Navigating Blackboard

System Requirements

The following minimum hardware and software requirements are necessary in order to access an online class through Vincennes University's current version of Blackboard. Individual instructors may have additional requirements for specific classes. Be sure to check your course syllabus and discuss technology needs with your instructor as early in the class as possible.

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  Minimum Recommended
Operating System Windows 7 or higher
Mac OSX 10.8 or higher		 Windows 10
Mac OS 10.12
Processor 1 GHz processor 2 GHz or faster processor
Memory 512 MB of RAM 2 GB of RAM or higher
Monitor Resolution 1024 x 768 1024 x 768 or higher
Free Hard Disk Space 5 GB of free disk space 20 GB or higher of free space
Internet Connection Broadband (high-speed) Internet connection with a consistent minimum speed of 1.5 Mbps. Broadband (high-speed) Internet connection with a speed of 4 Mbps or higher
Internet Browser** Microsoft Edge, Safari , Chrome or Firefox Firefox or Chrome
Flash Player Flash may be required to play videos within the Blackboard system.
Students are required to have regular, reliable access to a computer with a stable broadband Internet connection.
 

How to Login to Blackboard

The best way to login to Blackboard is by logging into MyVU. This is a single sign-on, and gets you access to all the systems you are allowed to access.
 
  1. Go to www.vinu.edu
  2. Click on MyVU
  3. Login to MyVU.  If you need assistance, contact the IT HelpDesk using the information found on the login screen
  4. Next you can click on the Blackboard link at top of the page

 

Getting to Know the Blackboard Interface

My Blackboard Page

When you log into Blackboard the first page you will see is the My Blackboard tab page. On this page you will see:
  • Announcements- system wide announcements
  • Distance Education Start Dates- semester start and end dates, and when you can access your course
  • Bb Server Availability -watch here for Blackboard server availability and scheduled Blackboard down times
  • Course List- links to your courses. * students can personalize this list
  • Student Resources- links to information such as login directions, Blackboard tutorials, tutoring proctoring and library information
  • Tools- links to various tools from a global view such as grades, calendar and personal information, where you can change email and password
  • My Announcements- a list of your course announcements * students can personalize this list
  • Blackboard Technical Support-who to contact for Blackboard technical support


To personalize course list:
  1. Click on the gear icon:
  2. Put cursor on left side of select course box, when it turns to 4 headed arrow drag and drop. Be sure to submit in order for changes to remain.

To personalize announcement list:
  1. Click on the gear icon:
  2. Choose days from drop down. Be sure to submit in order for changes to remain.

The Course Menu

The course menu is located on the left side of the screen. Click on the links to navigate through the course. Not all course menu items are exactly the same in each course, however all of the courses will have common menu links to Homepage, Instructor Information, Email Instructor, Virtual Office, Start Here or Syllabus/Schedule, My Grades, VU Library. Other menu links depend on the course.

 

Course Map Navigation

Using the course map is another way to navigate through your course. To open the course map:
  1. Click on the folder icon.
  2. In the map window, click plus to expand and minus to collapse.

 

Navigating with Breadcrumb Trail Links

The Breadcrumb Trail links are located at the top right of the screen, below the tab area. It is better to use the breadcrumb links instead of the browser's "Back" and "Forward" buttons.
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