Blackboard FAQ
Q. Why do I get the message, 'Click to activate and use this control.'?
In April, 2006, Microsoft released a cumulative update for Internet Explorer for Windows XP Service Pack 2. The update changes the way ActiveX processes dynamic content. ActiveX is a Microsoft technology used to add interactivity to web pages.
Most users will receive this update automatically via the Windows Update. After the update, Internet Explorer 6 users will be required to activate ActiveX controls and other embedded objects and plug-ins (e.g. Flash, QuickTime, Java) before they can interact with them.
When using Blackboard, Internet Explorer 6 users will notice the following changes:
- Embedded content (including video, audio, Flash) must be activated before it can be accessed. Each item will be framed with a window that prompts the user to "Click to activate and use this control." After users click; they can use the controls to start, stop or replay embedded content.
- An item that contains an equation, or was created from the Equation Editor, will launch a text window that prompts the user to "Click to activate and use this control." The equation will then render on the page.
- Each Visual Text Box Editor (the "WYSIWIG editor") includes a new message. Press the SPACEBAR KEY or the ENTER KEY to activate and use this control. After users do this, they can enter text in the text box.
- The Virtual Classroom and Lightweight Chat applets will require activation.
- The Blackboard Content Player (SCORM) feature fails to function after installation of the Microsoft update. Blackboard is escalating this issue with Microsoft.
This question was last modified on Aug 20, 2006 and has been viewed 54911 times.
