how do i know if my professor will have to download my blackboard submission?

shouldn't you be asking HIM for clarification?

Obviously, if you pass it through the internet in any form whatsoever, technically, his computer will have to download it for him to see it. However, what he most probably means is he doesn't want to go through the trouble of clicking a link then saving it to his computer then opening the file. Too many security risks there and it's not good for the wrist if he has more than a dozen students.

Emailing won't do. Your word file will have to be attached to the email message first then when it reaches his end, he will have to click a link to download it. Out of the question. 

Bort has a better solution but I like Anon's suggestion too. If you want to fail instantly, put your damned report in a 5.25" floppy disk then UPS it to your prof.

Attaching the file will send it as part of the email. That puts it right in his mailbox next to your name, so that's nice and convenient.

Either ask him exactly how he wants it submitted, or put it on a CD or Flash drive for the old retard. Or just print it out.

i would just talk to him about it

Yes he will have to download a docx file, too. Place it online like on Google Drive or somewhere else that it will display on a web browser without downloading it and submit the link to it, not the file.