How to Login to Blackboard How to Login to Blackboard All users (Cal Poly faculty, staff, and students) login to Blackboard through the My CalPoly Portal (http://my.calpoly.edu). If you are a student or faculty member, the default layout for the portal will have the Blackboard Access Channel within the Main tab. If you are a staff or Emeritus member, the Blackboard Access Channel will not be within your Main tab and you will need to add it. You may add the Blackboard Access Channel by logging in and choosing Preferences from the upper right-hand corner of the portal. Note: Scroll down and check your My CalPoly site for the Blackboard Access Channel before you add a new one. Skip steps 3 - 5 if you already have the Blackboard Access Channel. 1) URL http://my.calpoly.edu 2) Type your Cal Poly Username and Password in the top left sign in box. Username is your email alias (without the "@calpoly.edu"), and your Central UNIX password. Click on the Login button. 3) Click on the Preferences link in the upper right corner. Note: You only need to subscribe to the channel once. Once finished the channel will appear until it is removed. 4) Click on the New Channel button to the Blackboard Access Channel in that location. file:///Users/tmalone/Desktop/temp/About/Login.html (1 of 5)12/3/2003 8:16:40 AM How to Login to Blackboard 5) Choose the Blackboard Access Channel and click on the Add button. Note: For more information about customizing your Portal page, please see Portal FAQ. 6) Click on the Go Back icon next to the User Preferences to return to the Main tab. 7) Locate the Blackboard Access channel and click on the file:///Users/tmalone/Desktop/temp/About/Login.html (2 of 5)12/3/2003 8:16:40 AM How to Login to Blackboard course link to access Blackboard. The Blackboard Access Channel displays a personalized list of courses for each user. Links are provided for both instructors and students and are listed under "Courses you are teaching" and "Courses in which you are enrolled". Each course link will take the user directly to the Blackboard course entry page without the need to provide any additional identification. More Information file:///Users/tmalone/Desktop/temp/About/Login.html (3 of 5)12/3/2003 8:16:40 AM How to Login to Blackboard Instructor Q: I am an instructor and I still cannot login to the Portal. A: If you are still unsure of your Central UNIX password or continue to have problems with login, try resetting your password. Q: What is my Cal Poly username and password for the Portal? A: Your Cal Poly username is the beginning or your Cal Poly email address (ex: jdsmith / without the @calpoly.edu). Your Cal Poly password is your Central UNIX password. The Central UNIX password is the same password used to login to the Cal Poly Imagine modem pool. If you are aware of the password you use to dial into the Cal Poly modem pool, try using it with the Portal. Q: After logging into the Portal and clicking on the course link, a Blackboard Login page appears with a null. What does this mean? A: Make sure you don't have more than one Blackboard Access channel on your My CalPoly page. If you have more than one, find the channel that results in a Blackboard Login page with the null and remove the channel by clicking on the X in the upper right of the Blackboard Access box. You should only have one Blackboard Access channel. Then one left should work. If this still doesn't work, please call the ITS Help Desk at (756-7000). Q: Why do I need to add the Blackboard Access Channel? A: If you do not already have the channel (scroll down and look), by adding the Blackboard Access Channel you will have access to any of the features provided by Blackboard. If you do not add the Blackboard Access Channel or if it is not already there by default, then you cannot access your courses. Student Q: I am a student and I still cannot login to the Portal. A: If you don't yet have a password or can't remember your password, you can still activate or reset your UNIX and Openmail accounts by using the guest-accessible instance of the Password Manager. To do so, go to: the Cal Poly Password Manager and Follow the on-screen instructions to continue. Q: What is my Cal Poly username and password for the Portal? A: Your Cal Poly username is the beginning or your Cal Poly email address (ex: jdsmith / without the @calpoly.edu). Your Cal Poly password is your Central UNIX password. The Central UNIX password is the same password used to login to the Cal Poly Imagine modem pool. If you are aware of the password you use to dial into the Cal Poly modem pool, try using it with the Portal. Q: After logging into the Portal and clicking on the course link, a Blackboard Login page appears with a null. What does this mean? A: Make sure you don't have more than one Blackboard Access Channel on your My CalPoly page. If you have more than one, find the channel that results in a file:///Users/tmalone/Desktop/temp/About/Login.html (4 of 5)12/3/2003 8:16:40 AM How to Login to Blackboard Blackboard Login page with the null and remove the channel by clicking on the X in the upper right of the Blackboard Access box. You should only have one Blackboard Access channel. Then one left should work. If this still doesn't work, please call the ITS Help Desk at (756-7000). Q: Why do I need to add the Blackboard Access Channel? A: If you do not already have the channel (scroll down and look), by adding the Blackboard Access Channel you will have access to any of the features provided by Blackboard. If you do not add the Blackboard Access Channel or if it is not already there by default, then you cannot access your courses. Q: After I have added/dropped a course, how long will it take before Blackboard is updated? A: Once you have added or dropped a course in Power, Blackboard will be updated in 24 hours (M-F) or less. If you have questions, feel free to email or call the ITS Help Desk at (756-7000). file:///Users/tmalone/Desktop/temp/About/Login.html (5 of 5)12/3/2003 8:16:40 AM