1. What is HuskyCT?
HuskyCT is UConn's name for the Blackboard learning management system used here. Instructor use of the system is optional but we host over 4000 HuskyCT sites a semester, most of which are used for face-to-face classes. Fully online classes use HuskyCT as well. The use of HuskyCT is so widespread in fact, that students expect to see a HuskyCT site for each class they are taking and are worried when they don’t. A recent survey revealed that the most common uses of HuskyCT for traditional classes is sending announcements, posting content, and posting grades. Many instructors are also using HuskyCT for the online submission of assignments, discussion, and quizzes.
2. How do I get a HuskyCT site for my class?
HuskyCT sites are requested by instructors of record using the Student Admin System (PeopleSoft).
The HuskyCT site is created automatically within 24 hours of the request and all students registered for the course are automatically enrolled on the HuskyCT site. Please note that the instructor must be listed in PeopleSoft as the instructor for a particular class in order to request a HuskyCT site for that class.
3. How do I import/copy course materials from an old HuskyCT site to a new one?
If an instructor is teaching a course again and HuskyCT was used in a previous term for that same class, it is possible to have the old site content copied into the HuskyCT site for the upcoming term.
This requires two steps.
1. Instructor requests their NEW HuskyCT site using Student Admin System (PeopleSoft)
2. Instructor completes the HuskyCT Course Copy/Request Form.
Please note that this content restore will bring over all instructor posted content, assignments, tests, grade center columns, and discussion board forums. No student data is copied into the new site.
4. Can multiple sections of a course be merged into a single HuskyCT site?
Yes. If you have a cross-listed course or will be offering multiple sections of the same HuskyCT course, the sections can be combined.
To request a course merge, please use this form: Course Copy/Restore Request
. The form can be used to request a combine sections and/or restore course materials.
For more detailed information on how merged courses work, please review: Combining HuskyCT Course Sections
5. Why does it say "unavailable until…" next to my course title?
Each term, there is an official start date for classes. This date is used to set the student access date for all HuskyCT sites for that term. The "Unavailable until…" message applies only to students. Instructor access is not date restricted. See UConn Academic Calendar for official start/end dates.
6. How do I give the students early access?
Instructors may open their HuskyCT site(s) earlier or later than the default start date. For step by step instructions for changing the start/end dates of your HuskyCT course, please review: Changing Student Access Dates
More information is available in the Blackboard KB.
7. A student needs to finish an incomplete. How can I grant them access to my course after the term ends?
Approximately two weeks after the academic term ends, students will lose access to your course (assuming you have not a later end date). Additionally, four weeks after the term ends, their enrollment is set to unavailable (applies to courses where the end date has passed). To open the course and set the students enrollment to available, please review: Student Access to Unavailable Courses (Prior Terms)
8. How do I add my syllabus and other files?
This is done using the "Build Content" button at the top of a Content Area such as the "Course Content" page that is part of the default HuskyCT course template. From the "Build Content" drop-down menu, click on "File". After this you will just need to browse for the file on your computer.
More help on adding a syllabus and other files is available here.
9. Why can’t the students see the files I posted?
Occasionally, instructors go directly to the "Content Collection" in the Control Panel and upload their files there. These files cannot be accessed by the students, however, because only instructors can see the options under the Control Panel. Students will not be able to see these files until they are linked to a page on the HuskyCT site. Instructors need to create or go to a Content Area or Content Folder and add the files there.
More help on showing files is available here.
10. How do I enroll additional users in my HuskyCT course?
Instructors have the ability to enroll additional users on their HuskyCT sites. Most frequently this function is used to add a TA or another instructor, but anyone with a UConn NetID can be manually added to a HuskyCT site. For detailed steps, please review: Enrolling Additional Users
More help on enrolling additional users is available here.
11. How do I hide my old courses?
After several semesters in HuskyCT, instructors may find their list of courses has become overwhelming. To optimize the display of courses (group, hide, sort, etc.), please follow the steps in Optimizing Course Lists in HuskyCT
12. Is there a Student View?
Instructors can use “Student Preview” to view their sites exactly as their students see them. When exiting Student Preview, instructors have the choice of retaining the preview user data or not. If the Preview User data is retained, a new student will appear in the Grade Center. The last name for this preview student account will be the instructor’s last name followed by “_PreviewUser”. Student Preview mode can be used to take tests, submit assignments, access materials, and check grades.
More help on Student View is available here.
13. How do I link to Library eResources?
Link to ebooks, video streams, and journal articles from the Library’s collections. Instructions about linking library eresources are available here.
The library resources link previously associated with electronic and physical reserve requests has been deactivated. If you desire to place physical items on reserve for your summer or fall courses, please use the following link: http://s.uconn.edu/reserve
14. How do I enter grades in PeopleSoft?
You have three options for submitting grades to PeopleSoft:
- You can enter grades manually.
- If you are using HuskyCT for midterm and/or final grade calculations, you can send your grades from HuskyCT to PeopleSoft.
- You can download a .csv file from the HuskyCT Grade Center and upload that file to PeopleSoft.
For general instructions on submitting grades to PeopleSoft (manual entry), review these resources:
Instructions for submitting Mid-Term Grades
Instructions for submitting Final Grades
For instructions on sending grades from HuskyCT to PeopleSoft, use this document:
Sending Grades from HuskyCT to Student Admin
For instructions on downloading a .csv file from HuskyCT for upload to PeopleSoft, use these documents:
Instructions for uploading grades using a CSV file
Instructions for exporting from a HuskyCT Grade Book to a CSV file
15. My Grade Center is missing scroll bars (Mac only)This is issue is resolved by changing a system preference setting in Mac OS.
- Go to System Preferences
- Click on General
- Under Show Scroll Bars, choose the option Always
16. I'm not receiving emails from HuskyCT
This is usually caused by emails being sent to the 'clutter' folder. Instructions on how to check this folder can be found using this document:
Managing Clutter in Outlook - UPDATE
17. Can I reuse a video that includes student participation?
There are multiple factors to consider before reusing a video that captures students. Contact the University Privacy Officer for guidance specific to your situation.
The steps in this process are listed below. Please click on a link to access a video tutorial.