Why was Blackboard selected for BGSU?

Blackboard was chosen by BGSU from a list of other similar products because of its flexibility and ease of use. Blackboard allows instructors and students to communicate and collaborate through real-time chats, threaded discussions, and class e-mail. Instructors can create and manage course Web sites without having to know HTML, and course materials can easily be shared on the web using the Blackboard software. It was the tool selected to foster distance learning at BGSU.

What software components did BGSU purchase?

BGSU purchased a level three license which allows us to use Blackboard's course and portal software with the University's administrative computer systems. This enables us to supply personalized data from our administrative systems to the clients who use BGSU's Blackboard web portal.

What is authentication and why is it an important part of BGSU's implementation of Blackboard?

Authentication is the process used by BGSU to verify your identity before allowing you to access certain protected Web resources at BGSU. Although authentication is not necessarily a part of the implementation of a campus portal, BGSU decided to use it so certain personalized services that provide information from the University's administrative systems would be available to you with a single sign-on. Authentication is also used for other Web resources at BGSU that are not part of the portal. For more information about Authentication, see the Authentication FAQ page.

How can I restrict the display of my personal information in Blackboard to protect my right to privacy?

If you are a student at BGSU, you have the right to withhold your personal information from Blackboard's user directory. If you want to have your information withheld, you must submit a completed Request to Withhold Directory Information   to the Office of the Registrar, 110 Administration Building. Note that the form does not only restrict personal information in Blackboard.

If you choose this option, your web portal account will include these features to help insure your privacy:

• Your name and e-mail address will not appear in the portal user directory.
• Your name will appear as "Unlisted" on the Blackboard welcome page. In all organizations, courses, or discussion boards in which you participate your name will be identified as "Unlisted * PPPP" with "PPPP" replaced by the last 4 digits of your BGSU personal identification number (PID).
• Your BGSU e-mail address will appear in all organizations, courses, or discussion boards in which you participate.
• You do have access to administratives services through the portal, e.g. My Bursar Bill, which may contain some personal information.

Important reminders regarding portal use! Remember to always logout of the portal. Take consideration when accessing administrative services in a computer lab and using a public printer. Do not divulge your username or password to anyone. This will prevent others from easily accessing your information.

You can address any questions or concerns to blackboard@bgsu.edu.

Is BGSU's e-mail system integrated with Blackboard?

The University's e-mail system is a separate service and is tied to BGSU's Blackboard web portal only by the fact that email functions in BGSU's Blackboard web portal are configured to send messages to your BGSU e-mail account. The Blackboard web portal's email functions only facilitate communication between those enrolled in a certain class or organization. So when you select Send E-mail from the Tools module, you are accessing the Blackboard web portal's e-mail function and will be asked to select the class or organization you are a part of. If you want to access the University's e-mail system from within Blackboard, select WebMail from the Tools module. If you have your BGSU e-mail forwarded to a Hotmail account, see the Hotmail configuration requirements.