SUPPORT > Student FAQ
Most support questions from students run along these lines:
"How do I login?"
"Where are my classes for this semester?"
"How do I use this stuff?"
We get lots of other questions, though, some of which don't really have anything to do with Blackboard or Online@UT. Take a look at the list below and see if you can find an answer to your question.
Question: I forgot my password. What do I need to do?
Answer: While some password services are available via OIT's password management site, for most others you will need to call the OIT Help Desk at (865) 974-9900 or use the OIT online contact form.
Q: What do I need to access Blackboard? What are the recommended system requirements?
A: All users must have a UT NetID and a current password to login to Blackboard. Most users with personal computers running current versions of Windows or Mac OS X will be able to use Blackboard. Check our system requirements page for specific version information.
Q: When will I see my classes for next semester in Online@UT?
A: Students have access to course sites within Blackboard 10 business days prior to the beginning of the semester. Refer to the Course Access Calendar for specific dates.
Q: I just dropped/added a class. When will it go away/show up?
A: Drop/add requests are processed nightly, and should be reflected on Blackboard within 24 hours.
Q: When will textbook information for the current semester be available in the "My Required Textbooks" module?
A: Textbook information is made available to students within Blackboard once courses become available — 10 business days prior to the beginning of the semester.
Q: I don't see all of my classes listed/ I still see old classes listed. Do I need to do anything?
A: It can be difficult locating course materials for courses that have both lecture and lab sections. Contact your instructor and/or Graduate Assistants to find out where to look. If problems persist, complete a support ticket with us so we can help.
Q: My instructor told the class to look at some materials in the course site, but when I look there's nothing there. Am I doing something wrong?
A:This confusing situation is usually caused when an instructor creates a combined course, which allows him or her to post materials for multiple sections of a course in just one site. It can sometimes be difficult for students to tell the course site for the individual section they are in from the combined course site. So if you can't find materials that your instructor says are in the site, look in your "My Courses" module for a course with an ID that starts with the letters "Combin". If you still can't find the materials in that course site, complete a support ticket with us so that we can investigate.
Q: How do I access course sites from previous semesters?
A: Once course sites from past semesters have been made unavailable, you will need to contact the instructor of the course in question to regain access.
Q: What information is stored and displayed about me in Blackboard?
A: Basic contact information is stored within Blackboard, but how much of that information is visible depends on a user's role within the system. Students can only see each other's names, while instructors can also see a user's email address and phone number, if the university has one on record. Q: Can I change my name in Blackboard?
A: The simple answer is "No," while the more complicated answer is "Yes, but not through Blackboard." We get students' names from the Registrar's Office, so if you need to make a change, you should contact them at (865) 974-2101. Sometimes it takes a while for the changes to trickle through the system, so let us know if the change doesn't show up in Blackboard after a week.
Q: Can I change my email address in Blackboard?
A: No. We use the official tennessee.edu addresses for all students and staff for communication within or related to Blackboard. If you do not use your UT email account, or access it infrequently, you need to set up routing so that you receive messages sent to that account. You can make the necessary changes at the OIT email account page: https://tmail.utk.edu/uact/. If you need help with issues related to your university email account, call the OIT Help Desk at (865) 974-9900 or use OIT's online contact form.
Q: Why am I not receiving email sent from Blackboard?
A: Since we use the official tennessee.edu addresses for all students and staff for communication within or related to Blackboard, you should make sure that you either check that account regularly or set up routing to so those messages are sent on to an email account that you do check regularly. You can do this on the OIT email account page: https://tmail.utk.edu/uact/. If you need help with issues related to your university email account, call the OIT Help Desk at (865) 974-9900 or use OIT's online contact form.
Q: How do I contact my instructor?
A: The easiest way to get in touch with your instructor is by sending an email through the course site. Once you are in the specific course site, click Communication > Send Email> All Instructor Users and then type your message.
Q: I'm having difficulty using the Wimba Voice Tools. What can I do?
A: The Wimba Voice Tools suite is a third party software package that UT licenses annually. As part of our contract, Wimba provides 24 hour, seven day a week training and technical support. Here is their contact information:
phone: (866) 350-4978
email: technicalsupport@wimba.com
website: http://www.wimba.com/support/