What is Blackboard?
Blackboard is the learning management program RIC Faculty use for online instruction and communication. Students can access course materials their professors make available and may participate in class discussions, take tests and quizzes, submit assignments and more.
How do I log in to Blackboard?
Go to blackboard.ric.edu and log in using your RIC username and password. If your RIC email address is smith123@email.ric.edu, your username is smith123. Do not enter the entire email address in the username field.
I can log in to MyRIC, but I cannot log in to Blackboard.
If you registered for a course during open registration or after classes have begun, it can take up to 24 hours before your information is loaded into Blackboard.
Minimum computer requirements?
You will need a connection to the internet and a supported web browser (e.g. Edge, Chrome, Safari and Firefox).
View compatible browsers and run the browser check to verify.
Can I change/update my personal information and password in Blackboard?
No. Your personal information in Bb is based on the information you provide to the college.
Can I access Blackboard on my smart phone?
The Blackboard app is available to all RIC students for free. The app does not provide access to all of the features available via the browser version.
How do I get help with Blackboard and Zoom?
For questions about course policy and content, please contact your instructor. Technical resources are available at:
Course Enrollment:
I can't see my courses from last semester.
Students do not have access to courses once the semester has ended. If you have received an incomplete or require additional materials from the course, please contact your instructor.
I cannot see Blackboard courses I'm enrolled in.
Course enrollment information will be loaded no later than 2 weeks before the semester starts.
- If you register for a course during open registration or after classes have begun, it can take up to 24 hours after you register before your course appears on your Blackboard course listing.
- Blackboard courses are made available to students 3 days before the semester begins.
- You may have been dropped from the course due to a hold on your account.
Please contact your instructor to verify they are using Blackboard. If he or she is, contact the IT Help Desk either at 401-456-8766 or helpdesk@ric.edu.
Blackboard Navigation
I can't see the Course Menu.
If you cannot see your course menu, it may be hidden. Hover your mouse over the left edge of the Blackboard window. If you see a symbol that looks like a right-facing arrow ( -> ), click on it. The course menu will re-appear and the symbol will look like a left-facing arrow ( <- ). If you would like to hide the course menu again, click it.
Why am I getting an error message when trying to attach a file to an assignment?
Be sure the file name doesn't contain spaces or special characters, such as # or /. If you cannot re-submit the file, please contact your instructor to delete an error attempt or allow another attempt.
How do I view my grades?
Please refer to the “How students can see posted grades in a Blackboard course” video.
Tests and Exams
Blackboard Exams
Blackboard requires that your internet connection to the server be stable and uninterrupted during the course of an exam. While we cannot completely prevent this from happening, we do offer a list of best practices that we highly suggest you consider to minimize your chance of getting locked out of a Bb exam.
Best practices during exams:
- Use a wired connection if possible when taking a test. Wireless internet connections are less reliable.
- If possible, write out the text in an external application and then paste it into Bb. 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.
If the machine was frozen or the connection is lost during the exam, what should I do?
Wait for a while and see whether the connection is back again. In most cases, your instructor will not turn "Force Completion" on... which means you can resume where you left off on another machine and/or another place.
Course Communication
Where can I access emails sent to me through Blackboard?
All Blackboard emails are sent to your Microsoft 365 student email account: jsmith_1234@email.ric.edu.