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.
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
Converting Checklists
Getting Started - Faculty
Building Your Course
- Course Copy Tool in Blackboard Original and Ultra Course
- Ultra AI Design Assistant
- Creating Learning Modules
- Creating an Ultra Document
- Using the Content Editor
- Assessments
- Discussions
- Creating a Journal
- Moving Content with the Keyboard
- Previewing Your Course as a Student
- Provide accommodation to a student for the entire semester
- Grant a student an exception for a specific assessment
- Blackboard Ultra - Create Groups in Merged Course
- How To View and Edit My Portfolio with an Ultra Course or Organization
- Add a Course Materials Link to Your Blackboard (Bb) Ultra Course
- Export Blackboard Courses
Grading
- Grading Assessment
- Grading Discussion
- Inline File Viewing NEW
- Accommodation and Assessment Exception in Ultra
- Final Grade Integration to Campus Connection
Plagiarism Checker
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.