Blackboard and Internet Explorer 8

Internet Explorer 8 is NOT an approved Blackboard Browser and numerous incompatibilities may surface of which the following are some examples.  We recommend the use of an approved browser; Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer 7 (Windows Only), or Safari 4 (compatible only for Mac).

Blackboard and Internet Explorer 8

Issue with Timed Tests

Students using Internet Explorer 8 and taking a timed test in Blackboard will be

unable to submit their test due to the elapsed time box running the full length of

the page, covering the Submit button.

Solution

Use the Compatibility Mode in Internet Explorer 8, which will display the elapsed

time box as intended and leave the Submit button accessible.

Required Browser Settings

BEFORE opening the test in Blackboard, click on the Compatibility Mode icon

(often) located at the top of the page between the URL address and the Refresh

button icon.

If there is no Compatibility Mode icon displayed, or if you want your computer to

"remember" to always open Blackboard using Compatibility Mode, click Tools

and select Compatibility View Settings. You will see the Compatibility View Settings dialog box.

Type blackboard.bethel.edu in the "Add this website" box. Then, click Add and then click

Close. After you close the dialogue box, Compatibility View should now be set to "On"

every time you open Blackboard with this computer. Please note that if you use

multiple computers and Internet Explorer 8, you will need to perform this same

procedure for each.

 As a workaround, "Compatibility View" in IE8 can be used, but an alternate browser is 

recommended. (i.e. Firefox or Internet Explorer 7).  

How to Set Compatibility View Settings in Internet Explorer 8

• Launch Internet Explorer
• Select Tools
• Select “Compatibility View Settings”
• Type blackboard.bethel.edu (or bethel.edu)  in the "Add this website:" text box
• Click Add
• Click Close
• Restart Internet Explorer

Issue with File Upload: Important! 

While the timer problem can be solved using the Compatibility option,

students using Internet Explorer 8 will be unable to upload a file when

using Blackboard's assignment submission tool. An error will display:

"Please upload a valid file."

Again, it is always best to use a browser that is Blackboard "certified."

For additional information about browsers, see

http://kb.blackboard.com/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=25368490

Bethel University recommends the use of Mozilla Firefox for Mac and Windows or Safari for Mac.

modified from http://www.drake.edu/it/instructional/Documentation/Blackboard_and_Internet_Explorer_8.pdf

Issue with File, media, and other external links.

File links seem to fail randomly in IE8.  If compatibility mode does not solve your problem, please use Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer 7 (Windows Only), or Safari 4 (compatible only for Mac).