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So you’ve decided to take your test off campus?
That’s okay, but it means that you have to do some extra preparations before you take the test.
This second set of tips will tell you everything you need to know about making your computer Blackboard ready.
First, it’s always better to use a wired computer.
Check the speed of your internet connection at speedtest.net, and the quality at pingtest.net.
You want a speed faster than (more than) 3.84 Mbps.
If your download and upload speeds are slower (or less) than 3.84 Mbps,
using Blackboard may be slow for you, and you may want to consider using a wired campus computer.
Make sure that your computer has the right hardware and browser to run Blackboard.
Click this link to check!
Ensure that you have Java version 5 or later.
If needed, you can download it for free at java.com
It’s always a good idea to make sure that your system has the most recent updates installed,
sometimes your system can force your computer to restart so that it can install updates.
Make sure that your computer is Adware, Spyware and Virus free so that pop-ups from other programs don’t interfere!
If you are on campus and using a Windows-based machine of your own,
you will have to take the Endpoint Security Policy
test before you can connect to the internet.
Turn off any 3rd party browser extensions that can interrupt your taking of the test.
Some 3rd party extensions are things like toolbars and pop-up blockers, with features like auto-fill.
In summary, Do:
Try to use a wired computer.
Aim for internet speeds of faster, or more than 3.84 Mbps.
Check your hardware and software for Blackboard compatibility.
Make sure your Java is compatible and your system software is up to date.
Turn 3rd party extensions off and remove any
adware or spyware from your computer.
Finally, if the Professor offers a practice test, make sure to take it!
And remember, if something goes wrong, first refer to any instructions provided by your instructor.
Your computer’s finally ready to take the test, so let’s move on and you can learn how!