Blackboard Frequently Asked Questions

This page contains answers to some of the frequently asked questions about UND’s Blackboard system. If you need further help, click on the Contact Blackboard Support link on the Blackboard main page or call 777-6305 between the hours of 8am-4:30pm.

What is Blackboard?

  1. Blackboard is a learner management system (LMS) which is used by most UND instructors and students. It is
    web-based, which means you can access it anywhere there is internet access. It is cross platform for MAC and Windows users. 

  2. To view minimum requirements and recommended browser, go to: www.und.edu/department/cilt/tech_requirements.html

Do I need to request a Blackboard account?

  1. Blackboard user accounts are created as students enroll in courses through CampusConnection. Those accounts are added into Blackboard starting one week before school starts and continue on a daily basis until the last day to add a course. Please allow two business days after you register for your account to be created.

  2. Remember, not all instructors use Blackboard. All of your courses may not be listed on your myUND page. Please contact the instructors of your courses if you have any questions.

What is my user name & password?

  1. Please check out the Login Tips page

I logged into Blackboard but my course was not listed, why?

  1. Your instructor has the option to use Blackboard or not. If you are in a “Blackboard course”, your instructor will announce it. Even then, your instructor needs to make it available to his/her students (which may not occur for several weeks into the semester). If you have questions, please first ask your instructor.

How do I change my Blackboard password?

  1. Once you have logged in to Blackboard, click on the left side of your myUND page under Tools and select Personal Information. Click on Change Password.

  2. If you forgot your password, click on the ”Forgot you password?” link in the myUND Blackboard Login module on the Blackboard main page. Decide which option to complete, Username Option or Email Address Option, and submit the information. You will receive an e-mail shortly directing you to change your password. NOTE: You must have a current e-mail address listed in Blackboard for this feature to work.

What e-mail address is listed for me in Blackboard, can I change it, and how?

  1. The e-mail used for official UND correspondence is your U-Mail address. To claim your U-mail account go to http://itss.und.edu/email.html. There is a tutorial in the Blackboard Student orientation site on how to claim your account.

  2. If your e-mail address in Blackboard is incorrect you can change it to your U-Mail account by clicking on Personal Information on your myUND page and choose Edit Personal Information.

  3. If you do not have an e-mail address listed in Blackboard, please add your U-Mail address.

What is the Blackboard Student Orientation: Bb Basics Self Help course site?

  1. All new students at UND are enrolled in this self-help tutorial. It can provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed as an online learner in Blackboard. You will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities including; submitting assignments, taking practice quizzes, posting blogs, contributing to wikis, downloading handouts, and much more. This is not a graded course.

How do I get into my course after I logged into Blackboard?

  1. On the right side of the Blackboard Welcome screen is the My Courses module containing all of your courses whose instructors are using Blackboard and have made it accessible to his/her students. Simply click on the course’s name to view its Blackboard content.

What do I do if I have questions or problems with Blackboard?

  1. If your Blackboard problem is specific to your course, please contact your instructor. If you have general Blackboard questions, the other three ways of getting help are:

    1. E-mail – ciltsupport@mail.und.edu

    2. Phone – 701-777-6305

    3. LiveHelp – click on the LiveHelp link in the Blackboard Help Tab

How do I view, save or print Blackboard files?

  1. Your instructor will insert, into various Content Areas of your Blackboard course, a number of files that you will need to read, save/edit, or print. The easiest way of doing this is to right-click the name of the file and select one of the following choices:

    1. Open in New Window (to fully view a file)

    2. Save Target as (to save the file to your local hard drive or to your campus H-drive)

    3. Print Target (to print just the file and not the Blackboard window)

I can log into Blackboard on campus, but not at home, why?

  1. The internet setting is set to high or may be to custom. Internet Explorer is, by default, set to custom high. You need to change this setting to medium.

    1. Click on the Tools menu choice when in the Internet

    2. Click on the Security tab

    3. Click on the Custom Level button (just above the OK button)

    4. At the bottom of the Security Settings window, reset the custom settings to Medium

    5. Then click on the OK button twice

  2. If this does not work, contact ITSS Helpdesk at 7-2222, e-mail blackboard@mail.und.edu, LiveHelp – click on the LiveHelp link in the Blackboard Help Tab

Does my Blackboard account ever expire?

  1. UND policy requires that user accounts will be removed on a regular basis after graduation or transfer from UND.

How long will I have access to my course after the semester ends

  1. Courses are available to student users one week after grades are due for the semester.

I have just submitted my assignment, quiz/assessment, how do I know it was received?

  1. Go to the Tools section in your course and click on MyGrades. In the gradebook click on the assignment you submitted.

  2. If the assignment has been graded you will see a score in that field.

  3. If your assignment has not been graded you will see an exclamation point in that field.

  4. If you see a padlock in that field it means you only clicked the “save” button instead of the “submit” button. Please go back to the assignment and click submit.

How do I find the assignment my instructor posted?

  1. Instructors may post assignments in different sections of the course based on how they use Blackboard. There may be an Assignment menu item, or they may be included within weekly lessons. Please check with your instructor.

My last name changed, how do I change it in Blackboard?

  1. Contact Campus Connection to update your UND official personal information.

  2. After Campus Connection has been updated, contact blackboard@mail.und.edu.

I got kicked out of Blackboard when I was taking a test, now I can't get back in. What can I do?

  1. You must contact your instructor to “clear the attempt” to allow you access to the quiz again.

  2. It is the prerogative of your instructor to allow you access to the quiz again. Not all instructors will allow a second attempt.

  3. To avoid any test/quiz issues ensure you are on a wired internet connection, your hardware meets the minimum requirements, and you are using a certified browser before beginning the quiz.

My computer doesn't have PowerPoint, Word or Excel, how can I view files in my Blackboard course site?

  1. Go to Microsoft’s download page. There are Word, Excel and PowerPoint viewers available for download at no charge.

  2. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/Search.aspx?displaylang=en

  3. Search for PowerPoint, Word or Excel Viewers

I have Word 2003 and the files are in Word 2007, how do I access them?

  1. There is a compatibility pack available to download that, when installed, will allow you to view files that were created in the new 2007 version of Microsoft Office using your current 2003 version.

  2. Go to: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=941b3470-3ae9-4aee-8f43-c6bb74cd1466&displaylang=en

Is there any specific times Blackboard will be unavailable?

  1. Maintenance: Tuesday & Thursday 4-7 am, and Saturday 5-8 am.

  2. Upgrades: Notices will be sent out and announcements will be posted on the Blackboard main page to notify all users about downtimes for planned upgrades. Upgrades are normally only planned during breaks between semesters.

Do all courses on campus use Blackboard?

  1. The decision to use Blackboard is made by the instructor of the course. Not all instructors use Blackboard for their courses.

  2. Some instructors use other Learning Management Systems (LMS) or create individual websites for their courses. There are two other LMS’ being used at UND:

    1. eZ LMS - Aerospace

    2. Moodle - geology

Can I access Blackboard from home or must I be on campus?
  1. You can log into Blackboard from anywhere there is a computer with internet access.
Will my Blackboard login work on other campuses within the state?

  1. Your Blackboard login is unique to UND.

  2. If you are taking courses from other Universities or colleges you will receive a separate user name and password from the institution.

Can any other students see my Blackboard grades?

  1. No, only you and your instructor has access to view your grades in Blackboard.

At the end of the semester where do I find my final, official grades?

  1. CampusConnection is the official source for your final grades. Your instructor will post your final grades in CampusConnection.

I dropped a class and it is still listed in Blackboard, how can I get it removed?

  1. The automatic process to enroll students in Blackboard course sites does not including dropping students.

  2. Please contact your instructor to request removal from Blackboard courses.

  3. If you are unable to contact your instructor call Blackboard at 777-6305.

Do I need special plug-ins to view files in Blackboard - Flash, Shockwave, Real Player,
Quicktime, Windows Media Player, Acrobat Reader, etc? Where do I find them?

  1. On the Blackboard main page there is a Blackboard Support module with a link to Blackboard Browser Plug-ins.

  2. The same link is available by clicking on the Blackboard Help tab once you are logged in to Blackboard.

Can I use Blackboard for my groups or organizations?

    1. Yes, Blackboard is available for UND groups and organizations.

    2. You can find a link to the Community site request form in the Blackboard Help tab, under Resources for Faculty.

How do I register my TurningPoint clicker in Blackboard?

  1. Log in to Blackboard and click on any one of the courses listed in the My Courses module.

  2. In the Tools module in the Menu bar in the left side, click on Course Tools

  3. Scroll down the page to find the TurningPoint Registration Tool

  4. Click on the link and enter your clicker Response Device ID, located on the back of your clicker.

  5. Your Device ID is now entered into the Blackboard system for all of your courses.

Does Blackboard have a manual I can read?

  1. Yes, log in to Blackboard and click on any one of the courses listed in the My Courses module.

  2. In the Tools module in the Menu bar in the left side, click on Course Tools

  3. Scroll down the page to find the User Manual

  4. Click on the link and the Blackboard User Manual will open.