Information Technology

Blackboard Resources for Students

Blackboard is a web portal that offers you easy access to course materials and university resources. To use Blackboard, you must be a student registered at Northern Kentucky University and have a computer with Internet access.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Blackboard available?

Blackboard is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except for a one-hour maintainence period between 12:15 and 1:15 a.m. on Tuesday mornings.

How do I log in?

Access Blackboard directly by typing in learnonline.nku.edu or by selecting "Blackboard" from the Quick Links drop down box in the upper right hand corner of the NKU home page. You will use the same username and password as you do for your NKU email account.

To check your NKU username or reset your password visit http://www.nku.edu/password.

Who should I contact with questions about my course?

Your instructor should be your first line of contact for Blackboard questions relating to your course. If you have trouble accessing Blackboard, call the IT Service Center at (859)572-6911.

What are the computer requirements for using Blackboard?

You must use a compatible, properly configured browser when working with Blackboard. To find out if your browser if properly configured to use Blackboard, visit learnonline.nku.edu and click the Test your Browser button in the bottom right corner.

Recommended Operating Systems:

  • Windows  XP or Vista
  • Mac OS 10.4 ("Tiger") or higher

Compatible Browsers:

  • Windows XP or Vista
    • Internet Explorer 6 and 7 (Internet Explorer is the browser officially recommended by Blackboard, Inc. for Windows computers)
    • Firefox 2.0 or 3.0
  • Mac OS 10.4 or 10.5
    • Firefox 2.0 or 3.0
    • Safari 2 or 3

SPECIAL NOTE: Do not use the AOL browser. Log into AOL then use one of the compatible browsers listed above


General Browser Requirements/Settings: Due to the wide variety of computer hardware/software/browser combinations available, it is nearly impossible to give a comprehensive list of settings that accounts for all variations. What follows are some of the most common settings necessary to make your Blackboard experience a successful one.


Java

Many Blackboard functions require Java to be installed on your computer and java scripting to be enabled in your browser.

To see if Java is installed on your computer and what version it is do the following:

  1. Click on “Start” lower left portion of the screen
  2. Select “Control Panel”
  3. From the "Category View" click on the “Java” coffee cup icon to see which version you have
  4. If the Icon is not present, you will have to download Java version 1.5. 

To enable Java scripting in IE:

  1. Click on "Tools" in the menu bar
  2. Choose "Internet Options"
  3. Click on "Security" tab
  4. Click on the "Internet" icon
  5. Click on "Custom Level" button
  6. Scroll down until you see "Scripting of Java Applets" (under Scripting). Set this to "Enable"
  7. Click on "OK"

Cookies

Your computer must be allowed to accept cookies. To enable cookies in IE:

  1. Click on "Tools" in the menu bar
  2. Choose "Internet Options"
  3. Click on "Privacy" tab
  4. Slide bar to medium or lower
  5. Click on "Apply"

Trusted Site

It is recommended that you make the following a trusted site in Internet Explorer's Privacy tab: learnonline.nku.edu or nku.edu

  1. Click on "Tools" in the menu bar
  2. Choose "Internet Options"
  3. Click on "Privacy" tab
  4. Click on "Sites"
  5. Type in learnonline.nku.edu or nku.edu
  6. Click "Allow"
  7. Click "OK"

It is recommended you also make learnonline.nku.edu or nku.edu trusted sites in Internet Explorer's Security tab:

  1. Click on "Tools" in the menu bar
  2. Choose "Internet Options"
  3. Click on "Security" tab
  4. Click on "Trusted Sites"
  5. Click on “Sites”
  6. Type in learnonline.nku.edu or nku.edu
  7. Click "Add"
  8. Click "OK"

Security Warnings

Read all security warnings that appear on your screen. Security warnings are in response to settings within your browser. In general if you are within the Blackboard application at NKU you can click okay or run to proceed with the application without danger. However, you should evaluate the message before deciding to proceed. If you have concerns, contact the Service Center by phone (859) 572-6911.


Pop-Up Blockers

Pop Up Blockers must be turned off when using Blackboard. Be sure to turn off Pop Up Blockers that come with your browser as well as third-party blockers that come with programs such as Google Tool Bar. The procedure below allows popups to be displayed when accessing UofL's Blackboard site. To allow popups in Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on "Tools" in the menu bar
  2. Choose "Internet Options"
  3. Click on "Privacy" tab
  4. In the Popup Blocker area, click the Settings button
  5. Enter learnonline.nku.edu in the "Address of Web Site to Allow" field and click Add
  6. Click on "Close"
  7. Click on "OK"
  8. Note: make sure that any third-party popup blocking software is disabled.

Clearing Cache

Occasionally a previously viewed page will load or remain on your screen creating the illusion you are working with a new page. Cache Settings for Internet Explorer 6.0:

  1. Click on Tools
  2. Choose Internet Options
  3. General tab
  4. Temporary Files
  5. Click Settings
  6. Choose "Every time"
  7. Click OK
  8. To clear cache click "Delete Files"
  9. Delete all files... click OK
  10. Click OK

Cache Settings for Internet Explorer 7.0:

  1. Click on Tools
  2. Choose Internet Options
  3. General tab
  4. Browsing history area click Settings
  5. Select "Every time I start Internet Explorer"
  6. Click OK
  7. Browsing history area click Delete
  8. Temporary Internet Files click Delete files...
  9. Are you sure... click Yes
  10. Click Close
  11. Click OK

SSL (Secure Socket Layer)

Much of Blackboard goes through secure connections. SSL (and the correct versions) must be enabled. SSL Settings for Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Tools
  2. Select Internet Options
  3. Choose Advanced
  4. Scroll down to Security section
  5. Near the bottom place a check beside "Use SSL 2.0" and "Use SSL 3.0"
  6. Remove the check beside "Use TLS 1.0"
  7. Click OK

Firefox 2.0

  1. Click on Tools
  2. Select Options
  3. Choose Advanced
  4. Select the Security tab
  5. Under Protocols place a check beside "Use SSL 2.0" and "Use SSL 3.0"
  6. Remove the check beside "Use TSL 1.0"
  7. Click OK

FireFox Best Practices

Most of Mozilla FireFox defaults are generally adequate for Blackboard. If you need to change them, most settings in Firefox are located:

  1. Tools
  2. Content
  3. Options

Make sure the following selections are marked:

  • "Load Images"
  • "Enable Java"
  • "Enable Javascript

If "Block Popups" is checked, then you should also click the corresponding "Allowed Sites" button and add "learnonline.nku.edu", since popup blocking can interfere with some blackboard features.

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What are the software requirements for using Blackboard?

Software needs depends on individual requirements of the course. The instructor may require specific programs/formats for document and assignment submission. If you don't have the required programs on your computer, the Microsoft Office Suite and other programs are offered to the University community at reasonable prices through the IT department.

To Download and read documents, free reader versions of Microsoft applications are available for download. Open Office is a free open source software suite which emulates most of the functions of Microsoft office.

Free Downloads

Word   Powerpoint   Excel    MS Office Compatibility Pack  Open Office


Some courses may require certain plug-ins for your browser to play or utilize materials.
You may or may not need the plug-ins, depending on what type of files your instructor shares with you via Blackboard. These plug-ins are free downloads:

Apple Quick Time 7 - QuickTime Player is an application for playing, interacting with, or viewing any video, audio, VR, or graphics file that is compatible with QuickTime.

Shockwave, Flash & Acrobat Reader - Adobe Shockwave and FlashPlayer plug-ins let you experience automation and entertainment in your Web browser. Acrobat Reader lets you view and print PDF files.

Real Networks RealPlayer - Play online audio and video content.

Microsoft Media Player - Windows Media Player supports Windows Media (WMA,ASF), MP3, WAV, MIDI, AVI, and other formats.


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