Blackboard Ultra Course Roles

This article outlines the various Course roles in Blackboard, and the basic permissions and functions each role.

Instructor

Blackboard instructor role is reserved for the instructor of record in a current term course, and has edit access to all areas of a course. Instructors have full access to the course. This role is generally assigned to the person developing, teaching, or facilitating the class. If a course is unavailable to students, users with the Instructor role may still access it. 

Key Functions the Instructor Role:

• Appears on Course Evaluation
• Permitted to add content and grade within a course
• Permitted to copy content to other courses
• Role assigned via Jenzabar integration or Enroll As tool

Student

Student is the default course user role. A user with the role of Student submits coursework and participates in discussions. Students can't create or grade course items. Students see private courses in their course lists, but they can't access them.

Grader (Observer)

The grade role is used in place of the observer role and has restricted permissions. This role can view content and settings, but is unable to change settings. Limited gradebook access is granted for the purposes of reviewing students grades

Key Functions of the Grader Role:

• Does not appear on course evaluation
• View only access to content
• Limited gradebook access
• No course copy permissions
• Role assigned via manual enrollment or Enroll As Tool

Course Builder

The course builder role is for designers and course creators. The Course Builder role has access to most areas of the course. This role is appropriate for someone who shouldn't have access to student grades. If the course is unavailable to students, a course builder can still access the course. The course builder can't remove an instructor from a course.

Key Functions of the Course Builder Role:

• Does not appear on course evaluation
• Full access to course content
• Limited gradebook access
• Permitted to copy content to other courses
• Role assigned via manual enrollment or Enroll As Tool.

Teaching Assistant

Users with the Teaching Assistant role have access to most of the course, but can only edit specific items like quizzes and assignments. If the course is unavailable to students, teaching assistants may still access the course. 

Key Functions of the Teaching Assistant Role:

• Appears on the course evaluation
• Limited course edit and gradebook access
• Not course copy permissions
• Role assigned via manual enrollment

Facilitator

The Facilitator role has default privileges related to course materials, gradebook, calendar, announcements, discussions, and groups to assist instructors in the progress of a course.

Facilitators can view content and grade assignments, but are unable to edit settings on tests and assignments. Facilitators are able to grade and post grades. 

Key Functions of the Facilitator Role:

• Does not appear on course evaluation
• No content editing access
• Limited gradebook access
• No Course copy permissions
• Role assigned via manual enrollment

Guest (Do Not Use)

The guest role is a built-in Blackboard role, but USAHS has it disabled.

Key Functions of the Guest Role:

• The Guest role allows prospective students, alumni, and parents to view only access to a Blackboard course.
• Users with the role of Guest are unauthenticated users.
• If an administrator has enabled guest access, instructors can make areas within a course accessible to unauthenticated users