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Northern Illinois University

Information Technology Services

Blackboard Quick Guide

Log into Blackboard at webcourses.niu.edu

  1. Use Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher browser (AOL, MSN & AT&T ISP browsers do not work, use them to access Internet, then minimize them and use Internet Explorer)
  2. Type webcourses.niu.edu in the address line and click Go or press Enter
  3. Click the Login button on the left-hand side of the Blackboard entry page
  4. Type your Z-ID (e.g. z999999) in the USERNAME box on the login page
  5. Type your Password in the PASSWORD box
  6. Click the Login button on the bottom right of the Blackboard login page

Edit your personal information in Blackboard

Student e-mail addresses cannot be altered. Your official student e-mail address contains your Z-ID: z999999@students.niu.edu.

Course Documents

Course documents can be found under a variety of Content area names; e.g. Assignments, Course Documents, Labs, Syllabus, etc.

  1. To view or download course documents click the appropriate Content Area button
  2. If folders are present, double- click on desired folder to view the documents it may contain
  3. To Open a document, click on the file link or right-click on it and choose Open or Open in New Window
  4. To download a document, right-click on it and choose Save Target As. Select save location and click Save
  5. To Print a document, right-click on it and choose Print Target. Select desired print options and click Print

Discussion Board

Course and Group Discussion Forums may be set up under Class or Group Discussion Boards

  1. To enter a class or group discussion forum, click on Communication, Discussion Board, or Groups
  2. To participate in a Forum, click on the Forum Name
  3. To Open a new discussion thread, click on the Add New Thread button
  4. Type in the Subject and Message of your contribution. You may attach a file to support your position. Click Submit when finished
  5. To respond to a message, click on message, click on Reply and follow step 4 above

Some instructors require and/or monitor Discussion Board participation.

Groups

Instructors may use teams or groups for study or project purposes. Groups may be under Groups or Communication content area names.

  1. To enter the Group pages click on Groups or Communication
  2. Click on the Group or Team name to which you belong
  3. Click on Group Discussion Board to enter a Group Discussion
  4. Click on a forum name to read or post comments
  5. Click on OK to exit forum
  6. Click on File Exchange to add or access group files
  7. To add files click on Add File, browse for the file, double-click on it, click Submit, click OK three times
  8. Click Send E-mail to e-mail group members

E-mail

E-mails can be sent (only) to instructors, fellow students, or group members from Blackboard. E-mail from Communication or Group content areas. Sent e-mails are not retained.

  1. To send an e-mail from Blackboard click on Communication or Groups
  2. Click on Send E-mail
  3. Select recipients of e-mail by clicking in check boxes
  4. Type in Subject and Message
  5. To add attachment(s) click on Add, browse for the file, double-click on it, click Submit, repeat as needed
  6. Click Submit then click OK twice after seeing Receipt:Success notice Set e-mail Spam filter to accept Blackboard e-mail

Digital Drop Box

Located under the Tools button, the Digital Drop Box can be used to store work-in-progress, send homework and other files to instructors, and receive private feedback from instructors.

  1. To access the Digital Drop Box, click on Tools
  2. Click on Digital Drop Box
  3. To add a document, click on Add File
  4. Type in a Title and Comments then browse for file to be added and doubleclick on the file name
  5. Click on Submit when finished, then OK twice
    Important : This only stores the file in the Digital Drop Box. To send the file to the instructor
  6. Click on Send
  7. Select file to send by clicking on down arrow at the right of the Select file box. Add comments
  8. Click Submit

Virtual Chat

Virtual Chat, Virtual Classroom, Chat, or Collaboration can be used by instructors to conduct interactive on-line class or group sessions. Browsers MUST be Java enabled.

  1. To access Virtual Chat, click on Virtual Chat, Virtual Classroom, Chat, Communication, or Groups
  2. To review saved chat or lecture sessions, set the Filter to Show All, click Go, then click on desired chat or lecture
  3. To participate in a chat or lecture, click on Join to the right of the chat or lecture you want to enter
  4. To send commentary, in the Compose box at the bottom-right of screen type in your comment and click Send
  5. To send private comments or questions, click on the recipient in the Participant List, click on Private Message, type question in pop-up box, and click Send

For more information, click on the Student Help button or contact the ITS Helpdesk .