IT Service Desk | Quinsigamond (2024)

What is Blackboard?

Blackboard is the College’s Learning Management System that provides tools for teaching online as well as for in-person, in-person - blended, and remote - blended courses. All QCC courses have a Blackboard shell that may be used for handouts, online discussion, testing, group work, assignment submission, and grading.

To learn how to logon to Blackboard, watch this video.

Once you have logged onto Blackboard, watch this videoto learn how to access and navigate inside your Blackboard course(s).

Most QCC online courses in Blackboard were created in what’s called the “original course view.” The Blackboard handouts available on this website are about courses created in that view. We are beginning to transition online classes to Blackboard’s newest course view, which is called the “Ultra course view.” Original course view and Ultra course view courses have many of the same features. There are some differences, though, between how courses look in these different views, where you find these features in them, how to post and reply to a discussion board, how to submit assignments, and how to view your grades.

This video explains the differences between a Blackboard course in the original view versus one in Ultra view.

If you are not sure if your online course is in the original course view or Ultra course view, please contact your instructor. If you are enrolled in a course for which the instructor is using the Ultra course view, you also can find helpful videos on this YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKjBxIe_138&list=PLontYaReEU1th3bHYy_JWWkyZCW0ZM3r0. If you additional assistance, please contact an Online Learning Coach.

Where can I find tutorials for using Blackboard?

You can find Blackboard tutorials on this website: https://help.blackboard.com/Learn/Student/Original

Don't know where to start?

We can help! Schedule a session with a Tutor in the General Academic Areas Tutoring Center!

• Call us at 508.854.4279
• Email us at subjecttutoring@qcc.mass.edu
• Visit the Subject Tutoring website

Students can also contact the Online Learning Coaches

Video about this service: https://tinyurl.com/bdht2uwx

If you need assistance from an Online Learning Coach, use one of these contact options: 
Email: OnlineCourseHelp@qcc.mass.edu  
Phone: 508.854.7455 
Text: 774.502.9270 (Tricia LaFountaine) or 774.502.9469 (Ann Panetta)
Starfish: We are listed in your Success Network. 
Zoom: The Online Learning Coaches also are available to meet with students in Zoom by appointment. Contact them using one of the methods listed above to schedule a time.

How do I submit assignments in Blackboard?

Please see the attached How to Submit Assignments in Blackboard student guide for detailed instructions.

Vea por favor el documento adjuntado "Guía para los estudiantes: cómo enviar las tareas en Blackboard" para instrucciones detalladas.

If you are taking an Ultra course view Blackboard class, please see the attached How to Submit Assignments in Blackboard student guide for detailed instructions. If you are not sure if your online course is in the original course view or Ultra course view, please contact your instructor.

• How to Submit Assignments (Ultra)

How can I correct my list of courses?

Course enrollments are uploaded to Blackboard daily. If you have added or dropped courses, wait 24 hours before contacting the Help Desk. If your course list is still incorrect after that time, then contact the IT Help Desk.

How can I access course content using alternate formats in Blackboard?

Ally is the accessibility tool for Blackboard files. It is an integrated part of our learning management system (LMS) and helps build a more inclusive student experience by improving accessibility of files in Blackboard. For more information, click the links below:

• Ally Quick Start for Students
• Watch short, engaging Help videos for Ally here
• Using Blackboard Ally to Make Course Files More Accessible

ReadSpeaker "instantly creates an audio version of courses, textbooks, assessments, research, training materials, personal documents and more, allowing learners to listen while following along with the highlighted text." You may find the resources below to be beneficial.

Quick guides:

• Why Should I Use ReadSpeaker?
• How to Access ReadSpeaker
• Player and Tool Highlights

Videos:

• ReadSpeaker Training for Blackboard Videos(including taking quizzes in Blackboard with or without Respondus)
• ReadSpeaker webReader How-To Videos
• ReadSpeaker docReader: How-To Videos
• ReadSpeaker in Blackboard for Students: YouTube video(02:56)

What are some of the tools available in the Content Editor?

Review the feature overview document to learn the major features and functionality of the new Blackboard Content Editor (Nov. 2020).

How do I show or hide Blackboard menu panel options?

Please see the attached Show or Hide Menu Options student guide for detailed instructions.

Why can't I find an assignment, test, discussion board, etc.?

Contact your instructor. Your instructor controls the availability of all course content.

Is Blackboard Learn accessible to all?

From the Blackboard Learn website: “Blackboard is invested in the usability and accessibility of all our products and services. In keeping with our strong tradition of leadership around accessibility, our products are generally designed and developed with internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), as well as Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, in mind. Blackboard strives to meet the globally recognized WCAG 2.1 Level AA success criteria and conducts regular third-party accessibility testing of its products to assess conformance with industry standards.”

• Specific information for Original view
• Specific information for Ultra view

If you are not sure if your online course is in the original course view or Ultra course view, please contact your instructor.

I was in the middle of taking a test and got kicked out of Blackboard.

Unfortunately, the information is probably lost permanently and you will need to recreate it. Contact your instructor immediately.

Here are some reasons why you may have been kicked out:

• The internet connection dropped.
• The browser was refreshed.
• Your browser timed out due to inactivity. Blackboard has a security setting that logs you out if it doesn't receive any input for a period of time. Note:Typing into a text box doesn't count as activity. Saving periodically does count. Save frequently.

These tips might help to prevent future issues:

• Use a wired connection if possible when taking a test. Wireless internet connections are less reliable.
• Do not refresh the browser page.
• Do not close the browser window
• Do not click the browser's back button.
• If possible, type out the text in an external application like Notepad and then paste it into Blackboard Learn. Working offline first ensures that your work in progress will not be lost.
• If you are working in assignments, save your work in progress. Saving often helps avoid any browser timeout issues.

How can I login to Blackboard?

Please view the How to Login to Blackboard student guide for detailed instructions.

Vea por favor el documento adjuntado "Cómo iniciar sesión en Blackboard" para instrucciones detalladas.

To learn how to logon to Blackboard, watch this video.

Once you have logged onto Blackboard, watch this videoto learn how to access and navigate inside your Blackboard course(s).

To sign into Blackboard with M365 Universal Login:

1. Use the drop-down menu next to "Sign in with third-party account" and select "Sign in with your Microsoft account."
2. Follow the prompts to sign into your QCC Microsoft account.

If you need to log into the Blackboard website directly

1. Go to the Blackboard website
2. Enter Username (TheQ username)
3. Enter Password

Note: if you are already logged onto your Microsoft account, you won't need to enter your username and password. You'll just need to use the drop-down menu next to "Sign in with third-party account" and select "Sign in with your Microsoft account."

If you do not know your password

1. Click on "Forgot Password?" (underneath the "Sign In" button)
2. A new window will pop open with two options,Username option & Email option
   1. Note: Username: same as theQ username| Email: QCC M365 Email Address
3. Click Submit.

An email will be sent to your student email address. This email will contain a link to reset your Blackboard password. Follow the instructions to reset your password.
Navigate back to the Blackboard website, and enter your username and the new password that you just reset to log into Blackboard.

If you need further assistance, please contact the IT Service Desk at 508.854.4427 or help@qcc.mass.edu.

Do you need additional resources for Blackboard?

We have created a consolidated list which reflects some of the most commonly asked questions, click here to view. It includes links to many different resources, including:

• Blackboard Help video links
• Computer technical requirements
• Internet browser resources
• Where to get Office 365 for free if you are a current student!
• QCC's Alden Library Research and LibGuides site
• Netiquette & Communication
• Accessibility links to publisher & tool providers (not all may be listed here, check with your instructor for course specific tools and applications)
• Self Help FAQs (no login required)
• 24/7 Blackboard Support - Call, Chat, or Submit a Ticket
• Privacy Policies (for some tools & providers)

I'm concerned about privacy issues for external apps we're using in an online course. How can I find out more?

How can I view my grades and feedback on assignments?

Please see the How to View Grades and Feedback in Blackboard Guide (original course view) for further information.

If you are taking an Ultra course view Blackboard class, please read this student guide for detailed instructions: How to View Grades and Feedback in Blackboard Guide (Ultra course view). If you are not sure if your online course is in the original course view or Ultra course view, please contact your instructor.

I sent an email to my student, but can't find it. Where can I find it?

Blackboard Learn doesn't keep a record of emails sent from the "QCC Email (send only)" tool. For this reason, we strongly recommend clicking on the checkbox next to "Return Receipt" at the bottom of that page before sending an email; if you do this, a copy will be sent to your email address.

If you use the "Course Messages in Bb" option to communicate, you can click on that link and then look in the "Sent" folder to see the course messages you sent to someone else.

To locate an email message you sent from your student email or QCC email (faculty), do the following:

• Students: Login to your student email account and check messages in the "Sent Items" folder.

How can I get technical help with Blackboard?

Blackboard Learn support is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

You can access our help by one of the following ways:

1. Review Blackboard Learn Help for Students.
2. You can call the IT Service Desk (508.854.4427) and follow the prompts for Blackboard Help.
3. You can email help@qcc.mass.edufrom your school email address.

What is Hypothesis, and how do I use it?

Instructors can connect the Hypothesis tool to online course readings in Blackboard. If they do this, “Hypothesis lets you take notes, view and reply to other notes, along with other features. When you open a Hypothesis assignment you’ll see the web page or PDF your teacher assigned alongside the Hypothesis sidebar” (Hypothesis website).

For more information about how to use Hypothesis, see these how-to guides:

• Student Introduction to How to Use Hypothesis
• Annotation Tips for Students
• Adding Links, Images and Videos

How do I navigate my Blackboard course?

Please see the attached How to Navigate your Blackboard Course student guide for detailed instructions.

Which browsers and operating systems can be used with our current version of Blackboard Learn?

At this time, QCC recommends using Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. For more information, please see this Blackboard Help page.

How do I set up LockDown Browser and monitor for my Blackboard test?

If your instructor has informed you that you need to download and install the Respondus LockDown Browser (and Monitor) to take a test, click here to access a student guide with the download link and instructions.

For additional details and information, you may download the Respondus Student Quick Guide by clicking here.

Troubleshooting Tips:

Click here to review some common issues and troubleshooting tips.

What are the minimum technical skills I need to take an online course?

To succeed in an online course, you should:

1. Know how to use Blackboard to contact your instructor and for discussions, assignments and tests.
2. Be able to create, send and download emails, with and without attachments.
3. Create, edit and submit word processing, spreadsheet and presentation files.
4. Copy and paste
5. Download, locate and install software applications and plug-ins.
6. Some courses might also require the use of head sets and microphones or other course-specific software or peripherals.

What tool is used for audio access to Blackboard?

ReadSpeaker "Instantly create an audio version of courses, textbooks, assessments, research, training materials, personal documents and more, allowing learners to listen while following along with the highlighted text." You may find the resources below to be beneficial.

How do I post and reply to Blackboard discussion boards?

Please see the attached How to Post and Reply to Discussion Boards student guide for detailed instructions.

If you are taking an Ultra course view Blackboard class, please see the attached How to Post and Reply to Discussion Boards in Blackboard student guide for detailed instructions. If you are not sure if your online course is in the original course view or Ultra course view, please contact your instructor.

• How to Post and Reply to Discussion Boards(Ultra)

How can I change my display name and/or show my pronouns in Blackboard?

This video contains step-by-step instructions on how to change your display name and add your pronouns in Blackboard: https://kaltura.qcc.edu/media/How+to+Edit+Your+Blackboard+Profile/1_yzagiswv.