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Blackboard Online Course System and Other Platforms

Blackboard is an e-learning software platform that provides a user-friendly environment for online teaching and learning.

Most Online Course instructors use Blackboard to provide course content, but some may use other course management systems.  If you don't find your course on Blackboard, please contact your instructor to find out where your course material has been made available.  You may also review the Other Online Course Systems page for additional information.

How to Access Blackboard Online Courses

In order to access a course on Blackboard, you may either enter as a Registered User, or as a Guest.  Use the following instructions as a guide to help you access a course on the Blackboard system.

Registered Blackboard Users

Choose an option:
  • Details - Read about account activation, course availability and other details.
  • Login - I am familiar with the details, go straight to the login instructions.

Important Details:

Who is a Registered Blackboard User?  Students, instructors and others in the following categories who meet the requirements listed under Activation of Blackboard Accounts below:

  • All students registered for a course on the JSU registration system.
  • Students registered for past semesters and given special clearance.
  • Students registered for upcoming semesters (approx. 2 weeks prior to the first day of classes according to the Academic Calendar.
  • Faculty/Staff assigned as an instructor on the JSU registration system, and others meeting certain criteria.
  • Instructors and other users that have received special access accounts (i.e. for workshops, etc.).

Note:  Students may not be able to access courses until the first day of classes according to the Academic Calendar (these dates are also indicated in our list of Online Courses).

Activation of Blackboard Accounts:
Note
Accounts may be activated before courses are available on Blackboard.  Go to the Course Availability page for more information about the availability of Blackboard courses.

Student accounts are activated according to the following schedule:

  • For a student who pre-registers for a Blackboard supported course and pays tuition prior to the first day of classes according to the Academic Calendar, the account will be active by the first day of class.
  • For a student who registers on the first day of class or after, but by the last day to add classes, the account should be active no later than the second business day after tuition payment has been received.
  • For a student who registers and/or pays tuition after the last day to add classes, your account will be active within one week after the tuition payment has been received.
  • Student accounts remain active as long as the student is registered for classes.

Faculty/Staff accounts are activated according to the following schedule:

  • Faculty/Staff accounts are activated the day after call numbers are assigned to courses in which they are assigned as an instructor.
  • Once activated, it should remain active throughout your employment with JSU.
  • Special accounts are activated at the discretion of a Blackboard administrator.

Note:  JSU faculty, staff and students must have a JSU Email account in order to receive a Blackboard account.

Accessing Blackboard:
  1. Review the System Requirements before proceeding.
  2. Go to http://jsu.blackboard.com
  3. Click "Login"
  4. Enter your assigned Blackboard User Name & Password.  If you don't know your User Name and Password, go to the Blackboard User Names and Passwords page and review the information.
  5. Click "Login".
  6. After you login, you should see your first name or initial in a greeting near the top of the page.  Note:  Your first name is listed here the same way it is listed in your student records, so if you only list an initial for your first name in your student records, you will only see an initial here.  If your first name or initial is not displayed, do not proceed with this login session.  Immediately send an email to DLHelp@jsu.edu, and logout of this session.  The email should include your full name, your student number, your correct Blackboard User Name and the incorrect name displayed.
  7. If your name is displayed correctly, then proceed to the next step.
  8. We recommend you change your password the first time you login.  Just choose "Personal Information" from the "Tools" menu on the left side of the first page you see after logging in (the "My Institution" or "Welcome" page), then choose "Change Password" and follow the instructions.
  9. To make the following step easier, edit your "My Courses" window to display Course ID's.  For instructions, go to the My Courses Window Edit instruction page, then return to this page and continue with the next step.
  10. Under "My Courses" on the right side of the page, click on the course ID/title of your course (click here for an illustration).  For an explanation of the Course ID, go to the Course ID Legend page.
  11. You have now entered the course.
  12. Students:  Follow the directions given by your instructor.
  13. Important note for instructors only:  Once you have a course ready for student viewing, you must make it available in the Settings area of your course Control Panel.
  14. To switch to a different course before logging out, click the "My Institution" tab at the top of the page and choose another course under "My Courses".
  15. When you are finished working in Blackboard, you should logout using the “Logout” button at the top of the page. This is especially important if you are using a public computer (such as in a lab, library, etc.) to access Blackboard.

Notes:

  • Students:  If you are unsure of what to do at any point, contact your instructor. You may find contact information on the Contact page of the JSU web site or within your course.  It is your responsibility to stay in touch with your instructor throughout this course.  Never hesitate to contact your instructor if you are unsure of the status of your course, an assignment or other course related issues.
  • Click here to learn about email in Blackboard.
  • For additional information and helpful links, go to the Distance Learning Help page.
  • Some instructors have chosen to teach their Online Courses using a variety of other online course systems that are not related to the Blackboard online course system.  These systems include http://www.iepjsu.com/, http://www.students.pearsoned.com/, http://college.livetext.com/college/index.html and others.  Please review the information on the Course Availability page in order to determine where your Online Course is located.
  • Remember also, that in order to take any JSU Online Course, you must register for it just like you would any other course on the JSU registration system.

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Guest Access to Blackboard (Limited View)

Guests are those who who do not meet the criteria described above.  Guest access allows a person without a Blackboard account to view:

  • A list of currently active Blackboard courses.
  • A limited preview of course materials for a particular course.
Read through the following steps before beginning:

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Blackboard Links & Information

Remember also, that in order to take a JSU Online Course, you must Register.

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