Bb Vista FAQs
What if I have a problem?
Setup to use Bb Vista
General
How do I Run the Browser Check?
If you are experiencing difficulty with Bb Vista:
Run through the Check Browser process in Bb Vista, just to make sure that someone did not change the configuration of your computer. The quickest way to access this is to go here: My Course List in Bb Vista . The Check Browser link is in the top-left corner of the page.
The Browser Checker looks at your computer configuration in five key areas; they are related to browsers, Java, and pop-ups. This diagnostic will tell you, via green check marks, if things are OK, or, via red Xs, if you need to modify your computer configuration.
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I am working and I get bounced out.
There could be several reasons for this.
- Check your Internet connection
Check to verify that you still have a viable Internet connection through your own Internet Service Provider (ISP).
- In other words, try accessing a different Web site. If you are on campus, this will verify if Drexel's network is up and running as well.
- If you cannot get to other Internet sites, close your browser and your ISP application, start up your ISP app again, and try to access Bb Vista once more.
- See if your ISP timed you out
If you are working in Bb Vista and get bounced out, check to verify that you have not been timed-out by your ISP.
- In other words, try logging in to a different Web site.
- There are default timeout settings at many Internet Service Providers that are much shorter than the one-hour timeout for Bb Vista.
- Sometimes you can modify these timeouts, working with specific providers.
- If you cannot change your ISP timeout setting and they will not lengthen the timeout for you, be certain that you save your work often in Bb Vista, just in case your ISP times out your session.
- If you use Internet Explorer and attempted a download
Some folks tell us that when they use Internet Explorer (IE) in a Windows environment and try to download a file from Vista, they get the yellow bar at the top of their browser window saying that IE blocked the download. Then, when they try to allow it, they get kicked out of their Vista section.
The solution to this is to adjust some security settings so that IE trusts downloads from Bb Vista. To fix it, designate the Vista site as a trusted site. Here are the steps to follow:
- Click on "Tools" in the top menu bar
- Select "Internet Options" from the drop-down list
- Choose the "Security" tab
- Click the "Trusted Sites" icon
- Click the "Sites" button.
- Type "https://learning.dcollege.net" (without the quotation marks) in the "Add this site" area
- Click the "Add" button.
- Click OK
- Click OK, again
- Start another browser session
And that should take care of it!
- See if there is a scheduled outage
- You might be in the Sunday maintenance window. If you are working and get bounced out, Bb Vista might be down for Sunday morning maintenence.
- If you logged in through the DrexelOne Portal
If you are working and got bounced out, and you had logged in through the DrexelOne Portal, try using this hyperlink to log in to Bb Vista directly.
Sometimes, if the Portal is experiencing problems, people think that Bb Vista is down. That is almost never the case - and - going directly in to Bb Vista solves their problem right away. You might even want to bookmark that direct link, put it in your Favorites list, etc.
- Log out of Bb Vista and Log Back In
If you are working and get bounced out, log out of Vista, using the Log Out hyperlink, and log in again.
- There might have been a temporary problem with your connection to Vista.
- Make sure that you use the Log Out link at the top right of your screen.
- This terminates your session with the Bb Vista server.
- NOTE: Also close your browser, fire up another browser session, and then log in to Bb Vista again.
- Many times, this process will clear things up.
- You can check the status of Bb Vista
If you are working and get bounced out you can check the status of the application in a few different ways. You can:
- Check Bb Vista for Announcements from us, the application administrators.
- Check to see if there was a scheduled outage
- Call the (basic) Help Desk at 215-895-2020, during hours when the Korman Computing Center is open, to learn whether others are having difficulty
- You can view the Korman Calendar
- Use our new Report a Problem feature
- This is especially valuable because the quick-fill form enables you to give us some real data that aid in pinpointing trends, issues, etc.
- Students were asking for this capability, so, we provided this easy way for them to report just what they experienced in Bb Vista
- Send an email to The Online Learning Team
- EMail the Online Learning Team
If you are working and get bounced out, and none of our recommendations seemed to clear things up, please use this link to send a detailed email to: The Online Learning Team.
You can expect to get a response to your message within one business day. We also have Saturday coverage for this service during normal business hours on non-holiday weekends.
If you have a moment, it is even better if you can provide the team the data that they need to respond appropriately to your issues, by using the Report a Problem link.
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My Google toolbar blocks Bb Vista.
If your Google Toolbar is blocking Bb Vista, you have four choices:
- If you wish to temporarily disable that, hold down the Control (Ctrl) key on your keyboard before and while you click on a hyperlink.
- If you want to more than temporarily disable your pop-up blocker, but, just for Vista, you can make https://learning.dcollege.net what is known as a "trusted site." In other words, you can configure your Google toolbar so that it always trusts Vista's site. Here are the steps:
- Click on the pop-up blocker button while you are logged in to Vista
- This will change the pop-up blocker button to read "Site Pop-Ups Allowed."
- If you want to allow pop-ups from all sites:
- Click on the Options hyperlink on the toolbar
- In the Accessories area:
- De-select the checkbox next to Pop-Up blocker
- If you want to completely uninstall the toolbar:
- Simple instructions for removing the toolbar
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I cannot upload my file(s).
To upload a file in Vista (to attach in the Assignments tool, for instance) to submit to your instructor, you have two choices: You can use the My Computer icon or the Upload File button.
Some students reported having trouble with the My Computer link when using a Mac and/or a browser not validated by Bb Vista. If that happens to you, try the Upload File button instead.
Now, even when everything is working fine, there are differences between the two approaches that we would like to bring to your attention:
Attributes of the My Computer link versus the Upload File button
| Method / Issue | My Computer link | Upload File button |
|---|
| Maximum files uploaded at one time |
10 |
1 |
|---|
| Maximum file size |
24.4 MB |
1 GB |
|---|
| "Attaches" automatically? |
Yes |
No |
|---|
| Upload .zip files? |
Yes |
Yes |
|---|
| Unzip while uploading? |
No |
Yes |
|---|
| Unzip inside Vista, later? |
Yes |
Yes |
|---|
| Adds the file(s) to your My Files area |
No |
Yes |
|---|
- You can upload up to 10 files at one time with the My Computer link, but, they can total no more than about 24.4 MB.
- You can upload about a 1 GB file with the Upload File button, but, you can only do this one file at a time.
- The file attaches to your assignment, for instance, at the same time as the upload, when you use the My Computer link. This does NOT place a copy in your My Files area in Vista.
- With the Upload File button, Vista can unzip a .zip file in your My Files area, automatically, as the upload is completing.
TWO FINAL NOTES:
1. There is a 256k limit on attachments in Mail in Vista, no matter which method you choose, above.
2. Make sure that your upload issue is not caused by use of a workplace, lab, or other computer which has been "locked down:" in some way - to, in fact, prevent you from uploading files into Vista. (We run across this particular cause, frequently.)
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I don't have the "My Computer" icon needed to upload files.
In order to upload files (such as an instructor posting a document in their course or a student submitting an assignment), you may need to use the "My Computer" icon in the "Get Files" window. Since this icon is actually a Java applet (a small, single-purpose program), you must have Java installed. The Browser Check should identify whether Java is installed or not and also let you know if the version you have installed is "validated" for use with Bb Vista.
However, even with an appropriate version of Java installed, if you're not paying attention, you can inadvertently squash its efforts to provide you with that "My Computer" icon. When you log in to Bb Vista, or at some point shortly after, you may run into a dialog box like this:
(if you're using a Windows computer)
or this: 
(if you're using a Mac)
In either case, you MUST click "Run" or "Trust". Clicking "Cancel" or "Don't Trust" will prevent any subsequent Java applets from running. If you've already clicked the "wrong" option, you must log out of Bb Vista and close any open browser windows, then re-open your browser and make sure that you click the "right" button the next time through.
Instructions for running a Browser Check.
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What is Vista?
Bb Vista is a content management system (some also call it a learning management system) that enables instructors, designers, and/or trainers to:
- link you to content and Internet-based resources,
- enable synchronous and/or asynchronous discussion,
- facilitate rich interaction,
- administer surveys and quizzes, and
- utilize other technologies appropriate for teaching, training, and learning.
Bb Vista is an application that is the university standard for online learning here at Drexel. Every term, every Banner-based course has a shell in Vista, complete with all of the enrolled students and the instructor of record. Many professors take advantage of this and use Vista. Some do not.
Bb Vista can provide enhanced opportunities for learning whether your classes are face-to-face, hybrid (some online and some face-to-face), or offered completely online.
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How do I access Vista at Drexel?
You have two choices. You can:
- use the DrexelOne portal, or,
- go directly to Bb Vista
No matter which you choose, the User Name and Password that you utilize (your Log-In credentials) are the same. This is the same credential set that you utilize to log on to the Drexel domain.
If you need any help with your Drexel account, you can:
- send an email to accounts@drexel.edu, or
- call 215-895-2020 (during hours of operation for the Korman Center)
View the Korman Computing Center's hours of operation.
Report a problem with accessing Vista - if you have tried both of the above - by emailing the Online Learning Team.
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What should I do first?
Bb Vista is a robust, feature-laden, application. To ensure having the optimal learning experience while active in this application, end users need to have their computer(s) properly configured.
By properly configured, we mean these specific areas (not all will apply to you all of the time):
- Using a validated Web browser (including the version of that browser!)
- Having Java installed on your computer(s)
- Enabling pop-ups
- Having firewall configuration properly set
Check your computer's configuration for use with Bb Vista by launching the Check Browser feature in the top-right corner of the Log In page. Go to Log In page.
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What do I need besides an Internet connection?
Well, you need a few things, some of which you might already have.
You need to be using a validated browser. Bb Vista tries to keep up with the latest browser version releases and "validates" them when it can. That is, Blackboard "certifies" that this application will work well with that specific browser version.
Check the Validated Browser listing for a PC.
Check the Validated Browser listing for a Mac.
NOTE: Look in the Bb Vista 8 area, when you get to the above listings.
You need Java installed on your computer. Many features of Bb Vista run as Java-based applets.
http://java.com/
You need to have pop-ups enabled when using Bb Vista. If you have pop-up blocking software installed, read its associated Manual to learn how to enable pop-ups when you are using Bb Vista (https://learning.dcollege.net).
For browser-specific help in disabling pop-up blockers, work through the browser tune-up on the Blackboard web site.
If you are using firewall software it may prevent you from accessing Bb Vista. The following ports need to be enabled/open in order for you to use Vista properly:
HTTP - Port 80
HTTPS - Port 443
Chat/Whiteboard - Port 2304
Additional information on firewall settings.
If you are attempting to work in Bb Vista from a workplace computer, your IT department may have set restrictions on your computer that prevent you from altering settings in the above areas, downloading materials, uploading files, installing software, navigating the Internet, etc. Share the above information with these qualified individuals in your organization to learn what latitude you have in configuring a workplace machine. If restrictions prevail - we recommend that you do not rely solely on a workplace computer for your Bb Vista work.
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How can I get help?
There are a number of ways to get Help when it comes to Bb Vista.
- Many times, your instructor may be able to assist you with basic Vista issues.
- The Help Screens throughout the Bb Vista application are extensive, user-friendly, and context-sensitive. That is, you get Help that is specific to whatever area you are in at the time. The Help link is always available in Vista and is located in the top-right corner of your screen.
- Every student is "enrolled" in Student Resources, a help and information repository Section in Bb Vista. Visit this Section to view demos, watch tutorials, access manuals and guidelines, etc. The content and offerings are updated continuously.
- For basic phone support, you can call 215-895-2020 (x2020 on campus) and talk to someone during hours when the Korman Computing Center is open.
- You can email the Online Learning Team at: olt@drexel.edu.
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What is Sunday morning maintenance?
If you are working and get bounced out, Bb Vista might be down for Sunday morning maintenence.
For years, Drexel has reserved Sunday mornings (6:00am - Noon, Eastern time) for maintenance of the many computer systems for which it is responsible. This includes Banner, WebMail, Bb Vista, the DrexelOne portal, and many other systems. Having this time set aside for computer system maintenance is crucial for providing reliable service throughout the balance of the week, upgrading applications for you, bringing new hardware on line, etc.
That said, on many occasions, no substantive maintenance is required and all systems remain available during these hours. Similarly, when needed maintenance can be accomplished with a system or application outage that is shorter than this timeframe, that is what we do. That means that when most maintenance is done, we do not need the entire 6-hour window.
The main thing to remember about this maintenance window is to get in the habit of not relying on that timeframe to do your work in Bb Vista, for instance. Save that time for class reading, reflection, or working on assignments outside of Bb Vista, perhaps. That is the safest way to go. Do not rely on availability that might not be there on a given Sunday morning.
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What if I want to learn more?
There are many resources available to you, and in a variety of forms. Let's take a look.
- There are tutorials in the Student Resources section in Bb Vista. Every student is "enrolled" in this section. If you do not see it on your My Course List page, let us know and we will add you to the roster. (PLEASE NOTE: We do not mean your Course List in DrexelOne here. We mean the page that you see when you log in to Bb Vista directly.)
- There is also a series of links and resources for students within this site, developed by IRT.
- There is Help available right at Vista's corporate site. You can view them here: Help for Students
- Similarly, they offer a service called Ask Dr. C. wherein you can see if your question has, perhaps, already been asked and answered. If not, you can post your own! The Bb Vista experts will get back to you. (We have used this service pretty often ourselves, over the years.)
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Can I use Vista features in one of my classes if my professor is not using it?
Yes, if a template has been assigned to that section, or, if your instructor made the section available in Bb Vista. You will know if that is the case, right away, when you attempt to enter a section.
If your instructor has yet to assign a template to that section or release it, you will receive a warning message to that effect. (This is not indicative of a Bb Vista problem. You can contact your instructor to learn when you should expect to be able to access the section.) Further, you might be trying to access a section in which that particular instructor is not using Bb Vista.
On the other hand, if your instructor has prepared your section, you can utilize any of the tools available there, like Mail, Discussions, Chat, etc.
(PLEASE NOTE: Of course, all of this is subject to the expectations and instructions that your professor established for that particular class.)
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How do I get the plug-ins that I need to listen to audio lectures, watch video lectures, etc.?
Here is a single link that will give you access to the common plug-ins that you will need. They are free and will provide you with an enhanced learning experience while in the Bb Vista application.
Go to the Plug-Ins Page
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Why are we calling it Bb Vista now? What happened to WebCT?
Well, Blackboard bought WebCT in 2007 so, in effect, WebCT does not exist anymore. The actual application that is the Drexel University standard is called Vista. (We used to use their older version, called Campus Edition, or CE.)
Hence, we are catching up to that corporate merger and no longer use the old name. In order to differentiate Vista from the new (in 2007) Microsoft operating system, also called Vista, we are calling the LMS (Learning Management System) Bb Vista and the new OS (Operating System) Windows Vista.
That should clear things up throughout the Drexel community!
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