Blackboard Frequently Asked Questions (Faculty)

Blackboard is an integrated set of educational
tools for developing and delivering courses or course components
over the web. It was originally developed at the University of British
Columbia and is presently being used by universities and colleges all
over the world.

Students will use Blackboard if the instructor has chosen to implement
it into his or her course. Mason is currently using version 4.1. More
information can be found at: http://www.blackboard.com.

Most Common Issues
Issue 1:How do I start using Blackboard?
Issue 2: My folder is all set up, why can my students not see it?
Issue 3: How do students see their Grades?
Issue 4: Why doesn’t my Mason email Id work?
Issue 5: I forgot my Password.
Issue 6: I don’t know how to navigate through the system.
Issue 7: How does the Mail tool work ?
Issue 8: I am having trouble with my Internet Browser.  Which one should I use?
Issue 9: Why when I look up Blackboard’s official site I get sent to a Blackboard company site?
Issue 10: These questions did not help me find my answer.

Issue 1: How do I start using Blackboard 4.1?

Faculty courses are not automatically created. You must request one here:
http://www.irc.gmu.edu/coursetools/webct/courserequest.cfm

Issue 2: My folder is all set up, why can my students not see it?

You must enroll your students into the course.
Go to the Control Panel
Click Manage Course, select Add or Import Students
There are two ways to add your students.
1. One student at a time. (Just enter the first part of their Mason email address)
2. All the students that are registered in your course. Enter the course name, number, section number and semester. E.g. English 203 Section 003 in Fall 2007 would become ENGL203003F07 Note, all CAPS and there are no spaces or special characters.

Issue 3:How do students see their Grades?

You must install the My Grades tool. Also make sure you release the columns for the students to see. Go to Manage Students area, under Options: Organize, select Manage Columns. Make sure that the Released status in your column is set to Yes.

Issue 4: Why doesn’t my Mason email Id work?

Faculty id’s are not automatically added to the system. When you request a folder, the id will be activated then.

Issue 5: I forgot my Password.

A: Reset your password at http://mail.gmu.edu or visit the ITU
Support Center in Innovation Hall 2nd floor.

Issue 6: What Operating Systems are supported?

• Mac OS 9 operating system software
• Mac OS X v10.1.x operating system software
• Mac OS X v10.2.X operating system software
• Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition operating system
• Microsoft Windows 2000 operating system
• Microsoft Windows XP operating system

**note: The ITU does not support the Windows Vista Operating system.  Please visit the ITU Support Center at
http://itusupport.gmu.edu/vista_os.asp for more
information on supported Operating systems.

Issue 7: How does the Mail tool work?

The mail tool is limited to the course in which you install it. Students can only email the other students and the faculty listed in that course.

Issue 8: I am having trouble with my Internet Browser.  Which one should I use?

A: Please see the list of supported browsers found here: http://www.webct.com/tuneup/viewpage?name=tuneup_browser
_tuneup _information#browsers

Issue 9: Why when I look up Blackboard’s official site I get
sent to a Blackboard company site?

A: Blackboard has purchased the Blackboard software.  It is now under
one company.

Issue 10: These questions did not help me find my answer.

A: Please fill out the help form found here: Coming Soon