Frequently Asked Questions

• I am receiving a I am receiving a

Your Vista user name and password is the same as your WestConnduit username and password. Your Vista password (Banner PIN) must be six-digits.

Faculty and students can create or reset their Banner PINs online by clicking the Reset your password link on the WestConnduit login page. A WestConn Email account is required to use the reset option online. To obtain a Windows and/or WestConn Email account :

Faculty: Send a message to 'Request University Computing' or call the University Computing Help Desk at x7-8467.

Students: Visit one of the staffed computer centers on campus with a photo ID:

• Midtown Computer Center, Ruth Haas Library - Main Level
• Westside Computer Center, Westside Classroom Building room 117
• Student Technology Training Center, Student Center room 225
• Campus Center Computer Center (C4), Westside Campus Center 3rd Floor

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• What is Blackboard Vista? What is Blackboard Vista?
Blackboard Vista is WestConn's course management system that allows faculty to supplement their on-ground course with online components. It provides a state-of-the-art teaching and learning environment that streamlines course management for faculty, offers capabilities to help improve student outcomes, and creates powerful efficiencies institution-wide. Blackboard Vista is a leading provider of E-Learning solutions for higher education.
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• What are the advantages of Blackboard Vista? What are the advantages of Blackboard Vista?

The new enhancements and features of Blackboard Vista include:

• True Student View
• Easier to Manage Grade book
• Enhanced Discussion Tool with Gradable Discussions
• New Assessment Grading Options
• Streamlined Group Management
• PeopleLinks
• Group Sign-up Sheets
• Offline Learning Modules
• Link Annotations
• More Powerful Course Templates
• Roll-up Reporting
• System and Learning Data Export
• Simplified Assessment Creation and Management
• New Chat Interface
• Improved HTML Creator
• Learning Object Export

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• Why should I use Blackboard Vista? Why should I use Blackboard Vista?

Blackboard Vista allows faculty to make materials available to their students online in order to accomplish their instructional goals. With Vista, it is possible to provide the following online: Assessments, Assignments, Chat and Whiteboard, Discussions, Content Files, Media Libraries, Syllabus, Learning Modules, URLs, Course Calendar, Announcements, and Course Mail.

The added benefits of using Vista with an on-ground course are:

• all files and materials are centralized,
• faculty and students have access to their materials anywhere, anytime from the Internet,
• all courses are customizable,
• Vista is easy to use,
• there is multi-media functionality, and
• faculty can keep in constant contact with their students by utilizing the built-in communication tools.

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• How do I request my Blackboard Vista courses? How do I request my Blackboard Vista courses?

Faculty need to request their Vista course sections two weeks prior to the start of the course. To request a Vista course section, e-mail Request University Computing or complete the Blackboard Vista Section Request Form.

You will be notified by e-mail when your course sections are available.

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• How do I access my Blackboard Vista courses? How do I access my Blackboard Vista courses?

Once you have been notified that your course sections are available, you can access them via the following:

To access Vista via WestConnduit:

1. Log into WestConnduit (westconnduit.wcsu.edu).
2. Click on the Academic Tools tab.
3. In the My Courses Channel, click Login to Blackboard Vista.
4. Select Western Connecticut State University as the institution.
5. Click the Log In button.
6. Enter your WestConnduit user name and password and click OK.
7. Your My WebCT page will open.

Vista will eventually be accessed through single sign-on via WestConnduit.

To access Vista directly:

1. Open a web browser, and go to vista.csus.ct.edu.
2. Select Western Connecticut State University as the institution.
3. Click the Log In button.
4. Enter your WestConnduit user name and password and click OK.
5. Your My Blackboard Vista page will open.

Vista will eventually be accessed through single sign-on via WestConnduit.

Click here for more information on logging into Blackboard Vista. 

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• Why can't I login to Vista? Why can't I login to Vista?

Make sure that you know your correct Vista username (case sensitive) and your WestConnduit PIN. If you have forgotten your Vista username, please visit the Vista support page.

If you have forgotten your WestConnduit PIN, please go the Banner Self Serve page to reset your PIN.

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• What do I do if I forget my logon information? What do I do if I forget my logon information?

Your WestConnduit username is your Windows user name and your WestConnduit password is your six-digit Banner PIN. Faculty and students can create or reset their Banner PINs online by clicking the Reset your password link on the WestConnduit login page. A WestConn Email account is required to use the reset option online. To obtain a Windows and/or WestConn Email account :

Faculty: Send a message to 'Request University Computing' or call the University Computing Help Desk at x7-8467.

Students: Visit one of the staffed computer centers on campus with a photo ID:

• Midtown Computer Center, Ruth Haas Library - Main Level
• Westside Computer Center, Westside Classroom Building room 117
• Student Technology Training Center, Student Center room 225
• Campus Center Computer Center (C4), Westside Campus Center 3rd Floor

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• How do I logout of a Blackboard Vista session? How do I logout of a Blackboard Vista session?

Click the Log out link in the upper right hand corner of your screen. Vista sessions will automatically timeout after 60 minutes of inactivity.

If you are accessing your Vista course from a computer center on campus or any other shared computer, make sure you close all web browser windows and log off the computer when you leave.

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• Who can access courses in Blackboard Vista? Who can access courses in Blackboard Vista?
Only faculty and students can access the courses they teach or are taking.
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• What browsers are supported by Blackboard Vista? What browsers are supported by Blackboard Vista?

To log in and use the system effectively, you should be using one of the following Internet browsers:

• Windows
  Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 and 6.0 SP1
  Netscape 7.1
  Mozilla 1.6
• Macintosh OS 9
  Internet Explorer 5.1.7
  Netscape 7.02
• Macintosh OS X v10.3
  Netscape 7.1
  Mozilla 1.6
  Safari 1.1

If you are trying to log into the system using another browser, you may experience difficulties.

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• What computers have access to Blackboard Vista? What computers have access to Blackboard Vista?
Any computer that has an Internet connection can access Blackboard Vista. While the computers on campus are configured properly to use Blackboard Vista, make sure your run a browser check from any off-campus machine to ensure you are using a supported browser and that the computer you are using is set up correctly.
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• I can't access Discussions and/or Quizzes in my Blackboard Vista course. I can't access Discussions and/or Quizzes in my Blackboard Vista course.

Vista uses pop up windows for certain functions such as assessments. Pop up blockers must be disabled on your computer to use Blackboard Vista properly.

Also, If you have a personal firewall security program installed on your computer, it may be performing content filtering that is affecting your access to Blackboard Vista. Try disabling the firewall or contact your firewall software provider.

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• What support is available? What support is available?

University Computing offers workshops for faculty on various Vista topics including:

• Introduction to Blackboard Vista
• Vista's Communication Tools - Announcements, Calendar, Chat and Whiteboard, Discussions and Mail
• Vista's Content Tools - Content Files and the File Manager, Learning Modules, Syllabus and URL
• Vista's Evaluation Tools - Assessment and Assignments
• Vista's Teaching Tools - Grade Book, Group Manager, Reports and Tracking and Selective Release.

Tutorials are also available for faculty who desire a more individualized approach. To request training, please e-mail training@wcsu.edu or complete the Blackboard Vista Support Form.

Quick Tips are also available online for faculty and students who need assistance. Students who need individualized assistance with Vista should visit the STTC.

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• How easy is Vista to use? How easy is Vista to use?
Blackboard Vista was designed for faculty of all experience levels. While some faculty members require very little help, others may need more assistance. The University's Blackboard Vista Support Team is available to assist faculty with their Blackboard Vista needs. To request training, please e-mail training@wcsu.edu or complete the Blackboard Vista Support Form.
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• How do I login to Blackboard Vista? How do I login to Blackboard Vista?

To access Vista via WestConnduit:

1. Log into WestConnduit.
2. Click on the Academics tools tab.
3. In the My Courses Channel, click Login to Blackboard Vista.
4. Select Western Connecticut State University as the institution.
5. Click the Log In button.
6. Enter your WestConnduit user name and password and click OK.
7. Your My Blackboard Vista page will open.

Vista will eventually be accessed through single sign-on via WestConnduit.

To access Vista directly:

1. Open a web browser, and go to vista.csus.ct.edu.
2. Select Western Connecticut State University as the institution.
3. Click the Log In button.
4. Enter your WestConnduit user name and password and click OK.
5. Your My Blackboard Vista page will open.

Vista will eventually be accessed through single sign-on via WestConnduit.

Browser Check
If you are accessing Vista from off-campus, we highly recommend that you perform a browser check before logging into Vista to ensure your computer is properly configured. To perform a browser check, click the Run a Browser Check link on the log in page.

Pop-up Blockers
The Vista site makes use of pop-up windows. If you have a pop-up blocker installed, please disable it for this site.

If you encounter any problems, please e-mail training@wcsu.edu or call the University Computing Help Desk @ 837-8467.

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