Introduction to Blackboard Learning System



Student Guide for the

Blackboard Learning System

Introduction

Blackboard is a software package used to facilitate web-based learning, linking students to their instructors as well as to their fellow classmates. This tool fosters communication and collaboration as a means to enhance course material.

Software Requirements

Blackboard is web-based software, accessed via your internet browser (i.e. Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox). Please see this page for up-to-date computer settings & browser recommendations:

|Recommended browsers for Microsoft Windows users: |

| |

|Windows 2000 : Internet Explorer 6.0 |

|Windows XP/Vista : Internet Explorer 7.0 or Mozilla Firefox 2 |

|Recommended browsers for Apple Macintosh users: |

| |

|Mac OS X.3 (Panther), X.4 (Tiger): Mozilla Firefox 2 |

|*Note: The use of Internet Explorer for Mac is not recommended. |

Browser Settings:

Your browser must support both Java and JavaScript, as well as have cookies enabled. If this is an issue the Blackboard Student Support site will provide you with help.

Activating your Blackboard Account

Your Blackboard account Username and Password are the same as your Ryerson Matrix email account (if applicable). You must activate your Matrix account before you can access either Blackboard or your Ryerson email. To activate your Blackboard and Matrix accounts complete the online form found at:

• Please ensure that the personal information you submit is accurate and in accordance with that held by Records and Registration.

• Your account is activated and ready to use within 24 hours. In many cases your account is available after an hour or two. At the beginning of each term a high number of account activations occur. At this time, allow at least 24 hours between the time you activate your account(s) and the time you first really need to access them.

Logging In

You access Blackboard courses through a web browser. After starting your web browser, type into the Address Bar. You can use Blackboard from anywhere that you have access to the Internet. Your Blackboard account Username and Password are the same as your Ryerson Matrix email account (if applicable). If you experience trouble logging in look for the help page or if on campus see the advisors in room KHW71A.

Logging Out

It is important that you use the Logout button to end each of your Blackboard sessions. This is especially important if you are using a public computer. When using a public computer, in addition to using the logout button, we highly recommend that you quit the web browser completely when finished, to ensure that you have logged out of your Blackboard Section.

Online Courses

Blackboard is both the my.ryerson Portal and a Learning Management system. Not all instructors choose to put their courses online using Blackboard. The courses you are enrolled in that use Blackboard will be listed under my.ryerson and the online courses tabs in the Portal. If you do not see the courses listed that you were expecting check the student help section at: .

Blackboard Key-Features:

Each individual instructor customizes their Blackboard courses, selecting the tools that best suit the needs of the course. Therefore some of the tools and features listed below may not be enabled within your particular course(s).

|Course Documents |Contains the majority of your course content, such as readings and lecture notes. |

|Calendar |Used to post the dates and times of important course related events, such as exams, live |

| |chats or due dates. |

|Announcements |Includes time-sensitive course information, such as a change in deadline or a reminder of|

| |an upcoming class chat. |

|Discussion Board |Allows you to post messages for everyone in your class. Use the Discussion Board to ask |

| |for clarification on assignments, facilitate debate on course related issues, post |

| |relevant links, or to pose questions relating to course material, upcoming tests and |

| |exams. |

|Messages |Send private messages to one or more participants in your Blackboard course. Note: |

| |Messages sent to you through the Blackboard messaging tool cannot be retrieved via your |

| |regular email. |

|Course Map |An interactive table of contents used to easily locate items within your Blackboard |

| |course. The Course Map button can be found at the bottom of the main menu on the left |

| |hand side of your screen. |

Having Trouble?

If you require help in troubleshooting with Blackboard, look for the help section at: . The help section will provide you with detailed information on how to submit questions, and receive answers, related to your particular problem.

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