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
Using MS Office 2007?
Before you upload any MS Office 2007 file you must save it to a compatible version. To do so click Save As , in the Save as type drop box select 97-2003 version for the software program you are in. This will allow your students or professor to be able to access the file via Blackboard.
If an Office 2007 document is saved in a Blackboard Course Site and you are unable to open it you can also Right Mouse click on the file, select Save Target As, and save it to your local computer. You can then rename the file with the correct extension (ie. if it is a MS Word file change it from .zip to .doc).
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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