Distance Learning

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Password Related Questions

Students frequently experience password problems at the beginning of each semester. Do not assume that you have done something wrong; the problems normally will be resolved within one or two days. If you continue to experience problems, please contact Technology Support at 788-7460.

What should I do if I forgot my password?

  • If you have previously set a Secret Question and Answer (either through LionsPass or when registering for classes):

  1. Go to LionsPass at http://lionspass.uafortsmith.edu/.
  2. Click Cancel when asked for a username and password.
  3. Enter in your Username and your Date of Birth then click Submit.
  4. If you have a Secret Question, you will be prompted to answer it and you will be prompted to enter your new password and verify your new password. Click Submit.

  • If you do not remember your Secret Answer, or you did not set one:

  1. Visit the Admissions Counter, ASC or the Library with a photo ID to have your password reset. After your password has been reset or set:
  2. Login to LionsPass http://lionspass.uafortsmith.edu
  3. Set your Secret Question and Answer
  4. Change your password
  5. Be sure to save your "Student Login Information" sheet. You will need it to reset your password in the future.

My password has expired. What should I do to reset my password?

How do I change my password?


Online Course Log-on Related Questions

Students frequently experience log-on problems at the beginning of each semester. Do not assume that you have done something wrong; the problems normally will be resolved within one or two days. If you continue to experience problems, please contact Technology Support at 788-7460.

Why can't I log into the online courses?

  • You need to enter your LionsLink User ID and password to log into online courses. Make sure your capitalization is corrct because User ID and passwords are case sensitive.
  • If you are new to the campus and do not have a LionsLink User ID and password, go to the Admissions office to request them.
  • If you enter the User ID and password correctly and still cannot log in, contact Technology Support at 788-7460.

 

Blackboard Related Questions

Why can I still see my old classes in Blackboard when the classes are over?

The old online courses remain in the Blackboard for the instructors. These online courses will be removed from the Blackboard on the 11th day of the new semester.

I cannot find my Blackboard class that I am supposed to be taking. Where is it?

If you are looking for your online course for the next semester, it may not have been released or created by your instructor. Your instructor determines the appropriate time to release the courses. All online courses should be available to students a day or two before the new semester starts. If the semester has started and you still cannot see your online course on the course list, contact your instructor as soon as possible.

What should I do when a Blackboard test times out?

  • You cannot do anything after the test times out.
  • You should always check the test duration the instructor set before you start taking the test. You will receive the test score only for the answers you submitted before the time-out.

Note: Blackboard will automatically log you off if there is no activity in the blackboard for 45 minutes.

What should I do when a Blackboard test requires a password?

A required password means that your instructor wants you to take the test in a proctored (supervised) test environment. You will need to take the test at the Academic Success Center (ASC) on the campus, or at an approved site off campus. The proctor will log in to the test for you.

It takes a long time to open anything in Blackboard. What is wrong?

There are a few possible causes for this problem.

1. Slow Internet connection

  • If you use dial-up or low bandwidth Internet connection, you will encounter this problem regularly. The solution to this problem is to subscribe a high speed Internet connection, or to use a computer in any lab on the university campus or at any public library.

2. Browser’s cache is full

  • When the browser’s cache gets too full, it can slow down Internet Explorer. You can easily speed up your Internet by clearing your web cache. This is the amount of space reserved for temp files. The following are some instructions on how to clean your computer cache:

  •  Internet Explorer

  1. Launch Internet Explorer.
  2. Click on Tools and select Internet Options.
  3. Click the General.
  4. Click Delete files under each category or Click "Delete all" to delete the temporary files cookies, history and others.

  • Cache in Firefox

  1. Launch Firefox.
  2. Click on Tools and select Options.
  3. Click the Advanced.
  4. Click Network.
  5. Click Offline Storage.
  6. Click "Clear Now".

  • Clear Java Cache

  1. Click Start Menu.
  2. Click Control Panel.
  3. Click General.
  4. Click Temporary Internet Files
  5. Click "Settings".
  6. Click "Delete Files".
  • Shut down computer and wait 30 seconds before restarting.
     

I attached a MS Word Document file for my assignment, but my professor could not open it and asked me to resubmit the attachment. What did I do wrong?

There are two possible causes to this problem and some possible solutions:

  • You may have attached a short cut of the file to your assignment. Make sure the file you will attach to an assignment has the correct file extension: e.g. a MS word document has the extension ".doc", or ".docx"; a PowerPoint file has the extension ".ppt".
  • You may have attached the temporary copy of the file if you have been working on the file and attached the file to an assignment without closing the working copy of the file. Make sure to close the file before attaching it to the assignment.

I tried to attach a file for my assignment, but cannot do it because I do not see the computer icon in the Blackboard after I clicked the "Get File" button. What is wrong?

The problem is mostlikely the result of not clicking OK or Run on the Java digital signature warning boxes when you log into the BLS. There is a workaround for this problem. Move the cursor towards the red "X" where normally the My Computer icon located. When the coursor changes from an arrow to a hand, click the mouse button to bring up the Browse window. Remember: this only allows you to upload one file at a time. Another solution is to log off the Blackboard and log in again. This time, make sure that you click OK or Run on the Java digital signature warning boxes when you log into the BLS. 

 

Browser Related Questions

I recently upgraded my Web browser, and now I am having problems accessing Blackboard feature. What can I do?

Your Web browser has to be compatible with the Blackboard system. Click the following link to review all the Web browsers that are compatible with the Blackboard. Software and Hardware Requirements for Blackboard Courses

 

Computer Related Questions

I cannot open a pop-up window in Blackboard. What should I do? You need to allow pop-ups. The following are instructions for three commonly used browsers.

  • Internet Explorer version 8
  1. Click the Tools button or Tools on the menu bar.
  2. Point to Pop-up Blocker.
  3. Click Pop-up Blocker Settings.
  4. Type uafs.edu in the Add text box.
  5. Click Add.
  6. Click Close.
  • Firefox 4.0.1
  1. Click Tools on the menu bar.
  2. Click Options.
  3. Click the Exceptions button for Block pop-up windows.
  4. Type uafs.edu in the Allow text box.
  5. Click Allow.
  6. Click Close.
  7. Click OK.

 

Wireless and Network Connection Questions

Is wireless access available on the campus?

Yes. You have wireless access in every building on the campus except Echols and the old gym where the Fitness Center is located. Student dormitories also have wireless Internet connection. You can also connect to the Internet anywhere on the campus if you are not too far away from a building or if you are close to a wireless hot spot.

 

Share This Page