1. What is Blackboard?
Blackboard is a web-based “course management system” that can be used as a tool to deliver a course completely online or to supplement on-campus courses. Common uses of Blackboard include posting online announcements and course content (e.g., syllabi, handouts, PowerPoint presentations), facilitating online discussions about content or course-related topics, collecting and grading student assignments/assessments, managing grades and making them available for students to view online. Blackboard does not require any special software, only a web browser such as Firefox. In addition, Blackboard has a user-friendly interface and is available for faculty and students to access their courses online anytime, anywhere.

2. What browser do I need to access Blackboard?
Information Technology Department recommends the latest version of Firefox for running Blackboard learning system. Other browser versions listed below should be considered the “minimum” version. However for the most feature rich experience we recommend Firefox and Chrome in that order.

	Firefox® 24 (stable channel) from Mozilla Firefox 24 (ESR channel) from Mozilla
	Chrome™ 30 (stable channel) from Google
	Safari® 6 from Apple

3. How do I login to Blackboard?
Please Note: your account will NOT work until 4 hours after you register for an online class.

On the first day of the semester Blackboard user accounts are created for students registered for Distance Learning courses and for face-to-face courses that utilize Blackboard. To login to Blackboard, complete the following steps:

First time Blackboard User:

1. Visit the WCCCD website at www.wcccd.edu
2. Locate and click on "Distance Learning."
3. Click on Blackboard icon.
   
4. Then click on "Begin Orientation."
5. Log into Blackboard
6. From your “My Institution” page, click on the course link to enter the course site.
7. Be sure to click on "Logout" each time you leave the course.

Returning Blackboard User:

1. Visit the WCCCD website at www.wcccd.edu
2. Locate and click on "Distance Learning.”
3. Next click on “Blackboard.”
4. Click “Log In.”
5. Log into Blackboard using your WCCCD ID and PIN.
6. Be sure to click on "Logout" each time you leave the course

- OR-

1. Go to blackboard.wcccd.edu if you are returning user.
2. Enter your WCCCD ID and PIN.
3. Be sure to click on "Logout" each time you leave the course.

NOTE : Since Blackboard and the Webgate run on the same system, please be aware that when you change your network password on WebGate, you change your Blackboard password as well. You can no longer independently set your WebGate and Blackboard passwords to different passwords. If you change your password in WebGate, please allow up to 3 hrs for Blackboard to update the change.

4. What is my WCCCD ID and PIN?
Your WCCCD ID is the 9 digit student ID number that begins with the letter A. This number can be located at the upper right hand corner of your class confirmation form and is generally printed on any college form that contains your name.

Your PIN is your WebGate password.

5. I am having trouble logging in, what should I do?
If you are unable to login, please use the following troubleshooting procedure:

• Double check your WCCCD ID number and PIN to ensure that there is no typing error.
• Be sure you are following the standard login procedures and check to make sure that you are using the correct URL: blackboard.wcccd.edu
• Please contact Distance Learning at (313) 496-2684 or send an email to distancelearning@wcccd.edu for assistance. You will be helped immediately or within 24 hours.

6. I was able to log in, but how do I get to my course?
Once you have logged in to Blackboard, your courses will be listed on the upper right side of the My Institution page under “Courses in which you are enrolled." To navigate to your course, click on the course title link.

7. Why are some of my courses not listed ?
All courses designated as Blackboard courses for each semester are unavailable in Blackboard until the first day of the semester. The courses will also be unavailable to students if the instructor has chosen not to use Blackboard (if you know your instructor is/will be using Blackboard to supplement your course and it is not listed when you login, please contact your instructor to inquire about the availability of the course, and whether or not you are on the roster); if it has not been 24 hours since the completion of your registration process.

8. How do I get enrolled into my Blackboard course if it is not listed?
First be sure to verify that you are registered for a Blackboard course (by checking your course reference number or contacting your instructor to ensure that they are utilizing Blackboard in a given semester). If it has been 4 hours since the completion of your registration process, please contact at (313) 496-2684 or send an email to distancelearning@wcccd.edu for assistance.

9. How do I change my email address?
Your email address is as follows:

First time Blackboard user: Your email is the same as the email you provide WebGate as a New student.

Returning Blackboard User: Your email has not changed from what the system, Blackboard, already has in place.

From your My Institution page follow the steps below:

1. Click on Personal Information, located in the Tools box.
2. Select Edit Personal Information.
3. Once you have updated your email address, click Submit .

10. I am new to Blackboard or want to learn more about the new Blackboard features. Where can I go for help?
The Distance Learning Division offers an ONLINE Blackboard Orientations prior to the start of the semester. You may also review the online orientation at your convenience. The Distance Learning Division is available to assist you anytime during the semester. You may call Distance Learning at (313) 496-2684 between Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., or send an email to distancelearning@wcccd.edu for assistance. You will be helped immediately or within 24 hours. Finally, you can reference Blackboard's online student user manual. You may also locate this manual under tools within your course site.