IT Service Desk

What is Blackboard?

Blackboard is the College’s Learning Management System that provides tools for teaching online as well as for in-person, in-person - blended, and remote - blended courses. All QCC courses have a Blackboard shell that may be used for handouts, online discussion, testing, group work, assignment submission, and grading.

To learn how to logon to Blackboard, watch this video.

Once you have logged onto Blackboard, watch this video to learn how to access and navigate inside your Blackboard course(s).

How can I access course content using alternate formats in Blackboard?

Ally is the accessibility tool for Blackboard files. It is an integrated part of our learning management system (LMS) and helps build a more inclusive student experience by improving accessibility of files in Blackboard. For more information, click the links below:

• Ally Quick Start for Students
• Watch short, engaging Help videos for Ally here
• Using Blackboard Ally to Make Course Files More Accessible

ReadSpeaker "instantly creates an audio version of courses, textbooks, assessments, research, training materials, personal documents and more, allowing learners to listen while following along with the highlighted text." You may find the resources below to be beneficial.

Quick guides:

• Why Should I Use ReadSpeaker?
• How to Access ReadSpeaker
• Player and Tool Highlights

Videos:

• ReadSpeaker Training for Blackboard Videos(including taking quizzes in Blackboard with or without Respondus)
• ReadSpeaker webReader How-To Videos
• ReadSpeaker docReader: How-To Videos
• ReadSpeaker in Blackboard for Students: YouTube video(02:56)

Why can't I find an assignment, test, discussion board, etc.?

Contact your instructor. Your instructor controls the availability of all course content.

Is Blackboard Learn accessible to all?

From the Blackboard Learn website: “Blackboard is invested in the usability and accessibility of all our products and services. In keeping with our strong tradition of leadership around accessibility, our products are generally designed and developed with internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), as well as Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, in mind. Blackboard strives to meet the globally recognized WCAG 2.1 Level AA success criteria and conducts regular third-party accessibility testing of its products to assess conformance with industry standards.”

• Specific information for Ultra view

I was in the middle of taking a test and got kicked out of Blackboard.

Unfortunately, the information is probably lost permanently and you will need to recreate it. Contact your instructor immediately.

Here are some reasons why you may have been kicked out:

• The internet connection dropped.
• The browser was refreshed.
• Your browser timed out due to inactivity. Blackboard has a security setting that logs you out if it doesn't receive any input for a period of time. Note:Typing into a text box doesn't count as activity. Saving periodically does count. Save frequently.

These tips might help to prevent future issues:

• Use a wired connection if possible when taking a test. Wireless internet connections are less reliable.
• Do not refresh the browser page.
• Do not close the browser window
• Do not click the browser's back button.
• If possible, type out the text in an external application like Notepad and then paste it into Blackboard Learn. Working offline first ensures that your work in progress will not be lost.
• If you are working in assignments, save your work in progress. Saving often helps avoid any browser timeout issues.

I'm concerned about privacy issues for external apps we're using in an online course. How can I find out more?

What is Hypothesis, and how do I use it?

Instructors can connect the Hypothesis tool to online course readings in Blackboard. If they do this, “Hypothesis lets you take notes, view and reply to other notes, along with other features. When you open a Hypothesis assignment you’ll see the web page or PDF your teacher assigned alongside the Hypothesis sidebar” (Hypothesis website).

For more information about how to use Hypothesis, see these how-to guides:

• Student Introduction to How to Use Hypothesis
• Annotation Tips for Students
• Adding Links, Images and Videos

Which browsers and operating systems can be used with our current version of Blackboard Learn?

At this time, QCC recommends using Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. For more information, please see this Blackboard Help page.

What are the minimum technical skills I need to take an online course?

To succeed in an online course, you should:

1. Know how to use Blackboard to contact your instructor and for discussions, assignments and tests.
2. Be able to create, send and download emails, with and without attachments.
3. Create, edit and submit word processing, spreadsheet and presentation files.
4. Copy and paste
5. Download, locate and install software applications and plug-ins.
6. Some courses might also require the use of head sets and microphones or other course-specific software or peripherals.

What tool is used for audio access to Blackboard?

ReadSpeaker "Instantly create an audio version of courses, textbooks, assessments, research, training materials, personal documents and more, allowing learners to listen while following along with the highlighted text." You may find the resources below to be beneficial.

How can I change my display name and/or show my pronouns in Blackboard?

This video contains step-by-step instructions on how to change your display name and add your pronouns in Blackboard: https://kaltura.qcc.edu/media/How+to+Edit+Your+Blackboard+Profile/1_yzagiswv.

How do I connect to the Guest Wi-Fi?

• On your device, go into your Wi-Fi Settings and select “QCC Guest”
• A page will load for registering to the Guest Wi-Fi. If it does not open on its own Open a browser and go to qccwifi.campus.qcc.edu
• Fill out all the required information
• Select the gray checkmark to acknowledge the Terms & Services Agreement (it will turn blue)
• Select submit and once successfully submitted, wait at least a minute and the page will redirect to www.qcc.edu.
• **Once completed, your device(s) will be registered on the Wi-Fi for 180 Days***
• If you need further assistance, you can call the QCC IT Service Desk at 508.854.4427 or e-mail help@qcc.mass.edu. 

At QCC our student email is powered by Microsoft Outlook. All active students have a Microsoft account: Student@Student.qcc.edu. 

Qmail (powered by Google) has been replaced as of June 5th, 2023. Student Qmail accounts are no longer accessible as of November 30, 2024. All data on google is inaccessible and irretrievable.

How do I access student email?

Please see the attached How to Access Student Email student guide for detailed instructions.

This video shows how to login to student email. 

What is my student email username?

Your full student email address is your student email username. You can find your username by logging into The Q. In the top right corner is a circle (Avatar) with either your ID picture or a person Icon, click on the circle then select “My Profile & Settings”.

Click on Contact Information (at left) > Email Addresses - click the down arrow to view email address.

• g. John Smith - student email user name is jsmith@student.qcc.edu

My name has changed. How do I get my student email username changed?

You must go to the Registrar’s Office with a legal document (marriage certificate, divorce papers, etc) that states that your name has changed. At that time, you can ask that your student email username be changed.

I’ve been locked out of my student email account. Can you help?

Contact the IT Service Desk. Give them your Student ID, student email username, and any error message.

How can I access The Q?

With Universal Login, students are prompted to enter only their username (Student ID number). You do NOT have the ability to change your password from this page.
Enter the Student ID number in the username field and Click [Continue] or [Enter] then user is prompted for their Microsoft login.

Full instructions for the login process can be found here: Students - How to Login to The Q with Universal Login.

What is The Q?

The Q is Quinsigamond Community College's secure website or portal. Think of it as the gateway to the college; it's the one stop that allows current students and faculty the ability to access their personal college information twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

The login page for The Q is accessible through any internet browser. 

This video shows how to login to The Q. 

How do I add my phone to the QCC Alert Notification System?

The QCC Alert Notification System allows you to receive a text message on your cell phone in case of a school emergency or school closing. To add or update your text messaging information, Login to The Q. At the top of the Welcome page, click on the “My QCC Alert Contact Info” link.

What is my username for The Q?

• Your student id number is your username for The Q. Your Microsoft account is used for universal login to The Q. The initial password is emailed to the student personal email on file with the college.
• If you need help resetting your password, please contact the IT Service Deskat 508.854.4427. Give them your name, your phone number or email address, your id number and a brief description of your problem. Mention that you have a problem logging in. Do not send your password.

What is remote learning?

• Remote learning consists of real-time virtual classroom engagement and flexibility combined with asynchronous online work.
• Classes are held virtually at a specific day and time, using Zoom once a week (75 minutes). Additional coursework that meets course objectives is delivered asynchronously through Blackboard. These courses, in addition to the virtual class meeting, use various online tools that include but are not limited to discussion boards, assignments, testing, web links, videos, group work, journals, etc.

How do I get started with remote learning?

• For assistance, contact an Online Learning Coach:
• E-mail: OnlineCourseHelp@qcc.mass.edu   
• Phone: 508.854.7455  
• Text: 774.502.9270 (Tricia LaFountaine) or 774.502.9469  (Ann Panetta)

What kind of computer or device and internet do I need?

• Does your system meet the minimum computer requirements? (Click here for minimum requirements).
• I need to purchase a new system, what should I buy? (Click here for minimum requirements).
• Is there financial assistance available? (Click here for emergency Assistance Grants)
• How do I get Access to the Internet? (Click here for more information)
• Can I get Financial Assistance for Internet access? (Click here for more information)

How can I test my system setup for remote learning?

• Test your Internet connection with the Internet Connection Speed Test
• Test the compatibility of your Internet browser withthe Blackboard Browser Check
• Test your webcam with the online Webcam Test
• Test your microphone with this online Microphone test
• Test Zoom Video Conferencing with the Zoom Test

Once connected, we recommend that you log into all college systems seven days before classes start to ensure everything is working. 

What is a virtual classroom and how do I access it?

• Your class may require your attendance in a virtual classroom. If it does, you may need to use Zoom.
• To access the Zoom virtual classroom, either follow the directions the instructor e-mailed to you or log into your Blackboard course and click on the "Zoom" link located on the left side course menu. For more information on Zoom, please visit the Zoom help section.
• Here are things to think about and steps to follow as you attend your virtual classroom meetings. Following these do’s and don’ts will help you, your professor, and most of all your fellow classmates have a productive learning experience.

• Download the Etiquette Guide (PDF)
• Download the Etiquette Guide in Spanish (PDF)

How do I access ThinkingStorm?

Please see this student ThinkingStorm guide for detailed instructions.

How can I get help with Zoom?

Check out our Zoom meeting videos and general help.

What are my instructor's expectations of me in a virtual classroom?

Please see the QCC Virtual Classroom Etiquette for Students for further information.

Consulte la etiqueta de aula virtual de QCC adjuntada para estudiantes para obtener más información