FAQs

How does a student get a Blackboard CE6 account?
All officially enrolled students will automatically have Blackboard CE6 accounts. To access Blackboard, they should visit http://bb.pdx.edu and use their ODIN username and password to login. If they have any problems, they should contact the OIT Help Desk: 503 725-HELP or help@pdx.edu

Students who cannot access Blackboard due to late enrollment or financial holds or other holds in Banner, can be provided with a temporary guest login by their instructor. (See How do faculty add students to their online classes? below.) This login expires at the end of the third week of the term.

Long-term access for non-PSU users can be arranged through the OIT Help Desk. The course instructor will need to submit a request for a sponsored odin account and corresponding Blackboard account. (See How do faculty add students to their online classes? below.)

Where can students find tutorials for Blackboard CE6?
All students have access to the CE6 Training - Planet - Student link located in their Course List which appears after logging in. This help library contains dozens of text documents and audio-enhanced slideshows on all aspects of Bb CE6. If this title is not in their Course List, please send a message to blackboard@pdx.edu.

How do faculty members get Blackboard CE6 shells created for their classes?
All shells are now created via Banner. Ask your department course scheduler to "flag" the course in Banner as needing a Bb CE6 shell. A shell will automatically be created within hours. If your scheduler has problems with this process, you may send your information to blackboard@pdx.edu.

How can faculty get training in the use of Blackboard CE6?
There are several ways faculty can get training:

1. Live workshops: Face to face faculty training in Bb CE6 is being offered every week. For date, time, and room info, visit the workshop calendar at  http://www.psuonline.pdx.edu/calendar/plans.cgi. Then call the CAE Office: at 503.725.8327 to register for a workshop. Each workshop will be organized around one of the following topics:
   
   • Getting Started in Blackboard CE6: For those new to Blackboard and/or online teaching.
     
   • Collaboration Tools: A closer look at tools such as discussion, announcements, email, and chat.
     
   • Course Management & Design: A closer look at tools such as course settings, the grade book, and the assignment drop box.
     
   • Course Tools: A closer look at content delivery, activities, assignments and assessments.
2. Four self-paced, online training courses with a facilitator are also available:
   
   • The Art of eLearning
   • Designing Your Course
   • Assessments and Assignments
   • Teaching Your Course

   Each online training course takes approximately of 8–15 hours to complete and each is monitored by a course facilitator. To enroll, email or call the Center for Academic Excellence at caestaff@pdx.edu, or 503.725.8327.

3. Online Blackboard Tutorials: This help library contains dozens of text documents and audio-enhanced slideshows on all aspects of BbCE6. The library is available to all instructors through the CE6 Training - Blackboard Tutorials link in your Course List on your My Blackboard page. If this title is not in your Course List, please send a message to blackboard@pdx.edu.

How do faculty add students to their online classes?
In the Blackboard CE6 system, enrollment is handled by Banner. Students will automatically be given access to Blackboard when they enroll in a course. However, there are a few exceptions as listed below. Questions or problems should be referred to the OIT Help Desk: 503 725-HELP or help@pdx.edu

• Every class is given one Guest Account that can access the class until the drop period ends. This is primarily for students whose official enrollments are delayed but need access to the class. The Guest Account login information for each course will be emailed to the course instructor.
  
  
• Instructors who need several accounts and/or more permanent accounts can have the OIT Help Desk create "sponsored" ODIN accounts and then Blackboard accounts based on these ODIN accounts.
  
  
• Instructors can add a student as a TA or a Designer:
  
  
  1. In Teach mode, click on 'Grade Book' under 'Instructor Tools' on the left column.
     
     
  2. In the 'Grade Book' click on 'Enroll Members' near the top of the page.
     
     
  3. Enter the student ODIN name, select TA or Section Designer, click on 'Enroll' and then 'Save'.

  Note: A person enrolled as a student cannot be added as a TA or Designer.