Blackboard Original Courses


Beginning Fall 2024, all Blackboard courses will be delivered in Ultra Course View, but you can start using it now. Please visit Answers for more information about Ultra Course View. 

Blackboard is the supported Learning Management System at Syracuse University. This page contains links to some common questions. More support documentation is available by browsing the links below or using using the menu to browse additional Answers' pages. 

Authorized users can access the Syracuse University Blackboard via the home page. 


WARNING - Original Course View Ends in 2024 

This page and all Answers pages linked below pertain to Blackboard Original course view, which was the standard format for courses created between 2003 - 2023 (including Spring '24 courses created in November/December of the 2023-24 academic year). 

Starting in 2024, ALL Blackboard courses will be created in the new Ultra Course View. See below for a comparison and links to resources on what to expect with Ultra. 

Older Blackboard courses created in original course view will still be accessible to instructors for archival purposes only. ITS offers support resources for copying and updating content from archived original courses into Ultra course view, but creating new content or enrolling students in original courses will no longer be supported after the 2023-24 academic year. 

Instructors are strongly encouraged to begin the process of converting their Blackboard course content to Ultra view before the end of support for original course view in summer 2024. 

Original Course View


You are using the original course view if the course menu appears on the left side of your window.  This menu is the cornerstone for all course content.  Select an item to open it and the content appears in the main window to the right of the course menu. Content modules and folders open in a new tab/window.

Screenshot of a course homepage in original course view

Ultra Course View


You are using the Ultra Course View if your instructor's name and picture appear in the content area. At the top of the page are navigation links to your course tools. Ultra courses have one course content page where all course materials are organized using modules and folders.  Content modules and folders open as layers within the same window.

Screenshot of a course homepage in Ultra course view

Original Course View Answers


New Instructor Information

New instructors in Blackboard at Syracuse University are encouraged to begin with a set of videos that introduces the system and some of the basics of our configuration and to view information introducing the system and its configuration.

Top Questions by Faculty

Faculty - Getting Started

How do I make my course available to students?

How do I add additional users (e.g. a TA) to my Course?

How can I re-design the standard Blackboard course template?

How do I create an assignment so it shows up in the grade center?

Can I add more than one document at a time?

How to I copy materials from my old course to my new course?

How can I customize my Blackboard course site?

Top Questions by Students

How do I receive notifications updates in my Blackboard courses?

What browser should I use with Blackboard?

How do I submit an assignment?

Does Blackboard have a mobile app?

How can I view my grades?

How do I submit a Turnitin assignment?

How can I hide courses?

Can I change my Blackboard profile picture?

Support from Blackboard

Blackboard provides a robust help site with detailed information about how to use the service from both the student and instructor perspective. When searching for support documents please know that Syracuse University currently uses Ultra Navigation with most courses in the Learn Original format.