The Blackboard sync service that provides for the Facebook and iPhone app integration with USF Blackboard is having problems now. Students htat have already signed up for the service are not receiving updates, and students signing up for the first time are receiving weird errors and references to the Scholar service.
We’ll update this post as we have more information. Please post your experiences in the comments below to help us gauge the breadth and depth of the problem.
Update: We’ve been notified that the link for downloading the iPhone App on the BbSync page is incorrectly pointing to Google. Here’s the correct AppStore link
Update: This is submitted to Blackboard as ticket # 614334. This means nothing to anyone else, but fellow Blackboard admins will be able to link their Sync cases to ours.
August 24th, 2009 at 9:24 am
I am trying to sync my iPhone, but get a prompt that tells me that my iPhone is already registered and that to continue will erase that registration. It prompts me to go to the BbSync app on my iPhone, but when I go to Applications and type in BbSync, the phone does not recognize that application. What am I doing wrong?
Thank you,
J Chambers
August 24th, 2009 at 11:23 am
The iPhone app is useless anyway. For anything other than announcements, the app just sends you out to safari anyway, in which point you have to login to myusf anyway. You’re honestly better off just using safari to access blackboard.
Derick Flis
Educational Technologies
August 24th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
After finally finding the correct download address and adding the Bbsync to my iphone it does not sync. The sync states that its performing first sync and is in progress but then when returned to the main menu only “Scholar” option appears. Blackboard.com suggests changing the 7 day view to 14 day view under the settings option forcing a resync when you back out to the home screen of blackboard learn. This solution did not fix the issue either. The suggestions can be found here:
http://kb.blackboard.com/display/SYNC/End+User+Frequently+Asked+Questions+(FAQ)
Good Luck to anyone using this!
-Sean
August 24th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
I am having the same problem that Sean is having. My initial sync auto-cancels when I start it up. After resetting my PIN, I still have this problem and I have even tried the suggestions that Sean linked above.
August 24th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
I too am having the issue where “Scholar” only shows up. I tried the forced sync but still nothing.
August 25th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
When I do my sync all it has is the scholar tab. Nothing else is available. Any update would be awesome.
August 25th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
SUGGESTION FOR TECH SUPPORT ADMINS:
According to Blackboard’s tech support, users that are issuing authorization codes and managing access may experience configuration problems that we have all been seeing. They state to remove the Blackboard Sync Building Block and allow users to store their own credentials for authentication purposes.
FOR THOSE CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT THIS APP ACTUALLY DOES:
Information from Blackboard.com about what this application is designed for:
“Through the synchronization process, user’s Blackboard data is copied down to their device for access when the user does not have a 3G or WiFi network connection”
This means that the application is only updated (synced) when connected to a 3G or WiFi network. Since that is the case then using the internet on your iPhone or other device is just as affective to access Blackboard as it is to use this App. Essentially this application simply eliminates the need for you to type your credentials into USF blackboard every time you want to access your account. The only obvious use for this App is when you have no 3G cell signal or WiFi access.
Hope this helps.
-Sean
August 27th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
[…] Glen Parker wrote an interesting post today onmyUSF Blackboard News » Blog Archive » BbSync <b>Facebook</b>, iPhone App <b>…</b>Here’s a quick excerpt […]
August 28th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
so i was tyring to sync it to my facebook page and it wont sync. the page comes up and all the tabs are there but no new information will show up!
I think this is a great idea if it would work.
August 30th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
When I tried to sync I got an error message that said, “Problem accessing the remote server. Your WiFi connection may require authentication or the server may be inaccessible.”
August 31st, 2009 at 8:57 am
I’m struggling too, can’t get any uptodate informatiuon to appear. Any advice?
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:05 pm
App does not work at all…just receive a message that says “Problem accessing the remote server. your WiFi connection may require authentication or the server may be inaccessible.”
September 4th, 2009 at 8:42 am
nice info about iphone
September 6th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Was able to log in, but only “Scholar” comes up and none of the courses sync.
September 24th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
How about BB Sync for BlackBerrys?!?
Where is the love!?!
October 1st, 2009 at 6:19 am
Thanks for the correct link, saved me a bit of time
October 8th, 2009 at 4:16 am
Even After I got connected, now able to share data…. I think Sync having some kind of protocol issues.
October 9th, 2009 at 1:31 am
Hello,
a very nice article. Thanks for the helpful information.
October 15th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
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October 29th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
thanks for sharing the links.i was looking for such info
October 29th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
[…] myUSF Blackboard News » Blog Archive » BbSync Facebook, iPhone App … […]
November 11th, 2009 at 11:03 am
thanks,I think Sync having some kind of protocol issues.
November 18th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
This app seems to merely point one to Safari. If there were more to it regarding IBOutlets and innovation that would be better. I teach iPhone Apps at the University of Colorado. This App would not get a really great grade.
Dr. Rory Lewis
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
Computer Science: Epilepsy Prediction
http://rorylewis.com/apple/