Students Getting Started Guide
College of DuPage uses Blackboard as our learning management system (LMS). If you are taking online, hybrid or VCM courses, you will access some or all of your course materials through Blackboard. All courses will have the syllabus in Blackboard for your reference.
The following resources can help you get comfortable with Blackboard. Reminder: the videos are examples; your course will appear similar to the videos, but may not look exactly the same.
You can also use the Student Quick Start Guide to learn more about setting up and using Blackboard.
Accessing Blackboard
To sign into Blackboard, you will need your COD login information. This is the same login that you use to access email and other campus resources.
Once signed in, you will be able to see all of your courses and navigate to course tools, assignments, and more.
Navigating Your Courses
Assignments
Submitting assignments through Blackboard is very common in online courses. This video will provide you with the information you need to use the Assignments tool correctly so that you can easily submit papers and other coursework.
For more information on assignments, see the following Blackboard Help articles:
Tests and Quizzes
For more information on taking exams in Blackboard, see the following Blackboard Help articles:
Discussion Boards
The Discussion Board is an important part of many online courses, since it is often the main way that you will connect with your classmates and discuss what you are learning.
This video will help you learn how the discussion boards in Blackboard work, so you can get started posting information in your course.
You can also come back and watch this video in the future.
For more information, see the following articles on Blackboard Help:
Viewing Your Grades
As you complete and submit assignments, exams, and other gradable work, your instructor will issue grades to you. You will also be able to check the submissions that you have made throughout this orientation.
This video will show you how to access your grades in Blackboard.
More information on Blackboard Grades:
Blackboard Ally
Blackboard is equipped with Ally, a tool which can help you to engage with your course content in the best format for you. Download your course files in formats that match your device and needs.
Blackboard Mobile App
The current version of the Blackboard mobile app is available on iOS and Android mobile devices.
Notification Settings
Notification Settings shows you how to set your notification options. Blackboard Learn notifies you when:
- Announcements and assignments are available.
- Assignments are due or past due.
- Content or a course is available.
- When a course message is received.
- When an items, surveys and tests are available, due, past due or graded.
- You have unread blogs, journals and discussions.
