1.1 Making Your Course Available to Students
The first thing you must do on the first day of a new semester is make your course available for students. Students expect to access their courses in Blackboard first thing in the morning on the first day of class. However, the process is not automatic--only you have the power to “turn on” your course for students.
To make your course available, go to the green box labeled Control Panel, located at the bottom left of your Course Menu.
To make your course available, go to the green box labeled Control Panel, located at the bottom left of your Course Menu.
Click Customization, and then choose Properties.
The options on the Properties menu are automatically set when your courses are created each semester. The only option on this menu that needs your attention is #3, Set Availability. This setting asks, “Make this course available?” and by default, the answer “No” is selected. You must click the radio button next to “Yes” to make your course available for students on the first day of class.
Once you have selected Yes, scroll to the bottom of the page and click Submit. Your course is now available for students.
At the very latest, you should make your course available by 9 AM on the first day of a new semester. Students begin calling and emailing LSSC’s Helpdesk early on the first day of class if they do not see their courses listed in Blackboard. Helpdesk staff will direct students to email their instructors to inquire about when the course will become available, and will alert the instructor and his department chair if the course is not made available by the second day of class.
Next Step
When you are ready, move to Section 1.2 Sending Announcements