Blackboard 9.1 - Student GuideAt Santa Ana College, we use Blackboard (Bb)as our course management system. You may find that your instructors use Blackboard for their course materials, online assessments, communication toolsand gradebook.

Accessing Blackboard:

Blackboard can be accessed with an Internet connection at: http://rsccd.blackboard.com Your Blackboard login id and password is your SAC WebAdvisor id/password. After logging in you will see your courses listed under "My Courses". Click the course name to enter the

course. Please note - not all instructors utilize Blackboard. If you do not see your course listed, this does not indicate that you are not enrolled in the course, simply that your instructor does not use Bb or has not yet made the course available in Bb.

Access to classes is updated daily. After adding a course, it is possible that you may not be able to see your course listed on Bb for up to 48 hours. Please contact the Distance Education office if you are experiencing problems.

Updating and Personalizing Your Page:

Email: It is extremely important that you update your email on Bb. Your WebAdvisor email does not "carry" over to Bb. To update your email, select My Places (at the top of your user page), select Personal Information, Edit Personal Information, update your email, select Submit.

Notifications: From My Places, you will see that you can also turn your dashboard and email notifications on/off. Our default is to have them set to "on". If you find that you would like to customize this setting after your course gets started, select "My Places", "Edit Notification Settings", and uncheck the notifications you do not wish to see or receive, select "Submit". You are able to customize these settings for all courses at once or individually.

Modules: If there is a module that you would like to add to your user page, simply click the button. Please note that not all instructors utilize date features directly in their course for the Alerts, Calendar and ToDo modules. You may need to enter in your due dates if you wish to utilize these modules.

Getting Around:

Navigation: Within a couse (select a course from "My Courses"), the course menu is on the left-hand side. Your instructor has set up the menu links to fit the needs of their course. Give yourself time to get to know the course by following the menu item links.

Course Differences: Expect that each course in Bb will be different. Just as each classroom course is customized by the individual instructor, each course on Bb is customized for the needs of the course by your instructor.

Breadcrumbs: At the top of each course there are "breadcrumbs" that can be used to help you navigate back to prior screens. You may use your breadcrumb trail to navigate back through your screens.

Browser Compatibility:

Certified (full tested and supported) Compatible - partially tested, but should function properly Not Supported

Internet Explorer v8: Vista (32-bit), Win7(32) (in compatibility mode)

WinXP, Vista (64), Win7(64)  

Internet Explorer v7: WinXP, Vista Win7 (32, 64)

Firefox 3.5:WinXP, Vista (32, 64), Win7(32,64), Mac OSX (10.5, 10.6)

 

Firefox 3.6: Vista (32), Win7(32), Mac OSX 10.6

WinXP, Vista (64), Win7(64), Mac OSX 10.5  

Safari 5.0: Mac OSX 10.6 Mac OSX 10.5  

*Google Chrome is not supported by Bb at this time. It is not suggested for tests or assignment submittal.** We have been finding that with the new IEv9 is problematic for Bb at this time. Either downgrade to IE v8, use

Firefox, or run IE v9 in Compatibility Mode.

Computer Preparation for online quizzes/tests:

Shutdown your computer and re-boot it before you begin your exam - This will help ensure that you do not lose your internet connection while taking your exam.

Preparation:

To run our Bb site in Compatibility View on IE v8, go to • our Bb site (this MUST be done for test taking on Bb

Login tohttp://rsccd.blackboard.com

• Click "Page", in the upper right

• Select "Compatibility ViewSettings"

• Click to "Add" theblackboard.com site

• Check the "Display allwebsites in CompatibilityView", for those listed

• Click "Close"

IE v8

To run our Bb site in Compatibility View on IE v9, go to • our Bb site (this MUST be done for test taking on Bb):

Login tohttp://rsccd.blackboard.com • Press the ALT key to make the hidden file menu visible in IE9

• Click the "Tools" menu, select "compatibility View Settings"

• Click to "Add" the blackboard.com site

• Check the "Display all websites in Compatibility View".

• Click "Close

IE v9

Once you have launched your Quiz/Test:

Enable Pop-ups, Cookies and JavaScript for the Blackboard site. Open just ONE browser window - Do not have any other browser windows or programs open while taking

tests. Other programs and browsers can interfere with your Blackboard exam and unexpectedly close the browser.

Complete the exam once it is opened - If you do not take the exam at that time you may be locked out and will not be able to return to take the exam

Do not Leave the Test page while taking the exam as it will cause problems - This has caused the Bb test site to crash and students are locked out of the test. (for example, to view course materials or another Web site.)

Do not close the browser window while taking the exam - This will close the test. Be aware of time constraints for your test - If you have a time limit, be time aware. Use the Submit button when you have finished your exam.

Getting Help:

The "On Demand" and "Student Help" links in the "OnDemand Help and Learning" module on your User homepage can also provide you with video tutorials and text answers to specific areas within your Bb course.

The Distance Education Office is available Monday - Friday to assist you! Please contact us during business hours, or leave a message with your question and contact information.

Distance Education Office Santa Ana CampusLocation: Cesar Chavez Building - Room A-101

Phone: (714) 564-6725Email: sac_disted@sac.edu