Blackboard Learn
8/15/12 Update
Workstation Compatibility Information
The Purdue production instance of Blackboard Learn upgraded to version 9.1, Service Pack 8, on April 14,
2012. This message includes updates on:
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Compatible browsers
Java versions
Respondus software
Browsers & Java
Both Blackboard Vista and Blackboard Learn, like other enterprise applications, have specific Java and browser
requirements, and they change over time.
Workstations that don’t meet these published requirements may not be able to successfully log into Blackboard
Learn or some Learn features may not function correctly. For example, without the compatible version of Java
loaded on the workstation, those accessing Learn via Firefox were unable to upload documents.
 Note that some Mac operating systems are not supported.
 A Browser Checker may be accessed after logging into Learn and selecting the Browser Checker on the My
Blackboard page.
Current versions are summarized below. Those listed are either "Certified" or "Compatible" with Blackboard
Learn, according to Blackboard.
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Sun™ Java™ Virtual Machine: for all operating systems, Sun JRE v. 6 update 31 runtime environment
is required.
o (JRE5 and JRE7 are specifically NOT supported)
Microsoft Internet Explorer:
o v. 8 (standard mode only) for Windows XP
o v.8 or v.9 (standard mode only), for Windows Vista or Windows 7,
Mozilla Firefox:
o v. 3.6.x for Windows Vista, XP and 7; and Mac OS 10.5 - 10.6 – 10.7
o Firefox (Final Release Channel) for Windows XP, Vista, and 7; and Mac OS 10.5 - 10.6 – 10.7
Apple Safari
o v. 4.0 and 5.0 for Mac OS 10.5 - 10.6
o v. 5.1 for Mac OS 10.5 - 10.6 – 10.7
Chrome (stable channel)
o for Windows XP, Vista, and 7; and Mac OS 10.5 - 10.6 – 10.7
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT CHROME:
Purdue is currently blocking Chrome access to Blackboard Learn if the user is accessing video file types. ITaP
encourages all faculty to use Purdue’s pilot streaming video service, Kaltura, to upload and access video
files. Use of Kaltura prevents this issue with Chrome.
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This action was taken to safeguard the system. In May, 2012, attempts by users to access video files in
Purdue’s Blackboard Learn environment resulted in seriously degraded system performance. Investigation with
Blackboard support revealed a bug in Chrome, Google's browser.
Although Google believes the most recent version of their browser solves the problem and Blackboard has, so
far, been unable to replicate our results, further testing by ITaP has determined that Chrome still causes
significant performance problems when users attempt to open them in Blackboard Learn.
At this time, Blackboard’s online browser compatibility information states Chrome is safe to use with
Blackboard Learn. Purdue continues to work with them on this issue. To safeguard the system blocking will
remain in place until the issue is resolved. Purdue’s Blackboard login web page and the Blackboard Learn
system login screen have been updated with an alert message.
For more detail and to see current compatibility information, please refer to this Blackboard resource page:
h t t p://kb.blackboard.com/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=38830689
Respondus
Faculty who use a workstation client software called Respondus in conjunction with Blackboard Learn, for
quizzes and tests, will need the newest version for best compatibility with the current version of Learn. The new
version may be downloaded at the URL below (after logging in with Purdue Career Account).
http://www.itap.purdue.edu/training/materials/list.cfm?TopicID=244
There is also a link to this URL on the Utilities tab in Bb Learn, and we’re working with CSDS to make an
install package available via desktop readiness. As always, if instructors’ workstations are supported by
departmental technical support groups, we advise consulting with them about these issues.
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