FAQ - Educator > Blackboard > General
What are the technical requirements for Educator?
What do I need to do to get to my Educator course?
What is my Educator username and password?
I've enrolled in the Educator course, but don't see it listed, what should I do?
How do I upload an assignment to Educator?
How do I check my grades in Educator?
Who do I contact for help in Educator?
Do I need to change my browser settings?
Can I use AOL with Educator?
How do I change my password in Educator?
How do I connect to library services via Educator?
How do I turn off my pop-up blocker so the course will function properly?
How do I change my Blackboard password?
I want to put something in Blackboard's Digital Drop Box - how do I do this?
There is a red exclamation point or a red question mark in the Blackboard grade book instead of a score, what does this mean?
I'm having a problem with Blackboard email. Why won't it really send the messages sent from the lab on my campus?
How do I turn off my pop-up blocker so the course will function properly?
What are the technical requirements needed for Blackboard?
Which browser do I need to use Blackboard?
How do I find my Blackboard course?
I'm using America Online. The AOL browser does not work with certain Blackboard components. Can I use Netscape or Internet Explorer as my browser when I'm connecting through AOL?
Do I need to change my browser settings?
Who do I contact for help with Blackboard?
How do I participate in a Discussion Forum on Blackboard?
How do I check my grades in Blackboard?
*NEW I am using Internet Explorer 7. What kind of problems would I face with Blackboard?
What are the hours in the labs?
What are the information systems policies?
Do you offer orientations for the online courses?
Where can I find the plug-ins and viewers needed for the online courses?
Where can I get academic support?
Are library services available online?
How do I disable call waiting if I am using dial up?
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What are the technical requirements for Educator?
PC (IBM compatible):
• Pentium II (233 MHz minimum, higher recommended)
• Windows 98, NT, or higher
• 256 MB Ram
• 12x CD-ROM (CD/DVD Recommended)
• Internet connection of at least 56k
• Display setting 800x600 resolution, (1024x768 recommended)
• Printer required
• Internet Explorer (web browsing software) - a version between 5.5 or higher
• Students need a method to save work to a removable disk (Floppy, Zip, CD-ROM)
• America Online is not recommended
Macintosh:
• Power Mac G3
• OSX
• Students need a method to save work to a removable disk (Floppy, Zip, CD-ROM)
• 128 MB Ram
• 12x CD ROM (CD/DVD Recommended)
• Internet connection of at least 56k
• Display setting 800x600 resolution, (1024x768 recommended)
• Printer required
• Safari browser
• Flash 7 player
• America Online is not recommended
What do I need to do to get to my Educator course?
First, go to OCC’s homepage at http://www.oaklandcc.edu
Next, click on the Distance Learning button at the top of the screen. From there, you will see a link to Enter Ucompass Educator. Click on the link and enter your username and password information.
What is my username and password for Educator?
Your username is your Online services userID. The common format is
lastname.firstname. Your Online services userID is the same ID you used to
register online. If you have forgotten your ID, you can go to the OCC web (
www.oaklandcc.edu > online
services>What's my username?) The Educator course site is a secure environment. To keep it that way, please do not share your password with anyone.
I've enrolled in the Educator course, but don't see it listed, what should I do?
Instructors will activate courses when they are ready for students to access the materials. In many cases, activation will occur on the first day of the semester. Please keep in mind that this may vary from instructor to instructor.
If you have registered after the semester has already started, access to your course may take up to 24-48 hours. If you still do not see your course listed at that time, please contact your instructor.
How do I upload an assignment to Educator?
You may upload files to your Student Folder. Please note that Educator will only accept alpha-numeric characters in the file name. Here’s how to upload to your student folder:
1.Click on Course Materials
2.Click on My Folder
3.Click on the link to your folder
4.Click on the link Upload to this folder
5.At the file upload screen, click the Browse button to located your saved file
6.Select the filename and click Open
7.Click Upload File
How do I check my grades in Educator?
If your instructor uses the gradebook feature within Educator, you will find your grades by clicking on My Grades on the left navigation bar.
Who do I contact for help in Educator?
If you have questions that are course related, you will need to contact your instructor.
If you have questions that are related to navigating in Educator, look for the question mark icon “?” in the Educator tool bar which is located near the bottom of your screen. This will take you to the online tutorial.
If you were not able to locate the answer to your question, you may click on the Tech Support link located on the left navigation bar. This will take you to an electronic form. Be as specific as possible with the question or problem you have. An email will be returned to you within 24 hours of submission (usually much sooner).
Do I need to change my browser settings?
Your browser does need to be Java enabled. Otherwise, some of Educator’s features may not work properly.
In Netscape:
1. Click on the EDIT menu and choose PREFERENCES.
2. Under the Category panel on your left, click on Advanced.
3. Check ENABLE JAVA and ENABLE JAVASCRIPT.
4. Under the Category panel, click on Cache.
5. Under "Document in cache is compared to document on network," choose EVERY TIME.
In Internet Explorer:
1. Click on the VIEW menu and choose INTERNET OPTIONS.
2. In the section titled INTERNET FILES, click the SETTINGS button.
3. Under "Check for newer versions of stored pages," check EVERY VISIT TO THE PAGE.
Can I use AOL with Educator?
It is highly recommended that you do not use AOL. However, if you do not have the option of using a different Internet Service Provider, you may use AOL to dial-in to the Internet. Once connected, you will want to minimize AOL’s browser and open another browser (Internet Explorer, Netscape, Firefox, etc.).
How do I change my password in Educator?
When you are in our course, click on My Profile on the left navigation bar. You will find the password textbox where you can update your password. After you have made your change, click the Re-Create Profile button. Or, you may click on the security key located in the Educator tool bar. Type in your new password twice and click submit.
How do I connect to library services via Educator?
When you are in our course, click on Resource Center on the left navigation bar. Next, click on OCC Library Databases.
How do I turn off my pop-up blocker so the course will function properly?
Windows Service pack 2, Internet Explorer 6 browser:
1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Click on Tools
3. Select Pop-up Blocker
4. Select Turn off Pop-up Blocker
Netscape browser:
1. Right click on the Web Accelerator icon
2. Click on Pop-up Blocker
3. Click the Options tab
4. Uncheck the box next to Enable Pop-up Blocker
5. Click OK
Firefox browser
1. Open Firefox
2. Click on Tools
3. Select Options
4. Click on the Web features icon
5. Uncheck the box next to Block Popup Windows
6. Click OK
How do I change my password in Blackboard?
When you log into Blackboard
1. select TOOLS navigation bar on the left, select PERSONAL INFORMATION.
2. Click on CHANGE PASSWORD.
3. Type your new password in the Password Field.
4. Repeat in the Verify Password Field.
5. Select the SUBMIT button.
I've enrolled in the course, but don't see it listed on the my courses page?
Instructors will activate courses when they are ready for students to access the materials. In many cases, activation will occur on the first day of the semester. Please keep in mind that this may vary from instructor to instructor.
If you have registered after the semester has already started, access to your course may take up to 24-48 hours. If you still do not see your course listed at that time, please contact your instructor.
I want to put something in Blackboard's Digital Drop Box - how do I do this?
1. Select your course
2. Open Tools from the navigation bar on the right hand of the screen
3. Select Digital Drop Box
4. Click on Add Files
An on screen form opens:
Input a Title
Select a File name (use the Browse feature to select from a local drive)
Include optional Comments
Press: Submit
Just because you added it to digital drop box, doesn’t mean it was sent. You can add and send items from digital drop box.
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There is a red exclamation point or a red question mark in the Blackboard grade book instead of a score, what does this mean?
It means that it was an essay question, anything that has an essay is graded by instructor, not the system. A red QUESTION MARK means that there is an error. A lockbox is also an indication of a problem.
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I'm having a problem with Blackboard email. Why won't it really send the messages sent from the lab on my campus?
Blackboard does not have an internal email application. Do not use the email within Blackboard.
How do I turn off my pop-up blocker so the course will function properly?
Windows Service pack 2, Internet Explorer 6 browser:
Open Internet Explorer
Click on Tools
Select Pop-up Blocker
Select Turn off Pop-up Blocker
Netscape browser:
Right click on the Web Accelerator icon
Click on Pop-up Blocker
Click the Options tab
Uncheck the box next to Enable Pop-up Blocker
Click OK
Firefox browser
Open Firefox
Click on Tools
Select Options
Click on the Web features icon
Uncheck the box next to Block Popup Windows
Click OK
What are the technical requirements needed for Blackboard?
Minimum Computer System Requirements:
Operating System: Windows 98, 2000, XP, NT, or ME;
MacOS 9 or MacOS X
Processor: 350 MHz or higher
Memory: 64 MB of RAM
Hard Drive Space: 1GB free disk space
Anti-virus Software: Make sure that you have a reliable anti-virus program and that its virus definitions are kept up-to-date.
Which browser do I need to use Blackboard?
You will need a current, Java-Script enabled Internet browser to access your Blackboard course. Please make sure that you have one of the following:
Internet Explorer 5.x or 6.x
MSN Explorer 6.x
Netscape 6.2 or higher
Note: AOL, COMCAST or, PEOPLE PC browsers will not work completely with Blackboard. You can still use AOL, COMCAST OR, PEOPLE PC to connect to the Internet, just not to access Bb. Once you are connected, minimize the AOL, COMCAST OR, PEOPLE PC window and open one of the browsers mentioned above
How do I find my Blackboard course?
Go to online2.oaklandcc.edu and log in.
I'm using America Online. The AOL browser does not work with certain Blackboard components. Can I use Netscape or Internet Explorer as my browser when I'm connecting through AOL?
Yes. Connect to the web via AOL. With AOL running in the background, open a new browser Firefox, IExplorer or Netscape and go to online2.oaklandcc.edu and log in.
Do I need to change my browser settings?
Your browser does need to be Java enabled. Otherwise, many of Blackboard's features won't work properly. Your browser should also allow you to see the most current version of the Blackboard pages you're viewing.
To get this to happen, adjust your settings as follows:
In Netscape:
Click on the EDIT menu and choose PREFERENCES.
Under the Category panel on your left, click on Advanced.
Check ENABLE JAVA and ENABLE JAVASCRIPT.
Under the Category panel, click on Cache.
Under "Document in cache is compared to document on network," choose EVERY TIME.
In Internet Explorer:
Click on the VIEW menu and choose INTERNET OPTIONS.
In the section titled INTERNET FILES, click the SETTINGS button.
Under "Check for newer versions of stored pages," check EVERY VISIT TO THE PAGE.
Who do I contact for help with Blackboard?
Students should direct their questions to their instructors, who may contact the Blackboard administrators if they cannot solve the problem themselves.
If you need help with a problem, please send all relevant information to your instructor.
That includes all of the following:
Any error messages you received. Literally!
What browser you were using, what version, and what operating system.
How you were accessing the Internet (what ISP, and is it behind a firewall).
What exactly you were trying to do when the error occurred.
When exactly this occurred.
Any other clues related to your problem
A frequent cause for problems is the use of old browsers, such as the AOL internal browser.
How do I participate in a Discussion Forum in Blackboard?
Once you logon to your course site you simply click on the Communications button on the left side of your screen. Next, click on the forum name to post your response to the discussion topic. If you run into any problems using the Discussion Board, be sure to email your instructor.
How do I check my grades in Blackboard?
You can check your grades that have been recorded in the Blackboard grade book. You will only see grades:
• that your instructor has entered manually.
• that are entered automatically when you take a quiz in Blackboard.
You are the only person that can see your grades.
1. Click “Tools” button in the left navigation bar.
2. Click “Check Grades” link.
I am using Internet Explorer 7. What kind of problems would I face with Blackboard?
The textbox is not working properly in Blackboard and I'm using Internet Explorer 7.
(I can't post
to my Discussion Board)
- Click the Tools button in your course
- Go to Personal Information
- Click on Set Textbox Editor Option
- Set to Unavailable
- Click Submit
If the above recommendation didn't work and you are using Internet Explorer 7, the textbox editor may not work correctly if Blackboard is not listed as a trusted site.
- Double click on globe icon or a red circle icon that appears in your status bar.
- The Internet Security Properties box will appear. Click on the Trusted Sites icon. Now click on the Sites button to open the trusted sites box.
- In the Trusted sites box, the URL for OCC Blackboard should appear. If not, please enter the URL (http://online2.oaklandcc.edu) and click Add button.
- Uncheck the Require Server Verification (https:) for all sites in this zone option. Click Close and then click OK. Refresh your page when you are done.
The elapsed time does not appear in the lower left corner of the window.
If you have Internet Explorer 7 and your instructor assigns a timed quiz or exam, you must adjust your browser settings in Internet Explorer 7 in order to see the elapsed time.
1. Click Tools and select Internet Options from the menu.
2. Click on the Security tab and then click the Custom level button.
3. The Security Settings box will open. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen until you locate the Scripting section. Select Enable option to allow status bar updates via script. Click OK.
4. You will see the warning screen. Select Yes and refresh your page.
I am not able to access the Library Resources within Blackboard.
When you try to access the library resources using Internet Explorer version 7, you may get the following error message:
To help protect your security, Internet Explorer has blocked this website from displaying content with security certificate errors. Click here for options.
- Click on Click here for options in the error message area.
- Next, click Display Blocked Content.
- When you click Display Block Content, you will be directed back to the Announcement area in your Blackboard course. Next, click on the Library Resources button to access the library databases.
What are the hours in the labs?
Each campus has computer facilities for students in the IIC, library and general CIS labs. Visit the Campuses & Sites page
and click on each individual campus for a listing of service hours.
What are the information systems policies?
The Technology Appropriate Use Regulations can be found here
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Do you offer orientations for the online courses?
Yes. Please visit the Distance Learning page for the orientation schedule.
Where can I find the plug-ins and viewers needed for the online courses?
Visit Download Central for more plug-ins and viewers
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Where can I get academic support?
Visit the Getting Help website for more information.
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Are library services available online?
Yes, please visit the library website for more information.
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How do I disable call waiting if I am using dial-up?
If you are using dial-up, enter *70, before the number you dial to access
the internet.
