Things to do Before Starting A Blackboard Learn course

In order to take the course, you'll need to use Blackboard Learn. The login page for Blackboard Learn is bblearn.nau.edu/ and can be accessed anywhere through the Internet. If you have never used Blackboard Learn, don't worry. It is relatively easy to use. On the first day of the term, sign in to Blackboard Learn. To sign in to Blackboard Learn, go to bblearn.nau.edu. Enter your NAU user ID and password. The Blackboard Learn courses you have access to will appear on the left side of your screen. Just click on the ANT course that appears in the list of courses.

Before the class begins, you need to make sure you have a few things on your computer.

First: know your NAU e-mail account and password. All mail in the course will be within the Blackboard Learn shell and will use your NAU account. If you don't know your NAU account, call the Student Technology Center, toll free 1-888-520-7215; or in Flagstaff at 928-523-9294.

If you need to contact Extended Campuses, you can call their Service Center toll free within the United States at: 800-426-8315. Alternatively, you can email distance.programs@nau.edu

Second: You must check your browser and maker sure it it compatible with Blackboard Learn. Go to http://Learn.nau.edu and click on Check Browser. The program will check your computer and tell you if you need to install anything. Many students need to install the most recent version of Java. If you need help, please call the Student Technology Center at:

in Flagstaff (928) 523-9294
Toll-Free in the US: (888) 520-7215

They can walk you through the installation process.

Third: We'll be using several web sites that use Quicktime 7, Flash, and on-line videos such as YouTube. It is best if you have high speed (DSL, Cable, or satellite) computer service to view these. Most computers have Quicktime as a standard feature. Check and see if the following video works on your machine:

• Quicktime: Click here to visit an on-line video that requires using QuickTime7 . The picture should come up in a new window (sometimes it's slow to open). If you have trouble loading the picture, you probably need to upgrade your QuickTime. It's free.
  • Click here if you want to install the standalone version.
  • Click here if you want to install Quicktime 7 and iTunes .
  • If you are using a PC with Microsoft Learn operating platform, you might have trouble insalling Quicktime. If you are not an experienced and confidant computer user, call the Academic Computing Help Desk and have them help you install Quicktime. Tell them "I need help fixing the VBScript Error when installing QuickTime on a Microsoft Learn machine." If they don't know what to do, then get their name and email me (Susan.Smiley@nau.edu). I will tell them what how to help you.
  • If you are an experienced computer user, please click here to find out how to fix a common error incurred with installing QuickTime on a PC with a Windows Learn platform.
• Make sure you can run FLASH. Just go to YouTube.com and see if you can run any video. If you can run a video, then you are fine.

If you run into trouble with loading and running the videos, contact the student help desk for technical support. Their phone number is: (toll free) 1-888-520-7215 or in Flagstaff 928-523-9294. Ask them to help you checking for adware and viruses and installing QuickTime.

You'll need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader to read the articles on reserve in the library.

Get the latest version now for free if you don't have it on your computer.

Third: Blackboard Learn uses popup windows, and running anti-popup software can interfere with Blackboard Learn. Be sure to allow Learn.nau.edu to open popup windows on your computer. If you don't know what I am talking about, call the Student Technology Center. Their phone number is: (toll free) 1-888-520-7215 or in Flagstaff 928-523-9294.

• Blackboard Learn works best with MS Word and with WordPerfect documents.  There are not many written assignments for this class, but you'll need to have access to MS Word or WordPerfect or be able to save your document as a Word file.  Other formats might still work for composing your written assignments, but you must Save as a Word Document before you try to attach it to a Mail Message. Please do not have any spaces in the name of any document you send me.

Fourth: Once the semester starts, please send me emails only through the Blackboard Learn system. I am receiving massive amounts of junk mail in the "regular" account, and I cannot not be responsible for any papers or assignments sent to my "regular" NAU account.

Fifth: Please use anti-virus software on your computer. NAU students and staff can download free anti-virus software at

http://www4.nau.edu/its/pcsupport/software/

Return to the course information main page