Logging in to Blackboard 7
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Login Information
Overview: What is Blackboard?
Blackboard is a system for accessing course materials online. Many (but not all!) instructors at Durham Tech use Blackboard in a variety of ways, for example: to post course information, handouts, assignments, tests, grades, or to have online discussions.
Note: Check with your instructor to find out if he or she is using Blackboard. If not, then you will not find information about that course on Blackboard.
What do I need in order to use Blackboard?
In order to access a course on Blackboard you need:
- A computer with Internet access and reasonably current web browser. We recommend:
- Internet Explorer 6 or higher
- Firefox 2 or higher (It's free! To download, see http://www.mozilla.com )
- Check your browser
- An email account (can be a free email account such as those available at www.gmail.com )
- A Blackboard account
Additional requirements (Java, cookies, etc)
- JavaScript and cookies must be enabled (How to enable JavaScript and enable cookies)
- Current version of Java must be installed (How to get the current version of Java)
How do I get a Blackboard account?
To get a Blackboard account, you must register and pay for a class that uses Blackboard.
Your Blackboard account becomes active and ready on the first day of class (and not before!)
Where on campus can I access Blackboard?
On Durham Tech's campus, you can access Blackboard from any open computer lab. See the Computer Lab Schedule for a listing of lab locations and open hours.
You can also access Blackboard from any computer, anywhere in the world, that has Internet access (from your home, at work, your local library, etc).
How do I log in?
Determine your username and password
Before you can log in, you need to know your 7-digit student ID number. You can find your student ID number on your student ID card and your registration form.
How can I find out what my student ID number is?
Credit Students: You can find your 7-digit student ID number:
- printed on your student ID card - (to obtain a student ID card, visit the Campus Police office)
- on the top left corner of your registration form
- on all other official college documents
- Durham Tech Blackboard Username Look-up Tool
NON-Credit/Continuing Education Students: You can find your 7-digit student ID number:
Student accounts on Blackboard follow this format:
Username = student’s last name, first initial, last 4 digits of student ID number
Password = your birth year (YYYY)
Example:
Notes:
- Your username is based on the name you provided when you applied to Durham Tech.
- Any name changes or mispellings will need to be corrected in the Student Records Office.
- Usernames do NOT contain spaces or symbols such as hyphens, dashes or apostrophes.
- For example, O’Reilly becomes oreilly and Smith-Baker becomes smithbaker.
- When your Blackboard account is first created, your password is set to your 4-digit birth year.
- If you change your password, it remains whatever you change it to FOREVER (or until you change it again). Your password does NOT revert to your birth year with each new semester.
Log in to Blackboard
To log in to Blackboard:
- Login to Blackboard
- Click on the LOGIN button
- Enter your user name and password (see above)
- Click on the LOGIN button
IMPORTANT: The first time you log in, follow the steps listed below to record your email address in Blackboard.
When I log in to Blackboard I don't see all my courses listed, why?
When you log in to Blackboard you are on the "Welcome" screen. Some courses you are taking may not be listed here!
If your courses are not listed on the Welcome screen:
- Don't PANIC!
- Find out the start date of the courses you are taking. Start dates can be found on the class schedule page.
Note: Your Blackboard courses will not be visible until the class start date.
If it's after the class start date and you STILL don't see your courses:
- Check with your instructors to find out if they are using Blackboard
- Check with your instructors to find out if they have made their courses "available" to students
Enter your email address - REQUIRED
You MUST record your email address in Blackboard, so your instructors will be able to contact you.
To enter your email address in Blackboard:
- Login to Blackboard
- Click on the Welcome tab and go to the Tools area (left side of the screen)
- In the TOOLS box, click on the "Personal Information" link
- Click on the "Edit Personal Information" link
- Under Personal Information: Go to the "Email" field
- If the field is empty, enter a valid email address
- If the field contains an email address, verify that the email address is correct
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and click SUBMIT
- Click OK button twice
Note: The only required fields are First Name, Last Name, and Email Address.
Change your password - REQUIRED
To change your Blackboard password:
- Login to Blackboard
- Click on the Welcome tab and go to the Tools area (left side of the screen)
- Click on the "Change Password" link
- Click on the "Change Password"
- In the "Password" field enter your new password (The new password should be something that you easily remember. It should also be kept secret.)
- In the "Verify Password" field enter your new password again
- Click SUBMIT
- Click OK button twice
REMEMBER: If you change your password, it will remain whatever you change it to FOREVER (or until you change it again). It will NOT revert to your birth year next semester.
Where do I go for help?
We suggest that you look around on this site, which contains answers to the most common questions.
If you can't find an answer here, or want to ask a real person, you can Contact Blackboard Support.
