Below are the current Blackboard roles that MMU utilizes in the Learning Management System. Blackboard delivers the flexibility to create, and customize various permissions at system, institution, and course levels, empowering individual users to have different access roles for different courses. Reach out to IT for more information on role options.
What is a Blackboard Course? A Blackboard course is a web-based classroom that mirrors a course section managed by the Student Information System. Ex: ENG-100
Blackboard Course Roles:
Instructor - Has full control over the course. Can create and edit content, manage settings, grade assignments, & adjust tool availability. Access is decided by assignment to the course in the Student Information System.
Student - Can view course materials, submit assignments, take assessments, participate in discussions, and view their own personal grades. Access is decided by enrollment in a course through the Student Information System.
**The following additional Course roles can be requested here and may require approval by the appropriate leader.
Academic Dean - Access to see grades and export but not enter grades. See content but not edit.
Course Builder - Create, upload, and organize content (modules, assignments, discussions), but minimal access to the grade book.
Content Instructor - View course content and enter grades only.
Division Chair - Access to edit courses but view only grades.
Facilitator - Interact with students, moderate discussions, and grade submissions, but cannot create, edit, or delete course content and settings.
Grader - View and grade student submissions, manage assessments and add manual grade book entries.
Instructor (Exempt Combined) - Created for combined courses that do not meet FERPA requirements - Roster, Messages & Discussions disabled.
Spectator - Read-only access to course content without ability to interact with assessments, submit work, edit materials, or view student grades.
Tutor - Access to view content material only - no grades, no ability to add, edit or delete content.
What is a Blackboard Organization? A Blackboard Organization is an online portal structurally identical to a Blackboard course, but designed for non-academic, ongoing communities and administrative groups. Ex: MMU Writing Center, Pottery Club
Blackboard Organization Roles:
Leader - Has full control over the course. Can create and edit content, manage settings, grade assignments, adjust tool availability, and manage user enrollments. This mirrors the faculty role in Blackboard courses with the addition of being able to enroll participants.
Participant - Can view course materials, submit assignments, take assessments, participate in discussions, and view their own personal grades. This mirrors the student role in Blackboard courses