Getting Started with Blackboard

If you are a student in a course which uses Blackboard, there are a few things you should know before you get started.

You will need to have a user ID and password to access your online course area at iLearn.ucr.edu. This information will be e-mailed to you once you register for your course, but if you have used Blackboard at Extension in the past, your ID and password will be the same as for previous courses.

You should also make sure you have the latest version of whichever Web browser you will use to access the course area. Firefox (PC, Mac, Linux) is a good choice which works well with Blackboard, but you can also use Internet Explorer (PC) or Safari (Mac).

Once you are ready to log in, this step by step guide to logging in at iLearn.ucr.edu [PDF] may help you get online. After you've logged in, you may want to go through the guide to using the Discussion Board in Blackboard [PDF] if your instructor plans to use the discussion board in the course.

It's a good idea to try to log in to Blackboard a few days before your course begins. That way, if you have any problems, you can ask questions at the first class meeting.

Other resources you may find useful as an online student:

Guide to Netiquette from Northeastern University [PDF]

What makes a successful online student? from the Illinois Online Network

89 Things Students Need to Know in the First 10 Days of an Online Course