Blackboard

The My Institution Page

When you first log Into Blackboard, the My Institution home page appears (see Figure 2). This page is unique for each user and displays a composite list of information from all courses you are enrolled in and the relevant updates for that particular day – announcements, calendar events, and tasks.

The My Institution page has five main components:

1. The Navigation Buttons: These buttons provide one-click access to the home page, the help page, and the logout button.

• Click on the Home button to go to the Blackboard web site home page.
• Click on the Help button to access the Behind the Blackboard web site.
• Click on the Logout button to log out from Blackboard.

2. The Tools Box (User Tools): The user tools allow users to access several tools that appear in course web sites on a system-wide scale as well as some unique tools such as the User Directory.

Announcements- Displays all of today’s announcements from the courses in which you are enrolled.

Calendar- Displays institutional, personal and course calendar events for today.

Tasks- Displays all personal and course tasks that are due today.

View Grades- Allows you to check grades and performance statistics from the courses in which you are enrolled.

Send E-mail- Allows access to e-mail links from the courses in which you are enrolled and provides the ability to send e-mail via those links.

NOTE: You cannot receive or read e-mail with this tool; you can only send e-mail. To read or receive e-mail you use your Hamline Net Mail or GroupWise account).

User Directory- Lists information about users registered in the Hamline Blackboard who have chosen to make their information public.

Address Book- Provides a location where you can create and maintain a personal (and private) address book.

Personal Information- Allows you to manage and maintain personal information and settings. You can change your password, set your privacy options, and designate the CD-ROM drive for Blackboard offline content.

3. The Module Area: This area displays the announcements, calendar items, tasks, and courses you are enrolled in.

My Announcements-Displays all of today’s announcements from all of your courses.

My Calendar-Displays any institutional, personal, or course calendar events for today. Clicking on the event title will open the event.

My Tasks-Displays all personal and course tasks that are due today.

My Courses-Displays all courses you are enrolled in. Clicking on a course title allows you to enter the course.

3. The Navigation Tabs: These tabs are used to access the content areas of Blackboard:

• The Hamline University tab allows you to return to the My Institution page.
• The Courses tab lists courses and provides access to course materials and activities specific to you.

5. Interface Customization Buttons: Students can choose to customize the My Institution screen by clicking on the following buttons:

Contents- Click on the Contents button to determine what content is displayed on the My Institution page.

Layout- Click on the Layout button to determine the placement of chosen modules and colors for the My Institution page.

Minimize- Click on the Minimize button to minimize a module. 

Remove- Click on the Remove button to remove a module.

Edit my course- Click on the Edit the My Course Module button to edit course views.

Need more help? Please contact the Help Desk by email or by phone at 651-523.2220