Blackboard
If the myRCC Single Sign-On is unavailable you can access Blackboard here.
Blackboard is RCC’s online course management system for students. All students are loaded into Blackboard at least one week before the start of classes for each semester. Students will be able to view course announcements, syllabi and assignments in the Blackboard system. Students can access the Blackboard system by logging into the myRCC single signon. If you login to Blackboard and do not see your course(s) listed under the “My Blackboard Courses” make sure that your course is listed in the Student Information System.
Instructors are required to make their courses available by the first day the class meets. Students official enrollment is located in the Student Information System (SIS). If the course has started and you do not see the Blackboard course in your listing, please email the RCC Helpdesk at rcchelp@rappahannock.edu.
All Blackboard courses will have Blackboard FAQ’s as part of the menu listing. Make sure to visit this area if you experience problems.
For student tutorials on Blackboard 9, click here.
Blackboard 9 Frequently Asked Questions
Student Frequently Asked Questions
Attaching Files in Blackboard
Connectivity and Access
Discussion Board
Downloading Files in Blackboard
Menu Listing Disappeared
Quizzes and Tests
Viewing My Grades
Connectivity and Access
What if the myRCC single signon is down? How do I get into my Blackboard course?
If the myRCC single signon is down, you can login to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu. You will use the same username and password that you use to access the myRCC single signon. If you still cannot get into Blackboard, the service might be down. You can check the VCCS outage site for detail outage information at http://helpnet.vccs.edu/central/outages.htm. Please contact the RCC Helpdesk if the problem is not resolved.
I can’t remember my password to myRCC to access Blackboard.
If you do not remember your security question to reset your password to myRCC, please contact the RCC Helpdesk at rcchelp@rappahannock.edu. When emailing the Helpdesk, please make sure to include your username and a alternative email address to contact you with information. Your account will be reset to your six digit date of birth no spaces or hyphens (mmddyy). This will allow you to login to the account and create a secure password and security question to access Blackboard. It might take up to 15 minutes to access the systems after changing your password.
I can’t access Blackboard, but can login to the myRCC single signon.
If you are a new student and just registered for a course at RCC, it may take up to 24 hours for your account to become active in Blackboard. If you do not have access withing that timeframe, please contact the RCC Helpdesk. Please make sure that your enrollment is showing in the Student Information System (SIS).
I can’t see my courses in Blackboard?
If you just added a Blackboard course it can take up to 24 hrs. to be added to the course. Instructors have until the first day class meets to make courses available for students to see in Blackboard. If your class has started and you cannot locate your course in Blackboard, please contact your instructor.
Attaching Files
I am having trouble attaching files in Blackboard?
Faculty at RCC use Microsoft Word and must receive your files with the .doc, .docx, or .rtf extensions. If you use Microsoft Works, you will need to save your files with the .doc or .rtf file extension. Otherwise the instructor might not be able to open and grade your work. If attaching a file to the assignment feature in Blackboard, make sure that your file name does not contain any special characters, spaces or hyphens. If you are using Internet Explorer and continue to get error messages, you may want to try using another browser such as Firefox to see if the problem persist. You can download Firefox at www.mozilla.com.
Viewing Grades
Why can’t I see my grade in Blackboard?
Not all instructors at RCC display grades in Blackboard. Please read your syllabus and contact your instructor to find out how your grades will be posted. The grades posted in Blackboard are not your official grade posting. Your official grade is posted in the Student Information System (SIS) at the end of each semester on the grade due date. If your instructor is allowing you to view grades in Blackboard you will see a My Grades area in your Blackboard course menu listing.
Quizzes and Tests
I was taking an online quiz or test and the time allowed for the quiz had not passed. I hit the back button and was knocked out of my quiz/test. This can also happen when hitting the submit button. What happened?
If your instructor only has one attempt on the quiz or test that you are taking, you will need to contact the instructor to reset the test attempt. You will need to let them know why you were unable to submit when emailing the instructor.
I clicked on the quiz/test and it is asking my for a password?
If you are asked for a password to take the quiz/test, please contact your instructor. Most distance learning and hybrid classes at RCC will have online password protected quiz/test that will need to be taken in the testing center on the Glenns, Warsaw or King George site.
When taking a quiz/test I keep getting disconnected?
If you continue to get disconnected when taking a quiz/test, you will need to open an active browser to keep Blackboard open. This happens after being connected long period of times. To download software that will open an active window, visit the http://www.download.com site. Type “Stay Connected” in the search field and download the programs for staying connected. Run this program every time you access your online course in Blackboard if you are experiencing the disconnect problem.
Menu Listing Disappeared
When I login to Blackboard I cannot access the menu listing to get to the content in my course. It stays on the Announcements screen. What should I do?
If this happens in your Blackboard course, it could be that your Announcement screen has been maximized. If so, locate the arrow to the left of the Announcement window. Click on the arrow to bring back the menu listing. If that does not work try logging into Blackboard with a different browser, such as Firefox or Internet Explorer. If the problem persist, please contact the RCC Helpdesk at rcchelp@rappahannock.edu or contact your instructor.
Discussion Board
How do I post a comment to the Discussion Board?
- To post a response to the discussion board, please follow the steps below:
- Locate the Discussion Board in the left navigation panel in your Blackboard course.
- Click on the Discussion Question to add or read the comments.
- Click on ”Add Thread” button to post a response.
- Make sure to type in a subject heading and click on submit or save when complete.
- Remember by clicking on save it will save your posting as a draft. When you are finished with your posting you will need to click on save to send it to the discussion board for everyone to read including the instructor.
What should I do if I am composing more than a couple of sentences in my posting?
As a best practice, if you are composing a long discussion thread, it is best to type your response in a text editor. This way you can copy and paste your posting into the Blackboard discussion thread text box. If something happens with the connection or submit in Blackboard your work will be saved on your computer.
Downloading Files in Blackboard
I am having trouble downloading my instructors attached documents in Blackboard?
There could be several reason you are having problems downloading the files in Blackboard. See below:
- The browser you are using is blocking the file you are downloading. You need to go to Firefox and try downloading the file in a different browser. This is a known issue in Blackboard. You can download Firefox at www.mozilla.com.
- The security settings on your computer will not allow you to open the file. You need to save the file to your computer before you can open the attachement.
- You need to allow pop-up blockers for the Blackboard site.
- You may not have the correct version of Microsoft Office to download the files. Most instructors at RCC are using Microsoft Office 2007. If the attached file has an x at the end of the extension (ex. docx, pptx, xlsx) you will need to download the Microsoft Office Compatibility software to download the files. If you do not have Microsoft Office on your computer and you need to download the Microsoft Viewer files, click here.
- The document might be a pdf file and you will need to have Adobe Reader on your computer to open the file. Click here to download Adobe Reader.
