JSOU Student Helpdesk

Option 1 — office.com

1. Open Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
2. Go to office.com.
3. Click Apps.
4. Select Teams from the apps list.
5. Make sure your jsou.edu account is logged in to access the course.

Option 2 — Teams Desktop App

1. Click the Windows icon or search "Teams" in the search bar.
2. Select Teams.
3. Sign in to the Teams desktop app.
4. Make sure your jsou.edu account is logged in.
5. On first login you may need to complete authentication (see the MFA article).

This guide explains how to navigate your JSOU course in Microsoft Teams — locating materials, joining discussions, completing assignments, and getting support.

Getting started

When you first enter a course you land on the General tab. Click the Homepage tab (top-left) — the primary hub for course information and lesson materials.

Key navigation areas

• Homepage — main course content and lesson flow
• Classwork — centralized access to all lessons and materials
• Assignments — submission and review of coursework

Discussions & assignments

• Open a discussion post link, click Reply, type your response, then Send.
• Assignment icons redirect to the Assignments tab; return to the Homepage when finished.
• External links open in your browser — return to Teams when done.

Set up your MS Teams view for easier navigation and find the Homepage button.

Your Office 365 username and temporary password were provided in your JSOU Welcome Email. These are not the same as any personal Microsoft, military, Government, or CAC-based credentials stored on your device. Course access requires only the Office 365 credentials issued by JSOU.

Troubleshooting steps

• Verify your username and password match your Welcome Email exactly (capitalization, numbers, symbols, hyphens).
• If copying credentials, don't include extra spaces before or after.
• Try Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.
• If prompted to reset your password, follow the steps and store the new one securely.

Still can't access Teams?

Contact the JSOU Helpdesk and include your JSOU Office 365 username, device type (Windows / Mac / Mobile), and where the login fails (password, MFA, redirect, blank page).

When resetting your password, make sure to input your jsou.edu email in the format firstname.lastname@jsou.edu.

Need access to a SharePoint site or Teams course? Submit a Helpdesk ticket »

Required on first login only. You'll set up MFA using the Microsoft Authenticator app to activate your JSOU 365 account.

1. Install Microsoft Authenticator on your personal mobile device (iOS or Android).
2. When prompted, scan the QR code to pair your JSOU account.
3. Approve the push notification or enter the code sent to your device.
4. After setup, MFA won't prompt repeatedly unless you change devices or remove the app.

Add a new phone number for MFA

1. Sign in to MS 365 with your jsou.edu account (m365.cloud.microsoft).
2. Click your name (bottom-left) → View account.
3. In Security info, click Update info.
4. Click + Add sign-in method → Office phone.
5. Enter a valid phone number, click Next, answer the call, and press # when prompted.

• Confirm your microphone and speaker/headset are selected in Teams > Settings > Devices.
• On Mac, allow Teams microphone access under System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone.
• For Bluetooth on Mac, pair through Mac Bluetooth settings first, then re-select the device in Teams.
• Restart Teams if changes aren't recognized immediately.

• Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome are recommended on Windows and Mac. Use Chrome for the best long-term stability with Teams + JSOU SharePoint courses.
• Safari is not recommended due to known Teams compatibility issues.
• If a file won't open correctly, select Open in App for Word, PowerPoint, or PDF.

• Select Share on the Teams meeting toolbar to share your entire screen or a specific window.
• On Mac, enable screen recording under System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen Recording.
• Close sensitive or unrelated windows before sharing.
• Ensure your camera cover is open.

• Access Teams through Chrome or Edge on macOS.
• You can also download the Teams desktop app for Mac from office.com.
• After signing in with JSOU credentials, Teams functions the same across Mac and Windows.
• Keep macOS up to date for best performance and compatibility.

If Teams loads incorrectly, won't progress past login, or modules fail to display, clear your browser cache.

Chrome

1. Click the three dots (upper-right) → Settings.
2. Privacy and Security → Delete browsing data.
3. Click Delete from this device.
4. Close and reopen Chrome before logging back into Teams.

Edge

1. Click the three dots (upper-right) → Settings.
2. Privacy, Search, and Services → under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
3. Select Cached images and files → Clear now.
4. Fully close and reopen the browser before logging in again.

Request CAC authentication for your MS 365 account. All fields are required; you'll be notified after approval. See the guides below for finding your SKI.

Sign in at m365.cloud.microsoft using your CAC:

• Type your jsou.edu email address and click Next.
• When prompted, log in using your certificate.
• Select the newest (most up-to-date) certificate from the Select a certificate menu.

Get assistance with Blackboard technical issues. Start a live chat with a technician during business hours, or submit a support request below.

Blackboard Support Phone: (239) 236-4451

Submit a Helpdesk ticket »

Blackboard mobile app installation guide

1. From your tablet or phone, access the appropriate app store.
2. Search for Blackboard & install the Blackboard Learn app on your mobile device.
3. Open the Blackboard Learn app and search for your institution's name: JSOU.
4. Log in with your Blackboard Learn username and password — the same credentials you use to access your Blackboard courses on a computer.