Distance Learning: Getting Started

Whether this is your first experience with a Bridgewater distance learning class or you've taken distance classes before, this page will help get you started.

A quick review:

1. Review the commitment and requirements for success in a distance learning course [Click to visit the review page]

2. Claim your Blackboad User Account.

3. Enroll in the Blackboard course.

Claiming your Blackboard Account

Open your browser and go to the following web address: https://www.bridgew.edu/accountregistration.cfm

  1. Click the Activate a Blackboard User Account link
  2. Type your Student ID in the text box and click Submit
  3. Type your new password in the first Password field
  4. Type your new password again in the Verification field
  5. Click the Submit button. Your Blackboard User Account will be activated within 24 hours

For further review, a Blackboard QuickStartTips sheet is available in  HTML format. It contains instructions for performing common Blackboard tasks such as claiming your Blackboard User Account, enrolling in your course sites, using the Digital DropBox, and more - all on a one-page handout.

Enroll in your Blackboard course

  1. Open your browser and go to the following web address: blackboard.bridgew.edu
  2. Click the Course Catalog button
  3. Locate your course name, title, and section from the course listings. Click the Enroll button next to your course name
  4. A Login box will appear. Type your Blackboard username and password. Click the Login button
  5. Click the Submit button to enroll in your course
  6. You are now enrolled in your course. Click the OK button to proceed into your course

For further review, a Blackboard QuickStartTips sheet is available in HTML format. It contains instructions for performing common Blackboard tasks such as claiming your Blackboard User Account, enrolling in your course sites, using the Digital DropBox, and more - all on a one-page handout.

Trouble-Shooting

Problem: I cannot claim a Blackboard User Account

If you do not have an active BSU User Account (the account that lets you do BSU E-mail, log into campus computers, etc.), then you must activate your BSU User Account at Account Registration : Bridgewater State University. After activating your BSU User Account, you can then claim your Blackboard User Account.

If you do have a BSU User Account and you still cannot claim your Blackboard User Account, contact the Technology Help Desk at 508.531.2555 and inform them of the problem.  You may already have a Blackboard User Account on the system from a past semester, in which case your Blackboard password can be reset.

Which web browser can I use?

You should be using either Internet Explorer v6.0 (or higher) or Safari v1.0 (or higher) to access Blackboard.

If you are accessing the internet through America Online, you can minimize the AOL browser and open Internet Explorer to use Blackboard.  If you do not have the Internet Explorer on your computer, visit the following web address to download the appropriate browser:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/

 

Last Modified: March 9, 2011