Student Blackboard Home Student Training Home OIR Home
The blackboard app is designed especially for students to view content and participate in courses. That means you can see all your courses on your phone, keep track of due dates in every course, see your course materials, assignments, or test on your phone. The current version of the app is available on iOS and Android mobile devices.
Watch the video for a short overview, or choose a topic below.
Didn't find what you need here? Check out Blackboard's App Help page for more detailed information.
Blackboard App
Download the Blackboard app and install it on your device. The app is free and can be downloaded from the following locations:
Next, launch the app on your device and search for Wichita State University. Enter in your WSUID and password then click the Log In button.
Set up Notifications
- Access the Settings screen in the Blackboard App by selecting More from the bottom menu.
- Select Settings.
- Select Stream notifications (which show up in your Blackboard Activity Stream), Email notifications, or Push notifications to determine which notifcations you would like to receive, and how often. Your device may require you to allow push notifications in order to receive them.
Activity Stream
The Activity Stream gives you an up-to-date list of new activity in your courses, including announcements, new content, and more.
Tap the item in the stream to start working on it. If you want to go to the course outline instead, tap on the course name.
For more information about the Activity Stream in the App, visit Blackboard's App Activity Stream page.
Course Content
Course Content in the Blackboard App looks similar to the browser version.
Selecting Course in the main menu will display all of your courses. Change the view by tapping the chevron at the top of the page next to Current.
Within the app, you can see folders, documents, assessments, and all the other items posted in your course.
Most file types (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, PDF) will open inside the Blackboard app. Content that is not supported inside the app will open in a browser window.
In addition, Blackboard Ally allows you to generate alternative file formats for course content to make it more accessible.
Assignments in the Blackboard App differ depending on whether your course is in Original format or Ultra format. Those differences are noted below.
Steps for submitting assignments
- Find the assignment in the Activity Stream, in Due Dates in the main menu, or inside the course.
- Read the assignment details.
- In Original format, assignment instructions show after you begin an attempt.
- In Ultra format, instructions show before you begin an attempt.
- Tap Start Attempt, and complete the assignment.
- If required, tap Add Content.
- In Original format, choose Add Text to type text to submit with your assignment. Choose Add File to attach a file from your computer or the cloud. Tap the plus sign to add more files or text, or the trash can to delete an attachment.
- In Ultra format, type text in the text box and use the menu tools for formatting. Tap the plus sign to add formulas, links, images or videos from Web, files, or other content. Select Insert Files to take a picture or video or browse your computer or the cloud for an image or a file.
Not all test questions are compatible with the Blackboard App. For best results, complete assessments in a browser on a laptop or desktop.
If a test is not supported in mobile, you will see a message directing you to take the assessment on a desktop, instead.
Steps for Completing Tests and Quizzes
Tests in the Blackboard App differ depending on whether your course is in Original format or Ultra format. Those differences are notated below.
- Find the tests in the activity stream, Due Dates in the main menu or within a course, or within a course's content.
- Read the test instructions.
- Tap Start Attempt and complete the test.
- If required (only available in Ultra), add additional text or attach files to supplement your test. Type text in the text box and use the menu tools for formatting. Tap the plus sign to add formulas, links, images or videos from Web, files, or other content. Select Insert Files to take a picture or video or browse your computer or the cloud for an image or a file.
- Tap Save for Later if you aren't finished working, or Submit to turn in your test. If you see Drafts are Disabled, your instructor selected a setting that requires you to complete the test in one sitting.
Grades
Select Grades on the main menu to see your overall grades for all of your courses. If your instructor has set up overall grades in your course, you will see a letter grade, percentage, or point total. Tap a course grade to see your graded work.
In a course, your current grade is displayed at the top of Course Overview. Tap the course grade to see your graded work.
Feedback
Your instructor may provide feedback on your assignments and tests. In Ultra, feedback can include text, attached files, multimedia, and inline grading notes on files you have submitted. In Original, feedback is plain text only, and is not all available in the app. Access your course on a desktop browser to see all feedback.
Troubleshooting
For more detailed information about the Blackboard App, visit the Blackboard Learn App Help page.