Blackboard: Base Navigation

Summary

Learn about Blackboard Base Navigation

Body

Blackboard Original Student Guide

This guide is for Blackboard Original courses only.
If you're looking for Bb Ultra support instead, see: Blackboard Ultra: Base Navigation Sample Bb Original course showing menus on left.
Not sure? See the article: Blackboard: Original vs Ultra

Blackboard Overview - Base Navigation

For full Blackboard training, check out the Crash Course tutorial videos or the interactive online student orientation.

More information can be found in the article: Blackboard: Available training.

Video Overview

Watch this video for an introduction to Base Navigation, or see the written information below:

Access

Blackboard can be accessed at courses.cscc.edu

Log in with your regular Columbus State username and password.
Note: if you don't know your username or password, see the article: Discover My Login Name / Password.

Navigation

When you log in to Backboard, you have easy access to course materials and resources.

In a browser, your navigation options will be in a list on the left. If you are on a small screen or the Blackboard Mobile App, select the more options icon to view these options.

Each of these options will show you a global view that combines information from all your courses.

blackboard showing on a monitor and phone screen

Click on a topic below to learn more:

Institution Page

The Institution Page contains links to technical support, answers to frequently asked questions, and academic support resources available on campus.

For more, see the Blackboard help page: Institution Page.

[Name] / Profile

The Profile page allows you to edit your profile and preferences.

Set notifications - adjust your stream, email, or push (pop-up) notifications
Add a name pronunciation- add a written or recorded phonetic pronunciation
Upload a personal image (picture or avatar)

For more, see the knowledge base article: Blackboard: Set up your Profile.

How do I change my name or pronouns? Your name or pronouns can be changed in your Self-Service User Profile. For more details, see the page: Chosen Names.

Activity Stream

The Activity Stream shows new announcements, upcoming due dates, assignments, and exams. It's a good way to get a quick snapshot of what's new and upcoming.

You can filter notifications shown on your Stream:

Select an option from the Filter drop-down menu on the top right and make a selection.

You can personalize which notifications you receive:

Click on the settings icon in the top right to change these settings.
See more on Blackboard's Support page: Edit Notification Settings

You can also Dismiss the Important notifications from the top when they have passed, by clicking the Dismiss button to the right of each item.

For more, see the Blackboard help page: Activity Stream.

Courses

In the browser, Blackboard opens to Courses, listed by term. You can view your courses as a list or grid.

When you select a course, it will open in a new layer on top. Your options will be visible peeking out from below. You can easily jump to another recent course by clicking on the Courses drop down in the top left corner or exit the current course by clicking the home icon in the top left corner.

Courses themselves will still look the same, since they are in Original Course View.

Organizations

Note: The Organizations option only shows if you are in 1 or more organizations. So don't worry if it is missing.

Organizations behave like courses and contain tools that enable participants to communicate efficiently. You can post information, have discussions, and share documents. Organizations are an ideal place to connect with other users with whom you share interests or extra-curricular activities. Your institution controls who can create organizations.

For more, see the Blackboard help page: Organizations

Calendar

Calendar - Instructors can add due dates to the course calendar. This calendar combines the calendar for all your courses into one.

Learn how to share events from Blackboard to a personal calendar in the article- Blackboard: Share Calendar.

For more, see the Blackboard help page: Calendar.

Messages

Messages can used to communicate with classmates or instructors in Blackboard. Note that the icon in the navigation options on the left shows a notification if there are new messages in your courses. The Messages option will only be visible in your list if one or more of your courses are using this feature.

Note: Some instructors will disable this feature because they prefer to use email to communicate. Please read the course information carefully to learn the best way to contact your instructors.

For more, see the Blackboard help page: Messages.

Grades

Grades - shows all your grades and feedback organized by course

Click on an item in the list, to go to the My Grades page for that course. From there you can view feedback. (Learn more in the article: Blackboard: View Grades and Feedback)

For more on Grades, see the Blackboard help page: Grades.

Tools

In Blackboard, you can access other helpful tools including your student email (Outlook), Starfish, RegisterBlast, and tutoring services (in-person or online through NetTutor).

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Article ID: 745

Created

Mon 10/10/22 9:24 AM

Modified

Fri 5/15/26 12:16 PM

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Blackboard: Base Navigation

Summary

Body

Blackboard Original Student Guide

Blackboard Overview - Base Navigation

Video Overview

Access

Navigation

Click on a topic below to learn more:

Institution Page

[Name] / Profile

Activity Stream

Courses

Organizations

Calendar

Messages

Grades

Tools

Details

Details

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