Why the name change from "WebCT" to "Blackboard?"

In October, 2005 Blackboard purchased WebCT and, as part of the merger, phased out the use of "WebCT." CETL is taking advantage of the website revision to correct our labeling of the learning management system. Changing web addresses which include "webct" is more complex, so they'll stay as they are.

Blackboard User Login

1. What is the web address to access Blackboard?
2. What is my user name and password?
3. I forgot/don't have my password and username, what should I do?
4. I have my user name and password but I am unable to login. What should I do?
5. Can I access Blackboard from a computer located off campus or do I need to be on campus?
6. Why do I get a blank white screen with the word "Done" when I attempt to login to Blackboard (WebCT)?
7. Why can't I login to Blackboard (WebCT) even after I have been able to login to my assign Cal State L.A. online email?
8. What options should I select on the various warning and security dialogue boxes that are displayed before and after I login to Blackboard?
9. Why is my name different on Blackboard (WebCT)?

Adding and Finding Courses

10. What courses are available in Blackboard?
11. There are multiple courses with the same name, how do I know which one is mine?
12. How do I add a course?
13. Why do I return to the Login/Course List page after I click the registration icon for my course?
14. How do I unenroll from a Blackboard course?
15. My course does not have a registration icon available?
16. My course is not listed?

Technical Support Issues with Blackboard

17. Download Issues - Resetting Java
    1. Why can't I access materials or tools, like "My Syllabus," "Chatroom," "HTML Creator," "Attach Files," "Upload Files," or "Assignments," from my course?
    2. Why do I see a red X/error message instead of the "My Computer" icon?
18. Why can't I download my assignments or my syllabus?
19. How can I know what Java version is installed on my computer?
20. What browsers are supported for use with Blackboard?
21. Internet Explorer 8 gives me a security warning when login in to Blackboard: What should I do?
22. While trying to access materials I receive a Java warning that components are unsafe. What should I do?
23. What is the preferred browser to use with Blackboard (WebCT)?
24. The Blackboard browser check does not support my browser?
25. What do I do if cannot get my chat session to start?

Help with eLPS Forms

26. What is the difference between the Blackboard course types?
27. I do not remember the name of the course I want to use as a template?

Additional Information

28. Where can I find user guides?
29. How can I add a TA to my Blackboard (WebCT) course?
30. How can I contact Blackboard support at Cal State L.A.?
31. Where can I get additional Blackboard training?

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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

What is the web address to access Blackboard?

The Blackboard web address is: http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/aa/ess/elps/elpsblackboard.php. (Return to questions)

What is my user name and password?

The AD account needed to login to Blackboard (WebCT) is different than your GET account. Your user name and password are your AD user credential. Your username is not your CIN, it is the first portion of your assign Cal State L.A. email address. (Return to questions)

I forgot my password and username, what should I do?

Visit ITS at the Palmer Wing of the Library to get a printout of your AD user information. Make sure you have a valid picture ID with you when you visit ITS. You can call ITS at (323) 343-6170 should you have additional questions. (Return to questions)

I have my user name and password but I am unable to log in. What should I do?

Please complete and submit the Blackboard Help form or call (323) 343-6594 during regular business hours, M-F 9:00 - 5:00. (Return to questions)

Can I access Blackboard from a computer located off-campus or do I have to be on campus?

Blackboard is available to anyone who has internet access and a CSULA active AD account. (Return to questions)

Why do I get a blank white screen with the word "Done" when I attempt to login to Blackboard (WebCT)?

You may be entering the wrong AD username or password. You can try to login to your Cal State L.A. e-mail to test your AD information. If you cannot login to your Cal State L.A. e-mail, you are entering a wrong username or password. Visit ITS at the Palmer Wing of the Library to get a printout of your AD user information. Make sure you have a valid picture ID when you visit ITS. You may call ITS at (323) 343-6170 should you have additional questions. (Return to questions)

Why can't I log into Blackboard (WebCT) even after I have been able to login to my assign Cal State L.A. online email?

Blackboard may be directing you to a wrong site if the login screen looks like the image below.

This login screen is displayed when typing http://webct6.calstatela.edu as the Blackboard web address. Refreshing (F5 keyboard function key) on your browser should redirect you to the correct site. Should the problem persist, Please complete and submit the Blackboard Help form or call (323) 343-6594 during regular business hours, M-F 9:00 - 5:00. (Return to questions)

What options should I select on the various warning and security dialogue boxes that are displayed before and after I login to Blackboard?

Please view the video on displayed browser warning messages for appropriate option selections. (Return to questions)

Why is my name different on Blackboard (WebCT)?

Please fill out the Blackboard Help Request Form to request a name change or call (323) 343-6594 during regular business hours, M-F 9:00 - 5:00. (Return to questions)

What courses are available in Blackboard?

Blackboard courses are available as requested by faculty. Blackboard courses are listed in the course list. If you course is not listed, your instructor may have decide not to use Blackboard. (Return to questions)

There are multiple courses with the same name, how do I know which one is mine?

Each course section name contains the following pieces of information, in the following order:

• Course number
• Faculty initials
• Section number
• Term
• College

Sample Section Names:

• ACCT310_rl_SEC01_FA09_CB&E
• FCOMM385&ENG385_ra_SEC01&SEC02_FA09_CA&L

(Return to questions)

How do I add a course?

If the course has been release for self registration, a self-registration video has been created to demonstrate the steps to register for a Blackboard course. (Return to questions)

Why do I return to the Login/Course List page after I click the registration icon for my course?

We recommend to refresh your browser by pressing the keyboard Control key+F5 function key simultaneously or trying again using a different browser (such as IE/Firefox/Chrome/Safari/Opera). You may also try restarting the browser you are using. This means exiting and reopening the browser. (Return to questions)

How do I unenroll from a Blackboard course?

You do not have the option to unenroll from Blackboard course. You must use the Blackboard Help Request Form to request that you be removed from a course. Note: Being removed from a Blackboard course is not the same as dropping a course. You must also officially drop the course through GET. (Return to questions)

My course does not have a registration icon available?

If the course is listed, but does not have the symbol, you need to notify the instructor and contact Blackboard Support so that we may also inform the course instructor. (Return to questions)

My course is not listed?

Not all courses offered at CSULA make use of Blackboard. You may need to check with your course instructor about Blackboard course availability. (Return to questions)

Why can't I access materials or tools, like "My Syllabus," "Chatroom," "HTML Creator," "Attach Files," "Upload Files," or "Assignments," from my course?

There may a couple of reasons why you may not be able to access the above Blackboard course services. You should always press the "No" button when the Java Warning-Security dialogue box appears. You may also need to follow the resetting Java instructions below to activate the above options. (Return to questions)

Why do I see a red X/error message instead of the "My Computer" icon?

There are several reasons for this error, but they are often fixed by resetting Java on your computer. Before proceeding with the resetting Java steps below, be sure that you have press the "No" button whenever the Java Warning-Security dialogue box appears. Close your browser before you begin with the steps below. Try Step 1 first and restart your browser. Complete Step 2 if the problem continues. (Return to questions)

Why can't I download my assignments or my syllabus?

Make sure your pop-up blocker is turned off (temporarily allowed) for Blackboard (WebCT). In many browsers, when a pop-up is blocked, you are given the option to allow pop-ups. You might want to do a google search on how to add a site to your browser's list of trusted/allowed sites. (Return to questions)

How can I know what Java version is installed on my computer?

You can access www.java.com to find out if you have the most current Java version. The Java version on your computer can also be determine by accessing the Java Control Panel through Control Panel. (Return to questions)

Resetting Java - Windows

Step 1

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. If you see the Menu bar, skip to step "C". Otherwise, right click on the top of Internet Explorer and activate the Menu bar by clicking on the Menu bar selection.
3. Click on the Tools menu if it is available
4. Locate and click on the "Java Console" option
5. Once the Java Console opens, a square pop-up window appears; press the "x" key in your keyboard
6. The Java Console should display "Clear classloader... complete"

Step 2 - Try this only if the first option does not work.

1. Click on the Start Menu
2. Find and select Control Panel
3. Change view to Classic View (upper left-side link) if the Classic View is not the current view.
4. Double-click the Java icon
5. Once open, select Settings from the Temporary Internet Files section
6. Click on "Delete files" (bottom of screen)
7. Two green check marks should be visible on the new window. Click OK.
8. Once done, you will be returned to the previous screen. Click OK.

Resetting Java - Mac

Step 1

1. Double-click to open your hard drive icon (often labeled "Macintosh HD" if it has not been change)
2. Double-click to open the Applications folder
3. Double-click to open the Utilities folder
4. Double-click to open the Java folder
5. Double-click to open the Java Preferences application
6. In the Java Preferences window, click on the "Security" tab at the top
7. Click the "Delete Files..." button. In the window that appears, make sure that the two options have a check mark and click OK.

Step 2 - Try this only if the first option does not work.

1. Double-click to open your hard drive icon (often labeled "Macintosh HD" if it has not been change)
2. Double-click to open the Users folder
3. Find and double-click to open the folder of the current user
4. Double-click to open the Library folder
5. Double-click to open the the Caches folder
6. Delete the Java folder by dragging it to the Trash. This folder will automatically be freshly recreated by the system.

If problems persist, please send a message using the Blackboard Help Request Form noting that you have already tried the steps above. (Return to questions)

What browsers are supported for use with Blackboard?

The most current version of Firefox and Internet Explorer (See security note below) work with Blackboard. If you are using Firefox or Internet Explorer and run the Blackboard browser check please disregard the non-validated or unsupported notice. Firefox, Internet Explorer, and other current browsers will work with Blackboard. We recommend Firefox for a more positive experience. (Return to questions)

Internet Explorer 8 gives me a security warning when login in to Blackboard: What should I do?

This message warns that some elements of the page, such as an image, may be coming from a non-secured web server. If you see this while using our Blackboard and Internet Explorer 8, it is safe to select the "No" option. We recommend that you use the free, standards-based Firefox web browser for compatibility and security reasons. (Return to questions)

While trying to access materials I receive a Java warning that components are unsafe. What should I do?

This message warns that some application components could be a security concern. To be able to utilize the (1) HTML creator, (2) access the chat room, (3) attach files, or (4) upload files in Blackboard the user must click on the "No" button whenever the above dialogue box appears. This is a safe operation for Blackboard, but you should be careful with other applications and web sites.

(Return to questions)

What is the preferred browser for Blackboard (WebCT)?

From our experience Firefox seems to be more compatability and faster when working with Blackboard. (Return to questions)

The Blackboard browser check does not support my browser?

Please disregard the non-validated or unsupported notice. Firefox, Internet Explorer, and other current browsers will work with Blackboard. We recommend Firefox for a more positive experience. (Return to questions)

What do I do if cannot get my chat session start?

You can try resetting Java to fix this problem. If this does not work, Please complete and submit the Blackboard Help form or call (323) 343-6594 during regular business hours, M-F 9:00 - 5:00. (Return to questions)

What is the difference between the Blackboard course types?

Faculty can request one of two different course types on the Blackboard (WebCT) Course Request form:

• New blank course - Select this when you want to start fresh.
• Reuse previous course without student content or activities - Select this when you want to use a site from a previous quarter. With this choice, the course content (such as your syllabus, the discussion topics, assignment prompts, quizzes, etc.) is preserved but not the student data (i.e., the old roster, student assignment submissions, their responses to discussion posts, etc.). Please note: If faculty wish to preserve the old course's student content for research purposes or to carry on a class discussion from a previous term, please make a note in the Additional Information field on the Course Request Form.

(Return to questions)

I do not remember the name of the course I want to use as a template?

Please complete and submit the Blackboard Help form or call (323) 343-6594 during regular business hours, M-F 9:00 - 5:00. (Return to questions)

Where can I find User Guides?

We have a number of Blackboard User Guides available. (Return to questions)

How can I add a TA to my Blackboard (WebCT) course?

Adding a Teaching Assistant to your Blackboard course is done using the Grade Book Instructor tool found on the Teach tab. You will need the TA's AD ID to add them into your course.

Once in the Grade Book tool:

1. Click on the Enroll Members button
2. Enter the TA's AD ID under the User name field
3. Select the appropriate role (Teaching Assistant)
4. Press the Enroll button to the right. You can repeat Steps 1-4 to add additional TAs
5. When finished, click the Save button. Your TAs will not be entered into your course if you do not click the Save button

Please note: Teaching Assistants can grade assignments and assessments and participate in discussions.

(Return to questions)

How can I contact Blackboard support at Cal State L.A.?

Fill out the Blackboard Help Request form (Return to questions)

Where can I get additional Blackboard training?

Additional Blackboard training is available through online videos