The Student Quick Start Guide is designed to show you the most common tools used in your courses. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Login and Find Your Course
• Participate in Discussions
• Submit Assignments
• Take Tests
• Use the myLesley Text/Content Editor
• Create and Post Video (Kaltura Media)
• Comment on VoiceThreads
• Join Online Meetings
• Check Your Grades and View Feedback
• Training and Support

Login and Find Your Course

Before you log in, review the System Requirements to make sure that your system meets the hardware and software requirements. 

To access myLesley, go to http://my.lesley.edu and click on the myLesley Login button.

You will be redirected to a Sign In page where you will enter your Lesley credentials in the form of username@lesley.edu. You will then be prompted to enter your password to authenticate.

Please note that Safari DOES NOT work with the SSO application. Please use Chrome or Firefox as they are the most compatible. For more information, see Single Sign-On (SSO) at Lesley University.

After logging in, you will find yourself on the myLesley home page. You can navigate to other sections of myLesley by clicking on the links in the left-hand navigation menu.

Click on Courses to navigate to your courses. Here you will see a list of all of the courses in which you are enrolled. Click on a course to enter it.

Refer to the myLesley Overview support article for more information on the myLesley Base Navigation.

Participate in Discussions

Your instructor may use the Discussions to hold a class discussion about course content such as readings from the week or a debate around an issue. 

Ultra Course View

To participate in a discussion, click on the Discussion link from within your course module or click on the Discussions link in your course navigation bar at the top of the page. 

Once you have entered your discussion, read the discussion topic carefully. If your Discussion is graded, you will find the due date, points, and grading rubric (if used) in the Details & Information section. Type out your discussion response in the Responses area. Use the text/content editor to add and format text, upload images, add links and attachments, embed media, and more.

For more information go to the Discussions (Ultra Course View) support page or watch the Participate in Discussions (Ultra Course View) tutorial video.

Original Course View

To access the Discussion Board, click on the link to the Discussion in your course content or click on the Discussion Board link in the course menu.

When you first navigate to the Discussion Board you will see a list of Discussion Board forums. Click a Discussion Board Forum to view, create, or respond to threads. Type out your discussion response and use the text/content editor to add and format text, upload images, add links and attachments, embed media, and more.

For more information, refer to the Using the Discussion Board (Original Course View) support article or watch the Use Discussions (Original Course View) tutorial video for an introduction to the basics of navigating within this tool.

Submit Assignments

Whether you are taking a course face-to-face or online, you may be asked to submit an assignment using the myLesley Assignment tool. Rather than ask you to print a copy of your paper or email it, your instructor can collect your papers online, grade them, and return them to you with feedback. Assignments submitted in this manner are always private between you and your instructor. 

In order for your instructor to provide inline feedback on your assignment, submit your file in one of the following formats:

• Document (.doc, .docx)
• Presentation (.ppt, .pptx)
• Spreadsheet (.xls, .xlsx)
• PDF

Ultra Course View

You may access your assignments in your Activity Stream, your Calendar, or from within your course. Click on the assignment link to open it.

Once you have entered the Assignment, read the instructions carefully. Check the Details & Information section for your assignment's due date, the number of attempts, points, and grading rubric (if used). If your assignment will be peer reviewed, the peer review information will be available as well.

For detailed instructions, refer to the Submit Assignments (Ultra Course View) support page or watch the Submit an Assignment (Ultra Course View) tutorial video.

Original Course View

Locate your Assignment in your course and click to open it. Read the instructions carefully and check the due date, the number of attempts, points, and grading rubric (if used).

For detailed instructions, refer to the Submitting Assignments (Original Course View) support article or watch the Assignments Overview (Original Course View) Tutorial Video for a walkthrough of the tool.

Take Tests

Online tests, like paper-and-pencil tests, contain a variety of question types such as multiple choice, short answer, or matching. Taking online tests allows your instructor to use features such as automated grading, allowing multiple attempts, time limits, multimedia in questions, and time ranges.

While you may be able to use the Blackboard App to take tests, we strongly discourage it. As a best practice, we recommend using a computer and a reliable network connection. 

Prepare for your test:

• Accommodations: If you need accommodations, including extended time, reach out to your instructor in advance.
• Plan Ahead: Plan to take your test in one sitting. Before you begin, review the test's due date, number of attempts, whether the test is timed, etc.
• Multiple Attempts: If your test allows multiple attempts, your instructor will control how the grade is calculated.
• Internet Connection: Make sure you use a strong, reliable internet connection. As a best practice, do not take your test on a mobile device.
• Timer: If your test is timed, do not begin the test until you are ready. The timer will start as soon as you open it.

Once you begin your test do not refresh the page, close the browser window/tab, or click the back button. Doing so may cause an error in the system.

Ultra Course View

You may access your test in your Activity Stream, your Calendar, or from within your course. Click on the test link to open it.

If your test is timed, do not begin the test until you are ready. The timer will start as soon as you open it.

Once you have entered the Test, read the instructions carefully. Check the Details & Information section for your test's due date, the number of attempts, points, timer, and grading rubric (if used). 

Once you begin your test do not refresh the page, close the browser window/tab, or click the back button. Doing so may cause an error in the system.

For more information, refer to the Tests (Ultra Course View) support page or watch the Test Taking and Submission (Ultra Course View) tutorial video.

Original Course View

Locate your Test in your course and click to open it.

If your test is timed, do not begin the test until you are ready. The timer will start as soon as you open it.

Once you have entered the Test, read the instructions carefully. Check your test's due date, the number of attempts, points, timer, and grading rubric (if used). 

Once you begin your test do not refresh the page, close the browser window/tab, or click the back button. Doing so may cause an error in the system.

For more information, refer to the Tests and Surveys (Original Course View) support page or watch the Taking a Test (Original Course View) tutorial video. 

Use the myLesley Text/Content Editor

The text/content editor is found throughout myLesley; you will use it to type up your online discussion posts and responses, write journal entries, and more. 

Ultra Course View

Use the text editor to format your text style, add links, images, media, file attachments, and more. For detailed instructions, refer to the Add and Format Content (Ultra Course View) support article. 

Original Course View

Use the text editor to format your text style, add links, images, media, file attachments, and more. For detailed instructions, refer to the Use the Content Editor (Original Course View) support article.

Create and Post Video (Kaltura Media)

You may use Kaltura to upload media (video and audio) you have already created or use Kaltura Media to record a new video from your webcam or by recording your screen. Kaltura Media provides a lot of advantages, including:

• Compatibility: Kaltura will accept a large amount of video types and automatically convert it to versions your instructor and classmates can view, regardless of their device. 
• Accessibility: Kaltura will automatically caption your content. Accurate captioning of audio and video content ensures that people who are Deaf and hard of hearing can understand your content. Additionally, captions are very useful to non-native English speakers, viewers watching in a sound-sensitive environment such as a library, can help viewers with learning disabilities or neurodivergence maintain concentration, and can help all learners improve comprehension.
• File Size: Your instructor and classmates do not have to download large audio or video files. Instead, the video is hosted on Kaltura's servers and streams through myLesley.
• Privacy and Security: Kaltura videos cannot be downloaded by anyone who is not the owner, nor can they be shared on other websites. 

Do not download media from the internet or library databases and and upload it into myLesley or Kaltura as this may violate copyright.

Refer to the Using Kaltura Media support article for detailed instructions.

Comment on VoiceThreads

One of the most common introductory VoiceThread activities is to create a comment on an existing VoiceThread. In this type of assignment, your instructor will post a VoiceThread and ask you to create a comment. You may create an audio, video, or text comment. 

View the How To Comment on a VoiceThread video tutorial to find out more about commenting features.

Review all the VoiceThread resources to learn how to create and share your own VoiceThread for class presentations.

Join Online Meetings

There are two online meeting tools at Lesley and you may be asked to use one or both of these tools. The Online Meeting Skills and Tutorials page will walk you through the common tasks performed in online meetings and links to support articles for each tool.

Zoom

The Joining a Zoom Meeting video tutorial will walk you through joining a Zoom meeting and configuring your audio settings. If you are uncertain how to access your meeting, please reach out to your instructor.

Additional Zoom resources, video tutorials and training webinars may be found on the Zoom Support Site.

Microsoft Teams

Watch the Join a Teams Meeting tutorial video for detailed instructions or go to Join a Meeting in Teams support article for written instructions.

Refer to the Conducting an Online Meeting in Teams support article for more information.

Check Your Grades and View Feedback

Click on the Grades link in the left-hand navigation menu. This will bring you to the Grades Area. Here, you will see a list of recently graded items, upcoming assignments, and overall grades for each course. Click on a course to view all graded items within that course. Students can also see newly posted grades in their Activity Stream.

Training and Support

myLesley training and support is available to all members of the Lesley community.

Online Resources

Do you have questions or need assistance with myLesley? Check out the myLesley Resources. These resources will guide you through using myLesley for teaching and learning.

Student Orientation 

Ultra Course View

This self-paced course has been designed to prepare you to successfully use Blackboard Ultra. You may be new to online learning, new to Blackboard Ultra, or both. In this course, we will cover the basics of Blackboard Ultra so that you know what it is, how to navigate in it, how to use it to complete your course work, and how it will benefit you. Enroll in the Orientation to Blackboard Ultra Course.

Original Course View

All faculty and students are enrolled in the myLesley Student Orientation organization. The goal of this self-paced course is to provide students with the skills that will help prepare them to be a successful Lesley student, including an overview of myLesley and strategies for becoming a successful online learner.

Attend eLIS Office Hours

Get Help with Blackboard, VoiceThread, Zoom, Kaltura, and more... eLIS staff are available to answer your questions. 

Student Office Hours: Tuesdays, 4:00-6:00 PM ET (no appointment needed). 

Create a Ticket

Do you have a question or need specific training? You may create a support ticket on the Support Hub or by emailing elis@lesley.edu. When reaching out for support, please provide your Lesley username, your course, and describe the problem to the best of your ability. If possible, include a screenshot. This information will help the support staff resolve your issue as quickly as possible.