Announcements

Blackboard Student Guide

Blackboard Student Organization

For information on how to use various Blackboard tools, you can access the Blackboard Student Organization.

Login to Blackboard
Locate the module called 'My Organizations'
If you have a course on Blackboard, you will have an organization called 'Blackboard Student Organization'. Click the link to view the material.

Options and Alternatives to Microsoft Office

Here are some options for common tasks like word processing, spreadsheeting, and presenting.

Microsoft is encouraging students to "steal" Office for $59.95 - The Ultimate Steal Promotion. Each Office application can be used as a free demo 25 times. After that, the Office application will behave "similarly to a viewer" until the $59.95 fee is paid.

A free alternative is Google Docs (http://docs.google.com). With a recently added presentation tool, Google Docs has the triumvirate of word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations anywhere you are online and have a web browser. If you aren't doing anything too fancy, you should be able to load your Microsoft Office files into Google Docs. It's also easy to share all of the above with other users. And, it's free.

Another free alternative (if you are comfortable with installing open source software) is OpenOffice: http://www.openoffice.org. OpenOffice is multiplatform and runs on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Solaris.

Fresno State's Blackboard System Upgraded

Over the summer Fresno State upgraded their version of Blackboard. There are many enhanced features that were included in the upgrade. Use the links at the left to familiarize yourself with the system.

You may also want to spend a few minutes viewing this PowerPoint Presentation. It covers the basics that you need to know to be a successful online learner. Blackboard 7 Student Orientation Presentation (PPT)

Open University Students

Please contact the Division of Continuing and Global Education for more information on this process 559.278.0333.