Frequently Asked Questions
Separate site for FAQs relating to the LearnOnline Collection
All Users
Q. I'm clicking on a link in Blackboard and getting a "Navigation Cancelled" message - what do I do?
A.When clicking on Hyperlinks that go from a Secure site, such as Blackboard, to a nonsecure site you may get a Navigation Cancelled message. This is due to a new setting in Internet Explorer 8. The best way to prevent this from happening is to set Hyperlinks within course sites to "Open in a new window."
For External Links that already exist in your course, you should click Modify next to them and choose the option to "Open in New Window"
For links that have been pasted inside Text Boxes in Blackboard (Within Content Areas, Discussion Board posts, etc) you will have to
- Paste the URL in the textbox editor
- Highlight the URL with your mouse
- Click the "Hyperlink" icon in the textbox editor (looks like a globe, next to the Table option and under the Font)
- Make sure the Website address is in the URL field
- Check the "Open in new window" option and Submit
*This issue does not exist in Firefox
*You can open any link by right-clicking on them and selecting "Open in new window"
Q. Office 2007 Files - How do I open them?
A. 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.
Q. Copying and Pasting something into Blackboard?
A. 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.
Faculty
Q. Why does my course say Unavailable?
A. You need to make your course site Available. This handout will step you through the process.
Q. Its the End of the Semester, what do I do with my Course Sites?
A. Please see the End of Semester page about the steps you are required to take.
Q. How long will my course site remain on the Blackboard System after I have taught it?
A. Course sites remain on the system for 25 months after they are taught. At the end of the semester in which they are taught you will want to Archive your course site. If you would like to use the same content/structure of the course site for another semester you will want to Copy the course site.
Q. How do I record my class or a lecture so students can view it remotely or at a later date?
A. 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. First 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/
Q. I just made some updates in the Grade Center, and when I came back into it, it looks like nothing happened?
A. This is a caching issue with Internet Explorer, to fix it you will do the following:
- Go to Tools at the top of the Internet Explorer Browser
- Click Internet Options
- Under Browsing History, click Settings
- Set to "Everytime I visit the Webpage"
- Submit
Students
Q. How come my test/quiz in Blackboard doesn't have a Next/Submit button?
A. If you're running Internet Explorer Version 8 on your computer, you may have issues with Blackboard including navigation buttons not being available within Exams. To fix this issue:
- Open IE 8 browser
- Navigate to Blackboard ( https://bbweb.towson.edu/ )
- Go to Tools at the top of the Internet Explorer Browser (not in Blackboard)
- Click Compatibility View
This setting will remain functional even after closing your browser or restarting your computer.
Q. I submitted a file to my instructor through the Digital Dropbox or Assignment Tool but my instructor says they cannot open it?
A. Files including Special Characters such as "#" or "&" in their names will cause issues for all individuals trying to open them when uploaded to Blackboard. An error will display similar to the one below:
HTTP Status 404 -
/courses/1/CIAT1234/uploads/_541062_1/HW#3- John Doe(sec101).doc
Rename the file and resubmit!
Q. Where did my saved Discussion Board draft go?
A. To show your discussion board drafts, select the Show All drop down box next to Display and then click Go.
Q. Why does it say I'm not enrolled in any Courses?
A. Your instructor simply has not made the course available yet. You should contact your instructor to find out when they will be making the course available, or if they're using Blackboard for the class at all.
Q. How come I'm getting a Permission Denied Error when i click on a file?
A. If this issue occurs, priveleges were not granted for you or the students of the course to be able to view that particular file. You should contact the instuctor and notify them of the permissions issue.
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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