Course Content in Blackboard App
Courses and Organizations
Instructors can access and manage all their courses and organizations directly from the Blackboard App.
To access courses:
Select Courses from the main menu.
View current, upcoming, or completed courses.
Select the star button to favorite a course.
To access organizations:
Select More from the main menu.
Select Organizations to view and manage them. These function like courses, allowing announcements, content management, and discussions.
Course status indicators:
Unavailable: Visible to instructors only.
Available: Available to all enrolled users.
Complete: Archived but still accessible. Changes can't be made to these courses.
Tip
Course visibility and advanced settings must be managed via the web browser version of Blackboard.
Course Content
The Blackboard App supports most Ultra course content, allowing instructors to view, edit, and manage items.
To edit or delete content:
Go to Course Content.
Select the three-dot menu next to an item.
Adjust settings like title, visibility, and due dates.
To create a learning module:
Select + in Course Content.
Select Learning Module.
Add a title and description.
Select the eye button to set visibility.
To edit a module:
Select the three-dot menu next to it.
Select Edit to change title, visibility, or description.
Progress indicators (e.g., Ready, Started, Completed, Locked) are visible for students. For advanced features like sequential release or group access, use the web version.
Unsupported or advanced settings will prompt you to Edit on Web.
Discussions
Discussions in Ultra courses are fully supported in the app.
To start a thread:
Open a discussion from Course Overview.
Select Start Thread.
Type your message and select Start now.
To reply:
Select an existing thread.
Select Add Reply, type your message, and select again to post.
To grade discussions:
Open the discussion.
View student posts.
Assign grades and feedback.
Tip
Rubrics are only viewable in the web version. Group discussions and file attachments are not supported in the app. Discussions can be organized into folders, which are reflected in the app.
Journals
Journals provide a private space for student reflection and instructor feedback.
To create a journal:
Go to Course Content.
Select +, then select Create.
Under Participation and Engagement, choose Journal.
Add a title and prompt.
Select the eye icon to set visibility.
To make it gradable:
Select the three-dot menu on the journal.
Select Settings.
Check Grade journal and configure grading options.
Select Save.
To view and grade entries:
Select the arrow next to the journal title.
Filter by Needs grading.
Select a student’s name.
Add feedback and a grade.
Select Post Grade to publish.
Messages
Course Messages allow direct communication with students within the app.
To send a message:
Open a course and select Messages.
Select New Message.
Add recipients (individuals or all members).
Enter a subject and message.
Select the paper plane button to send.
To reply:
Select a message in your inbox.
Select Reply, type your response, and send.
To attach media:
Select the paperclip button to add files.
Select the camera button to take/send a photo.
To delete a message:
Open the message.
Select the menu icon (top right).
Select Delete.
To manage notifications:
Go to Settings, then Push Notifications.
Switch message alerts ON or OFF.