FAQ-Getting+Started

=Student FAQ - Getting Started (Accessing your course, Help, Student Training and Lab Assistance) =

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Why can't I see my course?
There could be a couple of reasons why you may not be able to see your Blackboard course. 
 * Your instructor has not made the course available to students yet. Also, your instructor may wait to make the course available to students or may not use their Blackboard course. Contact your instructor to see if the course will use Blackboard and if the course has been made available to students.
 * You are a new student and have not activated your NMSU account so Blackboard has not added you to any courses. You can activate your account at [] (To open link in a new window, right click the link and select "Open in a New Window")
 * You have been dropped from the class or there is some other registration problem. In this case, contact you instructor to see if you are enrolled in the course. 

I can't find an answer to my question in the FAQ. What should I do?
For additional online help:
 * Check the Blackboard Tips and Tricks at [] (To open link in a new window, right click the link and select "Open in a New Window")
 * Go to Blackboard "Help" in your online course

If you still need assistance, first contact your instructor. For some questions, your instructor may direct you to call the ICT Help Desk by emailing help@nmsu.edu or by calling (575) 646-1840. Hours of Service for the Help Desk are:
 * Monday - Friday from 8am - 8pm (excluding holidays)
 * Saturday from 10am - 3pm (excluding holidays)
 * Sunday - Closed

More contact info at [] (To open link in a new window, right click the link and select "Open in a New Window")

Is student training and help available for Blackboard?
Please see the [|Student Training link] (To open link in a new window, right click the link and select "Open in a New Window") for more information on student training and help available at your campus.

Can students still log in to WebCT?
Starting August 14, when students try to log in to WebCT they will be redirected to the Blackboard login page.

For fall 2009, are all NMSU courses on Blackboard instead of WebCT?
Yes, all courses will be on Blackboard 8 by Fall 2009. Starting August 14, when students try to log in to WebCT they will be redirected to the Blackboard login page.

What minimum set of tools do I need to have in order to use Blackboard?
You will need to have a computer, internet service or NMSU internet access, and a supported internet browser such as Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox 3 for the PC and Safari 3 for the Mac. See [|system requirements] (To open link in a new window, right click the link and select "Open in a New Window") for more information.

What type of computer do I need to access Blackboard?
You can use either a Windows or Macintosh computer. See [|system requirements] (To open link in a new window, right click the link and select "Open in a New Window") for more information.

How should I configure my browser?
You can check to see if your browser has been configured properly by clicking the link to "Check Browser" that is located on the Login Page. If you see all green checks then your browser is ready and you can log in.

If you receive a red x, follow the instructions provided to fix the problem(s) indicated.

Run check browser until you see all green checks. You may find additional help at [|Blackboard - Start the Browser Tuneup] (To open link in a new window, right click the link and select "Open in a New Window").

For more information about checking your browser see FAQ - Browser Related

What is my User name and Password for Blackboard?
It is the same as your MyNMSU User name and Password.

I forgot my password. How do I get it reset?
Contact the ICT Helpdesk by emailing them at: help@nmsu.edu or by calling them at (575) 646-1840.

My schedule has been cancelled due to issues with my student bill. Now I can't access my course. What do I do?
Talk with your instructor. He/she may be willing to allow you to continue, if your bill payment issues will be resolved quickly. Your instructor can work with ICT Training Services to allow you to continue accessing the course.

How do I view //My Grades// in Blackboard?
View grades by clicking on the //My Grades// tool located in the left menu of Blackboard. If you can't see a grade in your //My Grades// tool, it is possible that your instructor has not yet released the grades. If you can't see the //My Grades// tool listed in the left menu, your instructor has not turned it on for your course. Contact your instructor if you still have questions.

Is there a limit on how many characters that can be placed in the "**Bio"** section of "My Profile"?
Yes, it is about 800 characters.