Update Overview

The update will include changes to both the Global Navigation Menu, and to the way that users navigate between pages in Blackboard. For more detailed information about this change, please visit Blackboard's Help Center page for instructors and for students.

Global Navigation Menu Update

This update includes minor changes to the appearance of the Global Navigation Menu, found on the left side of the page when you first log in to Blackboard. The menu's functionality will remain the same — it will contain all of the current tools and links, but your profile link will now appear at the top of the list and the Sign Out button has been moved to the bottom of the page. Please click the image below to zoom in and compare:

Overall Navigation Update

Currently, when you click a link in the Global Navigation Menu or inside of a course, Blackboard will open that item inside of a floating page with its own 'x' (close) menu on the left. As you open additional items or links, the pages will stack, with previous levels visible on the left.

After the initial update, when you click a link to open a tool, course, Blackboard will load that item in the current window. You will not need to 'x' out of your current page to return to your previous location. Instead, you can use your browser's Back button, like most other websites. 

Additional updates to this navigation will be coming and will include the removal of stacking in content items within a course as well.

My Blackboard Tools

All of the existing tools will still be available in the Global Navigation Menu, which contains tools/links that may be used to move between different areas in Blackboard. You can use it to access any of your courses using the Courses link, or click the other links to find more information about all of your courses consolidated in one place. For example, clicking on the Activity link will show you new assignments, changes, and updates that have recently occurred in all of your courses. All of the other menu links (like Calendar and Messages) will display the associated information from all of your courses in one place. Please see the links below for more information about the available tools.

Profile - Make changes to your online persona. You can add a profile picture and information such as your name's pronunciation.

Institution Page - Find information about UND and view important system notifications and updates.

Activity - See the most up-to-date notifications from all of your courses in one place.

Courses - View a list of all past, present, and future courses. Click the links to view any course that is currently open (available to students).

Organizations - View organizations you're a member of.

Calendar - See course events and due dates for all courses and organizations.

Messages - View and send messages from all of your courses (visible in Bb only, not email).

Grades - Check your current grades across all courses.

Tools - Access global functions that are outside of your courses, like your Content Collection and Portfolio.

Notification Badges / Icons - indicate how many new items are in each area.