Distance Learning

Blackboard Frequently Asked Questions

 
Who do I contact if I have technical difficulties?
If you are having problems getting or staying connected to the Internet, please contact your ISP technical support center. For other technical problems, contact the IT Help Desk, at 307-382-1676. or (1-800-220-1480), or send an email to Blackboard Support, helpdesk@wwcc.wy.edu. When submitting a tech support question by email, you will receive an answer within 24 hrs.

Do I need to have an email address?
Yes, you will use the email address WWCC has available for all students.  It is a requirement when taking Internet courses because it is the main means of communication between you and your instructor.  Contact the IT Help Desk at (307) 382-1676 to find out your email address. 

How do I get into my class?

1. Direct your browser to www.wwcc.wy.edu

2. Click on Online Services.

3. Select and then login to Mustang Cruiser.

4. Click on the Blackboard tab  at the top of the screen.

5. Click on the class link on the right side of your screen.

6. You must login to your class and begin participating in the first week of classes.

*Please note, you will NOT be able to view your class until the First Day of Classes!

If you have trouble logging in please contact Blackboard Support ASAP so we can help you get started.

How do I contact my instructor?
From Blackboard, first click on the Communications button to access the communication tools and then click on the Send E-mail link. At the next page you select who to send the email to (instructor, all students, or selected users)

How do I access my assignments?
Depending on how your instructor has organized your course, assignments could be located under Assignment button. Please refer to the syllabus posted by your instructor.

How do I submit assignments?
It is up to your instructor how he or she wants the assignments submitted. They could be uploaded using the Assignment tool via email as attachments, mailed, posted on the Discussion Board or submitted to the Drop Box.

How do I use the Assignment Tool?

1)      To access the assignment page, click on the View/Complete Assignment link.

2)      To view a file that is attached to the assignment:

a.     select and click a link in the Assignment Files field (note:  there will not always be an attachment).  This will display the file in your internet window.

3)      To download a file attachment to your PC:

a.     select and right-click on a link in the Assignment Files field (note:  there will not always be an attachment).

b.    Select the Save As option to store the file on you PC.

4)      To upload a file attachment for submission to your instructor:

a.     click on the Browse button next to the File to Attach field,

b.    then click Add (more than one file can be attached using this method).

5)      To submit an assignment and send to instructor:

a.     click the Submit button at the bottom of the page (note, once you submit your assignment, you will no longer be able to access it).

How do I use the Drop Box?
The Drop Box is an electronic tool that allows you to upload an assignment from removable media (floppy disk, CD, zip disk) or the hard drive on your computer (i.e. My Documents).
The Digital Drop Box can be found under Tools (you will need to click on the “Tools” button)

By clicking on the link, you will have two choices:
If you have any files uploaded, they will show up here.
You can go directly to Send File to browse for the file you want to send or go to Add File, find the location (removable media, hard drive) click on Open form the browse window and click on Submit. This will give you the following message: This lets you know that the file has be “uploaded” to your Digital Drop Box, but not sent to your instructor.

Once the file is uploaded, then you click on the Send File button to actually send it to the instructor’s Drop Box. From the “Select File:” drop box, choose the uploaded file and click Submit at the bottom of the form. If you realize at this point that you have the wrong file, click on Cancel and go to Send again.

How do I attach files to send to my instructor?
Using the email feature on Blackboard located under the Communications option,
Click on the email link You have several options for the recipients. Usually, the email will go to your instructor, unless you are participating in a group activity or you would like to contact one or more students. On the next screen, type the subject and body of the message. If you need to send attachments, click on the Add button under “Add Attachments”.  Once you are done, click on the Submit button.

How does the Discussion Board work?
The Discussion Board, located under the Communication button, provides a means to post electronic discussions, comment to the instructor’s threads, or reply to other students.

A “thread” is a series of messages that have been posted as replies to each other. A single forum or discussion typically contains many threads covering different or the same subjects. By reading each message in a thread, one after the other, you can see how the discussion has evolved. You can start a new thread by posting a message that is not a reply to an earlier message. At this point, you can either Add New Thread by clicking on the button or click on the one of the posted threads to post a reply.

As you reply, you will be able to see the thread as well as the contents of the original message.

How does the Virtual Classroom work?
The Virtual Classroom is a great feature in Blackboard that offers the simplicity and ease of a chat room plus the ability to show images, web sites, draw, etc. Many instructors use this element as a tool to communicate with students online during “Virtual Office Hour.” This meetings can also be arranged by students to do group activities or projects. As you enter the Virtual Classroom, you can select to either enter the area or access previous sessions saved under the Archives.