This tab presents a series of links that lead to the following types of information:
Supported versions of the Java Run-Time Environment for CE and Vista.
Supported Browsers, Plugins, and Operating Systems for each release of the Blackboard Academic Suite and the Blackboard Learning System - Vista and CE.
How to find out what version of Blackboard you are using.
How to find out what version of Windows, Mac OS, Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari you are using.
Supported Browsers, Plugins, and Operating Systems
The following table presents our definitions of Support Levels that are applied to every Operating System, Web Browser, and Browser Plugin that interacts with the Blackboard Academic Suite and the Blackboard Learning System - Vista and CE.
Support Level
Definition
Certified
Certified configurations are fully tested and supported.
Compatible
Compatible configurations are partially tested but should function properly.
Provisional
Provisional configurations are future technologies that are considered supported by Client Support
Not Supported
The configuration is not tested or supported by Blackboard.
These comprehensive reference tools provide quick answers to commonly asked questions and serve as a repository for information that is needed on an infrequent basis. The manuals are available in several different formats:
PDF
HTML
Documentation Authoring Kit. Blackboard Academic Suite only. All of the reference manuals are available in Microsoft Word format for customization.
Blackboard Learn Release 9
Instructor Manual | PDF | HTML
User Manual | PDF | HTML
Learning Content User Manual | PDF | HTML
The Instructor Manual provides information on teaching courses through the Blackboard Academic Suite. The manual includes information on constructing the course, communicating with students, setting up collaborative environments, and evaluating student performance.
Release 8.0 | PDF | HTML Release 7.3 | PDF | HTML Release 7.2 | PDF | HTML Release 7.1 | PDF Release 7.0 | PDF Release 6.3 | PDF
Blackboard Academic Suite User Manual
The User Manual provides information on navigating through the Blackboard Academic Suite and participating in courses. The manual includes information on customizing the appearance and content of the tabs, collaborating and communicating with users, and working within a course to complete assignments and tests.
Release 8.0 | PDF | HTML Release 7.3 | PDF | HTML Release 7.2 | PDF | HTML Release 7.1 | PDF Release 7.0 | PDF Release 6.3 | PDF
Blackboard Content System User Manual
The Content System User Manual provides information on navigating through the Blackboard Content System and working with files. The manual includes information on storing files, working collaboratively, and creating portfolios.
Release 8.0 | PDF | HTML Release 7.3 | PDF | HTML Release 7.2 | PDF | HTML Release 7.1 | PDF Release 7.0 | PDF Release 6.3 | PDF
Blackboard Outcomes System Reference Manual
The Blackboard Outcomes System Reference Manual provides instructions for the application of the Outcomes System for the Blackboard Academic Suite. All capabilities and functions for the Outcomes System are contained within this manual.
Release 8.0 | PDF Release 7.3 | PDF Release 7.2 | PDF
Blackboard Community System Leader Manual
The Blackboard Community System Leader Manual provides information on managing Organizations through the Blackboard Community System. The manual includes information on constructing the Organization, communicating with members, and setting up collaborative environments.
Useful Information This manual should only be used by clients that license the Blackboard Community System but do not license the Blackboard Learning System (Classic).
Release 8.0 | PDF | HTML Release 7.3 | PDF | HTML Release 7.2 | PDF | HTML Release 7.1 | PDF Release 7.0 | PDF Release 6.3 | PDF
Blackboard Community System User Manual
The Blackboard Community System User Manual provides information on navigating through the Blackboard Community System and participating in organizations. The manual includes information on customizing the appearance and content of the tabs and collaborating and communicating with other users, as well as working with My Accounts.
Useful Information This manual should only be used by clients that license the Blackboard Community System but do not license the Blackboard Learning System (Classic).
Release 8.0 | PDF | HTML Release 7.3 | PDF | HTML Release 7.2 | PDF | HTML Release 7.1 | PDF Release 7.0 | PDF Release 6.3 | PDF
Blackboard Academic Suite Documentation Authoring Kits
The Documentation Authoring Kit is a ZIP file that contains Microsoft Word versions of the Administrator Guide, Instructor Guide, Content System User Guide, and the User Guide. You are free to alter these files to suit the needs of your institution.
Useful Information The System Administrator must accept the End User License Agreement (EULA) when downloading these kits.
Release 8.0 | ZIP Package Release 7.3 | ZIP Package Release 7.2 | ZIP Package Release 7.1 | ZIP Package Release 7.0 | ZIP Package Release 6.3 | ZIP Package Blackboard Community Suite Documentation Authoring Kit for Release 8.0 | ZIP Package
The Blackboard Community Suite Documentation Authoring Kit contains Word versions of the Administrator Guide, Instructor Guide, and the User Guide.
Blackboard Learning System CE/Vista (WebCT)
CE 6 Designer and Instructor Reference Manual
The CE 6 Designer and Instructor Reference Manual is written to help Instructional Designers, Instructors, and Students use the system effectively. The manual contains information on creating course content, working and evaluating Students, and submitting assignments for evaluation.
Release 8.0 | PDF Release 6.2 | PDF Release 6.1.1 | PDF Release 6.1 | PDF Release 6.0 with Vista Learning Object Manager | PDF Release 6.0 | PDF
Vista 4 Designer and Instructor Reference Manual
The Vista 4 Designer and Instructor Reference Manual is written to help Instructional Designers, Instructors, and Students use the system effectively. The manual contains information on creating course content, working and evaluating Students, and submitting assignments for evaluation.
Release 8.0 | PDF Release 4.2 | PDF Release 4.1.1 | PDF Release 4.1 | PDF Release 4.0 | PDF Release 3.0 | PDF
CE 6 and Vista 4 Portfolio System Owner and Designer Reference Manual
The Blackboard Portfolio System Owner and Designer Reference contains information and step-by-step instructions on using Blackboard Portfolio System for Portfolio Owners and Portfolio Designers.
Release 8.0 | PDF Release 4.2/6.2 | PDF
Quick Reference Guides
Quick Reference Guides explain a feature and demonstrate its value in two pages.
Useful Information The PDF files are ready for distribution; the ZIP Package contains all of the Quick Start Guides.
Blackboard Academic Suite Quick Start Guides | ZIP Package
Blackboard Academic Suite Quick Start Guide: Collaboration | PDF
Blackboard Academic Suite Quick Start Guide: Creating Course Content | PDF
Blackboard Academic Suite Quick Start Guide: EWS Observers | PDF
Blackboard Academic Suite Quick Start Guide: Keeping Students Informed | PDF
Blackboard Academic Suite Quick Start Guide: Measuring Student Performance | PDF
Blackboard Academic Suite Quick Start Guide: Organizing Your Course | PDF
Blackboard Academic Suite Quick Start Guide: Presenting Content | PDF
Blackboard Academic Suite Quick Start Guide: Reusing and Reorganizing Courses | PDF
Blackboard Academic Suite Quick Start Guide: Reusing Reorganizing Portfolio Content | PDF
Blackboard Academic Suite Quick Start Guide: Universal Design | PDF
Getting Started
Getting Started Guides are designed to help users get comfortable with a feature in 15 minutes.
Useful Information
The PDF files are ready for distribution; the ZIP Packages contain Microsoft Word files and Adobe InDesign files for customizing the material.
To view Flash Presentations, you must have a current version of Adobe Flash Player installed. | Adobe Flash Player
Getting Started With the Grade Center PDF | Documentation Kit ZIP Package
Getting Started in Blackboard Portfolio: Tutorials for Owners and Designers | Flash Presentation
Getting Started Guide: WebCT Campus Edition 4.0 PDF | WebCT Campus Edition 4.1 PDF
Getting Started: Workshop for Designers and Instructors | PDF
Tutorials
Blackboard Academic Suite
The Quick Tutorial Library is a collection of short clips that demonstrate new features of the Blackboard Academic Suite, the Blackboard Content System, and the Blackboard Community System.
Vista 3.0 Student Orientation to WebCT Vista PDF | Interactive Demos for Students Flash Presentation | Interactive Demos for Faculty and Designers Flash Presentation
Exploring WebCT Upgrade Tutorials for Faculty and Designers | Flash Presentation
Release Information
Blackboard Academic Suite
The Blackboard Academic Suite Faculty Release Notes are written to inform Instructors of the changes, new features, and enhancements in the Blackboard Academic Suite.
Blackboard Academic Suite Faculty Release Notes for 7.2 PDF | 7.3 PDF | 8.0 PDF
CE and Vista
The CE Upgrade Guide for Designers and Instructors and the Vista Migration Guide for Designers and Instructors contains detailed information on upgrading from one version of CE or Vista to another.
CE
Blackboard Learning System - Upgrade Guide for Designers and Instructors
Release 6.2 for CE 4.1 | PDF Application Pack 1 for CE 6, Service Pack 1 | PDF Application Pack 1 for CE 6 | PDF Release 6.0 | PDF
Vista
Vista Migration Guide for Designers and Instructors
Release 4.2 | PDF Application Pack 1 for Vista 4, Service Pack 1 | PDF Application Pack 1 for Vista 4 | PDF Release 4.0 | PDF
By accessing the Knowledge Base, you agree to the following: Blackboard makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy of any information in the Knowledge Base. Blackboard is not responsible in any way for information provided to the Knowledge Base by third parties. Information in the Knowledge Base is not documentation for any Blackboard product. Nothing in the Knowledge Base shall be deemed to modify your license in any way to any Blackboard product. Blackboard reserves the right to use your name and the name of your institution in reference to any information submitted by you to the Knowledge Base. Blackboard may modify, distribute, republish in any format, delete, incorporate or use in any way the information that you contribute to the Knowledge Base.