a link to your exam, and take the exam with a time specified by your instructor. Some instructors allow you to access the test only one time. If you are disconnected from your Internet provider while you are taking the exam, contact your instructor immediately to report a problem.

Objective or essay exams in Student Assessment Services (SAS).
You will need to go to the Student Assessment Services (SAS) during its regularly scheduled hours of operation to take your exam. Be prepared to show a photo ID. You should check the hours of the Student Assessment Services (SAS) and other requirements at the SAS web site.

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Send & Receive Office 2007 Files

 

If you are unable to open an Office 2007 document, a free Microsoft compatibility package (Plug-In) is available for download that, once installed, will allow you to open and save these formats in earlier versions of Microsoft Office. You can install the compatibility pack on a computer that is running Microsoft Office 2003 programs, Microsoft Office XP programs, or Microsoft Office 2000 programs. Click here to access and download the Plug-In.

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