Student - FAQs
Accessing the System
I can't log into Blackboard.
Please make sure you are logging in with your NetID (first part of your Mason email address. Use the same password that you use to access your Mason email account.
Example: gmason@gmu.edu has a NetID of gmason.
How do I reset my password?
To reset your password please visit: http://mail.gmu.edu. Click on the Forget password link. You can also contact the ITU Support Center at 703-993-8870. For hours of operation visit: http://itusupport.gmu.edu.
My course does not show up on my list. What can I do?
Bb is populated based on what is in PatriotWeb. When your course exists in PatriotWeb, it will exist in Blackboard.
Where can I receive help with logging in?
Please contact the ITU Support Center at support@gmu.edu or 703-993-8870. If you have further questions you can email courses@gmu.edu.
Why am I being asked to trust the site?
Your browser wants you to be aware that you are leaving the Mason site for the blackboard.com site. Please make sure you select Trust when prompted to acknowledge that you are being redirected.
Why am I being redirected to a Blackboard.com site?
Mason is an ASP Hosted Institution. What this means is Mason asks Blackboard to provide and maintain the servers our product runs on.
What does the Trust/Run prompt mean?
Blackboard is powered by Java. The system is asking you if you agree to run the Java program. Please make sure you have the latest version of Java on your machine.
When I click on a section I get the error message "Section not available"
You are receiving this message because the instructor has not set up the course or has denied access to the course. Please contact the instructor and verify that they are using the Blackboard system.
I recently changed my Mason email address, how do I get into Blackboard?
Name changes are processed in Blackboard as soon as the information is sent to PatriotWeb. Please note that it will take 24 hours for the email system to take note of the change. You will need to allow 24 hours before logging into the Bb system.
Tools
I submitted an Assignment. Where did it go?
There are four tabs in the Assignments area. Inbox; Submitted; Not Submitted and Graded. Please look on the tabs to find your assignment. Note that if you miss a deadline and do not submit an Assignment it will show up on the Not Submitted tab.
SafeAssign is giving me an error message that I am not logged in.
Please make sure your browser is set to accept cookies. Also, you may have to drop the security settings on your browser for the SafeAssign session.
I can not download/open a file that has been uploaded to a course.
First, check to make sure that the file is not being blocked by your internet browser. The most common is Internet Explorer and you will see a yellow bar at the top of the screen. Second, make sure that you have the correct software to open the file. Example: To open a .docx file you must have Office 2007. To open a .pdf you must have Adobe Reader.
The My Computer Dialogue box does not come up.
You must be sure to Trust/Run all certificates when you enter Blackboard. If you did not do this, clear the cache on your browser, exit the browser and log back into Bb. The prompts will reappear.
I've been told to clear my cache. What do I do?
You can find instructions on clearing the cache here:
http://support.lexis-nexis.com/lexiscom/record.asp?ArticleID=wg_cache
I took a quiz, all the answers had checkmarks. When I submitted, I got a different score.
The checkmark in the top right corner of your quiz screen indicates that you have answered a question. You do not know if an answer is correct/incorrect until you sumibt the quiz..
What do I do if I want to add someone without a CE id?
Everyone at George Mason University has a CE id if they have a Mason email address. In order to be able to access your class, they will need to be given a CE id. You will need to send an email to courses@gmu.edu explaining your need for a new ID.
Why can’t I add a user who has a CE id?
Sometimes a student or faculty member is marked as inactive if they are taking or teaching no classes that semester. The inactive status prevents them from being added to a course on CE. If this status is undeserved or you’d still like to add this user to your course, please email courses@gmu.edu with the name of the user and why you need them reactivated.
Technology Outside of CE
Why can I not open .docx files?
These are Office 2007 files. You need to download a plug in or access a Mason lab to save them to an Office 2003 compatible file. Download the plugin.
Further Help with CE
Where can I ask questions about Blackboard?
Questions and concerns about using Blackboard can be directed to Learning Support Services at courses@gmu.edu. Please expect a 24-hour turn around time.
How can I keep up with all the technology changes happening on campus?
For more information about Technology Changes that Impact Teaching and Learning, please consult http://itu.gmu.edu/techservices/technology_changes_css.html on a regular basis.