Accessing Blackboard

Introduction

Students wishing to use Blackboard must authenticate using an Active Directory computing account. Before accessing the Blackboard system, students are required to obtain an Active Directory account and change the default password of the account. Students may need to manually reconcile their Active Directory account with the Blackboard system during their first login.

Active Directory accounts are separated into two domains: "AD" and "MC". The "AD" Active Directory domain is for most students, and the "MC" Active Directory domain is for some medical students. Medical Students will have "MC" Active Directory accounts given to them by their respective colleges.

If you have an "MC" Active Directory account, you do not need to obtain the "AD" Active Directory account. Please view the Changing Your Password article and follow all instructions.

Table of Contents

• Accessing Blackboard for the First Time
• For More Assistance

About IT Technical Assistance

This document is maintained and copyright 2002-2007 by the University of Kentucky Information Technology Customer Service Center for the students, faculty and staff of the University. All rights reserved. Duplication of this document is permitted to the aforementioned audience.

 

Accessing Blackboard

The first time you access the Blackboard system, your Active Directory account will be reconciled with the Blackboard system. For most students, this reconciliation process will be automatic; other students may be required to contact the IT Customer Service Center for manual reconciliation.

The preferred method of logging into Blackboard is outlined below.

1. Open your web browser and navigate to http://myuk.uky.edu/ .
2. Login with your user name and password. There is NO need to put AD\ or MC\ in front of your user name when logging through this website.
3. Once you are logged in, click on the Student Services tab.
4. Under the Related Links section click on Blackboard. This will open the Blackboard website in a new window.

   Location of Links

5. Click on the User Login button on the left hand side of the window. You will be taken directly into Blackboard.
   

Alternatively you can login directly to Blackboard through the steps outlined below.

1. Open your web browser and go to the Blackboard web site (http://elearning.uky.edu).
2. On the Blackboard web site, click on the Login button.
3. You will be prompted to enter your user name and password, shown in Figure 3.1. Do NOT specify to remember your password. Enter the information as follows:
   • User Name: Using a backslash (\) and your Active Directory user ID in place of userid, type in AD\userid. Medical Students with an "MC" Active Directory account should type MC\userid instead.
   • Password: Type in the your current Link Blue password. This cannot be the default password, you must activate your account before you can login to the Blackboard system

   Figure 3.1

4. Click OK to continue. You will be taken directly into BlackBoard.

When you have finished with the Blackboard system, click on the Logout button and close your web browser.

For More Assistance

Please contact the IT Customer Service Center if you have any questions or problems while following these instructions. The IT CSC is open from 7AM to 6PM Monday through Friday. You may come directly to the CSC at 111 McVey Hall. You may also reach the CSC by phone (859.257.1300) or email (helpdesk@uky.edu).