Technical Requirements

The specifications listed are the minimum requirements necessary for accessing and navigating in Blackboard. Depending on the use of streaming media, interactive multimedia, or other content in the individual courses, additional hardware/software or browser plug-ins may be required).

Operating System and Network

  • Windows: Windows XP or higher and a high-speed Internet connection.
  • Macintosh: Mac OS X.6 or higher and a high-speed Internet connection.

Note: Depending on the use of streaming media, interactive multimedia, or other content in the individual courses, you might need additional hardware/software or browser plug-ins.

Browsers

Recommended minimum browser:

For more information on Browser Support click on this Blackboard Browser Support link.

The most important factor in using Blackboard is making sure that you have the right browser version. Blackboard supports all newer stable versions of Chrome and Firefox. Users should consider downloading the two recommended browsers. When encountering a difficulty using Blackboard, before contacting technical support, please try your action in another browser. Often times just switching browsers will resolve the issue.

There are known issues with Blackboard and Internet Explorer, specifically with Security Zones and Compatibility View. Read Internet Explorer Security Zones and Compatibility View for more information.

PCC recommends Firefox for accessing Blackboard.

How to Configure Common Pop-Up Blockers to Work with Blackboard

Depending on how your course is configured, tests, weblinks, and other course content may require that popup blockers allow Blackboard to work in a pop-up.

What are pop-ups?

Pop-up windows, or pop-ups, are browser windows that appear automatically without your permission while viewing the web. Typically pop-ups vary in size, but rarely do they cover your whole browser window. They can be intrusive, typically advertising and in some instances are necessary.

Listed below are some of the most popular pop-up blocking software packages and instructions to enable pop-up blockers to allow Blackboard to work. There are dozens of pop-up blocking software packages and we are unable to list each here, but we have chosen the most popular. Generally, most pop-up blockers will install themselves either within the browser toolbar, or within the Windows Taskbar along the bottom right corner of your screen. Depending upon what is installed on your computer, it is possible that you may have more than one pop-up blocker running. You will have to either disable all of your pop-up blockers or configure them to allow Blackboard as an exception before all of the content in Blackboard can work properly. Once you have reviewed these instructions and have disabled the pop-up blockers in your system or allowed Blackboard as an exception, you should be able to access your Blackboard content.

The following list will help you in identifying your pop-up blocker(s) and how to configure them.

Browsers
Google Chrome
Firefox
Safari
Microsoft Edge

Assistive software and accessibility

For the best Blackboard Learn experience with your screen reader, use ChromeTM and Jaws on a Windows® system. On a Mac® use Safari® and VoiceOver.

Anthology strives to make all its products as accessible as possible. To learn more about assistive technologies, visit  Accessibility at Blackboard  or  Accessibility for Blackboard Learn with the Ultra Experience.