This brief series of introductory videos walks students through the basics of logging into and using Blackboard.
Blackboard - Logging in and Navigation
Blackboard is the heart of your online education experience at Detroit Mercy.
First, and most importantly, you should only use Chrome, Firefox, or Edge web browsers for general Blackboard use (some courses will employ LockDown Browser for assessments).
Do not use Safari to interact with Blackboard. You may encounter serious issues, including lost activities, if you attempt to submit work using Safari.
In the following short videos (around 2:30 each), we walk through logging in, finding your course site, polishing up your Blackboard profile, and using the Activity Stream and Calendar.
Who Has Access to Blackboard
All current Detroit Mercy students, faculty, staff, and administrators have access to Blackboard.
Student accounts are created after the student registers for a course in self-service, at the next 2-hour Blackboard update window.
Student Blackboard accounts are deactivated after one term of not being registered. This means a student who took classes in the Winter Term will continue to have Blackboard access through the summer, even if they have not registered for Fall. But if they still have not registered by the start of the Fall term, their account will be deactivated.
Students who need their Blackboard account reactivated (so that they may complete coursework, for example) should have their faculty contact the Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning to make the request.
Introduction to Classic Course Sites
Blackboard course sites come in two styles -- Classic and Ultra. Many of your courses will be presented in the classic style. This video introduces the basics of navigating a classic style course, including how to submit an assignment and find graded assignments and feedback -
Introduction to Ultra Course Sites
Ultra-style course sites function a little differently than classic style course sites. This series of short videos cover the core elements of a Blackboard course site -- announcements, contents, assignments, tests, discussion, grades, and communcation.
Download & Install LockDown Browser
Respondus LockDown Browser provides a more secure environment for online testing. LockDown Browser itself is a separate web browser (like Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Chrome) specifically geared toward taking online tests. While LockDown Browser is running, you won't be able to do anything on your computer other than take your test.
Some faculty may require you use Montor alongside LockDown Browser. Monitor is a feature of LockDown Browser that incorporates your webcam and microphone into the remote proctoring process. Because it is a part of LockDown Browser, no additional software installation is required to use Monitor with LockDown Browser.
Download and Install Instructions
LockDown Browser is available on Windows, Mac, Chromebook, and iOS iPad app (NOT available on iPhone).
Before taking a test, students must download and install the Detroit Mercy LockDown browser from the following URL:
http://www.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=945835138
This version of LockDown Browser is unique to the University of Detroit Mercy (when launched it only opens our Blackboard login page). Download and installation instructions can be found on that page.
Students can only use this version of LockDown browser for testing at Detroit Mercy.
If you are using an iPad, you will download the LockDown Browser app from the App Store.
Taking a Test With LockDown Browser
If you are taking a test in an ultra-style course site, LockDown Browser will launch automatically over the top of your standard browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Edge) when you begin your test. Ultra-style course sites display the course name in bold at the top left of the screen, followed by a horizontal menu that starts Content, Calendar, Announcements ...
If you are taking a test in a classic-style course site, you will need to:
- Close your standard browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Edge),
- Launch LockDown browser from your desktop, LockDown Browser will open to the Detroit Mercy Blackboard login page
- Log into Blackboard,
- Navigate to your course,
- Find, then launch your test in LockDown Browser.
Classic-style course sites have a black menu on the left side and usually start on an Announcements page.
When you launch LockDown Browser you will likely get one or more message windows indicating you need to close an application. Click the Close application and continue button to launch LockDown Browser. After you have completed your test, you can relaunch any closed applications or restart your computer to restore your computer to its normal state.