Blackboard for Instructors
Below is an overview of Blackboard for instructors.
Overview
Blackboard is the Learning Management System (LMS) for NDSU that connects students, faculty, and staff both inside and outside of the classroom. Starting in Spring 2026, all of NDSU's Blackboard courses will be created in Blackboard Learn - Ultra Course View. Some courses and organizations may still be using Blackboard Learn - Original Course View for the summer and fall semesters of 2025.
For assistance with any Original Course View functions, please review the appropriate Blackboard Help support pages below in Related Resources.
Getting Started
Set up the Duo Mobile app authentication before logging in to Blackboard.
- You will be prompted for Duo Authentication each time you sign in to Blackboard.
- Visit the page - Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) or watch the video - Setting Up your Duo Mobile Account (1.29) to set up your Duo Mobile app authentication.
Best Practices
Course design is focused on setting your students up for success and providing a quality learning experience. This means designing learning to give students transparency and clarity about your expectations of their learning, and their performance through assessment. It begins with backward design, considering learning goals first and moving on to aligning assessments and activities with those goals.
Learn More/How To's
- Blackboard Ultra Resources for Instructors
- Moving From Original to Ultra Course Checklist
- Ultra Conversion Best Practices
FAQs
Use Cases
- Delivering instruction, assessing student learning, facilitating communication, and fostering collaboration
Universal Design/Accessibility
- Using strategies and guidelines from Universal Design for Learning and ensuring all of the course content is accessible creates a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment.