Faculty Resources

Frequently Asked Questions to assist instructors using Blackboard.

Login
Get your login information
How to log into Blackboard
Firewall could be preventing you from logging into Blackboard

Browser Settings
Prepare your browser for Blackboard
Turn off pop-up blockers
Trust this site
Plug-ins and viewers
Converters and Microsoft application viewers

Java Problems
Accept Java Security Certificate
Clear your Windows browser and Java cache
Clear your Macintosh browser

Course Management
e-Packs
Make your assessments and quizzes more secure

Blackboard Support - hours & contacts -
Support options for developing online courses
Where to send your students for help

Get your login information
Your login information is your Windows username and password (the one you use to log into your computer).

How to log into Vista

• From anywhere in the UHDonline website, select the Log into Vista button. A login window opens.
• Enter your user name and password.

If you are unable to log in successfully, contact User Support at 713-221-8031 or x3000.

Firewall could be preventing you from logging into Vista

If you have trouble accessing Vista at http://vista.uhd.edu/, it may be that the computer you are using is behind a firewall that has restricted access to certain ports.

Personal firewall
Check the instructions for your personal firewall for details about how to configure it to grant access to the Vista server, http://vista.uhd.edu/. In addition to granting access to the Vista server, you should make sure that port 8080 is open to allow communication with the Vista server. Vista uses port 8080; therefore, port 8080 must be opened for communication in your firewall. Check the documentation for your personal firewall for instructions on how to open access to port 8080.

Worksite firewall
If you cannot access Vista from a computer where you work, you should contact your company's network administrator to determine what firewall restrictions are set and whether they can be modified to enable access to Vista at http://vista.uhd.edu/ and to port 8080.

Other remote location firewall
If you access Vista from any other remote location, any firewall that is installed at that location will need to be set to have access to Vista at http://vista.uhd.edu/ and to port 8080.

Prepare your browser for Vista
Vista requires that cookies, javascript, and pop up windows are enabled on your browser for the application to function correctly.

Tune up your browser settings here .

Turn off pop-up blockers
Blackboard Vista makes use of pop-up windows. Please disable your pop-up blocking browser feature/software. Turning off your ad-blocking or pop-up stopping software completely before using Vista can help as a troubleshooting step if you are having problems with logging in, quizzes, discussions, chat, or assignments.

Learn how to turn off pop-up blockers here .

Trust this site
You should add the website address for UHD’s Vista site (http://www.uhd.edu/vista/) as a "trusted server" to the settings or preferences section of your browser.

1. Tools » Internet Options
2. Click Security tab
3. Trusted Sites icon

Then your browser will "trust" UHD's Vista pages, and not block pop-ups.

Plug-ins and viewers
In some online courses, lecturers may have included content that requires special software called 'plug-ins' or 'viewers' to be installed on your computer in order for you to run a software application or view a file. A plug-in will install itself into your Web browser and automatically display the relevant content.

A list of 'plug-ins' that you may need to download is available at the Browser Plug-ins page. If you are unsure about exactly what you need, contact your lecturer or course coordinator.

Clearing the browser cache is also a good preventative measure to ensure that your web browser and Blackboard Vista continue to function smoothly together.

Internet Explorer (Windows) Browser Cache
1. Click Tools » Internet Options
2. Click the General tab
3. Click the Delete Files button from the Temporary Internet Files section
4. A confirmation dialog box will appear. Check Delete all offline content and click the OK button to confirm
5. Click the Settings button in the Temporary Internet Files section
6. Ensure the Every visit to the page option is checked and click the OK button to confirm
7. Click OK to exit the Internet Options dialog box.
8. It is recommended that you also attempt to clear your Java Plug-in cache as well.

Netscape (Windows) Browser Cache
1. Click Edit » Preferences
2. Select Advanced » Cache
3. Click Clear Memory Cache and click the OK button to confirm
4. Click Clear Disk Cache and click the OK button to confirm
5. Ensure that the Every Time option is selected
6. Click OK to exit the Preferences dialog box

Java Plug-in Cache (Windows)
1. Click Start » Settings » Control Panel
2. Click the Java Plug-in Icon
3. Click the Cache tab
4. Click the Clear button and click OK to confirm
5. Please repeat this 1-4 for each "Java Plug-in" button in your Control Panel

Clear your Macintosh browser
Java does not need clearing on Macintosh computers.

Safari (MacOS)
1. Click Safari » Empty Cache
2. Click the Empty button to confirm

Internet Explorer (MacOS)
1. Click Edit » Preferences
2. Below Web Browser, select Advanced
3. Click the Empty Now button in the Cache section and click OK to confirm
4. Ensure that the Always option is selected in the Cache section
5. Click OK to exit the Internet Explorer Preferences dialog box

Netscape (MacOS)
1. Click Edit | Preferences
2. Below Web Browser, select Advanced » Cache
3. Click the Clear Disk Cache Now button and click OK to confirm
4. Ensure that the Every Time option is selected
5. Click OK to exit the Preferences dialog box

e-Packs
Publisher e-Packs are Vista course modules containing content created by a textbook publisher that can be loaded on UHD's server and customized by an instructor.

There is usually no charge to the instructor but in some cases students who enroll in the course may be required to purchase either a specially-ordered textbook bundled with an Access Code from the bookstore or a separate Access Code to access the course even if it is housed on UHD's server.

If you are interested in using a Vista e-pack in your course, look at our ePack page, and contact Vista support at vistasupport@uhd.edu (or 713-221-2786).

Support options available for developing online courses
There are three basic models for online course development at UHD. These are: OCDP, IT Grant, and Departmental/Do-it-yourself. Regardless of which development model you employ, the Technology Learning Services staff can provide training and support services to help make your project successful.

OCDP (Online Course Development Project) is a provost-sponsored project in which a team of two faculty members selected by their department in accordance with pre-defined degree development objectives work with IT staff to develop, pilot, and deliver an online course in three semesters.

IT Grants are renewable one-semester release or overload awards available to full-time faculty and requiring the submission of a formal proposal to the TTLC. Project guidance and support resources are provided, however, most of the development is the faculty member's responsibility.

Departmental/Do-it-yourself methods vary by department. Consult your department or college to discuss available resources.

Make your assessments and quizzes more secure
Several strategies can help ensure the security of quizzes:

• Respondus LockDown Browser will prevent students from printing Vista exams or going to any other application while taking a Vista exam. Contact the TTLC for more information.
• Give proctored quizzes.
• Randomize quizzes from a large question database so no two students receive the same questions in the same order.
• Set a short window of opportunity to take the quiz and a short duration for the quiz.
• The TTLC staff will be happy to discuss strategies for effective quiz security.