Below we have listed some of the most frequently asked questions. If you are enrolled in an online course, don't be afraid to post questions to the discussion boards in your Blackboard Course. If you have specific questions send an email through the Blackboard System to your instructor.
If you are having trouble accessing your course in Blackboard, check the answers to questions in the Technical Issues section, but also check Module 2 for more details about Checking Your Browser.
Basic Requirements
Qualities for Success
I'm not sure if I'm suited to online learning. What qualities do I need to succeed? How can I develop those skills?
Students in online courses need to be goal oriented and self-directed. Although you may work in groups for some projects online you'll need to be prepared to learn independently. You should be confident in your ability to read and write college level materials. You should schedule specific times on a routine basis to study, keep up-to-date with assignments and log into your course regularly to stay aware of ongoing activities. You'll need basic computer literacy skills. To learn more see Module 1 . Do the Self Assessment and read about resources at the school that will be helpful.
Computer Skills and Requirements
What level of computer skill is needed for an online course. Do I need to have a computer and high speed internet?
To take an online course you should have basic computer skills. For example knowing how to navigate a computer download and upload programs, use word processing software, save documents, use email, and navigate the internet. It is recommended that you have access to an up-to-date computer with reliable access to the internet. You may need to log onto your course everyday or at least every other day. Review the advice in Module I about access to computers at GBC.
Try to access the site through the main George Brown College Web site.
Click on the WebCT link on the left course menu.
I try to login but I keep getting prompted with "You have entered an incorrect user name or password."
There may be a problem with your password. Passwords expire every 17 weeks on the Self-Serve Password Utility. An expired password will affect access to StuView, Blackboard and college wireless connections. The different applications that require a password may expire at slightly different times. Therefore if you can get into one service but not the other your password may have expired. You will need to go through the Identity Management Process.
Call GBC's Call Centre by dialing 416-415-2000 or for toll-free in Canada and the United States: 1-800-265-2002 (TTY 1-877-515-5559)
Missing Courses and Course Access Issues
Why are my courses missing or unavailable?
When I log in to “My Blackboard,” I am missing courses.
Check that you are properly registered in the course (CRN) in StuView. If you are properly enrolled make sure your teacher set up the course. If your teacher has set up the class using Blackboard and you are registered in the class in StuView, fill out the Student Help Form at http://liad.gerogebrown.ca/webctassist
When I click on my course from my Blackboard screen, I get a "denied access" message.
If you have any academic or financial holds, access to your course will be denied. Please talk to your coordinator to resolve this issue.
When I click on my course, I get a pop-up saying, "Section is not available."
Your instructor may not have set up the course yet.
Problems with the Tools in Blackboard
Some tools in my course are not working. What's wrong?
Some tools in WebCT require the Java Runtime Environment in order to function properly. To find out how to set this up you can go here:
When I try to submit a file in the assignment tool or attach a file in an email, I can't find the “My computer” icon after I have chosen Browse for Files. What's wrong?
You may have the wrong version of the Java runtime environment installed. To find out how to set this up you can go here:
[setup Java for WebCT]
I can access the Mail tool, but when I click on the “Create Message” button, nothing happens. Why?
You may have pop-ups blocked. Find the link to preferences in your browser ( Explorer, Firefox, Safari), click to allow pop ups from Blackboard/WebCT. If you have a Yahoo or Google Toolbar, make sure that you have enables pop-ups there also
I can access the Discussion tool, but when I click on the “Create Message” button, nothing happens. Why?
You may have pop-ups blocked. Make sure pop ups are enabled in your browser (Explorer, Firfoox, Safari) and also in any Google or Yahoo toolbar.
My HTML creator doesn’t work. Why?
The HTML editor requires the Java Runtime Environment in order to function properly. To find out how to set this up you can go here:
[setup Java for WebCT]
Flie Downloads
Why is it that when I try to download a file in Blackboard/WebCT using Explorer, I get a blank screen?
Generally, this is a browser’s built-in security issue and is not specific to Blackboard/WebCT. Sometimes, when you click on a file link, a bar will appear just underneath the address bar in your browser, indicating that a file download was blocked. To continue opening the file,
Right-click on the message bar (see image below)
Click on the “Allow Blocked Content” or “Download File” link.
When the Security Warning Dialogue box appears, click Yes to open the file.
After doing this, you will be taken back out to the MY WebCT page. Click on your course link, and download your file when you re-enter the course.
How do I set up my browser so that I do not have to through this process over and over again?
In an Internet Explorer window click on the Tools menu
Choose Internet Options
Click on the Security tab at the top
Click on the Custom Level button in the middle of the window
Scroll down until you find the setting Automatic prompting of Downloads and check Enable
Click Ok, then click Yes, then OK one more time to close the Internet Options window
Blackboard System Problems
How can I contact my instructor if the Blackboard System goes down for more than a couple of days?
Check your course to see if your instructor left an alternate email address. Check your GBC email for messages. Use your George Brown Student email address to contact the instructor.
George Brown Student Email
How do I access my George Brown Student Email - the one that is outside of Blackboard?
To find out about your George Brown Student Email, watch the video below:
If I take an online course, will I ever have to come into the school for the course?
That depends on the course. Some courses require you to come into the college to take online tests in the proctored labs during specific dates and times.
Synchronous Activities
Can I work on the course anytime I want or are there times when I have to meet with the class online?
Although many courses are asynchronous, some courses have synchronous components. Some instructors will use Elluminate a web conferencing system and schedule a time for students to sign on and participate. Check the getting started information or your syllabus to see if you will need to attend live sessions.
Group Work
Will I have to work with a group online?
Many courses have group work and group assignments. You may have to take part in discussions online too. This may be with the entire class or within a smaller group.
Due Dates
Because the course is online, can I do assignments whenever I want?
Although much of the work you do in an online course is during hours that you choose, you still will have to complete work according to the due dates your instructor has chosen. Some instructors have strict cut off dates and times. Once the time has passed students will no longer have access to submit the work. Some Discussion posting topics also work this way, so remember to sign in daily and keep up-to-date.
Instructor Office Hours
If I need help, do Instructors have Office Hours?
Because you are taking an online course, your teacher may have office
hours online. Some instructors also have office hours at the school. The best thing to do is to read the information posted in the course by
your instructor.
Response Time
If I have a question, how soon will my instructor get back to me?
Typically most instructors will reply to your questions within 48 hours during the regular business week. However, you should check the course details for specific information that your instructor has posted.
Instructor Contact
I have been sending emails to my instructor and posting questions to the discussion board for several days and I can't get an answer from the instructor. What should I do?
Generally, instructors try to get back to students within 48 hours during regular business hours. Many instructors post specific information about their availability online. They may have set online Office Hours or even Office Hours at the school. Check your course to see the exact information your instructor has posted. Check also your sent mail in Blackboard to make sure that your message was sent. If you have sent mail to the instructors George Brown Email account, have you sent the email using your George Brown email address? Sometimes the college's email filter stops incoming mail from different email accounts, so it's best to use your George Brown email account to send mail. If after checking all of the above and you are still unable to contact your instructor, contact the division that offers the course you are taking. If you are taking a general education elective, you would contact the General Education department.
FAQs
Qualities for Success
