Quick Start Checklist: Starting a Course

• Check your browser. Blackboard LMS works best in a supported browser running the latest version. Run the Browser Checker to confirm your setup. If your browser isn't supported, updated it or switch to one on the Supported Browsers list.

• Download the Blackboard App (optional). If you want mobile access to your courses, download the Blackboard App for iOS or Android. The app supports most day-to-day tasks, though some features are only available in the browser.

Once you've confirmed your technology is ready, log in and configure your account settings. Getting these right at the start ensures you receive important course communications throughout the semester.

• Log in to Blackboard LMS. Go to your institution's Blackboard LMS site and sign in with your username and password. If you don't know the web address or your credentials, contact your institution's IT help desk. For details about the login process, including single sign-on (SSO), go to Log in to Blackboard LMS.Log in to Blackboard LMS

• Update your profile. After logging in, select your name in the navigation menu to open your profile. Your profile controls how you appear to instructors and other students and includes settings for language and notifications. Confirm that your information is accurate and adjust any settings your institution allows you to change. Go to Your Profile for more information.

• Set up notifications. From your profile page or the Activity page, open Notification Settings to choose how and when Blackboard LMS alerts you—by email, in your activity stream, or as push notifications on your mobile device. At minimum, turn on notifications for due dates, grades, and course announcements. Go to Notifications for more information.

• Confirm your course list. Select Courses from the navigation menu to find all your enrolled courses. If a course is missing, it may not be available yet, or there may be an enrollment issue. For enrollment questions, contact your registrar; Blackboard doesn't have access to your institution's enrollment records. Go to Find Your Courses or the Blackboard LMS Course FAQ for more help.

• Read any announcements. Instructors often post important information before the semester starts. Open each course and check the Announcements section for anything that needs your attention.

• Locate the syllabus and course information. Find the syllabus, course schedule, and any instructor contact information. These are typically in the course content area. Go to Navigate Inside a Course for more information.

• Find out how your instructor expects you to communicate. Check the syllabus or course content for your instructor's preferred contact method. If course messages are available in your course, you can use them to contact your instructor directly within Blackboard LMS. Go to Messages for more information.

• Locate assignments, tests, and discussions. Find any assignments, tests, and discussions in your course content so you know what's coming up. These items may appear directly on the Course Content page or be organized within folders or learning modules. Go to Assessments and Discussions for more information.

• Locate your grades page. Find the grades page in your course so you know where to check your grades and instructor feedback as the semester progresses. Go to Grades for more information.

• Check the calendar. Select Calendar from the navigation menu to see due dates and events across all your courses in one place. Go to Calendar for more information.

• Sync your Blackboard LMS calendar to an external calendar (optional). If you use Google Calendar, Outlook, or iCal, you can share your Blackboard LMS calendar so that course events appear alongside your other commitments. Go to Calendar for instructions.

• Review your Activity page. Your Activity Page is a prioritized stream of what's due, graded, or updated across all your courses. Make it a habit to check it each time you log in.