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Blackboard

Top Tips for Students New to Blackboard

  • Log in regularly to check for new announcements and coursework.
  • Check your course syllabus for due dates and course requirements.
  • Go through the Blackboard Orientation course as a way to become familiar with Blackboard Learn and how to interact with online course content.
  • Check that you are using a supported operating system and browser and that all additional software is installed (i.e. Java).
  • Check the Help tab for FAQ’s, support information, and contact information for regularly used tools that are outside of Blackboard.

Blackboard Learn for Students

How do I login to Blackboard?

Arkansas State University users:

  1. Access Blackboard.
  2. Click the “Login to Blackboard” button.
  3. Enter your A-State username and password.
  4. Authenticate using Duo.

Childhood Services and Other users:

  1. Access Blackboard.
  2. Click the CHS Training Login or Other Login link.
  3. Click Continue on the popup.
  4. Login with your username and password.

More information and login instructions can be found here.

Where do I start first?

After you are registered for classes at A-State, you are enrolled into Blackboard Learn Student Orientation which is a great place to start.

Blackboard Learn Student Orientation

The Blackboard Learn Student Orientation course is located in the My Courses module or on the Courses tab and is available to all enrolled students.

The orientation course covers the following topics:

  • Log In and Begin
  • Course Content
  • Communicate
  • Tests and Assignments
  • Stay on Track
  • Get Help

It also contains links to Blackboard’s help site for general how to’s and instructions.

Note: These are general how to’s for how to use the site. Some links may not be the same for our Blackboard site. For specific information for your course, please contact your instructor.

The orientation is a free course to help you become familiar with Blackboard and an online course. It is not required and it does not count as a grade.

Blackboard Learn Supported Operating Systems and Browsers

Operating Systems

  • Windows – Windows 8 or later
  • Mac – macOS Sierra (10.12) or later
  • Mobile – iOS/iPadOS or Android

Note: Blackboard supports the latest two versions of the mobile operating systems.

***Chromebooks are NOT supported by certain tools and features within Blackboard Learn and certain 3rd party tool providers used by A-State, such as Respondus LockDown Browser.***

Browsers

  • Google Chrome – 63 or later (desktop, mobile)
  • Microsoft Edge – 42 or later (desktop), 38 or later (mobile)
  • Mozilla Firefox – 57 or later (desktop, mobile)
  • Safari – 12 or later (desktop), iOS 11 or later (mobile)

Note: Internet Explorer is not a supported browser.

Blackboard tests browsers using a variety of devices and operating systems. Support is not limited to these specific operating systems. Blackboard supports the desktop browser versions regardless of the particular device or operating system they run on.

Mobile Devices

  • iOS/iPadOS – iPhone 6s or later, iPad Air 2 or later
  • Android – Samsung Galaxy S9 or later, Samsung Galaxy Note 9 or later, Google Pixel 3A or later, OnePlus 7T or later

Please note that any of the above devices should work; however, completing most course assignments will require a computer.

Additional Software Information for Students

A handful of features in Blackboard Learn require you to install additional software or plugins, such as Java.

Proctoring Software

Please review your course Syllabus or any Program Requirements concerning proctoring software that may be required.

Information and support contacts can be found on the Authentication and Proctoring area of the Help tab in Blackboard.

Mobile

Having the Blackboard app installed on your mobile device can help with notifications and keeping up with coursework.

Be aware that many instructors design courses to be taken using a desktop/laptop computer. Your course may look different and some features may not function as designed when using a mobile device.

Blackboard Collaborate for Students

How to Access the Blackboard Collaborate Session in a Course

  1. Click the Blackboard Collaborate link on the course menu.
  2. Click the folder for the class meetings.
  3. Click the link to the meeting for the day.
  4. A menu will open on the right. Click the Join button.
  5. Blackboard Collaborate will open in a new tab or window.

How to Post to the Chat (if allowed)

  1. Click the purple << menu in the lower right to open the Collaborate panel.
  2. Click the first icon in the lower right (bubble icon).
  3. Type your message in the “Say something” box.

Blackboard Collaborate Supported Operating Systems and Browsers

Blackboard Collaborate is regularly certified against the following combinations of browsers and operating systems. Collaborate only supports the most recent two stable releases of browsers.

Note: Internet Explorer is not a supported browser.

Kaltura for Students

Kaltura can be used to record and submit presentations and video assignments through Blackboard.

Best Practices for Participants

  • Use a hard-wired (Ethernet) connection, if available. If not available, use a Wi-Fi connection and try to be as close to the router as possible.
  • Close other programs. Close all programs and streaming services on your computer except for the browser you are using for your Collaborate session.
  • Keep your operating system and browser current. Only use up-to-date operating systems and Internet browsers that are supported by Blackboard Collaborate.
  • Use supported mobile browsers. If on a mobile device, use a supported mobile browser. For the best experience, use Safari on iOS devices and Google Chrome on Android devices.
  • Limit video use. Use video during the session only when necessary.
  • Use headphones. Cut down on the background noise and use headphones.
  • Disable ad blockers. Browser ad blockers can turn off your audio and video and can cause buttons to not show up.

The Help Tab

The Help tab has the following areas with helpful support information for students:

  • Support Contacts (includes third-party tool support contact information)
  • Student Quick Help (includes FAQ’s and third-party tool support information)
  • Authentication and Proctoring (includes support information for BioSig and proctoring tools)
  • Learning and Campus Resources

Note: Third-party tools, including publisher sites and proctoring software, are used by instructors to enhance student learning. Technical support for third-party tools outside of Blackboard is usually provided by the third-party tool company.

Introduction to the Original Course View for Students

How to Customize Your My Institution Page

Frequently Asked Questions

I am registered for the next semester. When will my class show up on Blackboard?

The instructor of the course is responsible for making the course available and unavailable. Once your instructor has made the course available, it will show up in Blackboard.

I want to hide old courses in the My Course module. How can I do that?

Click the icon in upper right corner of the My Course module. Select Edit Module. Uncheck the course you wish to hide and click Submit.

I need access to an old course. Whom should I contact?

You will need to contact the instructor of the course. The instructor of the course is responsible for making the course available and unavailable to students.

Can I edit or delete a Discussion Post?

Generally, no. It depends on the settings made by the instructor.

I am receiving emails from a Discussion Board. How do I unsubscribe?

You will need to go into the particular Discussion Forum and click the “Unsubscribe” button.

I saved a post as a Draft. How can I see my Draft post?

Return to the forum page, access the Display menu, and select Drafts Only.

I submitted the wrong document for an assignment. How can I get my assignment reset?

You will need to contact the instructor of the course to reset the assignment.

My instructor told me to use SafeAssign to submit an assignment. What is that?

Instructors have the ability to make any assignment use the SafeAssign plagiarism checker. SafeAssign is now built into the regular assignment in Blackboard. Submit your assignment as you normally would.

What is the maximum size file I can submit for an assignment?

Submission files should be under 20MB.

I was kicked out of an exam. How can I get my exam reset?

You will need to contact the instructor of the course to reset the exam.

I am using Respondus LockDown Browser for a test and I am being asked to choose a server. Which one do I choose?

Select “A-State Jonesboro or A-State Online” from the drop down list.

My instructor said to download Respondus LockDown Browser, but my test is still asking for a password.

If the test requires Respondus LockDown Browser, you must use the Respondus LockDown Browser to access Blackboard and take the test, not another browser such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. The Respondus LockDown Browser will enter the password for the test.