Blackboard FAQs

NOTE: At this time, Blackboard does not support all functionality with Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) or Safari browsers. At this time, we recommend that you use the Firefox Web browser for Windows-compatible and Macintosh computers.

How do I log onto Blackboard?
If your course uses BlackBoard, the web address is www.bsu.edu/blackboard. You use your BSU computer username and password to log on. Do not type any spaces or dashes in the username or password. Also note that the password is case sensitive.

Where do I get a username and password if I don't have one?
If this is your first class at Ball State University, a BSU computer account with username and password will be automatically generated and mailed to you. Computer accounts are deactivated about 3 months after the end of the last semester attended if there is no registration for the upcoming semester. If it has been longer than that since you took a class at Ball State, your account will need to be reinstated. If you do not receive one automatically, please call the School of Extended Education at 1-800-872-0369 or email distance@bsu.edu.

What do I do if I forget my password?
You are encouraged to register a personal e-mail address on the BSU password website at https://www.bsu.edu/password as soon as you receive your BSU computer account information. By registering a personal e-mail address (like your work or home e-mail address) on this Web site, you will be able to reset your password online should you ever forget it. If you didn't register an e-mail address and forgot your username and/or password, you may e-mail distance@bsu.edu to request this information.

When should I log on? How often should I log on?
Make sure to log onto your course Web site the first day of class. Some instructors don't post their courses until the beginning of the term, and others may post them earlier. Your instructor may require you to e-mail them the first day of class to ensure you were able to log in and to verify your enrollment.

Once you log onto Blackboard, a link to your course (s) will appear under "My Courses" on your home page. Your course announcements or your course syllabus should be able to give you an idea of how often you need to log onto the course site.

How to do you forward your BSU e-mail to another address?
Go to www.bsu.edu/webmail. Once at the Webmail page is up, click on the "Set Forward" link. After entering your username and password it will take you to the BSU page where you will enter the email address for which you want all your BSU emails forwarded. Once you have done this click the "Set Forwarding Address" button.

How do you remove links to courses from previous semesters?
On the "@myBSU" page under "My Courses" section click on the pencil icon on the right of the words "My Courses" to edit your links. You will be taken to "Customize my Courses" page. Click on the check marks to uncheck and remove the courses that you do not want to display on your main page. Once you are done click on "Submit" button at the bottom right on the screen.

How can I view a PowerPoint presentation?
A PowerPoint presentation can be viewed on a webpage or it can be downloaded to your computer and then viewed. To download and view from your computer you should either have PowerPoint installed on your computer or you have to have the free PowerPoint viewer which can be downloaded here. To download the presentation to your computer right click on the link to the file name (name of the presentation) and choose "save target as … ". A window should open up asking you to save the file, save it to a location. Double click on the saved presentation to view it.

To view the presentation in the browser just click on the link and the presentation should open up in the browser. You should still have either PowerPoint or the PowerPoint viewer installed on your computer.

You may also purchase Microsoft Software from the School of Extended Education at a reduced price.

How do you personalize your Blackboard homepage?
To the right of the "@myBSU" page you should see two buttons labeled "Contents" and "Layout". Clicking on the contents button takes you to a page where you can add more content to your main page, just click on the content you would like to add and after you have added everything that you need click on "Submit" button which is at the bottom right corner of the page.

Clicking on the "Layout" button will take you to a page where you can change the page layout. In the first section you can customize where each section is located on your homepage, first click on the name of a section and click on the appropriate button to move it up the list, down the list or move from right side of the page to the left etc. In the second section you can choose the color and text layout of your main page. Choose the changes you would like to make and click on "Submit".

How do you attach a file to E-mail message?
Once you have opened new window to send a email message click on the "Add Attachment" button shaped like a Paper Clip. This will pop up a new window asking you to attach a file. Browse for the file you are going to attach and click on open and then click on attach. You should see the name of the file you just attached in the Current file attachments section. Click on close and your attachment is added to your email.

How do I use the Discussion Board?
The Discussion Board tool within Blackboard allows users to post, read, and respond to messages in a bulleting-board-style setting. To access the Discussion Board, click on the "Communication" link, then on the "Discussion Boards" link.

On the Discussion Board page, you will see several "forums" listed; each is a discussion board on a specific topic area.

The number of messages within each forum is displayed, as well as how many of those message you have not yet read. To enter a forum, just click on its name.

Once inside the forum, you will see all the messages listed, along with the author and posting date/time of each.

Any replies to a message are indented and placed directly below it; together, a message and its replies are considered a "thread." You may collapse a thread so all replies are hidden by clicking the small minus sign next to the message. You can expand a thread so all replies are visible again by clicking the plus sign next to the message.

To read a message, click on the title, Click on the author's name to send that individual an e-mail message.

To post a new message, click on the "Add New Thread" button. Fill in the Subject and Message boxes, and then click on the "Submit" button.

To reply to a message, simply look for the "Reply" Button while reading the message.

How do you insert a URL into discussion board?
To insert a URL into an email or discussion board, click on the address bar where the URL is located in your browser, when it is highlighted, right click on it and in the pop-up menu choose copy. Now go to your discussion board message and right click on the message where you want to insert the link and choose paste.

How do I use the "chat" function in Blackboard?
Click on "Communication" link in the Course menu of a course page. Select "Collaboration Tools". Click on "Join" next to the chat session. To enter a message for other in the session to read type the message in the compose box and click on the "Send" button. Some of the functions can be used only if you are the active user. To become an active user click on the hand symbol next to your name, the instructor has to click on the hand too to make you the active user. Once you are the active user you can post messages to the class. To view information about a user, click on the users name and click on "User Info". To send a Private message to a user, click on the users name in the list and select "Private Message". A new chat window will open up and you can chat with the user.

How do I view PDF files?
In order to view PDF documents you will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. if you have the Acrobat reader you can open the document by just clicking on the link or the document can be downloaded to your computer and viewed. To download the document right click on the link and select "Save Target As….", which will take you to a pop up window asking to save the file. Select the folder where you want to save the file and click Save. Double click to open the PDF file.

How do I attach a document to my thread?
Click on the "Add New Thread" button, it will take you to a new page asking you to create a new message. After typing in the subject and message, click on the "Browse" button next to the Attachment field.

This would open up a window where you can locate the file you want to add as the attachment. After you have located your file click on open located at the bottom of the pop up window. Now you should see that the attachment text field will be filled with words indicating the path to your file. Click on "Submit" and your file and message should be posted in the discussion board.

How do I view my grades?
Click on "@myBSU" tab located at the top of the web page to go to the Blackboard home page. Once at the home page you will find a link to "View Grades" located towards the left of your screen, click on it. It will take you to a list of all courses that you used the blackboard for. Find the course(s) that you want to see the grade(s) for and click on it. You will see the grades for that course.

Where do I find the link to an online quiz or examination?
Some instructors post their quizzes or examinations in Blackboard and others may ask that you log onto Inqsit. Make sure that you ask your instruction where the quiz/exam is posted and if you have to take it at a certain time.

What are the hardware and software requirements for an Internet-based course?
Below are some guidelines that may assist you. Also, you may want to contact your instructor to see if there is a specific software that you will need for the course.
Hardware Requirements
Software Requirements

How do I access Ball State library databases?
You may access the Library's Web site at www.bsu.edu/library. See the "Electronic Resources" section. You may need to use your BSU username and password to view some documents.

How do I obtain a journal article through InterLibrary Loan?
Students enrolled in Ball State University distance education classes may request books and articles not available online. Articles will be photocopied and mailed to the address you provide. Allow additional time for articles from journals not owned by University Libraries. Books owned by University Libraries will also be mailed to the address you provide. Books not owned by University Libraries should be requested through your Public Library's Interlibrary Loan Office.

Questions and concerns may also be directed to the University Libraries' Coordinator for Distance Education:

Christy Groves, Head of Access Services
University Libraries
Ball State University,