Unified Blackboard App
Date Updated: 8 August 2022
Blackboard Learn SaaS, Blackboard Learn 9.1
Ultra Experience, Original Experience
Ultra Course View, Original Course View
Impact: Instructors, Assistants, and Graders
In the past we had two separate mobile apps: the Blackboard App and the Blackboard Instructor App. The two apps caused confusion for many instructors. They did not realize that they needed to use a different app to manage their courses.
With this release, we are consolidating to a single app for both instructors and students. The user experience will change based on the user’s role within a course. Instructors can use the updated Blackboard app for both Original and Ultra courses.
Action needed: Support for the Blackboard Instructor iOS and Android apps ends in September 2022. Instructors, Assistants, and Graders should download the Blackboard app for iOS or Android.
For administrators: There are no configurations needed. We encourage admins to notify instructors of the need to download a different app.
Blackboard Instructor 5.4
Date Updated: 7 July 2022
iOS and Android
In this release, we fixed an issue that prevented some users from being able to login properly when using force to web authentication. Also, there’s an exciting news about the simplified, intuitive user experience of new unified app.
Blackboard Instructor 5.3
Date Updated: 25 May 2022
iOS and Android
In this release, we:
- Fixed an issue where some iOS users couldn't sign in properly.
- Made some small improvements and squashed few bugs for Android
Blackboard Instructor 5.2.1
Date Updated: 11 May 2022
iOS
In this release, we fixed an issue that prevented some users from being able to login properly.
Blackboard Instructor 5.2.1
Date Updated: 2 May 2022
Android
In this release, we fixed a crash when:
- Using force to web authentication
- No terms are associated
Blackboard Instructor 5.2
Date Updated: 25 April 2022
iOS and Android
Mobile devices are a significant part of our lives. From staying in touch with family and friends across the globe to mobile banking, we expect to do almost anything from our mobile phones. For instructors, the same expectations apply to teaching and learning. The Blackboard Instructor app provides instructors with a way to manage courses on a mobile device. We have made improvements to the app to better meet instructor expectations. These updates include improvements to managing course content, grading, and engaging students. The new app uses Responsive Web Design (RWD) for Ultra courses. RWD ensures consistency and reduces the differences between desktop and mobile experiences.
Instructors will now be able to complete the following tasks using the Blackboard Instructor app:
- course building - including creating and uploading content
- grading students work - including updating assessment settings
- communication - including participation in discussions
The enhanced Blackboard Instructor app is the first in a series of planned improvements to our mobile solutions. Stay tuned for more as we move towards a single unified app experience.
Instructors can navigate the base navigation from within the app. The primary navigation controls display the following:
- Stream
- Courses
- Grades
- More including View Profile, Organizations, Institution, Tools, Messages, Settings, Feedback, Logout. (Calendar access is available from within an Ultra course)
For instructors and administrators: The enhanced Blackboard Instructor app will be available on April 11, 2022, from the iOS and Android app stores. If you have already downloaded the app then it will be automatically updated if you have this choice enabled on your device or will require a manual update if this choice is not selected.
Image 1. Main Blackboard Instructor App Navigation Menu
Image 2. Ultra Course view displaying in Responsive Web Design
Blackboard Instructor 5.1
Date Updated: 7 March 2022
iOS and Android
In this release,
- Point-based and point-range rubrics of Ultra courses are now supported.
- We fixed a few bugs related to LTI.
Blackboard Instructor 5.0
Date Updated: 11 February 2022
iOS and Android
In this release, we fixed a bug where instructors can now view the list of recordings available in a course.
Blackboard Instructor 4.12
Date Updated: December 15, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release we’ve squashed a few bugs and resolved app crashes.
Blackboard Instructor 4.11
Date Updated: November 10, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release we’ve made small improvements to Progress Tracking.
We’ve also resolved bugs displaying incorrect rubric criteria.
Blackboard Instructor 4.10.1
Date Updated: October 28, 2021
Android
In this release we’ve fixed an issue of collab sessions not loading within the course.
Blackboard Instructor 4.10
Date Updated: October 20, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release we’ve made some small improvements and squashed a few bugs.
Blackboard Instructor 4.9.1
Date Updated: October 7, 2021
Android
In this release we’ve fixed an issue of Collaborate sessions not loading within the course for Android users.
Blackboard Instructor 4.9
Date Updated: September 27, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release we’ve improved the app login process for you!
We’ve also made some small improvements and squashed few bugs.
You will need minimum iOS version 12.0 to access the new improvements.
Blackboard Instructor 4.8.1
Date Updated: September 6, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release we’ve squashed some bugs and made some minor improvements.
Blackboard Instructor 4.8
Date Updated: August 30, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release we’ve added journals to your courses!
You’ll now be able to:
- Access journals and be in touch with your students
- Add rich text and media when composing entries and comments
We’ve also made some small improvements and bug fixes.
Journals are only available for Ultra course view in the Blackboard instructor app.
Blackboard Instructor 4.7
Date Updated: August 6, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release we’ve added progress tracking to your courses!
You’ll now be able to:
- Enable progress tracking for all your courses
We’ve also made some small improvements and bug fixes.
Blackboard Instructor 4.6
Date Updated: July 26, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release we’ve revamped the discussion board for Ultra courses!
You’ll now be able to:
- Access group discussions and graded discussions
- Add rich text and media when composing discussion threads and replies
Blackboard Instructor 4.5
Date Updated: June 23, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release:
- We’ve made some small improvements and bug fixes.
Blackboard Instructor 4.4
Date Updated: May 26, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release, we’ve added improvements to Collaborate! You’ll now be able to:
- Access all recordings available in Collaborate
- Receive reminders for live Collaborate session
- Manage Collaborate sessions
These functionalities are only available for Ultra courses and requires minimum Learn version 3900.12.0.
Blackboard Instructor 4.3
Date Updated: April 26, 2021
iOS
In this release we’ve fixed:
- An issue where course pages do not properly load after viewing content
- A crash when viewing a large number of messages
Android
In this release:
- We’ve made some small improvements and bug fixes.
Blackboard Instructor 4.2.2
Date Updated: March 31, 2021
iOS
In this release we’ve fixed a crash when opening courses, squashed some small bugs, and made some minor improvements.
Blackboard Instructor 4.2.1
Date Updated: March 31, 2021
Android
In this release we’ve fixed a crash when opening courses, squashed some small bugs, and made some minor improvements.
Blackboard Instructor 4.2
Date Updated: March 8, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release, we’ve added messages to your courses.
You’ll now be able to:
- Access all messages from your courses
- Add rich text and media when composing messages
- Receive push notifications for new messages
We’ve also made some small improvements and bug fixes.
Minimum Learn Version 3900.2 is required to support Messages on the Blackboard Mobile App.
Blackboard Instructor 4.1
Date Updated: February 17, 2021
iOS
In this release, we’ve:
- Fixed a misaligned date/time picker when changing settings in due dates
- Improved support for content linked in files when offline
Android
In this release we’ve:
- Improved support for content linked in files when offline
- Resolved an issue where discussion board items were not updating after deleting
Blackboard Instructor 4.0.1
Date Updated: February 4, 2021
iOS
In this release, we’ve fixed an issue that resulted in displaying multiple different questions randomly in a Test.
Blackboard Instructor 4.0
Date Updated: February 1, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release, we’ve improved access to Zoom LTI sessions.
Blackboard Instructor 3.11.2
Date Updated: January 25, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release, we’ve fixed an issue that resulted in some users being frequently logged out.
Blackboard Instructor 3.11.1
Date Updated: January 20, 2021
iOS and Android
In this release, we’ve fixed some bugs and made some minor improvements.
Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Blackboard Learn Minimum Versions | Q4 2018 | Q2 2019 | Q4 2019 or Blackboard Learn SaaS*
*The Blackboard Instructor app functions in a limited capacity on older Blackboard Learn releases. Some features may not be available or fully functional on these releases: October 2014 | Q4 2015 | Q2 2016 | Q4 2016 | Q2 2017 | Q4 2017 | Q2 2018 |
| Mobile Web Services Building Block |
Blackboard recommends using version 94.9.12+ of the Mobile Web Services Building Block to ensure the best experience with the Blackboard Instructor app. The Mobile Web Services Building Block must be activated and registered with the Mobile Central Service to use the Blackboard Instructor app. To learn more, see Release Notes for Mobile Web Services (available in English and Spanish only). Mobile Web Services Building Block 94.9.6 is required for versions prior to Q4 2015. |
| Device OS |
iOS 11+ Please be advised that while the Blackboard app and Blackboard Instructor app can run on Android 6 and above, Google only provides security updates and support for Android 8 and above. |
Markets and verticals
Blackboard Instructor is available in all regions, countries, and territories supported by the Google Play and Apple App stores. The app is available to NAHE, ProEd, and K-12 clients for iOS and Android.
Description
Blackboard Instructor is a mobile app that enables instructors to view the course content, grade assignments, connect with students in discussions, and interact with their classes in Blackboard Collaborate. Users see all their current courses where they're enrolled as an instructor, TA, course builder, or another custom role.
Features
See the Blackboard Instructor feature guide for a list of tools and capabilities in the app.
Additional notes for administrators:
- Change settings for assessments and other content.
- Bb Annotate replaces New Box View as the inline annotation tool for assignment file submissions in Blackboard Learn during the May 25 through August 10, 2020 timeframe.
- Biometric login support.
- Custom logos.
- Institutions can turn off the color display for grading.
- The ability to email instructors from the app's course outline is disabled to better align with institutional communication policies.
- Push notifications.
- Announcements for Ultra and Original courses. Check the minimum system requirements for announcements.
- Apple Files on iOS devices. Learn more about cloud storage services and the app.
- Grade assignments. Learn more about the availability of grading.
- Attach files to discussion posts. Check the minimum system requirement for discussion attachments.
- Schedule announcements and send email copies of announcements.
- Users can download and view course files offline. Check the minimum B2 requirements for the offline content feature. User activity is downloaded offline content is logged in Blackboard Data.
- Supports courses, organizations, and custom roles. the Mobile Web Services Building Block version 94.9.8+ is required for organizations and custom roles.
- Users must accept the Blackboard Terms of Use on first access.
- Schools can provide a link to their institution's terms of use in the app.
- You can use custom labels for login fields to make it clear what credential to use.
- Collaborate Ultra sessions can be launched from courses in the app. Users are directed to a web browser to join the session.
- Supported Files in Mobile Apps provides a list of supported file types by the platform.
- Blackboard Instructor contains data caching for portions of the application. Here are the Mobile Backend as a Service (MBaaS) cache expiration times:
- 30-second expiration on the course list and course overview. This expiration is user-specific.
- 120 minutes on basic course information such as course id, name, and description. This expiration is system-wide.
- 120 minutes on school search with MLCS. This expiration is system-wide.
Language support
The language of the app comes from the device's operating system, not the Blackboard Learn language preference. Language settings affect the app interface, but not course content.
- Arabic
- Bulgarian
- Catalan
- Czech
- Danish
- Dutch
- Finnish
- French
- German
- Hebrew
- Italian
- Irish
- Japanese
- Korean
- Malay
- Maori
- Norwegian
- Nynorsk
- Polish
- Portuguese (Brazil)
- Portuguese (Portugal)
- Russian
- Simplified Chinese
- Spanish
- Swedish
- Thai
- Traditional Chinese
- Turkish
- UK English
- US English
- Vietnamese
- Welsh
Dependencies
-
Blackboard recommends using version 94.9.12+ of the Mobile Web Services building block to ensure the best experience with Blackboard Instructor. The Mobile Web Services building block must be activated and registered with the Mobile Central Service to use Blackboard Instructor. To learn more, see Release Notes for Mobile Web Services (available in English only).
-
Mobile Backend as a Service (MBaaS).
App installation
Instructors can follow these steps to download and install the Blackboard Instructor app.
- From your device, access the appropriate online store.
- App Store® on your Apple® device
- Google Play™ on your Android® device
- Search for Blackboard Instructor.
- Install the app on your mobile device.
- Open Blackboard Instructor and search for the full name of your institution.
If you’re unable to find your institution, try modifying your search. If your school is part of a larger institution or district, try searching for that name instead.
- Log in with your Blackboard Learn username and password. These are the same credentials you use to access your Blackboard courses on a computer.
Learn more
If you have questions, please reach out to our Blackboard Technical Support team on Behind the Blackboard (available in English only).
Statements about future development
*Statements regarding our product development initiatives, including new products and future product upgrades, updates or enhancements represent our current intentions, but may be modified, delayed or abandoned without prior notice and there is no assurance that such offering, upgrades, updates or functionality will become available unless and until they have been made generally available to our customers.
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