Sample Student Instructions for Common Blackboard Tasks

Sample Student Instructions for Common Blackboard Tasks

Accessing and Answering Discussion Questions:

In order to access the discussion questions, click on the words or the Discussion Board button in the navigation bar on the left side of your browser window. Click on the specific question you wish to answer. To add your answer, click on the Add New Thread button and type your message as if you were sending an email. Remember that grammar, punctuation and spelling count so you may want to type your original message in a word processing program and then copy it into the text window in the Discussion Board area. To open a message, simply click on the message. If you would like to reply to that message, click on the Reply button on the right side of the browser window.

Assignment Area Student Instructions:

When completed, please upload the file containing your assignment in the appropriate folder in this case under _____________. Scroll down and click on the View/Complete Assignment: _________________. To upload your assignment, click on the Browse button, find your document, then click OK. Do not place your answer in the Comments area. That space is reserved for comments pertaining to the assignment. It is important that you Submit your file rather than just Saving the file. Submitting the file actually sends the file while Saving the file just saves it to the Blackboard server. Make sure you Submit your file. Once a file has been submitted, you will not be able to modify it.

Digital Drop Box:

The Digital Drop Box appears under the Tools button on the left side of your browser window. To access it, simply click on the Tools button and then select Digital Drop Box. This allows you to add files and then send them to the instructor.

Discussion Board Area:

The Discussion Board is located under the Communication button on the left side of your browser window. In the Discussion Board you will find different topics that your instructor has defined. Click on one of these topics to view and contribute to that discussion. You will then see a list of threads. To view one of these threads or your classmates' responses, click on the desired thread and navigate through the conversation using the Next Message and Previous Message buttons that appear at the bottom of each post. If you wish to add a comment, click the Reply button in the lower right of your browser window. You will be presented with a Response window that allows you to insert the text of your response as well as attach files if appropriate. The message that you are responding to appears at the bottom of your browser window simply scroll down at any point to re-read the original post. When you are finished responding, click the Submit button in the lower right of your browser window. When you are finished with a thread, click the OK button that appears in the lower right of the browser window and you will be returned to the main page of the topic which you may exit by clicking the OK button in the lower right of the browser window. If you would like to add a thread to one of the discussion topics, click on the Add New Thread button that appears in the upper left of the browser window. This will open a window very similar to the Response window. Insert your text, attach any relevant files, and define the subject of your thread in the subject line, then click the Submit button in the lower right of the browser window.

Downloading a File From Blackboard:

If you would like to save documents that have been posted to the Blackboard site, there are two very easy options. Click on the link to the document and you should see a dialog box open that asks if you would like to Open the file, Save the file, or Cancel the action. If you would like to view the document, click Open. If you would like to save the document for later use, click Save, then define the location in the following dialog box, and then click OK.

Or you may Right-Click on the link to the document and choose Save Target As... A dialog box will appear and you must define the location you wish to save the file to, then click OK.

Group Area:

There are two ways to access the Group Area. On the left side of the browser window, there is a setion called Groups. Click on this link to open the group pages. This is also available under the Communication button on the left side of the browser window, then click on Group Pages. Interaction with these sections is the same as in the Discussion Board.

Help Message:

As with any software program, there is a manual available for students located under the Tools button. Click on the User Manual button if you need assistance. If you are still confused there is a 24/7 Help Desk available to you. You can call them at 1-866-766-5960 or just click on the Help button located at the top of your browser window in the red area.

Home Page Instructions:

You can create a brief Home Page in Blackboard that will provide some biographical information about you. Click on the Tools button on the left side of your browser window. Click on the Home Page button and fill in your introduction and any personal information you would like to share. You may also post a picture using the Upload Image portion of the Home Page. Fill in the remaining fields at your own discretion and when you are finished, click the Submit button in the lower right of the browser window.

Save vs. Submit:

Clicking Save allows you to stop working and return to your file later to finish. Clicking Submit transmits your file and you may not edit or alter any of the text or attachments later.