Blackboard and Faculty Assistance
Looking for help? See the Faculty Assistance Center
What is Blackboard?
Blackboard is Columbus State Community College’s online course management system.
Every CSCC course is automatically given its own space in Blackboard called a “shell.”
There are two types of Blackboard shells: a “live” shell that will house the actual
active course for students; and a “developmental” shell that is available only to
the instructor or team of instructors for the purpose of creating or re-visioning
a course.
How do I access Blackboard?
Go to: courses.cscc.edu or to the Blackboard link at the top of the CSCC website homepage. Log in using your
CSCC username and password and you will see the Blackboard portal. If you are assigned
to teach a CSCC course, you will automatically be assigned as a “User” in your course
shell and the name of the course will appear in your Blackboard portal. Select the
course name and you will enter your Blackboard course shell.
How do students access Blackboard?
Students go to: courses.cscc.edu or to the Blackboard link at the top of the CSCC website homepage. They will log
in using their CSCC username and password and if they are enrolled in a CSCC course,
they will automatically be assigned as a “User” in the course, and the name of the
course will appear on their Blackboard portal. When they select the course name they
will enter the Blackboard course.
Do I have to use Blackboard?
All CSCC courses have a Blackboard shell that instructors are required to use to house the syllabi, course calendar and grades.
Blackboard can be useful to enhance the teaching and learning process. In addition to housing the syllabus and grades, Blackboard is a repository for course information such as: textbook information, course calendar, faculty contact information, homework assignments, useful web links and other supplemental files and course materials. Other uses include making announcements to the entire class or sending individual emails to students; offering a place for students to upload assignments, take online tests or quizzes, and to participate in online discussion boards or journals; and tracking and encouraging student progress and attendance.The Blackboard Grade Center is convenient and easy for faculty to use and adds up all your totals for you at the end of the semester. This is important because during the semester, students can see their individual grades and their progress in the course.
What is the Blackboard Online Registration Instructor Permission Form (BORIPF)?
You can add students to your course by completing and submitting the Instructor permission
form in Blackboard. Click here for instructions and a short video tutorial. For more information, visit On-line Registration Options for Instructors.
How do I download my Grade Center at the end of the semester to turn in to my department?
Academic departments require that all Grade Centers are archived at the end of each
semester. You can download your online Blackboard Grade Center and print it out or
email it for archival purposes. Find out more here. The Faculty Assistance Center can also help you download your Grade Center.
What if I want to change the content in my Blackboard course?
Every new semester you will need to request that the Faculty Assistance Center (FAC)
copy content into your new shell. Then you can update your course with your updated
syllabus, course calendar, faculty information if your office hours change, and other
semester-specific dates. There are tutorials provided by the FAC and Blackboard that
can help you, or you can consult the Faculty Assistance Center to learn how to update
course content.
In regards to changing any of the actual course materials like presentations, assessments, etc. -- it is best to find out your department’s policies by talking to your Distance Learning Lead Faculty member or other discipline-specific lead faculty member. Some departments do not permit the academic content of the online courses to change.
The Faculty Assistance Center (FAC)
Digital Education and Instructions Services (DEIS) Division
The FAC is a valuable resource to all instructors who need help with any aspect of Blackboard. The FAC offers remote services:
- Live chat Monday-Friday between 9am-4pm through FAC Live Online!
- Submit an online request at teaching@cscc.edu
- Schedule a one-on-one Blackboard consultation
Blackboard Training
Tutorials, training, best practices, and more: