Frequently Asked Questions
Visual Text Box Editor Loading Slow?
Turning of the visual text box editor may help pages running faster in Blackboard. Log in to Blackboard, to the left in the Tools box click on the Personal Information Link, then click on Set Visual Text Box Editor Options, select Unavailable, and click Submit. You will notice that you do not have all the features but a light version of the Text Box Editor. If you need these features just complete the same steps but select Available.
Make sure not to use Special Characters in files uploaded to Blackboard!
Including Special Characters such as "#" or "&" in the names of files uploaded to Blackboard will cause issues for all individuals trying to open them. An error will display similar to the one below:
HTTP Status 404 -
/courses/1/CIAT1234/uploads/_541062_1/HW#3- John Doe(sec101).doc
Firefox 3 (Invalid File Type while uploading)
Firefox 3 has a known issue with attaching files in the Content Areas of your course, the Discussion Board, etc and may give you a message stating "invalid file type." To resolve this issue install and configure the Firefox 3 User Agent by consulting the following document:
http://www.towson.edu/facultyonline/Documents/Version8/Firefox3.pdf
Problems with Grading Assignments
When Grading an Assignment in Blackboard, make sure to enter in the final grade on the “View Attempt” Screen. If you enter in the Grade Directly into the Grade Center view, the student will see whatever grade was inputted in the View Attempt area. If the assignment hadn’t been graded through the View Attempt area, the student would only see an exclamation point (!) meaning the assignment was submitted and available for grading.
Trouble Opening Office 2007 files?
Are you using Office 2007 on the computer you are using to open the files? If not, you will need to download the compatibility pack. Go to http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/default.aspx and scroll down to select the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Download. That will allow you to open Office 2007 files even if you have Office 2003 loaded on your computer.
Copying an Announcement or any item into a TextBox?
If you are copying material from one course site to another make sure you copy from within a textbox and only pull the text or use the copy feature were appropriate. If you copy any additional information that has HTML coding it can lock out the area in your course site that you are copying to. See the Course Copy hand out for further information.
Where did my saved Discussion Board draft go?
To show your discussion board drafts, select the Show All drop down box next to Display and then click Go.
Getting a Security Warning when trying to access Blackboard using Internet Explorer?
Make sure you have the latest version of Internet Explorer and the latest Version of Java. If you have set Blackboard as a trusted site you may need to remove it. Open Internet Explorer, click on Tools, select Internet Options, click on the Security tab, select Trusted Sites, click the Sites button, in the Websites: box look for bbweb.towson.edu and select it, click Remove, click Close, click OK. See the Minimum Technology Requirements for further information.
Why does my course say Unavailable?
You need to make your course site Available. This handout will step you through the process.
The students say there is no Enroll button to click on?
Check out the following handout for step by step instructions for enrollment options.
I need a Course Site on Blackboard.
You must complete the Course Site Request form to have a Course Site on Blackboard.
Its the End of the Semester, what do I do with my Course Sites?
Please see the End of Semester page about the steps you are required to take.
What to record your class or a lecture so students can view it remotely or at a later date?
With Towson's new Digital Media Classroom (DMC), students view your instruction anytime, anyplace and at their own pace.
We are now accepting applications to record sessions in the DMC for this semester as well as future semesters. F irst priority will go to faculty teaching one course with both an online and face-to-face section.
For more information and applications, go to http://www.towson.edu/dmc/
Internet Browsers and Software Browser Check
To view the full list of browsers supported, click on the Supported Browsers link below:
AOL Users
- It is recommended that you do not use AOL to access Blackboard. If you must use AOL please follow these steps:
- Log in to AOL as you normally would
- After you have logged in successfully minimize the AOL browser
- Search for Internet Explorer either on your Desktop or by clicking on Start, Programs and open Internet Explorer
- Type in http://bbweb.towson.edu. Make sure you have the correct browser settings using the Browser Check
- Login to Blackboard using your Tiger username and password
Note: When AOL is not in use it will disconnect you. You will need to open the AOL browser page and browse to a page or do some type of activity so AOL knows you are still on line. You will need to do this about every half hour or so.
Maintenance Window
Blackboard is backed up regularly every Sunday, from 1:50am - 5:00am and will not be available at these times.
Questions Not Listed?
E-mail: blackboard@towson.edu
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