Blackboard Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the Skagit Valley College E-Learning FAQ!

FYI: This FAQ is regularly updated. Please check back often as new questions and answers become available.

This guide answers frequently asked questions posed by the E-Learning student and covers topics such as Blackboard, MySVC email, and Google Documents. If this FAQ does not answer your question, please stop by the Tiki Tech-Know Bar in the new campus center building just across from the Cardinal Book Store. Summer quarter Tiki Bar hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday. If the Tech-Know Bar technician is unable to resolve your question, please stop by the E-Learning Office in the Norwood Cole Library (S-127) or call (360) 416-7770.


Table of Contents
1. E-Learning

E-Learning (formerly known as Distance Education), gives students who are unable to attend classes on campus the opportunity to complete their associates or technical degree online. E-Learners can expect the same high quality instruction that is afforded to on-campus students.


General Questions


2. Blackboard

Blackboard is a web-based application that connects students to their online courses. Essentially, Blackboard allows students to access course materials and communicate with classmates and the instructor in a virtual classroom. All E-Learning students have a Blackboard account.


General Questions

Discussion Board

Technical Issues


3. MySVC Email  

Every student at Skagit Valley College has their own email address through MySVC. You can access your email account by going to http://www.skagit.edu and clicking on "Student Toolbox." Once in the student toolbox select "My Email" from the icons in upper right corner of the web page.


General Questions


4. Google Documents

Google Documents is a web based Microsoft Office compatible application that allows students to create, edit, and store documents online. In some cases, Google Documents can eliminate the need to save files to floppy disks or USB drives because all saved work is stored online and therefore, accessible from any computer with an internet connection. (Although, it is always in your best interest to back up your computer work to a floppy disk, USB drive, CD, or hard drive to prevent it from being lost.)  Anyone familiar with text editors such as Microsoft Office and Open Office will find Google Documents to be very similar in its functions. All students at Skagit Valley College have access to Google Documents through their MySVC email account.


General Questions

 

5. Computer Skills

Listed below are some important computer skills for the E-Learner.


General Questions



E-Learning: General Questions

I don't have a great deal of computer experience. Will I be successful in an E-Learning class? [Back to Contents]

Your success in the E-Learning program is correlated to how much you know about computers. The more you know about computers, the easier it will be for you to adapt to the E-Learning format. The less you know about computers, the harder it will be.

 

For those people with little or no knowledge of computers, taking an E-Learning class can be an overwhelming experience. If you'd like to learn more about computers before wrangling with the E-Learning system, it is recommended that you enroll in OFTEC 101. This course can provide you with the foundation you need to be successful in the E-Learning program.



How do I participate in an E-Learning Orientation? [Back to Contents]

Contact the E-Learning office at (360) 416-7770 to learn when and where the next orientation will be held. Orientations are usually held near the beginning of each quarter.


Do I need special hardware or software to take an E-Learning class? [Back to Contents]

  • Most of your E-Learning class work will be conducted through Blackboard, which is free to students. Blackboard is accessed through an internet browser (i.e. Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox).
  • You may be required to use Course Compass (My Math Lab) software for an online Math class. Course Compass can be purchased from the Cardinal Bookstore.
  • It is strongly advised that you have a text editor on your home computer such as Microsoft Word or Open Office. If you do not have Microsoft Office, download the Open Office suite (free program) from http://download.openoffice.org.
  • Some instructors will want you to be able to view Adobe Reader documents (.pdf). Adobe Reader is free and can be installed at the following web address: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. Click the "Download Now" button and follow the on screen instructions.


Is financial aid available for E-Learning classes? [Back to Contents]

Yes. You can access information regarding financial aid from the Skagit Valley College homepage (http://skagit.edu). Select "Financial Aid" from the Quick Links menu in the upper right hand corner.

How do I get financial aid verification for my E-Learning class? [Back to Contents]

Visit the E-Learning office for a signature. Forms cannot be signed until the first day of the quarter. If you cannot visit the E-Learning office, call us at (360) 416-7770.


Are there assignment deadlines for E-Learning classes? [Back to Contents]

Yes. The majority of E-Learning classes provided at Skagit Valley College allow you to complete your reading and other assigned tasks at your own pace. However, instructors often request that students complete quizzes or discussion board assignments by a particular date and time. In other words, your instructor may ask you to read pages 1-85 of your textbook during your first week. You can do this at your own pace, so long as it is completed during the first week. Subsequently, an instructor may ask you to take the Chapter 1 quiz by 5:00 p.m. on Friday of your first week. It is important that you read the class syllabus and any other information pertaining to your E-Learning class schedule.



How do I find out what textbooks I will need for my E-Learning class? How do I go about purchasing them? [Back to Contents]

The Cardinal Bookstore, located in the new campus center building, carries every textbook required for an E-Learning class (with rare exception). If you would like to learn which textbook you will be using in your class before the first day of the quarter, visit the Cardinal Bookstore online.  You can get to the Bookstore website by visiting the Skagit Valley College homepage (http://www.skagit.edu) and selecting "Cardinal Bookstore" from the Quick Links menu in the upper right hand corner.

Once at the Cardinal Bookstore web page, you can begin looking for your textbooks by clicking on "Textbooks." Select the quarter you are taking your E-Learning class and click on "Go." Choose the name of the "Department" your class is in by left clicking on it. For example, Math 107 would be listed under MATH. Select the "Course" Number. In this case, the course number is 107. E-Learning classes are slightly easier to locate in the "Section" window because they usually begin with the letters "DE" and are followed by the instructor's name.  Once you have selected the Department, Course Number, and Section, the books required for the course will appear below.

To have the books mailed to your home, type in the quantity of each book you would like to purchase and hit, "add selected books to cart." From here, follow the onscreen instructions.

You can also buy your textbooks on campus.


I do not live close to the campus. How do I check out books or view articles from the library? [Back to Contents]

The Norwood Cole Library works with E-Learning students to give them access to the resources they need.

 

To order a book from the Library you will need a personal barcode. Library barcodes are not standard issue for E-Learning students. Therefore, you must call and request a barcode should you desire to check out a book. Call the Circulation Desk at (360) 416-7770. Make sure you have your Student ID number available.

 

After you have a barcode, you can request books from the Library's website. To visit the Library online, go to the Quick Links Menu on Skagit Valley College's homepage and select "Library" from the drop down menu. Conduct a thorough search for the book/books you require. From within a book's web page, select the "Request" button at the bottom. Enter your name and barcode and select the option "Send by mail" from "Choose a Pickup Location." Left click "Submit."

 

Students should keep in mind that while Skagit Valley College will pay postage to send items to your home, they do not pay for return shipping. Therefore, you will be responsible for paying postage to return borrowed items.

 

To view articles, select an Article Database from the Library homepage. Article Databases include: CQ Researcher, Ebscohost, Proquest, etc;. An off-campus student must enter their user name and password to gain entry. Your user name and password for an Article Database is the same as the user name and password for Blackboard and MySVC email.



I do not live close to the campus. How do I view an item my instructor has placed on reserve in the library? [Back to Contents]

Unfortunately, items placed on reserve in the library cannot be mailed to off-campus students. It is your instructor's responsibility to insure that all students enrolled in an E-Learning class have access to the materials they need. If you are unable to drop by the campus to view an item that has been placed on reserve, you should get a hold of your instructor immediately. He/she can help you come up with a plan which allows you to participate in the class accordingly.

Blackboard: General Questions 

I cannot log in to my Blackboard account. Why? [Back to Contents]

Most often, the reason students are unable to login to Blackboard is because of a typing error. If all else fails, check and recheck the username and password you are using to login.

 

Your user name consists of the first initial of your first name, your entire last name, followed by the last four digits of your Student ID number. For example, JDoe2008.User names are not case sensitive. In other words, you could login using lower case letters: jdoe2008.

 

Your password, however, is case sensitive and consists of the six digits of your birth date, followed by the first two letters of your first name, and the first two letters of your last name. For example, 061908JoDo. The first letter of your first name and last name must be capitalized.

 

| Example |

  

Username is created from:

1.       Name – John Doe

2.       Student ID – 835082008

 

Username is: JDoe2008

 

Password is created from:

1.       Birth Date – 06/19/08

2.       Name – John Doe

 

Password is: 061908JoDo


PLEASE NOTE THAT THE J and D ARE CAPITALIZED IN THE ABOVE EXAMPLE! YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME INITIALS WOULD NEED TO BE CAPITALIZED AS WELL.



How do I logout of Blackboard? [Back to Contents]

At the very top of your Blackboard page, in the center, there are three icons. Select the one on the far right that reads "Logout."


How do I change my Blackboard password? [Back to Contents]

Log in to Blackboard. On the left hand side of the web page you will see a small box labeled "Tools." Click on the link "Personal Information" and select "Change Password." Changing your password on Blackboard will not change your network password. You use your network password to log in to campus computers. If you'd like to change your network password, you must also do this manually.



I changed my Blackboard password and I forgot it. What do I do? [Back to Contents]

Contact an E-Learning Professional for assistance resetting your password. Visit the Tiki Tech-Know Bar in the Campus Center building or the E-Learning office (Rm: S -127) in library. You can also call the E-Learning office at (360) 416-7770.



I am new to Blackboard. I've logged in. Where do I go from here? [Back to Contents]

After you log in to Blackboard you will be taken to your MySVC Blackboard account. From here you can view the classes you are enrolled in, change your password, or view your grades. For information on how to change your password view the article "How do I change my password?". To access instructions regarding how to view your grades look at the article, "How do I view my grades for a Blackboard class?".

 

How do I view a class I am enrolled in? [Back to Contents]

After logging into your Blackboard account, locate the heading "Courses: Quick View" in the left hand column. Below this heading you should see the class/classes you are enrolled in. To view a class, select the course link from this box. You will then be transported to the virtual classroom.

 

Once in your class, you will notice a left hand navigation bar on the side of the window. This is known as the Course Menu. This menu provides you with links to every area of your class, including Course Information and the Discussion Board (to name a few).

 

Explore all of the links by clicking on them individually and viewing the material available there. Any and all information pertaining to your online class can be found by navigating through these menus. 



How do I view my grades for a Blackboard class? [Back to Contents]

Grades can be viewed in a couple of ways.

 

Method 1: Log in to Blackboard. On the left hand side of the page you will see a small box labeled "Tools." Select "View Grades" and then the class for which you would like to see your grades.

 

Method 2: Log in to Blackboard. Select your class. Click on "Tools" in the left hand window pane. Select "View Grades.



How do I contact my instructor with questions about my Blackboard class? [Back to Contents]

From the Skagit Valley College homepage (http://www.skagit.edu) select the "Faculty Staff Find" button. Enter the first or last name of your instructor and click on "Search the Directory." This will display your instructor's email address and phone number.


Will I have to complete a group assignment in a Blackboard class? [Back to Contents]

Sometimes online courses will require you to work with classmates on a group project.

In order to view the group you belong to as well as those classmates who have been assigned to work with you, click on "Communication" from within your virtual classroom. Select the link to the group you're instructor has placed you in. (Often, groups are ordered alphabetically. For example, Group A, B, C, and so on.) From this page you will be able to see the names of your group members and gain entry to the group's discussion board. To communicate with your group, you can post messages to the group discussion board.

If you are working on a project, such as a Power Point presentation or a research paper, Google Documents allows you to collaborate with your Blackboard classmates by making the document accessible for editing by everyone in the group. For more information on this, see the article "How do I collaborate with others in Google Documents?"

Blackboard: Discussion Board


How do I add a message to my class Discussion Board? [Back to Contents]

Enter the Discussion Board through the Course Menu. Select the link to the topic you would like to post a message in. Select Add Thread and begin typing your message.



What is a thread in Blackboard's Discussion Board? [Back to Contents]

It is best to think of a Discussion Board thread as a spider web. When you add a thread to the Discussion Board, you are creating your own web (or topic) under which other people may "spin" off or reply to your material. A thread is your own personal creation, and allows your classmate's to reply to you by attaching their own messages to your thread. You can also reply to other classmate's threads.


Can I edit a message I have all ready submitted to my class Discussion Board? [Back to Contents]

This depends on whether or not your instructor has enabled post editing. In some classes, you will be able to edit your messages for as long as you are enrolled in the course. In other classes (for example, English and those courses which mean to assess your writing abilities), editing is usually disabled by the instructor. While some courses may allow editing, all students are advised to write Discussion Board material in a text editor such as Microsoft Word to eliminate spelling and grammar errors. For help posting material to the Discussion Board from Microsoft Word please see the "How do I post material from Microsoft Word to my class Discussion Board?" article below.


 
Why can't I see any messages in my class Discussion Board? [Back to Contents]

Often, by accident, the Display settings in the Discussion Board are changed. On the bottom toolbar in your Discussion Board, locate "Display." Ensure that "Show All" is selected from the drop down menu.

How do I post material I have created in Microsoft Word to my class Discussion Board? [Back to Contents]

Create your document in Microsoft Word. Place your cursor in the Word document text and simultaneously hit CTRL and A on your keyboard. (Hold CTRL while you press A.) This will highlight all of the text in your document. Now, hit CTRL and C. (Hold CTRL while you press C.) This will copy your text.

 

Open your Blackboard Discussion Board and in the area where you would normally type your message, place your cursor in the text box and hit the keys CTRL and V. (Hold CTRL while you press V.) This will paste your document into the text box.

 

It is recommended that students use Microsoft Word to format their posts for spelling and grammar errors.

 

How do I attach a Microsoft Word document to my post in the Discussion Board? [Back to Contents]

By and large it is recommended that students do not attach documents to their posts in the Discussion Board. The reason for this is that other students in the class may have difficulty opening your Word document on their home computers. Therefore, it is in your best interest and in the interest of the class to copy and paste your document into the text editor.

 

However, in some instances an instructor may want you to upload an assignment to Blackboard.

 

To upload a Word document go to the Discussion Board and select the topic you would like to post your document in by clicking on the available link. Select add forum. Scroll down to section 2 titled, "Attachments" and click "Attach a File." Select Browse. Locate the saved document on your computer in the pop up window and hit "Open." Finish typing your post and add a subject heading. Then press Submit.

Blackboard: Technical Issues

I was unable to complete my Blackboard quiz. What do I do? [Back to Contents]

Depending on the instructor, you may or may not be able to take the quiz again. If you lost your internet connection or had difficulty submitting the quiz, contact your instructor by email immediately and he/she will tell you how to proceed. If, however, you exceeded the allotted time for your quiz, you may or may not receive points depending on your instructor's guidelines.

 

How can I make the text in Blackboard larger and easier to read? [Back to Contents]

Before proceeding, you should know that changing the font size will effect all web pages, not just Blackboard.

 

In Internet Explorer, select "View" from the text menu at the top of the screen. Scroll down to "Text Size" and wait for the pop-up menu to appear. Left click on the text size you would like to use. If you aren't satisfied with the text size after you have made your selection, repeat the steps to change it.



I am trying to log in to Blackboard, but I keep getting an error which tells me to contact the system administrator. What do I do? [Back to Contents]

            There are several reasons you may receive a system administrator error.

#1. When adding the Blackboard site to your bookmarks (favorites) in your web browser, ensure that you add it from the main Blackboard page. The main Blackboard page is the one which requires you to click the button "User Login." Clicking "User Login" will transport you to the MySVC Blackboard page which allows you to enter your username and password.

 

#2. Sometimes, although not always, Blackboard and Internet Explorer do not work properly with one another. It is recommended that students download Mozilla Firefox by going to http://www.firefox.com and selecting the "Free Download" link. To install the browser, follow the on screen instructions.

 

I logged in to Blackboard, but I don't see the course/courses I am enrolled in. Why not? [Back to Contents]

Not all instructors have their online classes up and running on the first day of the quarter. Your instructor is responsible for making the course available to the class. In the event that you do not see the course listed in your Blackboard account, email the instructor and ask about the status of the class. If the instructor explains that the course is available, you should then contact Registration to ensure that you are, in fact, enrolled in the course. If all else fails, contact the E-Learning department.



I dropped an E-Learning class, but it is still appearing in my Course Quick View. Am I still enrolled? What do I do? [Back to Contents]

As long as you have completed an add/drop form with Registration and have checked to ensure that the class has been dropped from your SVC account, the course will not apply to your current quarter grades. In some instances, the course may appear in your Course Quick View for the duration of the quarter even if you have dropped the class. If you would like to have the class removed from your Blackboard account you must contact the instructor and have them manually remove you from the course.



I see a course/courses listed in my Blackboard account that I was enrolled in several quarters ago. How do I customize Blackboard so that it doesn't display classes I am no longer enrolled in? [Back to Contents]

When you login to Blackboard you are immediately taken to the MySVC tab. Tabs are positioned just below the MySVC eduApps logo in the upper left hand corner. To customize your courses, select the green "Courses" tab. Locate the "Course List" box in the left column. In the upper right corner of this box, click on the yellow pencil icon. From this screen you can choose which courses will be displayed in your Blackboard account as well as the announcements, etc;. Modify your preferences and click "Submit" when you are finished.

 

How do I open a document my instructor has uploaded in Blackboard? [Back to Contents]

You will need Microsoft Office or Open Office installed on your home computer to open an instructor's documents in Blackboard. If you don't have Microsoft Office please see the article "I do not have Microsoft Office installed on my home computer. How do I view Office documents my instructor has uploaded to Blackboard?". Once you have Microsoft Office or Open Office installed proceed with the following instructions.

 

To open the document in Internet Explorer, left click on the document link. A small pop-up window will appear asking you to "Open With" or "Save to Disk." To open the document, make sure "Open With" is selected. In the drop down menu just to the right of "Open With" ensure that the appropriate program is displayed. If you are trying to open the document in Microsoft Word, you should see "Microsoft Office Word" selected. If you are trying to open the document in Open Office Writer, you should see "swriter" selected.



I do not have Microsoft Office installed on my home computer. How do I view Office documents my instructor has uploaded to Blackboard? [Back to Contents]

While Students can use Google Documents (accessible in your college email account) to create files that are compatible with Microsoft Office, Google Documents does not readily allow students to open Office documents created by classmates or the instructor.

Open Office is a suite which allows students to create and open Microsoft Office compatible documents. Moreover, the Open Office program is currently available as a free download. To install Open Office on your home computer, visit http://www.download.openoffice.org . This program is safe to download.



How do I print out text in Blackboard that is not part of a file or a document? [Back to Contents]


In Internet Explorer, right click on the area that contains the text you would like to print out. From the drop down menu, select "Print." In the printer window under the subheading "Printer Frames" select "Only the selected frame" and then click "Print." Depending upon your Operating System, you may or may not need to select "Options" from the tabbed menu before being able to view the "Printer Frames" option.



Where can I go to receive help regarding a Blackboard class or to receive answers to other technological questions? [Back to Contents]


The E-Learning Department has several options for students to receive help with their online courses. The first of those options is the Tiki Tech-Know Bar. Tech-Know Bar Technicians can assist you with even the most complex questions and can provide you with one-on-one, step-by-step help. If you have an in depth question we recommend visiting the Tech-Know Bar. The Tech-Know Bar kiosk is located in the new campus center building just across from the Cardinal Bookstore and is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday (Monday through Thursday during summer quarter.) If your question cannot be resolved by a Tech-Know Bar Technician, stop by the E-Learning office in the library (Rm: S-127) or call (360) 416-7770.

MySVC Email: General Questions


How do I log in to MySVC email account? [Back to Contents]

FYI: Your default email login is exactly the same as your Blackboard login.

 

Your user name consists of the first initial of your first name, your entire last name, followed by the last four digits of your Student ID number. For example, JDoe2008.User names are not case sensitive. In other words, you could login using lower case letters: jdoe2008.

 

Your password, however, is case sensitive and consists of the six digits of your birth date, followed by the first two letters of your first name, and the first two letters of your last name. For example, 061908JoDo. The first letter of your first name and last name must be capitalized.

 

| Example |

  

Username is created from:

1.       Name – John Doe

2.       Student ID – 835082008

 

Username is: JDoe2008

 

Password is created from:

1.       Birth Date – 06/19/08

2.       Name – John Doe

 

Password is: 061908JoDo


PLEASE NOTE THAT THE J and D ARE CAPITALIZED IN THE ABOVE EXAMPLE! YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME INITIALS WOULD NEED TO BE CAPITALIZED AS WELL.



How do I change MySVC email password? [Back to Contents]


Log in to your email account. In the top right corner of your screen, click on "Settings." From the tabbed menu select "Accounts" and then "Change Password." Enter your old password along with your new password and hit the button "Change Password."



Can I use a personal email address to communicate with instructors or classmates? [Back to Contents]

You can use a personal email address, however it is strongly advised that you use your MySVC email account as a student at Skagit Valley College. This simplifies the communication process and ensures that all parties (you, your instructor, and your classmates) receive important messages in an efficient and timely manner.

 

How do I forward MySVC email to my personal email account? [Back to Contents]

Disclaimer: Before forwarding your college email to a personal email account it is important that you know you will be held responsible for all communication not sent/received due to internet or email errors from your personal account. In other words, if by accident your instructor does not receive an email you sent from your personal account, you will be held accountable for this. This also applies to communication sent from your instructor that you have not received. As an E-Learning student it is your responsibility to ensure that you are receiving all of the information pertinent to your class.

 

Log in to your email account. In the top right corner of your screen, click on "Settings." From the tabbed menu select "Forwarding and Pop/IMAP." Under the "Forwarding" subheading click "Forward a copy of incoming mail to." Type your personal email address in the text box and select your archiving options. When you are done, hit the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the settings screen.

 

How do I add an event to an outgoing email? [Back to Contents]

From the compose mail screen select the "Add event information" link. In the text boxes available here describe what your event is and choose the time and date it will occur on.

 

How do I attach a document to an outgoing email? [Back to Contents]

From the compose mail screen select the "Attach a file" option below the Subject text box. Hit "Browse" and locate the file on your computer. Select your file within the window and hit "Open." To detach a file, simply unselect the check mark box next to the document name. You can add as many documents to an outgoing email as you like.


I need more information about MySVC email. Where do I go? [Back to Contents]

You can review more information about MySVC email (Gmail) at: http://mail.google.com/support/?ctx=gmail&hl=en&labs=1. Please keep in mind that Tiki Tech-Know Bar Technicians can assist you with your college email account!

Google Documents: General Questions


How do I login to Google Documents? [Back to Contents]

To access Google Documents, log in to your college email and in the upper left hand corner of the page select the "Documents" link.


How do I create a Google Document? [Back to Contents]

From the Google Documents dashboard, click on "New" (first icon on the toolbar). This will display a drop down menu containing: Document, Spreadsheet, and Presentation. Document is equivalent to Microsoft Word, Spreadsheet is equivalent to Microsoft Excel, and Presentation is equivalent to Microsoft Power Point. Select the item you wish to create by clicking on the appropriate icon. For this purpose of this exercise, click on Document. This will transport you to a text window. From here you can write, format, and edit material.


How do I save a Google Document? [Back to Contents]

Method 1: Left click the floppy disk icon located on the gray formatting toolbar.

Method 2: Left click "File" from the light blue menu toolbar. From the drop down menu, select "Save."

Method 3: In the upper right hand corner of the screen hit the "Save" button.


How do I format a Google Document? [Back to Contents]

Formatting a Google Document is very similar to formatting a Microsoft Office document. Most of the buttons you will use to format a Google Document are located in the gray toolbar just below the File Menu toolbar. If you are unsure of the function a button will perform, move your mouse (arrow) over the button and within a few seconds a small text box will pop up. For example, positioning your mouse pointer over the printer icon will display the word "Print." This tells you that selecting the button will print out your document. You can also change the font, color, size, and style of your text, add bullets, html links, and check your spelling. Selecting the various headings (Edit, View, Insert, and Format) from the File Menu toolbar will display many of the same options available to you from the formatting toolbar in addition to other functions. For example, selecting "Insert" will allow to you place an image, html link, table, header, footer, or page break into your document.


How do I collaborate with others in Google Documents? [Back to Contents]

From within the document, select the "Share" button in the upper right hand corner of the web page. Left click "Share with others." To share this document with other people, enter their email addresses into the text box. You can restrict their editing permissions by choosing "as collaborators" or "as viewers." A viewer cannot edit your document. Finish selecting the options that best suit your needs and hit the "Invite collaborators" button.  If one of the collaborators edits the document from within their Google Documents account, you will see those changes reflected in your account. This allows for group members to simultaneously work with others on a project and view changes others have made.


How do I email a Google Document? [Back to Contents]

From within the document, select the "Share" button in the upper right hand corner of the web page. Left click "Email as attachment." Enter the appropriate email addresses in the "To:" field and select whether or not you would like the document to be visible from within the body of the email or viewed as a separate file in Microsoft Office. Type a message explaining the item you are sending. When you are finished hit the "Send" button at the bottom of the window.


How do I get back to the Google Documents dashboard to view all of my documents? [Back to Contents]

While in a document you can either select the "Save and Close" button from the upper right hand corner or click on the Google Documents logo in the upper left hand corner.


I need more information about Google Documents. Where do I go? [Back to Contents]

Google Documents has posted a video tutorial at the following link: http://services.google.com/apps/resources/overviews/welcome/topicDocs/index.html. Please keep in mind that Tiki Tech-Know Bar Technicians can assist you with Google Documents.

Computer Skills: General Questions

How do I copy and paste? [Back to Contents]

Images and text can be copied from one location on a computer and pasted to another location. The copying and pasting functions are interchangeable. In other words, they work the same no matter which program you are using on your computer. For example, you could copy material you wrote in Microsoft Excel and paste it in a Microsoft Word document, or you could copy material you wrote in Microsoft Word and paste it in any text editor (email, Blackboard) in your internet browser.  Copying and pasting saves time because it allows you to quickly transfer your work from one place to another, and saves you the headache of retyping something you have all ready written.

Copying one item:

Move your mouse pointer to the end of this sentence. Click and hold the right button of your mouse and drag it slowly towards the first word of this paragraph.  This should highlight the first sentence. When you have successfully highlighted the sentence, release the mouse button. (Do not left click on the screen, or you will have to start this process over again.) Now, right click with your mouse. A small drop down menu should appear. In this menu you will see "Copy." Move your pointer over the Copy option and left click to select it. This will store an invisible copy of the text in your computer.

Copying all items:

To copy every item on this web page or in any document, simultaneously hit CTRL (lower left key on your keyboard) and A. This will highlight all images and text. Right click on your mouse and select "Copy" from the drop down menu.

Pasting an item/items:

For the purpose of this exercise, you're going to paste the information you have copied to an email. Although, should you choose to do so, you could paste it in any Microsoft Office program (Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, or Publisher), Blackboard,  etc;. Open your email account. Compose a new email message. Put your pointer in the text box and left click to activate the cursor. Right click. From the drop down menu select "Paste." All of the information you copied from the web site should now be in your email text editor.


How do I save a Microsoft Office 2007 document so that it is compatible with Microsoft Office 2003? [Back to Contents]

While in Microsoft Office 2007 click on the Office logo in the upper left hand corner of the screen. Move your mouse point over "Save As" (do not click) and left click "Word 97-2003 document." Continue to save your file as you normally would.