TABLE OF CONTENTS

• About the Blackboard App
• Install App and Log in
• Navigating the App
  • Activity Stream
  • Courses 
  • Calendar
  • The More Menu
• What Works Well in the Blackboard App?
  • Students
  • Instructors
• What Doesn't Work Well in the Blackboard App?
  • Students
  • Instructors
• Authentication Error

About the Blackboard App

The Blackboard app provides a modern and intuitive experience on any device with the features both students and instructors use the most, including:  

Instructor

• Preview course items, assignments, and tests 
• Create and upload course content
• Participate in discussions
• Send announcements
• Grade assignments and update assessment settings
• Change item settings for assessments and other content

Student

• View course items and course announcements
• Submit assignments
• Participate in discussions

For more information watch the Blackboard App overview video.

*Important Information Regarding Tests: Please note that while students may be able to use the Blackboard App to take tests, we strongly discourage it. When taking tests, we recommend using a computer and a reliable network connection. For more information on myLesley tests, go to the  Taking Tests and Surveys in myLesley support article.

Install App and Log in

• Download on your Apple® device
• Download on your Android™ device

Activity Stream

The Activity Stream is the first screen after login and where you can see up-to-the-minute action for all of your courses, including announcements, upcoming tests and assignments, changes to due dates and events, upcoming calendar events, and more. For more information go to the Activity Stream support article.

Courses 

Select Courses to see the courses in which you are enrolled. Select a course card to navigate to the course. Tap the star icon next to the course name to add it to your favorites and keep it at the top of your page. For more information go to the Ultra Course List support article.

Once you are within your course you will see a concise view of your course content. This includes shortcuts to the most frequently used course content as well as the course content itself. 

Click on the following areas to navigate to them:

• Grades: For students, the Grades area will display your current grade and your graded work. For instructors, the Grades area will display student work that you need to grade as well as previously graded assignments. For more information, go to the Grades in the Blackboard App support article.
• Announcements: The Announcements area will display all of the announcements for the course. Instructors may also use the app to create, edit, and delete announcements. For more information, go to the Announcements in the Blackboard App support article.
• Messages: The Messages area allows students and faculty to view and create course messages.
• Course Content: The Course Content area will display all of your course content and additional tools (such as Groups). Students can navigate the content, view and save files, submit assignments, and more. Instructors can navigate content, add and edit content, and more. For more information, go to the Course Content in the Blackboard App support article.
• Discussions: Discussions are best accessed from the Discussions area rather than from a link to the discussion board in the course content. Students and instructors can read discussions, create threads, and reply to posts. For more information, go to the Discussions in the Blackboard App support article.

Calendar

Select Calendar to view your myLesley calendar. Students and instructors can view Calendar items, such as due dates for upcoming assignments, events, and more. You may also create new events.

More

Select More to access additional content, including your profile page, Organizations in which you are enrolled, the global Grades area (students can view all of their graded items and instructors can review and grade items), tools, messages, and settings.

What Works Well in the Blackboard App?

Students

• Check Course Content: The Blackboard App is a great way to quickly check existing course content and view and save files. For more information, go to the Course Content in the Blackboard App support article.
• View Announcements: View Announcements from your instructor directly in the app. For more information, go to the Announcements in the Blackboard App support article.
• Read and Respond to Discussions: The Blackboard Instructor app allows you to create, read, and respond to threads in the Discussion Board. For more information, go to the Discussions in the Blackboard App support article.
• Submit Assignments: You may view, submit and complete assignments right from the app. For more information, go to the Tests and Assignments in the Blackboard App support article.
• View Grades: Within the app you can easily view all of your grades and feedback. For more information, go to the Grades in the Blackboard App support article.

Instructors

• Check Existing Course Content: The Blackboard App is a great way to quickly check existing course content. For more information, go to the Course Content in the Blackboard App support article. 
• Create and View Announcements: The Blackboard app allows you to easily create and view Announcements. For more information, go to the Announcements in the Blackboard App support article. 
• Read and Respond to Discussions: The Blackboard app allows you to create, read, and respond to threads in the Discussion Board. However, in order to create new Discussion Forums you will need to access your course via your web browser (on your mobile device or computer). For more information, go to the Discussions in the Blackboard App support article.
• Grading: The Blackboard app allows you to quickly review, provide feedback, and grade assignment submissions as well as view associated rubrics and attachments. 

What Doesn't Work Well in the Blackboard App?

Students

• Tests: Please note that while you may be able to use the Blackboard App to take tests, we strongly discourage it. When taking tests, we recommend using a computer and a reliable network connection. For more information on myLesley tests, see Taking Tests and Surveys in myLesley
• Blogs, Journals, and Wikis: The Blog, Journal, and Wiki tools are not accessible via the Blackboard App. You will need to access these tools through your web browser (on your mobile device or computer).
• Kaltura Media: In order to create/upload videos in Kaltura Media, you will need to use your web browser (on your mobile device or computer). For more information, go to the Uploading to Kaltura from a Mobile Device support article. Please note that viewing Kaltura Media can be tricky on a mobile device, depending on your browser and privacy settings. For the best experience, view Kaltura Media on your computer.

Instructors

• Create Assignments and Tests: While you may view assignments and tests within the Blackboard app, you cannot create new Assignments or Tests. Instead, you will need to access the course through your web browser (on your mobile device or computer). 
• Blogs, Journals, and Wikis: The Blog, Journal, and Wiki tools are not accessible via the Blackboard app. You will need to access these tools through your web browser (on your mobile device or computer).
• Kaltura Media: In order to create/upload videos in Kaltura Media, you will need to use your web browser (on your mobile device or computer). For more information, go to the Uploading to Kaltura from a Mobile Device support article. Please note that viewing Kaltura Media can be tricky on a mobile device, depending on your browser and privacy settings. For the best experience, view Kaltura Media on your computer.

Authentication Error

If you experience an authentication error with your Blackboard app you may need to update. To update your app, log out of the Blackboard app, remove "Lesley University" from the school indicator, and re-search for the university.

1. In the Blackboard App press the menu icon (3 parallel horizontal lines) in the upper left corner. 
2. Press Settings. 
3. Press Log Out. A pop-up will ask if you are sure you want to logout. Press Log Out. 
4. You will be brought to the login screen. Delete your username. Under "Welcome to Lesley University", click the Change button. 
5. At the Type Your School's Name prompt, enter Lesley University, and select it from the list.
6. Press Web Login to login.
7. You will be brought to the Lesley Login page. Enter your Lesley credentials to log in.