Frequently Asked Questions

I’m interested in online courses. How do I find out more?
Go to the Distance Education and Outreach web pages is located at http://www.enmu.edu/academics/distance-ed/ . You will find there a great deal of information including courses offered, degrees offered, how to get started, etc. If you don’t find the information you need, e-mail distance.education@enmu.edu

I’ve registered for an online class. What happens now?
You must log in to Blackboard at https://enmu.blackboard.com  and start the course. (Blackboard is the program used at ENMU to deliver most online courses.) Your instructor may or may not contact you. You are responsible for completing the work on your own. Be sure to note all due dates, test dates, etc. and abide by all rules posted in the course. Read every page in your Blackboard course, to be sure that you haven’t missed anything.

How do I log in to my Blackboard account?
The Blackboard Vista 8 system uses the network (email) login as the username and the ENMU ID number as the password. (For instance, if my name is Edwina Gardinier and my email network login is "gardinie3", I would use gardinie3 as the username.  I would use my ENMU ID number as the password to login.)    

What if I don’t know my network (e-mail) login? 
Go to the http://itsweb.enmu.edu  website

Click on Student Account Activation

Read the Policies and check both boxes at the bottom of the page, then enter your information – Click on Submit . 

Your information will appear on the next page after you submit the form.

After activating your account, it is important to print the page with your new password. You will only be able to view the password page once.

Is your computer ready for Blackboard? 
Use the Browser Tune Up located at http://www.webct.com/tuneup to check if your computer is ready to run Blackboard.  Check here for a list of certified or compatible operating systems and browsers.

For more assistance contact the Tri-campus Blackboard Helpdesk
Toll Free Number 1-866-940-8997
24 hours a day, 7 days a week 

Where is the student manual for Blackboard?
After you click the title of your course, look for the “Getting started with Blackboard” help module.  There is also a HELP button to access the electronic student manual in the upper right hand corner of every course.

Will my instructor contact me at the beginning of the course?
Not necessarily. Some classes require an introductory posting in the bulletin board, but if such actions are required it will be spelled out in the course syllabus or on the announcements board (viewable as the first page you see within the course.)

Do I have to use my ENMU e-mail account for my Blackboard class?
It is highly recommended that you use your ENMU e-mail address for your online courses. You should e-mail your instructor early in the course to be sure the e-mail address in Blackboard is current and working. After your initial semester at ENMU, you should make sure your ENMU e-mail address is the one listed in your contact information at the Office of the Registrar.

When does the class start?
Online courses start the day classes begin. You will be able to access the course two weeks before that date to review the syllabus and contact the instructor.

I can log onto Blackboard but I don’t see any classes listed.  What’s wrong?
Courses will not show up on your Blackboard account or be available until two weeks before classes begin. Classes are usually loaded the same day that you register, so if you are adding a course late expect to see it within 24 hours.

I live in another state; how do I get my books?
Books for distance education classes may be purchased from the ENMU Campus Bookstore via telephone by calling toll-free 877.499.2665 or locally 562.2721.

Book requirements and prices are listed on the Campus Bookstore website. Click on “Textbooks” and then choose the term, course and section. When you choose the section (by instructors’ name) you will be shown the required book(s) for the course.

Where is the syllabus for my course?
The syllabus is located in the course, usually under the “Syllabus” link.

How will I take exams?
Most instructors use the online testing tools in Blackboard, so you would take those tests online. Some prefer hand-written tests; in those cases, you may be required to find a local proctor such as a testing center to administer the tests. The instructor will receive the ungraded test from the proctor via mail. All ENMU DE sites and branch campuses have trained proctors to administer tests. Some testing centers may charge you a nominal fee for the service.

What browsers will work with Blackboard?
Use the Browser Tune Up located at http://www.webct.com/tuneup to check if your browser is compatible to run Blackboard.  Check here for a list of certified or compatible operating systems and browsers.

Can I get financial aid if I take online courses?
Yes, financial aid is the same for all students, whether their classes are delivered face-to-face or at a distance.  For more information, contact the Financial Aid office.

Are online courses as good as classroom courses?
The content is at least as good, since all classes are evaluated by the same criteria. However, you should take into account your own learning style before registering for an online course; they require more reading, writing and self pacing than other courses.

What basic equipment do I need access to in order to take an online course?
You will need a modern computer with storage space, and an Internet connection. Check here for a list of certified or compatible operating systems and browsers.

How can I access the library resources? Who can I talk to for special requests?
Go to the Distance Education Library Services page. Information provided includes the name and contact information for a librarian who can help you with all of your library needs.

I forgot my password. Now what do I do?
Contact the Tricampus Blackboard Helpdesk at their Toll Free Number 1-866-940-8997
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What's the difference between e-mail and Blackboard?
Mail received through a web service, such as Hotmail or Yahoo, is often called e-mail. The ENMU e-mail account each student uses in the Blackboard course is only a small part of the resources available; in other words, Blackboard includes a variety of tools other than e-mail.

What's the digital drop box?
The digital drop box is a tool in Blackboard that allows students to upload and then submit materials. It is a two-step process that is often confusing to students. The key is to remember that simply uploading the materials is only the first step; you still have to submit it in order for the instructor to receive it.

Will a faculty member always use Blackboard for an online course?
No. Faculty are free to use outside web pages or even separate teaching software. However, the vast majority will utilize only Blackboard for the entire course.

What's the difference between ITV and Blackboard?
Interactive Television (ITV) is broadcast via a microwave system to five sites in southeastern New Mexico. Blackboard is a software program that is used to deliver courses anywhere in the world, through the Internet.

What's the difference between a Polycom session and ITV?
Polycom is a brand of video conferencing equipment; it allows two-way interactive video and audio to be used. ITV uses microwave systems to deliver a video and audio signal to distant sites, but the return signal is only audio; students push a microphone button to be heard by the professor, who never sees them. ITV signals are only sent to sites equipped to pick up the microwave signal. Polycom signals (or any other Internet-protocol video conferencing system) can be delivered to anywhere in the world with a receive system.