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." eLPS 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
- What is the web address to access Blackboard?
- What is my user name and password?
- I have my user name and password but I am unable to log in. What can I do next?
- Can I access Blackboard from a computer located off campus or do I need to be on campus?
- Why do I get a blank white screen with the word "Done" after I click the registration icon for my course?
Adding and Finding Courses
- What courses are available in Blackboard?
- How do I add a course?
- How to I unenroll from a Blackboard course?
Technical Support Issues with Blackboard
- Download Issues - Resetting Java
- Why can't I download any materials, like my syllabus or assignments, from my course?
- Why do I see a red X instead of the "My Computer" icon?
- What browsers are supported for use with Blackboard?
- Internet Explorer 8 gives me a security warning when login in to Blackboard: What should I do?
Help with eLPS Forms
- What is the difference between the Blackboard course types?
More Information
- Where can I find user guides?
- How can I add a TA to my Blackboard (WebCT) course?
- How do I contact campus Blackboard staff?
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
What is the website to access Blackboard?
You can access Blackboard by going to: http://webct6.calstatela.edu/webct/entryPageIns.dowebct. (Return to questions)
What is my user name and password?
Use your NIS username and password. The NIS account needed to log into Blackboard (WebCT) is different than your GET account. Contact the ITS Help Desk if you do not know your NIS username or password; their phone number is 323-343-6170. (Return to questions)
I have my user name and password but I am unable to log in. What can I do next?
Please contact the Blackboard Help Desk using this form or calling (323) 343-6594 during business hours, M-F 9:00 - 5:00.
Note: Blackboard authenticates NIS usernames and passwords with ITS databases. Therefore, Blackboard is dependent on the availability of infrastructure between ITS and Blackboard. If you are not able to login to Blackboard, test another campus service, such as logging into webmail, to see if the problem is more widespread. (Return to questions)
Why do I get a blank white screen with the word "Done" after I click the registration icon for my course?
Sometimes there are problems with the browser cache. We recommend that you refresh your browser by pressing the Control key+F5 function keys simultaneously or trying again using a different browser (such as IE/Firefox/Chrome/Safari/Opera) to register for your course. (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 NIS account. (Return to questions)
What courses are available in Blackboard?
Blackboard courses are available as requested by faculty. The Blackboard courses are listed in the course list. The courses that have a 
symbol are the courses that faculty have allowed students to self-register. If the course is listed, but does not have the symbol, you need to notify the instructor. (Return to questions)
How do I add a course?
A self-registration video has been created to demonstrate the steps to register for a Blackboard course. You can also download and read the self-registration procedures. (Return to questions)
How to I unenroll from a course in Blackboard?
Students cannot unenroll from courses. 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 the Registrar. (Return to questions)
Why can't I download materials, like my syllabus or assignments, from my course?
Why do I see a red X instead of the "My Computer" icon?
There are several reasons why these errors might be happening, but they are often fixed by resetting Java on your computer. Below is a list of the steps necessary to reset Java. Close your browser before you begin with the steps below. Try Step 1 first and restart your browser, then complete Step 2 if the problem continues.
Resetting Java - Windows
Step 1
- Open Internet Explorer
- If you see the Menu bar, skip to step 3. Otherwise, right click on the top of Internet Explorer and activate the Menu bar by clicking on the Menu bar selection.
- Click on the Tools menu if it is available
- Locate and click on the "Java Console" option
- Once the Java Console opens, a square pop-up window appears; press the "x" key in your keyboard
- The Java Console should display "Clear classloader... complete"
Step 2 - Try this, if and only if, the first option does not work.
- Click on the Start Menu
- Find and select Control Panel
- Change view to Classic View (upper left-side link) if the Classic View is not the current view.
- Double-click the Java icon
- Once open, select Settings from the Temporary Internet Files section
- Click on "Delete files" (bottom of screen)
- Two green check marks should be visible on the new window – click OK
- Once done, you will be returned to the previous screen – click OK
Resetting Java - Mac
Step 1
- Double-click to open your hard drive icon (often labeled "Macintosh HD" if it has not been change)
- Double-click to open the Applications folder
- Double-click to open the Utilities folder
- Double-click to open the Java folder
- Double-click to open the Java Preferences application
- In the Java Preferences window, click on the "Security" tab at the top
- 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, if and only if, the first option does not work.
- Double-click to open your hard drive icon (often labeled "Macintosh HD" if it has not been change)
- Double-click to open the Users folder
- Find and double-click to open the folder of the current user
- Double-click to open the Library folder
- Double-click to open the the Caches folder
- 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 these steps. (Return to questions)
What browsers are supported for use with Blackboard?
Blackboard has information on supported browsers for Blackboard v 6.2.3. Please note, though, that other browsers and operating systems may work even if they are not on this list. (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 people use the free, standards-based Firefox web browser for compatibility and security reasons. (Return to questions)
What is the difference between the Blackboard course types?
Faculty can request one of three 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.).
- Reveal previous course with student content or activities - Select this when you want to use a site from a previous quarter. Like "reusing" a course, this option preserves the course content, but includes the previous term's student content (i.e., the old roster, student assignment submissions, their responses to discussion posts, etc.).
This choice is a hold-over from the old WebCT system, when it was up to faculty to clear out old student data. While rarely needed now, faculty might choose this if they want to use the older course's student content for research purposes or want to carry on a class discussion from a previous term.
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 NIS ID to add them into your course.
Once in the Grade Book tool:
- Click on the Enroll Members button
- Enter the TA's NIS ID under the User name field
- Select the appropriate role (Teaching Assistant)
- Press the Enroll button to the right. You can repeat Steps 1-4 to add additional TAs
- 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 do I contact campus Blackboard staff?
Please contact us by using the Blackboard Help Request Form. (Return to questions)