Dickinson College Library & Information Services

Blackboard Questions for Students

1. What is Blackboard?
2. Where do I get my Blackboard Username and Password?
3. How do I log into Blackboard?
4. Does Blackboard work better with Internet Explorer?
5. Where can I get the free Adobe Reader download so I can view pdf documents?
6. How do I use the Digital Drop box?
7. Is there a date and time stamp for documents submitted to the drop box?
8. Can I email my professor or classmates through Blackboard?
9. Does Blackboard give a student the ability to make a web page?
10. Is there an Manual that I can use to learn Blackboard?
11. How can I self enroll in to my professors course?
12 I have a list of courses that I don't want to see, how can I remove them from my list?
13. I can not type into the Discussion Area of Blackboard using Vista on my personal computer, what should I do?
14. I have a specific question that wasn't answered here. What can I do?

1. What is Blackboard?
Blackboard is an online course management system that is used by Dickinson College faculty to supplement traditional campus instruction. Most of the Dickinson faculty who use Blackboard post course materials (syllabi, handouts, links, etc.) to this online environment. You will be instructed by your professor if this on-line program will be used for their course.

2. Where do I get my Blackboard Username and Password?
Your Blackboard username and password are the same as your email username. If you are unsure what your username is, it is the part of your email address that is before the @ sign. You can also call the LIS Helpdesk at (717) 245-1000 for assistance. We suggest you change your password after you log in by clicking on Tools, then Personal Information.

3. How do I log into Blackboard?
There is a link on Dickinson's Student web page to Blackboard. After navigating to http://blackboard.dickinson.edu/ click on the Login button located at the top left of your screen. Enter your username and password. If you forget your password click on the Forgot Password? button, fill out the form and a link to change your password will be emailed to you.

4. Does Blackboard work better with Internet Explorer?
Yes, we recommend using Internet Explorer. There are some features of Blackboard that do not work with Mozilla.

5. Where can I get the free Adobe Reader download so I can view Pdf files? Here is the link to adobe's web site to download the free reader: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

6. Is there a date and time stamp for documents submitted to the drop box? Yes.

7. How do I use the Digital Drop box?
Click on the Student Tools button to find the Digital Drop Box. This is where students can add files to Blackboard or send files to the instructor. There are two button options: Add File or Send File. If you Add File it will be added to your files in Blackboard until you are ready to send your final copy, it can be removed at any time using the remove button. If you send the file it will be sent and also added to your files. It will give you the submit date so you know when it was sent. It cannot be removed once it is sent.

8. Can I email my professor or classmates through Blackboard?
Once you are logged into Blackboard and enrolled into your course you can click on the Student Tools button, under this button you will find the Send Email link. You will have the option to send to instructors, users, and select users. From this section you can also send a file and copy yourself. Be sure to click on the Submit button.

9. Is there a Manual that I can use to learn Blackboard?
Yes, go to the Student Tools button and click on Manual. It will open another web page with step by step instructions on features of Blackboard.

10. Does Blackboard give a student the ability to make a web page?
Yes, in Blackboard there is a section to create a Homepage. It contains pre-defined sections to fill out with information. This is found under the Student Tools button called Edit your Homepage. Once you fill out the information and attach any pictures be sure to click on the Submit button. Note: This homepage can only be seen by users in the Blackboard program for the courses that you are enrolled in.

11. How can I self enroll in to my professors course?
1. Log into Blackboard.
2. Click on the red Courses tab.
3. Type in "econ" or "span" (no quotes) in the Course Search Box on left side of the
window. If you click on Advanced Search you can search by your instructors username or course name. Click here for another method using the instructors username.
4. You will then see a list of courses. Scroll down till you see the course.
5. Click on the Enroll button to the right of the listed course.
6. Click the Submit button.
7. Click the OK button and they will be enrolled into that course.
(This method is only used when a professor makes the course self-enrollment)

12. I have a list of courses that I don't want to see, how can I remove them from my list?
1. Click on the My Dickinson tab.
2. Click on the Modify my courses module icon. (Upper right corner, looks like a pencil point)
3. Uncheck the courses you do not want to see, both Display Course & Display Announcements.
4. Click on Submit.

13. I can not type into the Discussion Area of Blackboard using Vista on my personal computer, what should I do?
This Discussion feature dialog box does not work on Vista computers using Internet Explorer 7 until you do follow the steps below. If you are using the Microsoft Vista operating system the Visual Text Box Editor must be unavailable to type. The steps below will set your preferences in Blackboard so that the Text Box Editor will allow you to edit it.

1. On the My Dickinson tab, under the Tools module, select Personal Information.
2. Select Set Visual Text Box Editor Options.
3. Click the Unavailable radio button.
4. Click Submit.

14. I have a specific question that wasn't answered here. What can I do?
You can contact the helpdesk by sending an email to helpdesk@dickinson.edu. You can also call during business hours at x1000 or (717)245-1000.