Frequently Asked Questions about Blackboard

* The university will discontinue support of Blackboard on September 1, 2008.
Moodle is the new course management system.

How can I get a Blackboard course shell created?
How do I make a course "available" for students?
How do I make a course "unavailable" for students?
How do I recycle a course?
How do students enroll/register for my Blackboard course?

How can I get a Blackboard course shell created?

Simple! Instructors teaching a MU class should contact Joe Hardenbrook, Educational Technologist, by e-mail at jhardenbrook@millikin.edu or call 424-3692. Be sure to include the course name, course number, and instructor's name.

How do I make a course "available" for students?

When an instructor logs into Blackboard, his/her courses will be listed. If a course is marked as "unavailable", students will not be able to enroll in or access the course.

To make courses "available" to students, follow these steps:
1. Log into Blackboard.
2. Click on the course title you want. It will be marked as: (unavailable).
3. Click on Control Panel.
4. Under Course Options, click on Settings.
5. Click on Course Availability.
6. Click on Yes. Then click on Submit.

How do I make a course "unavailable" for students?

After you finish teaching a course, it is a good idea to make the course "unavailable" to students. This will remove their access to the course, but preserve the gradebook, student names, and content that you created.

To make courses "unavailable" to students, follow these steps:
1. Log into Blackboard.
2. Click on the course title you want.
3. Click on Control Panel.
4. Under Course Options, click on Settings.
5. Click on Course Availability.
6. Click on No. Then click on Submit.

How do I "recycle" a course?

When you have finished teaching a course, you may want to "recycle" it so it will be ready for the next time. You have the option of recycling (removing) just the students (users) or selected course content as well (i.e., assignments, announcements, discussion board, tests).

To recycle a course, follow these steps:
1. Log into Blackboard.
2. Click on the course title you want.
3. Click on Control Panel.
4. Under Course Options, click on Recycle Course.
5. Decide which areas you want recycled (removed) by clicking on the checkboxes. IMPORTANT: This action is final and cannot be undone. If you simply want to remove the students in your Blackboard gradebook, then checkmark the "Users" box.
6. Type "Remove" into the box. Then click on Submit.

How do students enroll/register in my Blackboard course?

There are two ways that students can enroll/register for a Blackboard course. You can enroll them as the instructor or students can self-enroll. Having students self-enroll is the easiest method.

To have students self-enroll in your course, you may want to direct them to instructions from this IT Blackboard Help webpage. Or provide them with the following steps:
1. Go to the Millikin Blackboard site. It is also linked from the "Quick Links" section on the Millikin homepage.
2. Click on the Login button.
3. Type in your username and password.
4. Click on the Courses tab towards the top of the screen.
5. In the Course Search box, type in the course number or course name. Click on Go.
6. Find the course with your instructor's name.
7. Click on the Enroll button on the right-hand side.
8. Click on Submit. Click on OK.

Alternatively, you can enroll students in the course yourself. To do this, follow these directions:
1. Log into Blackboard.
2. Click on the course title you want.
3. Click on Control Panel.
4. Under User Management, click on Enroll User.
5. Locate student by last name, username, or e-mail. Click on Search.
6. Checkmark the student's name and click on Submit.
7. Repeat the process for each student.