Blackboard Help: Tests and Surveys

• Tests & Surveys
• How to Successfully Take a Test
• Grades and Feedback
• Avoiding Lockouts

I was in the middle of taking a test or writing a post when I lost everything.

Unfortunately, the information is probably lost permanently. You will need to recreate the information. If you experience problems during a test and cannot continue, contact your instructor immediately. Blackboard does not have access to your institution's Blackboard Learn site and cannot help you with these types of questions.

Here are some reason why you might lose information that you are entering in Blackboard Learn:

• The internet connection dropped.
• The browser was refreshed.
• Your browser timed out due to inactivity. Blackboard has a security setting that logs you out if it doesn't receive any input for a period of time. That period of time is different from institution to institution.

The following tips can help you avoid this issue in the future:

• Use a wired connection if possible when taking a test. Wireless internet connections are less reliable.
• Do not refresh the browser page.
• Do not close the browser window
• Do not click the browser's back button.
• If possible, write out the text in an external application and then paste it into Blackboard Learn. Working offline first ensures that your work in progress will not be lost.
• If you are working in assignments, save your work in progress. Saving often helps avoid any browser timeout issues.

Students should seek assistance from Office of Information Services by visiting the Service Desk on the second floor of Goebel Hall or by calling (630) 617-3767.

• Your Blackboard username and password are the same as your technology account name and password.
  If you change your password on Blackboard, you are NOT changing your technology account password.

Faculty should consult with their Departmental Library Liaison for Blackboard assistance.  You can also find helpful videos on a variety of Blackboard topics in the YouTube Playlist provided by the Center for Scholarship and Teaching

Additional Resources:

• Video tutorials from blackboard.  Closed Captioning is available in the lower right corner.
• Find self-help at Behind the Blackboard.

1. Browser Choice

2.  Cookies & Java

Regardless of the browser being used, Blackboard Learn requires the use of session cookies and JavaScript enabled in the user's browser to provide the right experience for teaching and learning.

Blackboard Learn also provides a feature to allow users to acknowledge a cookie disclosure statement when logging in to Learn, as is required in some places. To learn more about this tool, see the Security Management - Data Use and Privacy Disclosure topic.

3.  Third Party Plug-ins

Blackboard Learn doesn’t require additional browser plug-ins, but uploaded and shared content may have plug-in requirements. Users may be prompted to install the additional software when accessing this content or, depending on individual browser security settings, users may need to acknowledge a browser message allowing the plug-in to run on their system.

4. Assistive Technology & Accessibility 

For the best Blackboard Learn experience with your screen reader, use ChromeTM and Jaws on a Windows® system. On a Mac® use Safari® and VoiceOver.

Anthology strives to make all its products as accessible as possible. To learn more about assistive technologies, visit  Accessibility at Blackboard or Accessibility for Blackboard Learn with the Ultra Experience.

5. No longer supported by Blackboard:

• Windows XP
• Windows, MacOS, and Linux systems not running a supported browser
• Internet Explorer
• Firefox versions 50 and lower on desktop; all Firefox versions on mobile devices
• Chrome versions 56 and lower (version 34 and lower on mobile devices)
• Safari versions 10 and lower
• JRE 6 for Blackboard Learn Original user interfaces