Blackboard Access for New Instructors
Overview
When a new instructor is hired, access to Blackboard depends on several processes involving both Human Resources (HR) and the Instructional Design Center (IDC). Since Blackboard access and course access are separate processes, instructors may be able to log in to Blackboard but not yet see their term-based courses. This KB page outlines the process and when to contact HR or the IDC.
Process & Approval of New Hire
Step 1: HR Processes Employment Paperwork
Once the hiring manager has submitted the new hire information to HR for review, the hire is approved by Payroll. The new hire will then receive an onboarding email, which includes claiming their NDUS account (N.D.University Systems Account) and completing onboarding activities.
Questions about the hiring process should be directed to HR, and questions about Blackboard should be directed to the IDC.
Step 2: Instructor Receives and Claims NDUS Account
Once the employment paperwork is processed, the instructor will receive an email to activate their NDUS account credentials.
The instructor must claim and activate their account before accessing university systems, including Blackboard. To learn more about activating and managing your NDUS account, visit the Account Hub KB page.
Important: Access to Blackboard does not automatically mean access to a term-based course. Access to a term-based course is a Registration & Records process. To learn more please visit the Adding Users to Blackboard KB page.
Step 3: Course Development and Course Access
Once the instructor has activated their NDUS account, the department contact or the instructor can reach out to the IDC by submitting an IT Service Center ticket. To ensure this process is completed promptly, please indicate in the service ticket that your request needs to be sent to the IDC team.
Depending on the situation, the IDC may be able to provide:
- A development course for building course materials
- Information on how to access a term-based course shell
- Information on how to access previous course content
- Guidance on available course development options, such as meeting with an instructional designer
Who should I contact?
Click on the contact hyperlink for more direct information.
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Questions about |
Contact |
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Employment paperwork and start date |
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Blackboard login issues after account activation |
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Blackboard course development sites |
Instructional Design Center through an IT Service Center support ticket. |
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Blackboard term-based course access |
Adding Users to Blackboard KB page |
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Situation |
Contact |
|---|---|
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New NDSU employee |
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Employee has not claimed the account |
Employee |
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Employees cannot log into Blackboard after account activation. |
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Employee needs a Blackboard development course |
Instructional Design Center through an IT Service Center support ticket. |
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Employee needs access to their term-based course |
Adding Users to Blackboard KB page |
Frequently Asked Questions
- When will a new instructor receive Blackboard access? Blackboard credentials are tied to the employee's NDUS account. HR determines when credentials are issued based on employment processing timelines. Blackboard credentials are typically created the day after the employee’s start date is entered into PeopleSoft.
- Can the IDC create NDUS or new Blackboard accounts? No. Account creation is managed through HR and the NDUS account processes.
- The instructor can log in to Blackboard but does not see any courses. Is something wrong? Not necessarily. Blackboard access and course access are separate processes. Refer to the Adding Users to Blackboard KB page for the process of adding instructors to a term-based course.