Getting Assistance
The resources we have collected on this page are intended to give students additional tools that may help them succeed in their education. If you are in need of assistance, be sure to seek help as soon as possible to ensure that you do not fall behind in your classes. View the topics below for more information.
Add or Drop a class
Blackboard Technical Requirements for Online Classes
Blackboard Help Documents
Campus Connection Help for Students
Contact Technical Support
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Login to Blackboard
How to Login to Campus Connection
Podcast Lectures
View Grades
Wimba Collaboration Suite
Add or Drop a class
Follow these instructions for adding or dropping a class in Campus Connection. Campus Connection instructions
To avoid confusion, be sure to follow the NDSU academic dates and deadlines when adding or dropping a class. All Distance and Continuing Education classes follow the NDSU academic deadlines. Academic Deadlines
Blackboard Technical Requirements for Online Classes
Most online classes offered through Distance and Continuing Education use the Blackboard learning management system. Read about system requirements and other software here.
Blackboard Help Documents
Using the Blackboard Assignment Feature to Hand In Homework
Using the Blackboard Discussion Board
Getting Access to a Blackboard Course: You must be enrolled in the course to gain access to the Blackboard site. Contact your course instructor for further information if you are having difficulty accessing a course site.
Campus Connection Help for Students
Official Campus Connection (NDSU) site
In general, students should use the Campus Connection (PeopleSoft) system to register for classes, drop classes, make tuition payments, and view unofficial transcripts. Distance and Continuing Education classes follow the academic dates and deadlines of the university.
Campus Connection Student Help Pages (Scroll down from top of page to see menu of available help documents).
Contact Technical Support
Current NDSU Students
Contact the ITS Helpdesk at 701-231-8685, or by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Students enrolled in DCE classes
Contact Karen Murie, 701-231-8638, or by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Frequently Asked Questions
View all FAQs
How to Save Documents in Microsoft Word/Office 97-2003 Format:
Microsoft Office 2007 is a major update to the Office suite. Word and other programs in the suite will use new document formats. Word 2007 saves files in the .docx format, which is different from the .doc format used in Word 97-2003. The new document format in Word 2007 can cause difficulties when it comes time to share your documents electronically. So, if you upgrade to Word 2007, you should consider changing the save settings. You can save your documents in a format that is compatible with earlier versions of Word. That way, you won't have any problems sharing documents. Step-by-step instructions are available here...
How to Login to Campus Connection
New Students:
New students are notified either by email or postal mail of their Campus Connection User ID after completing your application. This may have been sent by NDSU or by another North Dakota institution to which you applied. If you already have used a UserID and Password to access Campus Connection at another college or university in North Dakota, you will be able to use these at NDSU as well.
Instructions for Current Students on Campus
Students in DCE 600 Courses Only
Students enrolled in a 600 course through Distance and Continuing Education are manually enrolled in your course website by DCE staff. Please contact Karen Murie, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), for more information.
Podcast Lectures
Your instructor may include podcasting as a way to deliver course lectures, guest speakers or other course information to you. Instructors can use audio or video podcasts. We recommend using iTunes to access and view podcasts.
If you have not already done so, we recommend that you download and install iTunes. It is available free from Apple: http://www.apple.com/itunes/.
Once you have installed iTunes (or your favorite m4a or video podcast player) use these steps to access episodes:
- Please visit the podcast link that your instructor provides on Blackboard.
- Select the link on the right hand side of the screen, "Subscribe in iTunes."
- The first episode will automatically begin to download in iTunes. (If iTunes wasn't already running on your computer, it should launch).
- Once the first episode has completed downloading, select "Podcasts" from the left-hand side menu on the iTunes window.
- Select the abbreviated course title for your course from the menu in the center of the screen. Next to the title, you should see a little triangle. Select the triangle so that the menu drops down.
- You will see additional episodes listed, followed by a "Get" button for each. Select the corresponding "Get" button to download an episode.
- To view the slides in full screen view, select the "Show item artwork button" (lower left hand corner of iTunes player) and then double-click the podcast title that appears. You can stretch or size the podcast screen to suit your viewing preferences.
View Grades
To view or print your unofficial grades you may use the Campus Connection system to view your unofficial transcript. Follow these instructions to view your unofficial transcript. Obtain an Unofficial Transcript
If your instructor posts grades in the Blackboard system, you may also be able to view your unofficial grades there. Follow this link for instructions. Using Blackboard to View Grades
Wimba Collaboration Suite
The Wimba Collaboration Suite includes a virtual classroom - live voice and video at a distance - podcasting, voice discussion, and instant messaging features that are integrated with Blackboard, in a familiar, easy-to-use interface. Instructors may use Wimba to include a live discussion in your Blackboard course, or to provide you with pre-recorded lecture material for viewing.
Wimba 24/7 Technical Support
Phone: 1-866-940-0065
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Help Documents Online:
- Quick Start Guide - General System and Equipment Requirements for Wimba Classroom
- Quick Start Guide - Student Guide to Using Wimba Classroom
Wimba Pronto - Instant Messaging and So Much More!
What is it?
Pronto, also part of the Wimba Collaboration Suite, is an instant messenger provided as an additional feature to instructors and students using Blackboard. Instant messaging is a synchronous, or "live", form of communication between two (or more) people, based on typed text. It differs from email largely insofar as messages are exchanged simultaneously. The newest version of Pronto also provides additional useful features including a whiteboard, desktop application sharing, and video chat. Use Pronto to provide virtual office hours, provide tutorial instruction, or as a way for students to have informal class or project meetings.
One of the main differences between Pronto and other instant messaging programs (such as AOL or Microsoft Instant Messenger) is that Pronto is synchronized with Blackboard, so it is very easy to find classmates and instructors. Once it has been installed on your computer, you do not need to be logged into Blackboard to use Pronto.
How to use it?
Quick Start Guide - How to Download and Install Pronto
Pronto Official Support Documentation and Training Online
Access official user guides and instructional demos at
- Students: http://www.wimba.com/services/students/
- Instructors: http://www.wimba.com/services/instructor/