Practical strategies to stay organized, engaged, and on track in your online courses.
"Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most."
— A reminder that online flexibility requires personal accountabilitySet fixed days and times each week to log in, study, and complete work. Just like you would for your in-person courses.
The syllabus is the Key! Make sure that you know all due dates, grading weights, participation, and communication expectations before Week 1 ends.
Enable Blackboard Ultra alerts for announcements, grades, and messages so nothing falls through the cracks. If you don't know how to set these up, watch the video: Creating Notification Settings in Blackboard Ultra.
Post thoughtful discussion responses early. Engaging with peers deepens understanding, builds relationships with your classmates, and shows initiative to your instructor.
Keep a separate folder for each course. Save every submission confirmation and downloaded resource as you go so you can reference them as needed.
Don't wait until you're lost! Email your instructor, visit virtual office hours, or contact student services at the first sign of struggle.
Chrome or Firefox work best with Blackboard Ultra. Keep your browser updated and clear cache if things look broken.
The Blackboard app lets you check grades, read announcements, and review content on the go. It is great for quick check-ins, but Online Education Services recommends using a computer for assignments.
Always save assignments to OneDrive, or your hard drive before submitting. Technical issues do not automatically give you an extension on your work, make sure you talk to your instructor if you are experience technical issues.
Before starting any quiz or exam, close extra browser tabs, silence notifications, and ensure a stable internet connection. Once a timed assessment begins, the clock doesn't stop.
Some courses will require you to download and use Respondus Lockdown Browser and/or Monitor when taking tests. To download Lockdown Browser click: Download Respondus. Also, make sure you check the minimum system requirements for Respondus products.
If you need more blackboard help you can call Online Education Services at 913-288-7479, Option 1. You can also submit a ticket to Online Education Services’ Help Desk.