Blackboard User Requirements
Web Browser Compatibility
The following browsers support the features of Blackboard currently used at the University of Newcastle:
- Microsoft Internet Explorer, versions 6 and 7
- Mozilla Firefox, versions 1.5 and above
- Apple Safari, version 2.x and above on Mac OS X (version 10.4 and 10.5)
How to tell which browser version you are using
- Internet Explorer - select Help > About Internet Explorer.
- Mozilla Firefox - select Help > About Mozilla Firefox
- Safari - Safari > About Safari
Where to download a supported web browser
- Microsoft Internet Explorer can be downloaded from: www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/ie/.
- The latest version of Mozilla Firefox may be downloaded for free from www.mozilla.com/firefox/.
- Apple Safari can be downloaded for free from http://www.apple.com/safari/download/.
The Visual Test Box Editor - VTBE
The VTBE is compatible for PC users working with at least:
- Internet Explorer 6.0
- Firefox 1.0
- Netscape 8.0
For Mac users, the VTBE works on Safari 2.0 and Firefox 1.0.
NOTE: For Firefox Users Only
Please note that all Firefox users will need to perform an extra step to enable the cut, copy and paste functions. This is a limitation of the Firefox browser, not of Blackboard. The first time a user attempts to cut, copy, or paste text in the Visual Text Box Editor, a message from Firefox will appear explaining that the action is not allowed. A link is provided for information on how to enable the cut, copy and paste functions by editing a Firefox configuration file. The link currently points to: http://www.mozilla.org/editor/midasdemo/securityprefs.html
Mac users may find that this does not fully resolve the problem, particularly because Firefox does not permit pasting text from Microsoft Office files on Mac. To accomplish this task, paste the text into a basic text editor, such as TextEdit or Notepad, and then paste the text into the VTBE.
Enabling JavaScript and Cookies
JavaScript and Cookies must be enabled within the web browser. To check that you have these enabled please try the following:
Note: These settings are for the latest versions of Firefox and Internet Explorer as of September 2011. Please see the documentation for your web browser for the latest information.
Enable Cookies
For Internet Explorer
From the browser menu go to Tools > Internet Options >Privacy. Click the Sites button and in the Address of website box enter www.newcastle.edu.au then click Allow.
For Mozilla Firefox
From the browser menu go to Tools > Options >Privacy. From the dropdown menu, choose Use custom settings for history. Check mark Accept cookies from sites to enable Cookies.
Enable Javascript
For Internet Explorer
From the browser menu go to Tools > Internet Options >Security. Click the Custom Level button and scroll down until you see the section labelled Scripting. Under Active Scripting, select Enable and click OK.
For Mozilla Firefox
From the browser menu go to Tools > Options >Content. Click the Enable JavaScript checkbox so that it is ticked and click OK.
Collaboration Tools (Virtual Classroom)
For the Collaboration Tools (Virtual Classroom and Lightweight Chat) Windows users require Java Run Time Environment 6 Plug-in (JRE 6u3). The installer program may be downloaded manually from the page that appears when a user joins a Collaboration Session, or may be found on http://java.sun.com/
Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X both come with the plug-in you need for using the Collaboration Tools. Mac OS X 10.4 users may need the Mac OS Runtime for Java (MRJ) plug-in available at http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/.
Plug-ins
Some Blackboard pages may have content requiring a plug-in or other software installed. A plug-in is a program that allows a Web browser to display a wider range of content than originally intended, such as a flash player plugin for flash multimedia. Below is a list of common plug-ins and links to where you can download them.
| Adobe Acrobat Reader File Extension(s): PDF Download Adobe Acrobat Reader |
Windows Media Player File Extension(s): WMA, WMV, ASF, MP3, WAV, MIDI, AVI, MIDI Download Window Media Player |
| Adobe Flash Player File Extension(s): SWF Download Adobe Flash Player |
Apple QuickTime Player File Extension(s): MOV and many more. Download Apple QuickTime Player |
| Adobe Shockwave File Extension(s): SWF, SWA Download Adobe Shockwave Player |
RealNetworks RealPlayer File Extension(s): RA, RM, RV, RAM, RMM, MOV, MPEG, AVI, DIVX Download RealNetworks RealPlayer |
Online Library Resources
Your instructor may include links to digitized works in Short Loans Online, or to University of Newcastle online journals and databases. To access these resources students must first create a Personal Identification Number (PIN). PINs may be created by selecting View Your Library Record from the right hand menu on the NEWCAT homepage.
More information can be found at the Blackboard Student FAQs
- Via phone on 4921 7000 (If your request is URGENT)
- Via Service Portal at www.newcastle.edu.au/17000
(Service Desk will aim to respond to, or refer to our team, within 1 working day)
For each method it is important that you provide the following details
Your name
Contact number/s
Blackboard Course name
Blackboard Course ID number (obtained from the Control Panel within the Course)
Assignment name (if relevant)
Brief overview of problem
* Please note that delays can occur if insufficient information is provided