Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) is a reference page for all students using Blackboard for online and web enhanced classes at Framingham State College. From this page you will find answers to the questions we are asked most often. If your question is not covered please call our 24/7 Blackboard support line at 1-866-361-8970 for assistance or contact the ATDE office at 508-626-4927.
Q: What is it like to take a course online?
A: Online courses are exactly the same as their
in-class counterparts except for the method of delivery. Most online
classes do not "meet" on a scheduled day and time although some
instructors do schedule online sessions as needed. Our online
courses are designed to meet the same accreditation standards as
in-class courses.
Q: What skills do I need to take an online course?
A: Although it is not necessary to know how to use
Blackboard you should have basic computer skills. If you know how to
navigate a web site, can use a drop down menu, browse for a file on
your computer, have used a word processor like Microsoft Word, and
are able to send an email with an attachment, then you have the
technical skills needed to take an online course.
Click here to
read more.
Q: What do I need to succeed in an online class?
A: Students agree that flexibility, self scheduling
and anytime anywhere access to course material are key advantages in
taking an online class. However, online courses require
frequent login, almost daily. Online discussions, assignments,
materials, and announcements move along at a rapid rate. Most
students find that online courses require a high level of personal
organization and self discipline. In addition, most
students find that online courses are at least as time consuming,
perhaps even a bit more, than in-class courses. When asked if
students would take an online class again, most reply yes.
Q. I am interested in taking a class online who do I
contact?
A. The Division of Academic Technology and Distance
Education is located in Hemenway Hall G09. Stop by and see,
direct questions regarding online education to 508-626-4927 or email
academicsonline@frc.mass.edu.
Q: What is Blackboard?
A: Blackboard is the Learning Management System used at Framingham State College to compliment and supplement our web-based course offerings. All Web-based and Web-enhanced courses are hosted by Blackboard on a dedicated server. Students who use Blackboard find that it is easy use and easily accessed anywhere, any time there is an internet connection.
Q. If I experience a problem with Blackboard, how do I get
help?
A.
Blackboard Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week online or by calling our toll free support line
1-866-361-8970. To access
Blackboard support tools, chat with a technician or
report a technical problem
visit our Blackboard Online Resource Center. If you are
new to
Blackboard
or are interested in learning the features of
Blackboard we
also invite you to walk through our
student tutorial.
View the
tutorial
online or
download the
PDF file.
A.
A.
To Login: Go to
http://framingham.blackboard.com
Enter: Assigned Username
Enter: Assigned Password
Q. I forgot my password, now what do I do?
A.
From the login page click "Forgot your password." An email will be
sent to you with new password information. Still having problems?
Please call our 24/7 Blackboard support line at
1-866-361-8970 for assistance or stop by our office in
Hemenway Hall G09.
A. Use the Personal Information in the Tools Box of your
Blackboard Home Page to update your email, change your password or
set Privacy Options.
Q.
My Course is not listed in Blackboard, now what do I do?
A. If you are taking an online class your welcome
email is your confirmation that you are enrolled in the Blackboard
course site. If the semester did not start it is most likely that
your professor has not made the site available. To confirm your
registration you may call our 24/7 Blackboard support line at
1-866-361-8970 or send an
email to
academicsonline@frc.mass.edu.
Q. What are the Technology Requirements to use Blackboard?
A. To access Blackboard you will need:
Access to
an Internet-ready computer (PC or Mac) with high-end capacity in
terms of speed and RAM. We recommend at least 500-600
MHz and
64 MB RAM
(Mac users will need OSX to user Blackboard's
collaboration tools.)
When
working at home a 56K modem provides acceptable Internet access.
Cable or DSL will work much faster.
Microsoft
Internet Explorer or Firefox work best with Blackboard. Not all
browsers are supported. (Both IE and Firefox may be downloaded
for free at
http://www.microsoft.com or Firefox at:
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/.)
Students participating in the real time chat feature of Blackboard are required to download a Java Applet the first time they access the Blackboard Virtual Classroom. This application is free and available from within the Blackboard course site.
For some
courses, students will need to install
Windows Media Player, to take advantage of online
streaming video tutorials and course materials, or download
Adobe Acrobat to view readings from the Web. These
applications are available for free at the web sites listed below.
If additional tools are needed to complete an assignment,
instructors will provide the necessary information within their
Blackboard course site.
A. If you upgraded to IE 7 and experience a problem with the text box editor you will need to add Blackboard as a trusted site. Follow these steps to make the change.
From the
Desktop
1. Right click the Internet Explorer Icon on your desktop
2. Select Properties
From the
Internet Properties Window select the Security tab
1.
2.
3. Uncheck
1.
Enter:
http://framingham.blackboard.com
2. Click Add
3. Click OK
4. Click OK to close the Internet Properties Window
Q:
How do I disable the WYSIWYG Editor?
A: If you experience a problem with the WYSIWYG
text box disable this feature from the Tools box on your Blackboard
home page. Select Personal Information > Set Text Box Editor
Options. Set the option to Unavailable. Call our toll free
support line 1-866-361-8970 for further assistance.
How do I learn more?
A. We invite
you to walk through our student tutorial. View the tutorial online or
download the PDF file.
Online Professional Development Classes begin February 25th. Register now.
Summer course registration opens in March. Watch for details on our new Web Registration process.