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Technical FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Here you can find answers to some of the most common technical questions people have about Distance Education at Ship.

Blackboard

E-Mail

Computer Hardware/Software

Internet Browser

 

How do I log into Blackboard?

SU students and faculty have a Blackboard Username and Password automatically created from the enrollment database.

Username: Use your full Ship email address
Password: <first four letters of your last name> + <birthdate YYYYMMDD>

Example: Jane A. Smith, js1234@ship.edu, birthdate Feb. 10, 1985

Bb Username: js1234@ship.edu 
Bb Password: smit19850210

To change your password after you have successfully logged into Bb:
Click on "Personal Information" > click on "Change Password".

NEED HELP: contact the 24/7 Online Support Center via the toll-free telephone number 1-866-766-5960 or click on the "Help" button at the top of this screen.

My course requires an access code or key. What's that all about?

The access code or key is usually shipped with a new textbook. If you purchase a used textbook make sure a valid access code is included otherwise you will need to pay the publisher to receive a valid access code. Please contact your instructor for further information.

I have a non-University email address that I would like to use the Blackboard?

No, you cannot use an outside email address because messages from your professor might not clear the filtering mechanisms. You MUST use an @ship.edu email account in Blackboard. Also, do not forward your Ship email to another account. You may not receive critical messages from your instructor.

What if I forget my password?

If you happen to forget or misplace your Login information, you can obtain it by:

1. On the Bb Login Page, under the username and password text boxes is a link "Forgot your password?" -- click on that link for assistance.

2. Or, contact the 24/7 Support Center. They will email the login information to your Ship email account.

Does it matter if I use a Windows-based computer or a Macintosh computer?

For most classes, no. However, if you are taking a Computer Science course that requires a specific operating system, such as Windows, you can't use a Mac but you can use an Intel Mac. Check with the instructor of the course if you are unsure.

Will I need to use a word processing program for written assignments?

Yes. In fact, you should get into the habit of typing all of your assignments, regardless of whether they are research papers, e-mails, discussion board postings, etc., in a word processing program like Microsoft Word and saving them using the file type: .RTF "Rich Text Format". That way, you can check your work for spelling and grammar errors before submitting. And the RTF file is readable using any word processing software.

Does it matter which word processing program I use?

Word is preferred, but you can use others. It is important that you save your file as File Type: Rich Text Format (.RTF) so that any word processing software can be used to read the file.

What are the technical requirements for taking an online course?

Just click Technical Requirements to find out.

Is there a preferred browser for using Blackboard?

Yes. Internet Explorer is the preferred browser, version 6 or higher. However, if you are a Mac OS X user, Firefox is preferred by Blackboard. We do not recommend using other browsers with Blackboard.

Does it matter if I use AOL to log into Blackboard?

We do not recommend using AOL with Blackboard. Some users of America Online dial-in service have reported problems connecting to Blackboard. If you are an America Online user and you find you have problems accessing or authenticating to Blackboard please try the following suggestions:

Do not use the built-in AOL browser, instead:

  1. Log in to AOL as you normally would.
  2. Open an active chat room session, if you wish, to help keep your session alive.
  3. Open up Internet Explorer separate from AOL
  4. Connect to http://blackboard.ship.edu in whichever new browser you have started.
  5. Log in to Blackboard when prompted.

How do I set up Internet Explorer to work optimally with Blackboard?

Make sure your browser updates properly:

  1. From the Tools menu in IE, click Internet Options.
  2. Click the General tab.
  3. Under Temporary Internet Files, click Settings.
  4. Under Check for newer versions of stored pages, select Every visit to the page, and click OK.

Make sure Java is enabled:

  1. From the Tools menu in IE, click Internet Options.
  2. Click the Advanced tab.
  3. Under Microsoft VM, select Java console enabled and Java logging enabled. Click OK.
  4. Restart your computer.

I'm having problems getting a Collaboration session to work in Blackboard. How can I solve this?

You will need to download and install the Java Runtime Environment plug-in, version 1.4.1 or higher.

Blackboard advises that if you are a Windows user and have a previous version of the Java plug-in already installed on your computer, remove the older version before installing the new one. To do this:

  1. Close all applications.
  2. Uninstall the current Java plug-in. Go to your Start menu, select Settings, then select Control Panel.
  3. Open Add/Remove Programs, and locate Java 2 Runtime Environment. Click it to highlight it, then click the Add/Remove button to remove it.
  4. Log into your Blackboard course, and launch the Collaboration tool.

What is the Academic Web Resources tab at the top of my Blackboard class?

This link goes to Blackboard’s Resource Center web site (not the SSHE's Blackboard server), and the site contains resource content. Currently, Blackboard browser requirements and instructions for setting up or downloading newer browser versions are posted.

How do I view Electronic Reserves materials?

Important Notes About Electronic Reserves: You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader

To read electonic reserve materials, most of which are in ".pdf" format, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader software. If you don't already have Adobe Acrobat Reader, download a free copy.

How do I print Electronic Reserve materials?

Printing .pdf files (the format used by Electronic Reserves) can be a slow process, especially when accessing files over a modem. When you print .pdf files, we recommend reducing the printer resolution to 150 dpi on the pop-up Printer menu (if this option is available to you). This will speed the printing process and still yield legible articles.

To print an Electronic Reserves document, be sure to click on the "printer" icon at the immediate upper left of the page being displayed (within Adobe Acrobat Reader), NOT the "Print" icon in the browser's toolbar.

Having trouble printing an Acrobat file? Pages printing as "mirror images?" Some pages not printing at all? Try checking the "Print as image" option in the print dialog box. This often solves many such problems.

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