Your Basic Guide to Blackboard & Mobile Access

Some features of Blackboard are inaccessible on mobile devices because mobile devices lack the full version of Java, a program Blackboard uses to deliver dynamic, interactive content. However, students and faculty who are interested in accessing components of their Blackboard courses on mobile devices may download the MATC 2 Go or Blackboard Mobile Learn app. These apps are free to download from your device’s app store.

MATC 2 Go

Supported By:  Android Phones (OS 1.5 or higher); Apple Phones (iOS 4.3 or higher)

Blackboard Mobile Learn

Supported By: iPads, iPods (iOS 4.3 or higher); Blackberry Devices (OS 4.5.0 or higher); Palm Devices (WebOS 1.4.5 or higher)

What Students Can Do in Blackboard on a Mobile Device

Because some features of Blackboard will be inaccessible on mobile devices, please be aware of what can and cannot be done.  Students will still need access to a standard PC with supported web browser for non-mobile accessible components.

Review announcements and tasks Check their grades Contribute to discussion forums Contribute to journals & blogs View course documents & media* Take mobile-compatible tests**

Submit assignments Take non-mobile compatible tests Use Virtual Classroom/Chat tools Send course e-mail or messages Watch Flash-based media

* MATC 2 Go and Blackboard Mobile can open and display most documents from MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe PDF, and play MP3 or MP4 media formats. Additional apps may be needed to view content on a mobile device.

** Mobile tests are available to students using Apple iOS 4.0+ and Android 2.2+ devices only. Mobile-compatible tests are those that have been explicitly designed for access on mobile devices or have supported question types and settings. Non-mobile compatible tests must be taken using a desktop or laptop computer with supported Web browser.

What Faculty Can Do in Blackboard on a Mobile Device

At this time faculty can access Blackboard on a mobile device to view course content and perform light communications tasks.  Faculty will still need access to a standard PC with supported web browser for course management and grading.

Review & post announcements Post Items with attached files* Reply to discussion forums Reply to journals & blogs View course documents and media

Manage course content & tasks Create assignments or tests Access the Grade Center Use Virtual Classroom/Chat tools Send course e-mail or messages Watch Flash-based media

* Blackboard Mobile Learn can be connected to a Dropbox account. File attachments are made through browsing and selecting files in the Dropbox account.

Creating Mobile-Friendly Content

Please note that faculty do not need to use these mobile apps to create course content that is mobile-friendly.  Through the use of a PC with supported Web browser and careful attention to file formats, faculty can make content that is optimized for mobile or Web-based access. To learn more about mobile learning, please see Blackboard Mobile’s Best Practices for Mobile-Friendly Courses guide.

Support for Blackboard Mobile

To learn more about accessing Blackboard using MATC 2 Go or Blackboard Mobile Learn, please view these resources:

• Student Guide to Blackboard Mobile
• Student Guide to MATC 2 Go and Blackboard
• Blackboard Mobile Support Site for Students and Faculty– FAQ and troubleshooting tips