What is Blackboard Mobile Learn?

Blackboard Mobile Learn provides mobile access to wireless-enabled Apple iOS devices (iPhone, iPad and iPod touch) through an application that runs on iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. Access is limited to iOS devices at this time, as this is the only option that is free to both Ryerson and its students. Please note that a wifi connection is required, as this application will not work over a cellular network.

Blackboard Mobile Learn makes it easy for students to check on course updates from an iOS device, when connected to the Internet through a wireless network. While not a substitute for standard computer access, it can be used to access updates to course Announcements, Grades and Course Documents (in certain file formats), as well as add new Discussion Board posts, Blog and Journal entries.

Blackboard Mobile Learn is not intended to be a tool for creation/addition of new content, nor is it used for completing assessments (such as quizzes, surveys and assignments). In addition, there may be links to externally hosted websites and tools in a Blackboard course - we cannot comment on whether these sites will work properly using your iOS device.

What Instructors Should Keep in Mind...

The purpose of this mobile application is to keep up-to-date with communications and content posted to a Blackboard course, and doesn't offer the full range of features needed to create and develop the course shell. Please keep this in mind when deciding to use Blackboard Mobile.

In addition to the features listed above, Instructors, TAs and Course Builders will also have the ability to add new Announcements to their course shells.

To accommodate the smaller screen real-estate available in iOS devices, all embedded media (including photos, videos, among others) are stripped out of all content, with no warning to the user. We recommend that a piece of text be included above or below the embedded media, to alert the user that there should be a photo/video/audio file visible there. This ensures the user is aware that there is content that they may be missing on their mobile device.

If you have attached media files in a content area (as opposed to embedding them), many of them will be playable in Blackboard Mobile Learn.

Blackboard has provided a guide to developing mobile-friendly courses here.

View Demos of Blackboard Mobile Learn

How to Access Blackboard Mobile Learn

1. Visit the iTunes App Store on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch*.
2. Search for "Blackboard Mobile Learn"
3. Install the app on your device.
4. Search for and select "Ryerson University", and log in using your my.ryerson username and password.

Alternatively, you may choose to download the Blackboard Mobile Learn iOS app through the iTunes software on your computer, and synch it to your mobile device(s).

Please note that a wifi connection is required, as this application will not work over a cellular network.

What Kind of Technical Support Can I Expect?

Support for Blackboard Mobile Learn is limited, as Ryerson does not develop or maintain the Blackboard Mobile iOS apps. For the most part, access to this tool is provided on a "use at your own risk" basis.