This quick-start guide explains how to view files made available in Blackboard.

What sort of files?

Instructors often make files available to you using Blackboard, such as:

Viewing a file should be as easy as clicking on its link – provided you have the right software to view that type of file.

Common file types are:

Identifying links to files

Links to files are indicated by blue underlined text. Your instructor may choose to use the filename as the link (e.g. case_study1.doc), the type of file (e.g. Word) or some other text (e.g. Case Study 1).

Click on a link to view the file. You may need special software installed on your own PC to view these files (see the end of this page for links to plugins and downloading instructions).

View files in your Web browser

If you have the software program or player associated with the Blackboard link installed on your computer, the document will be displayed by your Web browser, with Blackboard's buttons still visible on the left.

If, however, no file viewer software is available, your computer will need to use other software to display the document: a dialogue box will appear which warns you of the security risk involved when downloading files from the Internet and asks if you wish to Save or Open the document; select Open to launch the software and display the document.

If you don't have any software associated with that type of file (e.g. Microsoft Word or WordPerfect to view a Word .doc file) then you won't be able to view it unless you download and install suitable viewer software.

Links to free file viewer & player software

You can download and then install the free file viewer and/or player software on your PC by following this step-by-step guide:

1. Save any files you are working on and close all applications before you start.
2. Open your Web browser and go to the UAA Distance Education Page at http://distanceeducation.uaa.alaska.edu/requirements/
3. Review the Optional Plug-ins section. If a green check mark is noted in the plug in results field the item does not need to be downloaded. If a red circle with a line through it is noted in the plug in result field the plugin needs to be download to your local computer.
   

Note: some of the links will display Web pages that provide further choices and information. You will need to find and then click on the link to the software you want.

4. When you click the link to the software, your Web browser will display a dialogue box that allows you to save the software to your PC.
5. You may want to download more than one file viewer before installing them.

Note: make sure you make a note of name of the file and the folder that you save the software in. It will take quite a while to download these multi-megabyte files if you are using a dial-up Internet connection.

6. Quit your browser and use Windows Explorer to view the folder where you saved the downloaded file(s).
7. Double-click on the file you downloaded and then follow the instructions presented on-screen to install the software.