MCC Daily Tribune

It's not you, it's Blackboard (and sometimes Word)

Greetings from the Virtual Campus Team! We know this is a busy time of year where everyone is frantically getting their courses ready for the start of the semester and some of the issues caused by log4j have been a nuisance. We have been getting several questions this week and most of them start with, “is it me…or is it Blackboard?” Yes, most of the time, it is Blackboard. We have a few reminders and tips that may help you to troubleshoot your issues and redirect your questions for semester start up:

Regarding Preview Week: Our preview week for classes begins Monday, January 17th, 2022 (for regular start classes). That means that all students will be enrolled into course shells automatically (for instructors with the proper level of Blackboard training). This applies to all Blackboard course shells, regardless of modality.

Regarding Log4j File Upload Issues in Blackboard: Many of you have reported issues with Blackboard file uploads, including PDF documents and PPTs. SUNY has recommended a work around that seems to resolve the issue by using the “print” option in your program and then using the “Save as PDF” function. Resave this to your computer with a new name and then try reuploading your file to Blackboard. Sometimes saving the document as an RTF file also works. Please note that “Save as PDF” is not an ideal solution because it is not an accessible file for users. Users may download files in an accessible format in the course by using the “A” icon next to each individual file. Our Blackboard Ally tool can convert documents to more accessible documents. Our Computing & Information Technology Services department is working with SUNY/ITEC on a permanent fix for these issues. We appreciate your patience. Additionally, you can upload to OneDrive or other Cloud Services (thank you to our SUNY partner campuses for providing these videos).

OneDrive solution (video): https://youtu.be/ldRX7eXOtWE
Cloud solution (video, no sound): https://www.screencast.com/t/lfZWlLgv

*Please note that these Cloud storage workarounds do not work for users uploading the CISs to the Institutional Content Collection where all course information sheets are stored. Please email the virtualcampus@monroecc.edu to have these issues resolved individually.

*Some of the works arounds mentioned above may also work for students submitting documents to Blackboard. Students can call either the SUNY Help Desk at 1-844-673-6786 or our Student Technology Help Desk at 292-TECH.

Regarding CIS Template Troubles in Word: If you are using the CIS template and running into trouble, you can unlock the template to format your document. In Microsoft Word, go to the “Review” tab and use the “restrict editing” panel and stop protecting the document. Enter the passcode: MCCCIS. This may look slightly different depending on your version of Word. This will unlock the template and allow you to make adjustments to edit the template. There are some challenges with Word and everyone is using different versions which may affect your document differently. If you need some more assistance, please visit the M-drive (you can login to acronis.monroecc.edu from home) and navigate to the M-drive->MCC->Digital Resources->Course Information Sheet (CIS) Template. Visit the “READ ME FIRST” document for an explanation on how to make adjustments to the template. The most up to date CIS template is also in this folder.

Regarding Blackboard Course Imports: We have worked with the SUNY Help Desk and ITEC to resolve the issue of course imports. This seems to be fixed (at the moment) and we have not had any other reports this week. If you encounter a course that is not importing for you, this may be a result of a large course size. Typically, these courses have uploaded videos directly into Blackboard and not our video server, Ensemble, which takes up less space in the course. The long-term solution is to move your videos to Ensemble. The short-term solution is that we can help you move your course, just email the virtualcampus@monroecc.edu and one of our team members can assist. We know there are last minute changes in the schedule, so if you encounter an issue over the long weekend (we are closed on Monday, January 17th), please call our SUNY Online Help Desk at 1-844-673-6786.

Regarding Safe Assign: SUNY is working with Blackboard on a new update to resolve the security vulnerabilities in Blackboard’s SafeAssign tool. SUNY anticipates a fix and the timeline is 3-5 weeks. We will update you through our Virtual Campus announcements when we have more information. This tool is currently disabled.

Regarding ExamSoft: The ExamSoft software is currently enabled after finding that our current version of this tool has no security vulnerabilities. This is a tool used by the Nursing department only.

Regarding Instructor Course Changes in Blackboard: A Blackboard course shell is generated for any course that has an assigned instructor. If an instructor changes after initial assignment, the original instructor remains with Blackboard access to the shell (the new instructor is added within 4-12 hours). There is no program that removes the old instructor. This is a manual process on our part. You can request the instructor be removed from the course by using our Special Enrollment Form. If you need content removed, you can request a “Bulk Delete” of a course and we can back up the original instructor’s content if necessary. Additionally, if you would like to share access to a course with another instructor, you can also use this form.

Regarding Course Merges: Blackboard course sections can be merged to make it easier for faculty to manage multiple sections of the same course in Blackboard. Please note the upcoming deadline for requesting a course merge is today, 1/14/22 by 5pm! Please use our Merge Form to make your request. Once enrollments process on Monday 1/17, we are unable to merge courses, unless there are extenuating circumstances. Late start course merge requests can still be made the Friday by 5pm before the preview date of the course. Once you make your request, please allow up to 12 hours to process and find your Merged shell listed in your “My Courses” once complete. Remember to add your content to the merged shell. You can manage your course list in the "My Courses" area by clicking on the settings icon in the top right corner.

Our “Zoom only” support hours continue next week due to rising COVID cases: Zoom Link

Closed Monday, January 17th
Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-12pm and 1-3pm
Friday, 10am-12pm

Have a great semester! From, the Virtual Campus Team

Email: virtualcampus@monroecc.edu

Phone: (585) 292-3440

Andrea Gilbert
Instructional Technologies
01/14/2022