How do I Chat on Blackboard?

See and hear Video Instructions, otherwise read transcript below.

• Go to the Chat Course Tool and select a Chat Room

• Wait for the application to Load (30 seconds or so)

• Start Chatting

Three important steps you need to follow if you want CHAT to work:

1. Download the Blackboard User Guide for Online Courses in PDF format  (Get Adobe Reader if you cannot read the Guide)
Note: Allow all applications to run, as indicated in page 7.

2. Download and Install Java J2SE(TM) Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 7 (mission critical)
(NOTE: The Blackboard "Check your Browser" button will say your computer passes the check even though you do not have JAVA 5, 7. That is NOT correct! You have not truly passed the test if you do not have JAVA 5, 7.)

3. Tune Up you computer by clicking on the Browser Check button on the Blackboard Page. Make sure you Allow Pop ups.

4. Run IE8 in Compatibility mode (so that it behaves as IE7)

Excerpt from MSDN: http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2008/08/27/introducing-compatibility-view.aspx

• If your are still having difficulties, run the JAVA Overhaul. (very few students need to take this step)

• If IE does not work after all the troubleshooting, use Firefox. Download here: www.firefox.com (We apologize for the inconvenience. Steps 1, 2 and 3 still apply.)