FAQs for Students

Below, please find answers to the questions many students have when they first begin taking online, blended, remote, or web-supplemented courses at SUNY Broome. Please be sure to check back frequently as we are updating this page regularly.

How do I know if the course I signed up for is online, blended, remote, or face-to-face?

Courses with a “Y” in the section number are Fully Online (ex: ENG 110 Y01)
Courses with a “B” in the section number are Blended (ex: ENG 110 B01)
Courses with an “R” in the section number are Synchronous Remote (ex: ENG 110 R01)
Courses that do not contain one of the designators above are traditional, Face-to-Face courses (ex: ENG 110 01).
For a detailed description of each of these course types, please see Modalities (Instructional Methods) of Courses at SUNY Broome.

My course is listed as Remote Synchronous. How do I get to it?

Most remote synchronous courses at SUNY Broome will be using Blackboard as the starting point for your live sessions. Within the Blackboard course, your instructor should have instructions for you and a link to click on to participate in the live, remote portion of the course (typically through either Collaborate Ultra or Zoom). If your instructor is not planning on using Blackboard, he or she will email you with instructions and a link for accessing your sessions, so be sure to check your SUNY Broome email frequently!

How do I access Blackboard?

Many courses at SUNY Broome require the use of Blackboard. Detailed instructions for logging in to Blackboard can be found on our Registered for an Online, Blended, Remote, or Web-Supplemented Course page.

How do I find my Blackboard username and password?

The Blackboard login page contains a link that allows students to retrieve their Blackboard username and password. To access the look up form, click on the “Forgot Your Password?” link on the”Login Here” module on Blackboard. If you are unable to retrieve your password, try the Username and Password Look-Up. If that fails, contact the SUNY Broome HelpDesk at helpdesk@sunybroome.edu

I am able to log in to Blackboard, but my course is not listed. Who should I contact?

It is up to the instructor to open a course to students in Blackboard. This is typically not done until the first day of class. If you log in to Blackboard prior to the start of the semester and do not see your course listed on the “My Courses” menu, you should check back on the first day of the semester. If, after the first day of the semester your course is still not listed, you should first contact your instructor or the Department offering the course. If you are told that the course has been opened and you don’t see it listed, you should contact the Registrar’s office to check your registration status.

How do I contact my instructor?

Students can contact instructors from within the Blackboard course, through campus Gmail or by phone. Typically instructors will provide their preferred method of communication in a course information document within the course itself. See the SUNY Broome directory listing of faculty and staff.

Can I use my smartphone to access Blackboard?

SUNY Broome does allow limited smartphone access to Blackboard through Blackboard Mobile.
Please note: The Mobile App does not contain all of the functionality that Blackboard has when accessed from a pc or laptop with a supported browser. Blackboard Mobile should NOT be used to complete assignments or to take quizzes or exams.

Which web browsers are compatible with online courses at SUNY Broome?

For information on currently recommended web browsers and settings, please visit SUNY Online’s Online Course Browser Compatibility site.

Is there training available for students on how to use Blackboard?

Blackboard Basics for Students is an organization in Blackboard that is set up in a similar fashion to Blackboard courses that you will see at SUNY Broome. The orientation is provided to get you up to speed with what online learning is all about, learn the skills needed for success, and show you where to find help. This orientation is appropriate for both students who are new to learning online through Blackboard as well as returning students who want to brush up on their skills!

Completion of the Blackboard Basics for Students orientation is required for many of the fully online courses offered at SUNY Broome. You can get a jump start on your courses by completing the orientation now!

Blackboard Basics can be found on the main Home Page in Blackboard at broome.open.suny.edu.

How do I use Collaborate Ultra for Remote lectures?

If you are new to Collaborate Ultra, you should review our Student Guide Blackboard Collaborate for more information.
Blackboard also offers the following resources:

How do I use Zoom?

There are lots of resources available for participating in Zoom sessions. Below are links to some of the common things you’ll need to know for participating in your remote classes.