Blackboard Navigation

Once you log into Blackboard, you'll find a course listing page. Here, in the middle of the screen, you can see which courses you've registered for, as well as some course information, such as when quizzes become available, if you have new mail messages, and if new grades or assignments have been released. On the right side of the screen, you'll find "Bookmarks," and announcements.
You can change your password by clicking on “My Settings.” There you will enter your current password and add a security question to help you retrieve your password if you forget it at a later date.

Step 1.

To go to your class, click on the name of the class. The name will be in bold.

Step 2.

This takes you to the home page for the class. Every class has a home page, even though they may look a little different from class to class.

Step 3.

At all times, you’ll have a links across the top of the screen.

The links include:

Course List :

Allows you to see a list of courses in which you are registered.

Accessibility:

Links to a page describing Blackboard CE6’s improvements in accessibility.

Help:

Links you to the context-sensitive online help section.

Logout:

Logs you out of Blackboard.

Step 4.

There will usually be a Course Menu bar on the left hand side of the screen.

This course menu bar remains consistent while the rest of the screen changes. You can always return to the Home page from every other page of the course by clicking on the Course Content button.

Course Menu Toggle:

This is useful for students with 15 or 17-inch monitors because it makes it possible to collapse the left navigation bar and expand the mainframe area of the course content.  Because it is a toggle, when you wish, you can click on the triangles to switch between hiding the left menu bar or displaying the left menu bar.

Course Tools:

This serves as a course menu and provides access to the most important components of your course. It also provides quick access to specific Blackboard tools designated by your instructor. The word Course Content will always appear under the Course Tools. Clicking on the word Course Content will always take you back to the Home page,  and your instructor may also add course specific icons to the Course Menu, such as the Syllabus, an Orientation, Learning Modules, Discussion, Mail or other Blackboard course tools such as Assessment and Calendar. Clicking on any of these course specific titles will take you directly to that area of the course.

Step 5.

As you move through the different tools and sections of a course, your path will be recorded just below the tool bar across the top of the page. Each area you've visited will be listed in a row here. This is called "Breadcrumbs," because it's our way of marking your trail so you can easily find your way back. Just click on any of the headings, and it'll take you back to where you were. In Blackboard you must navigate this way instead of using your back and forward browser button like you might ordinarily do.

Step 6.

One thing about Blackboard is that every instructor, or every class, won't necessarily use all the tools. Each class home page will probably look a little different on the surface, just the same way a new grocery store does when you first walk in. But after you spend time familiarizing yourself, you'll find everything you need.

Notice these buttons, called icons, in the middle of the screen. Icons usually represent tools or services for students. Blackboard  icons tend to be pretty similar from course to course, though they may look different and have slightly different names. Common icons include Orientation, Course Syllabus, Course Content, Quizzes, Email, Chat and Bulletin Board.

Step 7.

When you first enter a course, look for either the Start Here icon or Module 1 icon on the HomePage. If your course has the Start Here icon, click on the icon and then click on the Course Orientation icon. Otherwise click on the Module 1 icon. Each instructor might use the Orientation slightly different. Some won't use it at all, but in general, you can expect this page to define the course objectives. Read everything on the Orientation page and follow any specific instructions. You might even find your first assignment there.

Step 8.

Then, look for the Syllabus. This might have its own icon, be listed on the left-hand navigation bar, or only be available through another icon, such as Course Content. It all depends on the instructor. The syllabus will give you an overview of assignments and due dates.

Step 9.

Make sure you find a link to Course Content. This might also be called Learning Modules, or it could have another name. It could be labeled Assignments, Lessons, Lectures, or even be part of the Syllabus. Again, the instructor designs the class, and each one will be a little different.

Course Content is where all the assignments are.

Make sure to look at the Course Content section weekly, or more often if your instructor advises it. A week comes and goes pretty fast—it's easy to get behind if you don't schedule this in.

Here you'll find the heart of the coursework. You'll find assignments, and with some instructors, you'll find available quizzes (though most instructors make quizzes available through the Assessment icon on the homepage). Read the Course Content section carefully, and read all the links as they're assigned.

Step 10.

This has been an overview of getting around your courses. It's important to keep in mind the standard course features so you know what to expect in each course. Remember that they can have slightly different names and icons from course to course. Just remember to click on the links to get to where you're going, make sure to use the Breadcrumb menu to return to where you came from, and you should do fine.

Complete!