Skip to content

:

Deakin home

:

Contact Deakin

:

Directory of staff

:

Site map

:

A-Z index

:

Help

:

Portal

Institute of Teaching and Learning

• What is DSO?
  • Blackboard
  • eLive
  • iLecture
  • Turnitin
  • Respondus
  • StudyMate
  • Social software
• Getting started with DSO
  • eLive set-up guidelines
• Strategies for teaching online
  • Preparing to teach online
  • Providing learning materials
  • Communication
  • Assessment
  • Group work
  • Site management
• Help, support, forums, workshops and FAQs
  • ITL support service
  • IT service desk
  • ITL teaching and learning events
  • Online PD modules
  • FAQs
• News and information
  • DSO-inform
  • Resources
• List of DSO help guides
• Login to DSO

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Blackboard (Vista 4)
eLive
Turnitin

Blackboard (Vista 4)

General

1. I can't use Blackboard properly (when I click on something nothing happens or I get an error message)
2. How can I hide old units from my Course List?
3. Can I sort my Course List alphabetically?
4. Can I enrol non-Deakin people into a DSO unit?
5. How can I set the HTML creator to load automatically?
6. How long can I be logged into DSO before it times out?

Providing learning materials online

7. How do I upload content files?
8. The Class Files list in the File Manager doesn't show all the files in my section - how can I find them?
9. How can I edit a file that I am 'not authorised to edit'? (That is, it is subscribed to a template.)
10. How can I edit Word files in Blackboard?
11. Why aren't the items in a learning module table of contents displaying correctly?
12. How can I enable students to add their own web links?
13. How can I enable students to add their own media library pictures or text?

Online communication

14. Why can't I see pop-up announcements?
15. Why are my discussion postings or announcements coming up blank?
16. Is the Tracking data for discussion activity reliable?
17. How can I stop students sending Blackboard Mail messages even after the Mail tool has been hidden?
18. How can I enable the new discussion tools (blogs and journals)?
19. How do I unlock discussion topics?

Online assessment

20. How can I sort assignment dropbox submissions by name?
21. How can I enter a negative number into a numeric column in the Grade Book?
22. How can I enable the new peer review tools (grading forms and simple rating scale)?
23. How can I use Respondus or StudyMate on a Mac?

Site management

24. How can I control whether students can see certain tools on the toolbar?
25. How can I add or remove tools from the course tools menu?
26. How do I edit the header and footer?
27. How can I set pages with lists (e.g. File Manager) to view more than 10 items at a time?
28. How can I prevent item descriptions appearing on the Home Page or a folder page?
29. How can I change the icons for Turnitin assignments and iLecture recordings to different images, to help distinguish between them?
30. How can I access Power View?

top

General

1. I can't use Blackboard properly (when I click on something nothing happens or I get an error message)

This is usually either a browser set-up issue or you have to clear your browser's cache and cookies. Go to Getting started with DSO and follow the steps under Step 4: Do a browser check. If you receive ticks for each area but are still having problems, go to Clearing cache and cookies and follow the steps for whichever browser you are using.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

2. How can I hide old units from my Course List?

Click on the edit icon at the top of your Course List, then click on the Hide Link button next to each item you wish to hide. Click on the Home tab to return to your home page. You will see an alert at the top of the list saying you have a number of hidden links. To 'unhide' links, click on the pencil again and click on Show Link next to the relevant item.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

3. Can I sort my Course List alphabetically?

Yes. Click on the edit icon at the top of your Course List, then click on the Restore Default button toward the bottom of the window. Restoring the default makes all links visible and sort them in descending (A-Z) order by title. If you need to hide any of the links again click on the Hide Link button next to each item you wish to hide.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

4. Can I enrol non-Deakin people in a DSO unit?

Deakin University policy is that only enrolled students and registered staff of the University can be enrolled in DSO. To register a non-Deakin person in DSO, you need to have a School or Faculty request to HRSD to register the person as a visiting staff member. Once they are registered on the HR database, they will get a Deakin username and password and can be enrolled into units in DSO.

In most cases, it is appropriate to enrol non-Deakin people as Auditors in a DSO unit. This means that they can see all the content that the enrolled students see and can participate in discussions and so on, but they do not have any grades recorded in the Grade Book for that unit.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

5. How can I set the HTML creator to load automatically?

In your DSO Home Page (where your Course List appears), click on the My Settings link near the top-right of the screen. Then click on the My Tool Options tab, and click on the box next to Start the HTML Creator by default.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

6. How long can I be logged into DSO before it times out?

If there is no activity registered, DSO will time out after 120 minutes.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

Providing learning materials online

7. How do I upload content files?

For individual files, in Build view, select the home page or folder where you would like the file to appear. Then click on Add File near the top-left of the main window, and click on Browse for Files. Then click on the My Computer icon to browse for your file. Once you have selected your file, click on Open. You should then see the file icon in the main window. To upload multiple files, see the Adding and editing files in Blackboard guides.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

8. The Class Files list in the File Manager doesn't show all the files in my section - how can I find them?

If you cannot see the file(s) you require in the File Manager, click on Get Files and then click on the Template Manager or Repository icons on the left side of the window that pops up. Click on the headings there until you see your file(s) appear under Title on the right side.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

9. How can I edit a file that I am 'not authorised to edit'? (That is, it is subscribed to a template.)

If you get the message 'You are not authorized to edit this file', it generally means that the file is subscribed to a template. Files that are subscribed to a template are indicated by an icon in the File Manager . (In the old version of Blackboard they were in italics.) In the File Manager, click on the box next to the file you wish to edit and then click on the Unsubscribe button at the bottom of the window. You can unsubscribe to multiple files by selecting multiple boxes at the same time. You can then edit the file if it is in HTML, or download, edit, save and upload the changed file if it is in a different format.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

10. How can I edit Word files in Blackboard?

You cannot edit files created in any format except HTML in Blackboard. This includes Word, Excel, PDF, etc. You will need to download the file to your computer, make the changes and then upload it again to Blackboard. To do this, click on the Build tab and then click on File Manager in the Designer Tools menu. Navigate to your file and click on the ActionLinks icon next to its title. Click on Download and select Save it to disk. Save the file somewhere on your computer and make the necessary changes. Save the changes. To upload the changed file, in the Blackboard File Manager, click on the Get Files button near the top of the window. Click on the My Computer icon, browse to and select your file and click Open. If you have not changed the file's name, a window named Resolve Naming Conflicts will appear and you will have to click on the relevant circle to choose whether you wish to choose another location for, rename or replace the old file. Make your choice and click OK. The file will appear in your Class Files list.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

11. Why aren't the items in a learning module table of contents displaying correctly?

There could be two reasons:

a. If you indent items in a learning module table of contents, and if some of the items in that list are hidden or have selective release conditions attached, in Student View the order of the table of contents will adjust to fill the 'spaces' created by the invisible items. For example, if you hide item number 2, then item 2.1 will become item 2 in Student View. To avoid confusion, avoid indenting items if some of the items in a learning module are to be hidden or have selective release conditions attached. Alternatively, make all learning module items visible to all users

b. If there are more than 20 items in a learning module, Internet Explorer will not display the full list of items in the learning module's table of contents. The best solution is to keep the number of items below 20, as some students may be reluctant to change to another browser.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

12. How can I enable students to add their own web links?

In Build or Teach view, click on Manage Course in the Designer/Instructor Tools menu, then click on Settings. Under the Tools list, click on Web Links, then click on the circle next to true for the item Allow Web Links to be created roles other than designer. Finally, click on Save Values. For further information, see the Managing your Blackboard site guides.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

13. How can I enable students to add their own media library pictures or text?

In Build or Teach view, click on Manage Course in the Designer/Instructor Tools menu, then click on Settings. In the Tools list, click on Media Library, then click on the circle next to true for the item Allow Media Library entries to be created by roles other than designer. Finally, click on Save Values. For further information, see the Managing your Blackboard site guides.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

Online communication

14. Why can't I see pop-up announcements?
    
    You will see an announcement that has been set to pop-up the first time you enter the unit site after it has been posted, provided you have pop-up windows enabled. Otherwise, you will only be able to see the announcement by clicking on the Announcements tool in the Course Tools menu. To enable pop-ups, see the Enable pop-up windows guide for PC users or Mac users.
    
    

    [Back to Blackboard FAQ]

    
    
15. Why are my discussion postings or announcements coming up blank?
    
    If you are using Mozilla Firefox as your browser, on a university computer, to post a message in Discussions or Announcements you can type straight into the blank message field. However, if you wish to use the HTML creator, you will need to click the Enable HTML Creator button, then click the Disable HTML Creator button, then click the Enable... one again. Alternatively, you can use Internet Explorer as your browser.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

16. Is the Tracking data for discussion activity reliable?

Because of the New messages feature not working properly (see above), each time a student clicks on New messages, the total number of messages the student has read includes both old and new messages. However, if you open individual sessions you will see an accurate record of which topics the student has viewed or compiled, and the time the student has taken for these tasks.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ

17. How can I stop students sending internal Blackboard Mail messages even after the Mail tool has been hidden?

Students are able to do this by using PeopleLinks, the drop-down menu beside names in discussions, but you can disable the setting that allows this. In Build or Teach view, click on Manage Course in the Designer/Instructor Tools menu, then click on Settings. In the Administration list, click on PeopleLinks and then click on the circle next to false for the item Allow Students and Auditors to use PeopleLinks to send mail. Finally, click on Save Values.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

18. How can I enable the new discussion tools (blogs and journals)?

In Build or Teach view, click on Manage Course in the Designer/Instructor Tools menu, then click on Settings. Under the Tools list, click on Discussions. Then click on the circle next to true for the item Enable Blog and Journal type topic creation. Finally, click on Save Values. For further information, see the Managing your Blackboard site guides.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

Online assessment

19. How do I unlock discussion topics?

To unlock discussion topics, click on either the Build or Teach tab and click on Discussions in the Course Tools menu. A locked discussion will have a small lock icon next to it. Click on the ActionLinks icon next to its title and choose Edit Properties . Scroll to the bottom and click on Topic Behavior Options . You will see that the option Lock this topic for Students (Section Instructors can post in a locked topic) is selected. Click on the circle next to one of the following options and then click Save:

• Students can post messages and reply to messages
• Students can reply to messages but cannot post messages
• Students can post messages but cannot reply to messages

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

20. How can I sort assignment dropbox submissions by name?

Click on the heading of the column named Assigned to and the students' names will re-appear in alphabetical order. To locate a particular student, use the Find function ('Control + F' on a PC and 'Apple + F' on a Mac). As this works best when all entries are on the one page, click on the Paging Preferences icon at the bottom of the window. An Edit Paging box will then appear. Change the number of records per page, e.g. to 999. Then click OK.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

21. How can I enter a negative number into a numeric column in the Grade Book?

You will need to create a new numeric column (e.g. call it Adjustment Assign 1) and enter positive values (e.g. 2 when you really mean -2). Then create a calculated column and set the formula to subtract the adjustment column from the relevant assessment column. This would look something like: [Assignment 1]-[Adjustment Assign 1]. The negative value will then be displayed in the calculated column. (A 'restore feature' request has been logged with Blackboard to enable numeric columns to accept negative values.)

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

22. How can I enable the new peer review tools (grading forms and simple rating scale)?

In Build or Teach view, click on Manage Course in the Designer/Instructor Tools menu, then click on Settings. Under the Tools list, click on Discussions. Then click on the circle next to true for the item discussion.tool.enable.Peer.Review. Finally, click on Save Values. For further information, see the Managing your Blackboard site guides.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

23. How can I use Respondus or StudyMate on a Mac?

Mac-supported versions of Respondus and StudyMate are not available. A PC will need to be used.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

Site management

24. How can I control whether students can see certain tools on the toolbar?

To show or hide individual tools on the toolbar, in Build or Teach view, click on Manage Course in the Designer/Instructor Tools menu, then click on Course Menu. For each tool there is a corresponding Student Visibility button. Click Hide Link to hide the tool or Show Link to make it visible. Check the result in the Student View tab. (Hidden tools are also indicated in Build and Teach view by an (H) next to their name in the Course Tools menu.) For further information, see the Managing your Blackboard site guides.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

25. How can I add or remove tools from the course tools menu?

To add or remove tools from your unit site, in Build or Teach view, click on Manage Course in the Designer/Instructor Tools menu, then click on Tools. Each tool that is available to your unit site will have a tick alongside it. To remove a tool, click on the relevant box to remove the tick and then click Save at the bottom of the screen. Note that if you remove a tool, the content is saved and will be available if you add the tool again later. For further information, see the Managing your Blackboard site guides.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

26. How do I edit the header and footer?

In Build view, click on the Page Options button at the top-right of the main window. Then click on Edit Header or Edit Footer.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

27. How can I set pages with lists (e.g. File Manager) to view more than 10 items at a time?

Click on the Paging Preferences icon at the bottom of the window. An Edit Paging box will appear. Change the number of records per page, e.g. to 999. Then click OK.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

28. How can I prevent item descriptions appearing on the Home Page or a folder page?

Click on the ActionLinks icon for the discussion topic or category, learning module, assessment, etc. and select Customize Link. Then insert a space in the text field Custom Description for this Link and delete the remainder of the text. Click Save. Note that the description will still appear in the item itself.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

29. How can I change the icons for Turnitin assignments and iLecture recordings to different images, to help distinguish between them?

In Build view, click on Manage Course in the Designer Tools menu, then click on Course Content Icons. Click on the ActionLinks icon next to the current Turnitin Assignment or iLecture Link icon. Then click on Replace Image - a Get Files... window will pop up. Click on Repository at the left of the window. Then click on Deakin Studies Online at the centre of the window. Then click on Common Deakin files, and click on the circle next to either turnitin_icon.gif or ilecture_icon.gif and then OK. A new Get Content... window will pop up. Click OK. The new icon will then appear in the Course Content Icons set. Click Apply.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

30. How can I access Power View?

In Build view, click on the Page Options button at the top-right of the main window. Then click on Go to Power View. To return to Basic View, click on Page Options again, and then click on Go to Basic View.

[Back to Blackboard FAQ]

eLive

1. I don't have Java, do I need it?
2. Where do I get a headset from?
3. Can I use speakers and a microphone?
4. My microphone won't work, what do I do?
5. I have a Mac. Can I use eLive?
6. I have a 'Connection Failed. Timed Out' error message. What do I do?
7. How long before the start of a session can I get in?
8. What is the difference between a moderator and a participant?
9. When I click on something nothing happens, or I get an error message?
10. I need to make my students moderators. Where do I find their Deakin user names?

top

1. I don't have Java, do I need it?

Java should already be installed on your staff Phoenix computer. If you need to install Java, it is available from the Deakin software website.

[Back to eLive FAQ]

2. Where do I get a headset from?

Headsets for staff can be obtained by contacting your Faculty or Divisional representative.

[Back to eLive FAQ]

3. Can I use speakers and a microphone?

Yes. Please ensure you go to the eLive configuration room at least 24 hours before your session to ensure your audio is set up correctly. To login type in your name. The password is config. Please refer to Testing your hardware on eLive set-up guidelines page.

[Back to eLive FAQ]

4. My microphone won't work, what do I do?

• Go to the eLive configuration room at least 24 hours before your session to check the audio settings. To login, use your name and the password config. If you have a DUWS computer, and your headset is plugged into the front audio ports, please try the audio ports at the back of the computer.
• Check that you have the microphone plugged in before the session starts. If the session has already started, you will need to log out and log back in again.
• Make sure the microphone isn't clicked to 'mute' on the controls located half way down the headset cord.
• Check your microphone settings.
  1. If using a PC, there are two places that control the microphone and both have to be set properly to work:
     1. Go to Start > Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices (or Sounds and Multimedia depending on OS version).
        Click on Audio tab. Under Sound recording, click on Volume. Under Microphone check Select.
     2. Go to Start > Accessories > Entertainment >Volume Control.
        Select Options and make sure Advanced Options is ticked.
        Then select Properties and make sure Microphone is ticked.
        Select the Microphone column and untick mute, then select Advanced. Make sure both microphones at the bottom are ticked.
  2. If using a Mac, go to Finder>Applications>System Preferences>Sound and check all the following:
     1. Under Output, that the USB headset is selected.
     2. Under Input, that the USB headset is selected.
     3. Check the volume is high enough and mute is not ticked under all tabs

  [Back to eLive FAQ]

5. I have a Mac. Can I use eLive?

Yes. However, if you are using G4 Macs, you need to use a USB headset rather than a standard RCA headset. Also, if you want to paste into the whiteboard in eLive, you have to use the PC keys of 'Control+V' instead of 'Apple+V', after choosing the Enter text on Screen icon to the left of the whiteboard. .

[Back to eLive FAQ]

6. I have a 'Connection Failed. Timed Out' error message. What do I do?

When using eLive for the first time, you may need to configure or confirm settings in your personal firewall to allow the installation of Java Web Start and the eLive resource files. The following link provides configuration information for commonly used firewall applications. http://www.elluminate.com/support/faqs/personal_firewalls.jsp .

[Back to eLive FAQ]

7. How long before the start of a session can I get in?

You can access the session 60 minutes before it is due to begin. It is highly recommended that you login to your session giving yourself plenty of time to establish audio contact. You can then 'step away' from the session and 'return' within 5 to 10 minutes prior to the start of the session.

[Back to eLive FAQ]

8. What is the difference between a moderator and a participant?

Users in both roles can participate in discussions, send text messages, and use the whiteboard. Only moderators can upload powerpoints, record sessions, give participants privileges to be moderators in a session and create break-out rooms.

[Back to eLive FAQ]

9. When I click on something nothing happens, or I get an error message?

This is usually either a browser set-up issue, or you have to clear either your browser's cache and cookies or your Java cache. Go to Getting started with DSO and follow the steps under Step 2: Do a browser check. If you receive ticks for each area but are still having problems, go to Clearing cache and cookies and follow the steps for whichever browser you are using. To clear your Java cache, go to Clearing your Java cache and follow the steps.

[Back to eLive FAQ]

10. I need to make my students moderators. Where do I find their Deakin user names?

Go to the Grade Book in your DSO unit. User names can be found by clicking on the Members tab.

[Back to eLive FAQ]

Turnitin

1. Why can't my students submit their assignments to Turnitin?
2. I can't use Turnitin properly (when I click something nothing happens or I get an error message)
3. How do I edit a Turnitin assignment inbox so that student papers are not stored in the Turnitin database?

1. Why can't my students submit their assignments to Turnitin?

Turnitin will only accept files in the following formats: MS Word, WordPerfect, RTF, PDF, PostScript, and plain text formats. Turnitin does not accept submissions saved in Microsoft Works, AppleWorks or Microsoft Word 2007 format.

[Back to Turnitin FAQ]

2. I can't use Turnitin properly (when I click something nothing happens or I get an error message)

This is usually either a browser set-up issue or you have to clear your browser's cache and cookies. Go to Getting started with DSO and follow the steps under Step 2: Do a browser check. If you receive ticks for each area but are still having problems, go to Clearing cache and cookies and follow the steps for whichever browser you are using. To clear your Java cache, go to Clearing your Java cache and follow the steps.

[Back to Turnitin FAQ]

3. How do I edit a Turnitin assignment inbox so that student papers are not stored in the Turnitin database?
   
   It is a requirement at Deakin that student papers submitted to a Turnitin assignment inbox are not stored in the Turnitin database. If your Turnitin assignment inbox is set up to allow student papers to be stored in the Turnitin database, please follow the instructions below:
   
   
   1. Click on the Teach tab.
   2. Go to the Turnitin assignment and click on its icon or title. You will see the assignment inbox.
   3. Choose the edit assignment tab.
   4. For Show advanced assignment options? select yes from the drop-down list.
   5. For Allow other papers to be checked against submissions? select no from the drop-down list.
   6. In the Compare submissions against these search targets area, leave the box next to student paper database unticked.
   7. Click the submit button.
      
      
      

top