CourseName: _____________________________________________________________________________

Course ID:________________________________ Instructor:______________________________________

URL: http://blackboard.southark.edu/

This course will be using Web-based software, which integrates course materials with communication tools.
Blackboard allows for more interaction and features than a traditional on-campus or distance learning course.

For this course you will need the following items and skills :

A Web browser – Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer (See Distance Learning website for browser info.)

A SouthArk ID and the ability to use SouthArk Email.

The ability to navigate the Web (use a browser), and work with multiple open windows

The ability to open, close and save files and attachments

Accessing Your Course

Access to the course requires a Username and Password on the Blackboard system.

Step 1: Direct your browser to the Web address designated

by the instructor.

Step 2: Enter your Username and Password in the

appropriate boxes.

Note: Your Blackboard Username is your SouthArk ID. Your

username is the first letter of your first and last name along
with the last five numbers in your student ID.

Here’s an example: John Smith is a student at SouthArk. Reminder: If you use a nickname or change
He has a student ID of 4560-12345. His username then is
your last name mid semester, this will not affect
js12345.
your username or password. Your password is
Your password will your birthdate followed by those same the same as the one used for SouthArk e-mail
initials of your first and last name capitalized.
or to login to the computers on campus.
Here’s an example: John Smith was born on December 8,
1988. This makes his password 12081988JS.
Step 3: Click the name of your course from the personalized list in the “My Courses” box.

Overview of a Basic Course

Once you have entered a Blackboard course, you
will always be able to see the navigation items
down the left hand side of the screen. You use
these buttons or text links to view various areas of
the course.

Note that each course varies depending on the

instructor’s preferences, so your course may look
different, or have different functionality in the
navigation items.

Most instructors group related items together under

a particular navigation link, e.g. the syllabus, course
policies and schedule might be found in a section
called Course Information, and handouts,
assignments and lecture notes might be found under
a link titled Chapter Material or Course Documents.
Explore each of the navigation items in your course,
and you should soon see a pattern emerge which
will help you know where to find the particular
information you are looking for. You will also find that you can hide and show the

menu by clicking on the icon to the left of any

displayed content.
Navigating in Your Course

You can access various parts of your Blackboard course by single-clicking on the navigation buttons/text, folder
titles, links, tools, and communication areas. There are 2 types of navigation:

1. Navigating between content areas. This can be done through the List or Folder View options.

2. To navigate between course areas, click on the link in the navigation menu OR use the Course Map to
navigate.
When you navigate within a content area, you can use internal navigation to move between documents and
folders.

Internal navigation links, like the ones above called breadcrumbs, will appear at the top of each page within a
course. Clicking on a title will take you to that area of the course: i.e. the course name (English Comp I) will take
you to the entry page of the course. Selecting –the name of a content area (Lecture Notes & Selected Readings)
will take you to the top level of that content area.

Note: Due to the dynamic nature of many of the pages within the course it is strongly recommended
that you use the internal navigation links instead of the browser’s Back and Forward buttons.

Completing Course Assignments

Your instructor may create Assignments for you to complete online. Links to these assignments will appear within
a content area, and will contain some basic instructions and a View/Complete assignment link.

Step 1: Click on the View/Complete link.

Step 2: If your instructor has attached a file to the assignment (such as related readings, or a list of essay
questions), you can open that file and review the contents by clicking on the file name.

Step 3: Follow your instructor’s requirements for completing the assignment. For example, your instructor might
ask you to write an essay in a word processing program, and submit it for a grade by a specific date. You can write
your essay, and come back to the Assignment area at a later date to submit your work.

Step 4: After the work is completed, add your Comments for the instructor (if any) in the text box. Browse to
attach files (such as your essay) related to this assignment. To add another file to your assignment
click on the Add Another File button.

Step 5: Click on the Submit button.

You can check on the grading of this assignment by revisiting the View/Complete link in the course, or using the
“View Grades” tool.
Posting a Blog Entry

Step 1: Click on the blog link within a course content area or tools area.

Step 2: Click on the Create Blog Entry button

Step 3: Enter an Entry Title.

Step 4: Enter text into the Entry Message text box.

Step 5: Attach a file to the entry using the Browse for Local Files button.

Step 6: Click Post Entry or click Save Entry As Draft to save the entry for later posting.
Posting a Journal Entry

Step 1: Click on the blog link within a course content area or tools area.

Step 2: Click on the Create Journal Entry button

Step 3: Enter an Entry Title.

Step 4: Enter text into the Entry Message text box.

Step 5: Attach a file to the entry using the Browse for Local Files button.

Step 6: Click Post Entry or click Save Entry As Draft to save the entry for later posting.
Adding a Thread in Discussion Board

Step 1: Navigate to the class Discussion Board using the appropriate links. (via an individual link in the
Course Menu or under the Communication link)

Step 2: Click on the name of a forum to enter that discussion.

Step 3: Click the Add Thread button to create a new thread in the forum.

Step 4: First fill in the subject line. You cannot leave the subject line blank. The subject line is like a
subject line in an e-mail. It should state what the contents are about.
Step 5: The message area allows you to type in what you want the instructor and other students to read.
You can also copy and paste the information from another word processing document to this area
by using the copy and paste buttons on the text box editor.

Step 6: Some instructors may allow you to add an attachment. If so, you can add your attachment by
clicking on the Attach A File link and browsing for the document to attach. Then add the file to
the thread posting.

Step 7: If you haven’t completed your thread submission, click on the Save button. This allows your
information to stay on the Blackboard system, but not be submitted to the instructor. However,
make sure when you want to submit the thread posting you click the submit button.

Remember: Once you submit the thread you may not be able to change it. Make sure words and
punctuation are correct by clicking the spell check button.
Replying to a Thread in Discussion Board

Step 1: Navigate to the class Discussion Board using the appropriate links. (via an individual link in the
Course Menu or under the Communication link)

Step 2: Click on the name of a forum to enter that discussion.

Step 3: Click the title of a message to read the posting.

Step 4: To respond to a message, click the Reply button following the text. Follow steps 4 -7 in Adding a
Thread in Discussion Board to post your reply.
Working with the Collaboration Tool
Note: You must have Java and JavaScript enabled on your web browser to run the Collaboration
Tools. If you have broadband / high speed internet, you may need to open ports 8010 and
8011 to access this tool. Contact your Internet Services Provider for assistance.

Step 1: Navigate to the class Collaboration area using the appropriate links. (via an individual link in
the Course Menu or under the Communication link)

Step 2: Click the Join button for the Virtual Classroom tool.

Step 3: Using the various areas

in the Virtual Classroom you
can draw, ask questions,
navigate web pages, send
private messages, view course
pages or carry on a chat.

Note: The Lightweight Chat tool

functions in the same manner
as the Virtual Classroom tool,
but provides only the options of
chat and private messaging.
Working with Group Pages
Step 1: When you are enrolled within groups you will see a My Groups menu below the course menu.
Step 2: Expand the group menu to see the available tools.

Note: You must be a member of a Group to enter the area for that particular group.

Step 3: Select the Group Tool you wish to use.

Tools Area
The Tools area is customizable by course based on instructor preference. All options here may not be available for
your course. Each tool has a basic description below it to inform you of its use.
Viewing Grades

Step 1: Navigate to your My Grades area using the appropriate links. (via an individual link in the Course Menu or
under the Student Tools link)
Step 2: Click the Grade indicator to see the final score for any online assessments or assignments you completed
within the course.
Note: Only Assessments and Assignments created within Blackboard will display additional information about
scoring. Any manual entered the instructor created will not be clickable or provide more grading details.

Should you have technical questions while completing this course, please contact:

Name: SouthArk Distance Learning

Phone: (870) 864-8406 or 1-800-955-2289

E-mail: blackboard@southark.edu

Edited Content provided by Blackboard Inc.