Blackboard Instructor Help

Instructor presenting

Blackboard is the University of Alaska’s virtual learning environment. It provides a course site to manage your classes, share resources and files, post and grade assignments, hold online discussions, and more.

 

Blackboard Ultra Help for Students

Visit the Student Help and Support page. 

 

Blackboard

Blackboard is UAA’s primary online space for courses. It includes tools for several common instructional functions. UAA is now using the Blackboard Ultra course view for all courses. Learn more about the Ultra transition on the next tab. 

  • Getting Started in Blackboard

    Getting Started in Blackboard

    At UAA, new Blackboard course shells are created automatically each semester and students are added to the course as they enroll. Students can’t see the course, however, until the instructor sets the course to Open in Course Settings (do not adjust Course Duration, just Course Status).

    If you are new to Blackboard or want a refresher, start with these UAA-specific resources, which cover basic course setup, posting your syllabus and a welcome announcement, and organizing content:

     

    Blackboard Help

    Visit Blackboard Instructor Help for step-by-step instructions for common functions or start with their Course Setup Checklist.

    Reuse a Course

    Blackboard Ultra makes reusing course content easy! Follow these tips for a successful copy:

    • Start in the new course
    • Click the Add circle plus icon, then Copy Content
    • FInd your course
    • Don't copy an entire course by checking the box on the left to select the whole course! This imports background settings that can cause problems later. Instead, click the course name or arrow to open the course, then check the folders inside to copy. You can also copy only a few items at a time, as needed
    • Don't copy linked publisher content (i.e. McGraw Hill, Pearson), VoiceThread assignments, or Zoom links. Build those from scratch in the new course with Add: Content Market
    • You can copy content in exactly where you want it on the Content area
    • Check your Exceptions list, but most are minor formatting changes
    • Use Batch Edit to edit visibility or due dates for multiple items at once
    • How to Copy Content in Ultra (video, 2:08)
  • Accessibility in Blackboard

    Accessibility in Blackboard

    Blackboard is fully committed to ensuring the platform contains no barriers for users with disabilities and is accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ability or situation. 

  • Blackboard Communication Tools

    Blackboard Communication Tools

    Blackboard has built-in tools for student interaction. In addition, UAA has added several third party tools to Blackboard for student engagement, including Zoom Meetings for web-conferencing (see the Third Party Tools tab for more). 

    You can use these tools for student introductions, in-depth content conversations, posting presentations, and more. Our Peer Interaction page includes additional information on using Blackboard and Blackboard-integrated tools.

  • Assessment and Grading in Blackboard

    Assessment and Grading in Blackboard

    You can use Assignments and Tests to collect student work in the Gradebook and provide feedback to students.

    Additional resources:

Blackboard Ultra Transition

All UAA courses are in Ultra course view as of Fall 2026. 

For 2027, all Original course shells will be converted to “read only.” Once a shell is “read only,” materials in the shell - including content, assignments, and grades - cannot be altered. Instructors will still be able to copy content from those Original courses into Ultra courses.

On January 1, 2028, read-only Original courses will be automatically converted to Ultra. Most content and student information will be preserved. We will share more details on this in 2027. Programs that require exact versions of old courses for accreditation documentation should contact us at uaa_design@alaska.edu to discuss archiving their Original courses in 2027.

Ultra training and support

In addition to regular Ultra faculty newsletters, instructors can learn more about using Ultra with these supports:

 

The one-week, fully asynchronous Blackboard Ultra Course Conversion training will be offered each term to help instructors prepare future courses. It includes a pathway for users who are designing new courses, not just converting from Original. Check the registration link for dates.

Register for Ultra training

Blackboard Third Party Tools

These tools inside Blackboard are supported through collaborative efforts of UAA and the vendor. If your program is interested in integrating a different third party tool with Blackboard, review the UAA Blackboard use policy for the process.

Zoom Meetings

Zoom video/web conferencing is integrated into Blackboard at UAA. Zoom lets you share files and applications, use virtual whiteboards, communicate via audio/video/chat, divide students into breakout rooms, and more. If you set Zoom meetings through your Blackboard course and choose to record the meeting automatically to the cloud, Zoom recordings will automatically post to the Zoom area of your Blackboard course. Please review our Web Conferencing page for more details.

Kaltura Media

Faculty, staff and students have access to Kaltura Media, within Blackboard, to create and share videos and other media as course content. Please review our Creating Videos page for more information.

VoiceThread

VoiceThread is an interactive visual collaboration and sharing tool that can be used for discussion boards, instructor lectures, student presentations, and more. 

Please review our Peer Interaction page for more information. Visit the UAA VoiceThread Resource Guide to get started with VoiceThread.

Teaching with Blackboard

All academic UAA courses are required to use Blackboard to share the syllabus and instructor contact information. Most face-to-face instructors use Blackboard for additional functions like posting reminders, sharing materials, collecting assignments, and tracking grades. Online and hybrid courses use Blackboard-integrated tools for communication, peer interaction, course activities, and assessments.

These resources can help you develop your courses and teaching strategies to use Blackboard effectively:

Assistance

Information Technology Services

If you need assistance with computer or software support; internet or wireless issues; username or password help; or technical questions regarding Blackboard, please call UAA Technical Support Center at 907-786-4646 or 877-633-3888 or via email at uaa.techsupport@alaska.edu. For more information, visit the Information Technology Services website.

Instructional Design Support

For more assistance on designing and teaching your courses, contact the Instructional Design team at 907-786-6219 or via email at uaa_design@alaska.edu. Instructors at Kenai Peninsula College can contact the KPC Educational Technology, Innovation, and Learning Design Team for assistance.

Disability Support Services 

If you have questions or concerns about accommodations or if you need additional information regarding student requests for assistance, call DSS at 907-786-4530 or email DSS at uaa_dss@alaska.edu. For more information, visit the Disability Support Services website.

 

Faculty Success
Library 213 • 907-786-4496 • uaa_facultysuccess@alaska.edu • Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.