Blackboard - Student Help (2024)

Introduction to Blackboard for Students

Below is a video overview covering the key aspects of using Blackboard as a student including logging in, accessing module content and navigating the new Blackboard design for 2023/24. You can click here or on the arrow icon in the bottom right of the video player to watch it in full-screen mode.

Access & Enrolment

Blackboard (mymodule.tcd.ie) requires an active TCD computer account for access. If you are not enrolled to a module check with your school office to ensure you are timetabled for it. The module must be listed on your my.tcd.ie student record for you to have access to it in Blackboard - IT Servicescannot manually enrol you to modules. Erasmus students can find more information on enrolment on the orientation pages.

For more information on access and enrolment issues visit the IT Services VLE page.

Blackboard Ally is a tool that will allow you read material in a way that matches your life and the way you like to learn. Ever wanted to listen to your readings instead of trawling through photocopies? Do you ever need to look at your notes on your mobile? Maybe you require your lecture notes to be screen reader friendly? If this sounds like you, then Ally could be for you.

Alternative formats you can download using Ally include:

• Audio versions of reading materials
• HTML format for easy reading on your mobile phone
• Tagged PDF for using with assistive technology

Simply click on the small A symbol next to the material (see image below), select a format and press download. Ally can be used by all students, not just those registered with the Disability Service.

An image showing where to find the Ally alternative Formats option.

You can watch this video to see Trinity Inclusive Curiculum Student Partner Reece Sheridan talk about how Ally helps him balance his studies with his caring responsibilities and watch this video where Trinity-INC Graduate Intern Ross Coleman shows students how to access Blackboard Ally along with examples of the different file formats that are available for download.

For further information on Blackboard Ally for students, check out Trinity Inclusive Curriculum's one-pager guide or visit the Blackboard Help website.

Further Information on Accessibility

• Blackboard Accessibility Help Pages
• Trinity Disability Service

• Trinity-INC Explains: Blackboard Ally and Accessibility

Accessing and Viewing Panopto Videos

Lecturers may ask you to watch videos hosted in Panopto alongside other module content. You can learn about the different features available in the Panopto viewer by visiting the Panopto Viewer Guide.

Panopto Logout Issues

If you get logged out while trying to access Panopto videos - for example on an iPad - please check your browser settings.

Panopto Sign-In Prompts

If you get prompted to sign in with an account when trying to view a Panopto video in Blackboard, please select the 'Blackboard' login option from the dropdown menu to sign in with this account automatically rather than the default 'Panopto' option as this is only for certain user accounts.

Your lecturer may ask you to upload your assignments using the Blackboard assignment option or using Turnitin in Blackboard. Below is a video overview of the Blackboard assignment tool for students covering how to upload your assignments. Please see the links below to Blackboard's guides for more information.

Useful Links from the Blackboard Website:

• Blackboard Website - Assignment Guide

• Supported File Types

• Blackboard SafeAssign (Originality Reports) - Help for Students

Large File Uploads:

After you click Submit, you will need to wait for the files to finish uploading. You will not see a progress bar so for large file; click Submit once wait until it finishes uploading. After it completes, you will get a submission receipt as outlined in the video above.

My File Did Not Upload Successfully:

Make sure you do not have the file open/being edited when uploading. Close out of the file before submitting. If there is still an issue try in another browser such as Chrome or Firefox.

Submission Issues:

if you encounter any issues submitting or accessing an assignment, please contact your module instructors in the first instance; IT Services cannot reset or allow additional submission attempts etc. as as the module instructors manage the assessment settings. Module instructors can contact IT Services if they need advice on this process.

Your instructor may use the Panopto Student Video Assignment option and ask you to create a video assignment submission; the availability of this feature will vary by module.

To submit a Panopto Student Video Assignment:

1. First, consider what you will be recording and how the recording will be conducted. If recording other people you will need to get their permission / consent in advance of recording. This permission should be kept on file and provided to your module instructor. Please ensure to only include relevant and appropriate content in recordings and to process personal data in a manner which respects the privacy of all persons involved. For further information on data protection and privacy please see the Data Protection Website or contact the College Data Protection Officer at dataprotection@tcd.ie.
2. Access the assignment in the relevant Blackboard module and review the instructions; you will see instructions similar to this image if the instructor is using the Panopto video assignment option
3. Click on the link to go to your Panopto Video Library (sometimes referred to as My Folder). This folder is only visible to you so you can continue to edit your videos as much as needed before submitting. It is only when you submit your video via the Blackboard assignment link that the instructor will be able to see it.
4. Create your video by clicking on the Create button in the left-hand menu - we recommend using Panopto Capture which will let you record straight from your web browser (Google Chrome or Firefox are recommended). You can also upload a video file if you have created one outside of Panopto. More details on using Panopto Capture are available in the video below:
5. Once you have recorded your video, give it a name and title and ensure it is saved to your My Folder
6. Return to the assignment submission link in the Blackboard module as before and scroll down to where it says 'Create Submission' ; then click on the three dots in the editor (A) to expand all the options and then the plus button on the right-hand side of the bottom row of icons (B)
   
   
7. Select Panopto Student Video Submission from the list (C) - make sure to click this and NOT the Panopto Video option
8. Select your video from the list that displays
9. Enter any other text as needed but ensure the link to the video remains in the editor (D) - do not delete the link that appears once you insert your video as your lecturer will need to click on this to view the video.
10. Once you are ready, click Submit (E). Note: Once you click submit, the video is copied to a special Student Assignment folder within your module (only visible by default to the module instructors). This means you cannot retrospectively edit the submitted video after you click Submit. If you need to make subsequent changes, you will need to submit a new attempt - please contact your instructor if unsure or if you need an additional attempt
11. Once submitted, a confirmation message will display and you can click on the link to view the submitted video to check it is correct

Terms of Use & Further Help

Please refer to our Terms of Use document for further guidelines and information on the Data Protection aspects of using the Panopto Student Video Assignment option.

If you have concerns regarding creating a video as part of your module's assignment, please discuss the options available to you with your module instructor.

Your lecturer may ask you to upload your assignments using Turnitin in Blackboard or via the Blackboard assignment tool. Below is a video overview of Turnitin in Blackboardcovering how to upload your assignments. Please see the links below the video for more guides and information.

Important: if you are submitting your assignment via Turnitin in Blackboard, you do not need to create a Turnitin account. Do not create a Turnitin account or log in via Turnitin.com - instead submit your assignment via Blackboard and save the receipt once you have submitted. Please see our Quick Guide or video below on how to submit your assignment.

Useful Turnitin Guides & Links

• Turnitin - Submitting Your Assignment QuickGuide

• The Similarity Report

• Turnitin Knowledge Base

Submission Issues:if you encounter any issues submitting or accessing an assignment, please contact yourmodule instructorsin the first instance; IT Services cannot reset or allow additional submission attempts etc. as as the module instructors manage the assessment settings. Module instructors can contact IT Services if they need advice on this process.

File Limits: the maximum file size supported by Turnitin is approximately 100mb and the maximum paper length is approximately 800 pages

Viewing Your Originality Report: Your instructor controls whether or not the originality report is available to view before the due date. If the report says 'Pending' please return to the file at a later stage - typically around an hour after first submitting but this can vary depending on the file size or whether it is a busy period. Resubmission reports can take up to 24 hours to generate (or longer if there is an issue with the paper or the Turnitin service) - please ensure you leave plenty of time before submitting. IT Services have no control over how long these reports take to appear. Please check with your instructor if you are unsure what options are available to you.

Online Tests

Below is a video overview for students on online tests in Blackboard.Visit the Blackboard help pages for more tips for taking an online test in Blackboard.

Submission Issues & Resetting Attempts: if you encounter any issues submitting or accessing a test, please contact your module instructors in the first instance; IT Services cannot reset or allow additional submission attempts etc. as as the module instructors manage the assessment settings. Module instructors can contact IT Services if they need advice on this process.

Browser Support: some students may encounter issues when completing MCQs or Assignments using Internet Explorer or Edge web browsers. Google Chrome orMozilla Firefox are recommended. Please see the supported browsers list for more details.

Do not use the Blackboard app to take tests if they are for credit as not all question types will work in the app.

Blogs, Journals & Forums

Below are video overviews of how to create blog, journal and forum entries. You can view our video on using the text editor for these tools and you can also visit the Blackboard Help Pagesfor more guides. How you will use these tools will vary greatly depending on your module so check with your instructor if you are unsure how you should use participate in discussions using these tools.

1. Create and Edit Blog Entries

2. Create a Journal Entry

3. Use Discussion Forums

Participating in Webinars (Collaborate Ultra)

Some modules make use of online webinars using Collaborate. Visit the Class Collaborate Help Pages to view participant guides. How you will use Collaborate will vary greatly depending on your module so check with your instructor if you need further help or are unsure of how to join a session.

Technical help: please join sessions using Google Chrome or Firefox via your laptop/computer whenever possible. You can also join sessions via the Blackboard App but not all features will be available to you.

The following page contains some best practices and troubleshooting information for participants and instructors using Collaborate Ultra. To view Class's own Collaborate Ultra troubleshooting pages which go into more detail please visit Blackboard's troubleshooting guides for participants. You can check the current status ofCollaborate Ultra on this page(click on the Europe tab).

TCD Video Overview of Blackboard for Students (includes a section on Collaborate at around 2:30)

Collaborate Ultra Orientation Video

Troubleshooting Issues Joining a Session

• Use Google Chrome to join the session as Chrome has the highest level of compatibility with Collaborate Ultra or Firefox as an alternative if this does not work
• If your browser blocks Third-Party cookies, you may see a spinning purple wheel instead of the list of sessions. You can enable third-party cookies in your browser settings if needed - for example, in Google Chrome you can click on the eye icon in the address bar for the webpage to allow third-party cookies; please check the help pages for your specific web browser for more details.

Troubleshooting Connection Issues

If you experience a slow connection or get disconnected during a session please try the following steps:

• Use Google Chrome to join the session as Chrome has the highest level of compatibility with Collaborate Ultra
• If for some reason Chrome does not work, try joining the session using Firefox
• Close out of other web browser tabs & windows as these may use up extra bandwidth and memory on your device
• Close out of other applications such as Spotify, iTunes etc. as these may also use bandwidth and resources
• Ensure that your WiFi signal is strong. If necessary, relocate your device so that it is closer to your router if you are connecting from home
• Try connecting your laptop via a wired connection to your router to ensure a more stable connection
• If you are using a VPN service try closing this while attending a session
• If you are on a corporate network your employer may restrict access to certain ports which may lead to a slightly slower connection. More details are available on this page.

Troubleshooting Audio, Video & Performance Issues During a Session

• Use a headset when possible as your laptop's in-built microphone may not be clear and may create an echo
• Close out of other applications such as Word, PowerPoint etc. and close other browser tabs as these may be interfering or using your computer's resources
• Check the audio setup in Collaborate to ensure your microphone is set up correctly. Click on My Settings (the avatar icon at the bottom of the screen), then Audio & Video Settings, then 'Set Up Your Camera and Microphone.' Select the correct device from the list (you can try tapping on the microphone while the test is running to ensure the correct one is selected)
• Check that Collaborate has permissions to use your webcam and microphone - Guide for Chrome - Guide for Firefox
• Use Google Chrome whenever possible and ensure it is up to date.
• If Chrome does not work, try using Firefox and ensure it is up to date.
• You can try clearing your browser cache if the issue persists across browsers (only tick the clear cache option on the relevant screens)

Troubleshooting Application Sharing Issues

• On Mac you may need to check that Google Chrome has the right permissions for application sharing
• In Google Chrome on OSX you will only be able to share audio from another tab, not the entire computer's audio
  • A workaround for playing a specific file is to open the file within Google Chrome itself by pressing Command and O then selecting the file. You can then play back the video or audio file from your computer via your browser tab so participants can hear it.
• If you encounter audio quality issues while sharing your desktop, try turning off your microphone so that there is not audio playing through your desktop and microphone simultaneously

Support Statement

Please note that we cannot provide direct troubleshooting support for issues with users' personal home or work networks/devices beyond the general information listed on this page

The Blackboard App

The Blackboard App allows students to use their mobile device to view:

• Module content
• Announcements
• Grades
• Forum posts
• Collaborate Ultra sessions

Important Notice Regarding the Blackboard App

The Blackboard App is primarily designed for viewing content - not for tasks such as submitting assignments. To access the majority of Blackboard features you will need to log in via a web browser. The app can be used to complete tests and submit assignments from a mobile device, butwe strongly recommend against using it for these purposes. When uploading content or completing assessments, students should instead use a web browser on a computer, so that the process works as intended and there is much less risk of data loss.

Getting the Blackboard App

The app is free to use but requires an active TCD account and a compatible mobile device. Students should uninstall any other Blackboard apps on their device as they are no longer updated or supported by Blackboard.

Guides on how to install the app on iOS/Android devices can be found on Blackboard's website.

Further Information & Support

Students who are looking for more information can check Blackboard's support pages for the app.

Top tips for students:

• Use Chrome or Firefox where possible
• Save and close submissions before uploading
• Ensure files have uploaded successfully
• For Turnitin: Upload all submissions through Blackboard NOT the Turnitin.com website
• Submission issues: contact your module instructors in the first instance

A note regarding grades in Blackboard: SITS (my.tcd.ie) is the system of record for all student results. Any results provided in Blackboard are provisional only.

Know what’s required for online assessment

Familiarise yourself with how the online assessment will work; read through any instructions and guidelines carefully and well in advance. And, make sure to test your access to any relevant online services or websites so that you won’t have any password issues on the day.

If there’s anything you don’t understand then get in touch with your lecturer to clarify things in good time.

Preparing yourself, your computer / device and internet connection

• Pick a comfortable and quiet spot where you can use WiFi without any issues and has access to an electrical plug (in the event you’ll need to plug in your laptop)
• Setup well before the start of the online exam; if you are using a laptop, then ensure it is plugged into electrical power
• Limit distractions on your device by turning off notifications or anything else that may disrupt your concentration during your exam
• Make sure you can access the relevant online service or website and login. Be aware of the Blackboard browser support advice, or similar advice for the service you will be using.
• If you are sharing WiFi in your house, then it would be worthwhile to ask others to restrict their use of online services that would require a high amount of WiFi while your exam is in progress.

Setting up a Low Distraction Study/Exam Venue at Home

• Set up the study/exam room well in advance of the exam starting. Occupational Therapists from Trinity Disability Service have recorded a seminar regarding Setting up an Exam Venue at Home that you might find very helpful.
• Remove as much clutter from the desk area as possible. All unnecessary materials should be placed outside the room for the duration of the examination.
• Set up lighting to your preference, by locating near a window if you prefer natural light, or setting up in a dark space with lamp lighting.
• Desks should be placed facing blank walls where possible.
• Talk to housemates/family in advance of your examination, to reduce distractions during this period as much as possible.
• If possible, use a room away from the kitchen and common seating areas.
• Earplugs can be purchased from most pharmacies, or low-level white noise on Youtube or Spotify may be effective if in a noisy environment.
• Movement breaks including squats, wall push-ups or planks can help modulate the sensory environment during your exams.
• Please contact the Disability Service at askds@tcd.ie for more specific advice on setting up a low distraction study/exam venue.

Submitting your assessments and assignments online

You will need to upload your assessments and assignments in the correct formats:

• For online exams where you are typing long essay-style answers you should be using MS Word and typing you answers into the Answer Booklet provided for the exam. Do not type long essay answers directly into Blackboard. You will upload the MS Word Answer Booklet to Blackboard at the end of your online exam.
• For online exams where you are handwriting answers, such as writing formula and equations or drawing diagrams, you will need to take photographs of your answers. You will copy the photographs into an MS Word Answer Booklet provided for the exam. The Answer Booklet should clearly highlight the place where you need to paste your uploaded photograph answer for each question. You will upload the MS Word Answer Booklet to Blackboard at the end of your online exam. Do make sure that all your photographs are in focus, taken in good light and fully capture all your work.
• For online exams where you are writing and submitting computer code, you will need to zip the files before you upload to Blackboard at the end of your online exam. You can find the list of supported file types: https://help.blackboard.com/Learn/Student/Original/Assignments/Supported_File_Types
• As it may take additional time to upload your online exam answers as Blackboard Assignments, or via Turnitin in Blackboard, there has been allowances made and you have extra time to submit your answers.
• For online exams where you are taking a Blackboard Quiz, such as a Multiple Choice Assessment, please take the quiz using a single recommended browser - Blackboard browser support. If you exit during the quiz then be aware the timer will not pause. If you are taking a quiz, without automatic submission switched on, you need to remember to submit your answers by clicking the "Submit" button before the time is up. When the time is up for you online exam then all selected answers will be automatically saved and submitted.

Important -- What to do if you have issues on the day

Document everything. If you encounter technical issues on the day of the exam or during the exam, then it is important to document the problems in detail. Take screenshots of errors, note the times of any incidents and record what actions you took.

If you encounter any issues with your Blackboard Module, such as submitting or accessing an assignment or a test, please contact your module instructors in the first instance; IT Services cannot reset or allow additional submission attempts as only module instructors manage the assessment settings. Module instructors can visit our Staff Help pages or contact IT Services if they need advice on this process.

Your WiFi Connectivity isn’t working?

Look for the simple fixes first:

• Check that any cables or wires are not disconnected, and that your broadband is plugged in.
• Reset your internet by ‘turning it off and turning it back on again’ – unplug the electrical plug, wait for a minute, and then plug it back in again. It may take another minute before service is restored.

What if we have a power outage?

If your home has a poweroutageand you need to use the Internet then you could try to connect your laptop to the WiFi hotspot on your phone.

Using your smartphone as a hotspot: what to know beforehand & instructions

You can use the data on your smartphone by turning your device into a ‘hotspot’.

Things to Know about Using Your Phone as a Hotspot

• Tethering uses the data bundle of your mobile phone plan
• Protect your hotspot with a password so that others cannot use your data
• Hotspots use a lot of power so your phone’s battery can run down quickly; keep your phone plugged in while using it as a hotspot
• Turn the hotspot off when you are done using it
• If you are in a place without a mobile phone signal then your phone's hotspot will not connect a device to the Internet.
• Test your hotspot before you need to use it; Make sure your phone and service provider both permit hotspot connections.
• You may be able to have multiple devices connected to your hotspot, but remember the more devices that are connected to your hotspot, the faster your data allowance will go.

Online Exams Practice Module

IT Services have created a practice module for students to practice submitting attempts using the assessment tools in Blackboard. You will need to self-enrol on this module before you on do this; please see the instructions below.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get enrolled to a module?

The module must be listed on your my.tcd.ie student record - check with your school office if it is not listed. Please see the '' section above for more details.

My module does not contain any content - how do I resolve this?

Please contact your instructor if they have advised that there should be content in the module but it is not available to you.

How do I reset a test/assignment/Turnitin attempt?

Some assessments may allow multiple attempts; if not you will need to contact your instructor in the first instance as IT Services cannot reset assignments - this needs to be done by your instructor.

Can I view my Turnitin report before submitting the final version of my assignment?

This is controlled by the instructor when they create the Turnitin assignment. The instructor has 3 options:

1. Generate reports immediately (students cannot resubmit)
2. Generate reports immediately (students can resubmit until due date); after 3 resubmissions, reports generate after 24 hours
3. Generate reports on due date (students can resubmit until due date)

Or, the instructor may have set the assignment so you cannot view the report. If you are unsure, please check with your instructor. IT Servicescannot create separate assignments for you to check your assignment as this is managed by your instructor.

Resubmission reports can take up to 24 hours to generate (or longer if there is an issue with the paper or the Turnitin service) - please ensure you leave plenty of time before submitting. IT Serviceshas no control over how long these reports take to appear.

Why am I getting logged out when accessing Panopto or Collaborate content?

Please check that your web browser allows third-party cookies if you are getting logged out while accessing Panopto or Collaborate content.

What web browser should I use?

Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are recommended in most situations. Some students may encounter issues taking online tests or submitting Turnitin assignments when using Safari or Internet Explorer. Please see the Blackboard Browser Support page for further details.

I submitted a draft version of an assignment and made some changes. I uploaded the file again but I am still seeing my draft submission - how do I fix this?

If this happens to you, please give the updated version of your assignment a new file name and upload it again then ensure the file displays correctly in your web browser.

My question is not answered above; where do I get further help?

You can log a ticket to us at itservicedesk@tcd.ie- please include the module ID, name and your instructor's contact details. Often for issues around accessing content, assessments etc. in a module we need to contact the instructor check as they manage the settings for all content in a module.