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Here's the link to help - Student Computing @ BRCC - http://www.brcc.edu/computing/student/default.htm
Great web page chocked full of tips, suggestions, and ways to solve problems. Go to this webpage for help concerning SIS, e-mail, BlackBoard, wireless access, and.....

If you suspect that there may be problems with BlackBoard you can check for outages at the VCCS Utility Homepage. Click on "outages" (from the bottom menu) and then click on "Service Interruptions" for the latest announcement from the Virginia Community College System.

Attention Traditional General Biology Students! When you enter your BlackBoard account to take a test (or quiz) you will be presented with one question at a time. You will be "forced" to answer that question before you're able to move on to the next question. You will not be allowed to go back. Your test will be timed. Have a clock around to help you budget your time. At the end of the test you will be allowed to see your final score and which questions you answered incorrectly (the correct answer will not be revealed).

Question: Why the harsh treatment?
Answer: To help prevent cheating.

Why two web sties ?
Just my personal philosophy. I dislike stashing information behind password protected websites... especially when that information is general biology. So I try and keep all my content "out there" on this website. However, this website doesn't offer anything along the lines of a secure way to administer tests. That's why I'm sending you to BlackBoard... to take your tests. Everything else you need for this course will be on my regular site.  

Can I use AOL to access BlackBoard?
No. Please avoid using AOL when using BlackBoard. I say this based on previous problems encountered by AOL users. Maybe the new version of BlackBoard works with AOL... maybe not.

Can I continue to chat with my friends (i.e. Yahoo's Messenger) while working on BlackBoard?
No. Please close your messenger service or you will be booted out of BlackBoard.

I hear people having problems taking long tests on BlackBoard... What's up with that?
Your ISP may have a time limit to knock you off-line if your session remains inactive for over 15 minutes. Even though you may be selecting answers on a multiple choice test your ISP thinks you've fallen asleep or something. Here's how you can solve that problem. Open another window (i.e. ESPN) and make a habit out of switching to this new screen every 10 minutes and click on something (i.e. Hockey Standings) so your ISP thinks you're still awake :-). I have been going through my tests and quizzes and have been inserting scripts to open up a small window in your browser. This window will refresh itself every 10 minutes which should keep your ISP happy. After you finish taking your test you can close this little window. 

Timed Tests?
That's right. I do this for several reason:

• Face it, you either know it or you don't. When I draft my test questions I'm not trying to be tricky. Reading the same question 10 times will NOT give you any special insight to select the correct answer.
• I know one or two of you will be tempted to look at your textbook or notes when taking the test - DON'T. To keep it honest, I will only give you about 30 seconds per question. This keeps the cheater so busy turning pages that they are unable to complete the test.
• The longer you stay on-line (or sitting in the classroom) the more likely you are to start over-thinking and even going back to change correct.