FAQ Technology

How do I upload files to BlackBoard?

There are several ways to add documents to your Blackboard course. The method you choose will depend upon how you would like your students to access and use the information. These include:

  • Typing (Typing text directly into the Blackboard editing screen)
  • Cut and Paste (Copying text into the Blackboard editing screen)
  • Link to a Document (Attaching a file to Blackboard):
    1. Use Control Panel.
    2. Under the heading Content Areas, open the section of your Blackboard course where you want the file attached (e.g., Course Information, Course Documents, Assignments).
    3. Click Add Item.
    4. Select a name for the document.
    5. Select a color for the title display.
    6. In the Text section of Blackboard course window, you may include a brief description of the file (e.g., "This assignment is due on Monday, September 14th at the beginning of class.")
    7. Under Content, click Browse to locate and select the file you want to attach.
    8. Next to Name of Link to File: type in some text to identify the document. You can use the name of the application in which it was created so that your students know if it is a Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or HTML file. This text will become the hyperlink.
    9. Click Submit.
    10. Click OK to preview the change.

Referenced from:
Instructional Technology Development BlackBoard documentation (p. 2-3)
[Jan. 28, 2009]
↑ Top


What are some known issues with BlackBoard?

There are number of documented issues with BlackBoard. These include grade center not loading, students not receiving you e-mails, grades disappearing, and problems with discussion boxes in Windows Vista.

You can view the entire list and see possible solutions on the ITD Known BlackBoard 8 Issues page.

Referenced from:
Instructional Technology Development
[Mar. 18, 2009]
↑ Top


My students were added to PeopleSoft but aren't showing up in Blackboard.

It can take up to 12 hours for a student that has been recently added to PeopleSoft to appear on your Blackboard Course Roster. The DePaul Blackboard system is updated by PeopleSoft twice a day at 7am and 10 pm. If the student appears on your Campus Connect Course roster and it has been more than 24 hours since they have been enrolled and you are still unable to see the student in your Blackboard course please email blackboard@depaul.edu.

Referenced from:
Instructional Technology Development BlackBoard 8 documentation
[Feb. 12, 2009]
↑ Top


How do I use Turn-It-In?

ITD has a Getting Started and In-Depth Tutorial in PDF format.

Referenced from:
Instructional Technology Development website
[Jan. 28, 2009]
↑ Top


Where can I borrow iClickers?

Contact Instructional Technology Development to borrow clickers and a portable receiving station for a trial period.

Referenced from:
Teaching Commons clickers website and Instructional Technology Development website
[Jan. 28, 2009]
↑ Top


What file formats can I use for sharing video?

DePaul uses a Streaming Server by ‘Real’, so video files to be streamed over the internet must be compressed in the Real format. To compress audio and video files for streaming over DePaul’s Streaming Media Server, use Real Producer Basic (free download). Specific instructions and compression settings can be found in the ITD guide below.

Alternatively, video can be uploaded to video sites such as Vimeo or YouTube and embed the video into a HTML document by coping and pasting a few lines of HTML code.

Referenced from:
Instructional Technology Development streaming video guide (p. 2)
[Jan. 28, 2009]
↑ Top

Got a question?

E-mail address:

Question: