Student Guides

How do I enrol in a module?

Blackboard requires an active TCD computer account for access. If you are not enrolled on a module, check with your school office to ensure you are timetabled for it. The module must be listed on your my.tcd.ie student record you have access to on Blackboard. IT Services cannot manually enrol you in modules.

My module does not contain any content. How do I resolve this issue?

Please contact your instructor immediately if they have advised that content is available in the module, but it is not accessible to you.

Supported Browsers

IT Services recommends Google Chrome or Firefox for accessing Blackboard.

For Blackboard Learn, Anthology supports Google Chrome™, Mozilla® Firefox®, Apple® Safari®, and Microsoft® Edge® desktop and mobile browsers. Most users can apply updates automatically for these browsers. Anthology makes every effort to support the most recent version upon release. For these supported browsers, these are the supported versions:

• Google Chrome™, most recent version and two preceding versions.
• Mozilla® Firefox®, most recent version and two preceding versions.
• Apple® Safari® for MacOS and iOS, two most recent major versions.

Run the Browser Checker to see whether Blackboard supports your browser

Introduction

The introduction of Blackboard Ally is a collaborative partnership between the Trinity disAbility Service and IT Services, aimed at improving the accessibility of online content available to our student community.

Blackboard Ally analyses the academic content uploaded to the Trinity Blackboard VLE against accessibility standards and provides step-by-step guidance to academics on how to improve its accessibility if needed. Blackboard Ally also provides alternative accessibility formats for any files you upload, which your students can access for their convenience.

Blackboard Ally is an additional service that automatically runs all your course files through an accessibility checklist to identify common issues. Each file is evaluated against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0. Ally integrates with all Blackboard Modules.

Blackboard Ally is a tool that enables you to read material in a way that aligns with your learning style and preferences, making it accessible to all students.

Alternative formats you can download using Ally include:

• Audio versions of reading materials
• HTML format for easy reading on your mobile phone
• Tagged PDF for use with assistive technology

To download an alternative file format, select the capital A icon with a downward arrow. Select your preferred format and press download.

You can download an alternative format for individual files (e.g. a converted PowerPoint file) or an entire page of content from Blackboard.

Downloading original documents

You can also download the original document by selecting the ellipses (three dots).

Students

For students enrolled in Blackboard modules, Blackboard Ally automatically provides a range of alternative formats that are easy for all students to use. Ally works within your Blackboard modules, so it is available right when you need it. Alternative files include:

• Readable text for screen readers
• Pictures with captions
• Content that is easy to navigate

Blackboard Ally creates multiple formats from the original documents in your module. You can download these alternative formats anywhere.

For further information on Blackboard Ally for students, visit the Blackboard Help pages

For information related to accessibility, please visit the Trinity disAbility Service website

Blackboard App for Phones and Tablets

The Blackboard App allows students to use their mobile devices to view:

• Module content
• Announcements
• Grades
• Forum posts
• Collaborate Ultra sessions

Important Notice Regarding the Blackboard App

The Blackboard App is primarily designed for viewing content, not for tasks such as submitting assignments. To access the majority of Blackboard features, you will need to log in using a web browser. The app can be used to complete tests and submit assignments from a mobile device, but we strongly recommend against using it for these purposes. When uploading content or completing assessments, students should use a web browser on a computer to ensure the process works as intended and minimise the risk of data loss.

Getting the Blackboard App

The app is free to use but requires an active TCD account and a compatible mobile device. Students should uninstall any other Blackboard apps on their devices as they are no longer updated or supported by Blackboard.

Further Information & Support

If you are looking for more information can check Blackboard's support pages for the app.

Blackboard Student Timetable

The Blackboard Student Timetable provides students with a timetable calendar within Blackboard. Students can view the time, location, and lecturer for each of their classes.

The Blackboard timetable is updated only once a day. If students are unsure if the information is accurate, they should double-check it against their timetable, which is available in SITS (https://my.tcd.ie). Please note that student timetables are subject to regular updates. Further details about student timetables can be obtained from each School or Course Office. If you are in doubt about the accuracy of your student timetable, please check it on SITS (https://my.tcd.ie).

Blackboard Student Timetable - Frequently Asked Questions

How often is the Blackboard student timetable updated?

The timetable is updated daily. This update occurs overnight.

Who can view the timetabled classes?

Every student with timetabled classes and access to Blackboard will be able to view their classes. Students should not use each other's timetables, as they may have different classes.

What if the information in the Blackboard student timetable doesn’t match the SITS timetable?

If the information in your Blackboard timetable doesn’t match the information in your SITS timetable, use the information in the SITS timetable. After the next overnight refresh, the two timetables should be in sync with each other.

Can I use the Blackboard timetable calendar for personal use?

You can use the Blackboard student timetable calendar for personal use; however, this is not recommended, as we cannot guarantee that events you have entered will be retained when the timetable is updated.

Why can I edit and delete timetabled classes?

The Blackboard student timetable uses the Blackboard personal calendar as a base for storing timetabled classes. As a result, students can edit and delete these classes on the timetable. This will only impact the student’s own Blackboard student timetable, and these deleted or edited classes will be restored to their original form after the timetable updates overnight.

Why are there duplicate classes on my Blackboard student timetable?

This has occurred due to an error. If this happens, please contact the IT Service Desk.

Blackboard VLE - iCal Timetable Link

This functionality enables students to synchronise their student timetable with their MyZone Calendar or any other external calendar service.

This timetable may take up to 24 hours to receive updates regarding changes to timetabled events. If you are ever in doubt, double-check on my.tcd.ie and use the information that is available there.

Instructions on how to sync your timetable

1. Log in to Blackboard
2. On the menu on the left-hand side of the page, select Calendar
   1. Select Calendar Settings on the top right of your screen
   2. Open the menu (...) next to the Calendar Settings heading and select Share Calendar
      
      
      
      
3. Click on the Copy button next to the URL.
4. Log in to your MyZone email account and then navigate to your Google Calendar.
5. Click on the + symbol on the left-hand side of the page (beside “Add a colleague’s calendar”) and then click "From URL".
6. Paste your timetable link into the box and then click "Add Calendar". It may take a few minutes for your timetable to appear.
7. If you have your MyZone email account linked to your mobile device, you should now be able to view your timetable on your device's calendar app.

I am unable to view my Panopto lecture-recorded content

If you have logged into your module in Blackboard and you have clicked on a Panopto lecture recording created by your lecturer, but have experienced one of the following:

• You are asked to sign in, but when you click sign in, it doesn't work, logs you out of Blackboard, or returns you to the same page with the same message, and nothing happens
• The Panopto recording does not play back for you

Then this means that your web browser is blocking Panopto from working with Blackboard. In this instance, you need to check your specific web browser settings to ensure that cross-party cookies are allowed. View the Panopto support page for help on how to configure the cross-party cookies setting for a range of web browsers to solve this issue. If you are using an iOS device, you may also need to disable the setting 'Prevent Cross-Site Tracking' in your Safari or Google Chrome settings.

Click to view more Panopto FAQ's

Why am I getting logged out when accessing Panopto or Class Collaborate content?

Please ensure that your web browser allows third-party cookies if you are experiencing issues with logging out while accessing Panopto or Collaborate content.

Click to view more Panopto FAQ's

An overview of getting started with IT in Trinity College Dublin.

This Orientation page will help you get started with IT at Trinity College Dublin.  Getting started with the technology you'll use during your studies is an exciting first step toward a successful academic experience. Whether you’re accessing course materials, connecting with classmates, or diving into research, mastering the basics of IT will empower you to make the most of your time here.

Click to view IT Services Orientation pages

Further Help & Support

If you are experiencing issues accessing Blackboard or specific modules, please get in touch with the Teaching & Learning IT team via the IT Service Desk by one of the methods listed below.

When you log a ticket, please include the module ID, name, and your instructor's contact details. Often, for issues related to accessing content, assessments, etc., within a module, we need to contact the instructor to verify, as they manage the settings for all content in a module.

Service desk opening hours are: Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00

The service desk is contactable by phone: +353 (01) 896 2000

You can email the service desk.

Email the Service Desk

assist.tcd.ie

Using your Trinity computer account, log in to our IT Service Desk portal (assist.tcd.ie), and browse our knowledge base and service catalogue for solutions to common IT-related support questions. You can also log a ticket with the IT Support Desk, which will follow up with you to help resolve your query.

Alternatively, you can also email itservicedesk@tcd.ie, which will automatically create a ticket for you in the assist.tcd.ie portal.

Open assist.tcd.ie portal

In-person visit to the IT Service Desk

We operate a walk-in service on campus. For our current opening hours, see the link below.

In-person opening hours