Getting Started in Blackboard Original (Students)

Table of Contents

• Getting to your courses in Blackboard

  • Determining if your course uses Blackboard, Canvas, or a different tool

  • Logging into Blackboard

  • Finding your courses

  • Viewing grades and feedback

• Navigating Blackboard

  • Navigating outside a course

  • Monitoring the activity stream

  • Viewing announcements

  • Viewing your calendar

  • Updating your profile

  • Downloading the Blackboard mobile app

Getting to your courses in Blackboard

Determining if your class uses Blackboard, Canvas, or a different tool

Over the next several semesters, Canvas will be replacing Blackboard as OHIO's preferred learning management system (LMS). To foster a positive student experience, colleges are transitioning to Canvas in phases. You may have some courses using Blackboard, while other courses use Canvas or a different technology. 

To find where your courses will be taught: 

1. Log in to Blackboard at blackboard.ohio.edu. Navigate to your "Courses" tab in the left navigation menu. Blackboard will populate every course you’re currently enrolled in but the courses will appear locked until your instructor makes them available to you.  

   • If the courses are locked, select “More Info” to see if your instructor provided additional information about which tools your course will be using. 

   • If the courses are open, you’ll likely be using Blackboard. 

2. If your courses are not open in Blackboard, check Canvas. Log in to Canvas at canvas.ohio.edu. Look for your courses on your Dashboard page or in the "Courses" tab in the left navigation menu.

   • Tip: Both Blackboard and Canvas can be accessed via the Go OHIO app. 

3. If you’re unsure which platform your course will use, please email your instructor. They can tell you where the course is being taught and when it will become available.  

For more information, visit Troubleshooting access to your Blackboard course.

Logging into Blackboard

• Using Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome, go to blackboard.ohio.edu and log in with your OHIO ID and password.

Finding your Courses 

• View past, present, and future classes on the Courses page.
  • Blackboard course sites become accessible to the Instructor of Record eight (8) weeks prior to the course start date; however, students are not loaded until two (2) weeks prior to the start date. Additionally, your instructor must make the course site available to students before you can access it.

Viewing grades and feedback

• Learn how to view grades and feedback for you courses on the Viewing Grades and Feedback in Blackboard Original page.

Navigating Blackboard

Become familiar with various features and tools available inside each of your courses.

Navigating outside a course 

• You can easily return to the menu from wherever you are—even if you're in a course.

Monitoring the activity stream

• See up-to-the-minute action for all of your courses in this feed.

Viewing announcements 

• Your instructor will communicate important, time-sensitive information on the course Announcements page.

Viewing your calendar 

• Use the calendar to keep track of upcoming assignments, events, and other due dates.

Updating your profile 

• Customize your Blackboard Profile, configure your notifications settings, and add your cloud storage accounts.

Downloading the Blackboard mobile app

• Use the Blackboard Mobile App to view courses, participate in discussions, and interact with your instructor.

Get help from OIT

• Visit the Learning Management System: Blackboard page to create a ticket

• Visit the Technology Resources and Training page for an OIT training 

Additional resources

• Blackboard Learn Help for Instructors - Original View

• Blackboard Learn Help for Students - Original View

• Blackboard Learn Help for Instructors - Ultra View

• Blackboard Learn Help for Students - Ultra View

• Quick Start for the Blackboard Mobile App

• Publisher Content & Add-ons

• System Requirements