Blackboard Learn Software Reviews

“convenient but buggy mobile access

Pros

The mobile access is convenient for checking course materials wherever I am, though there are some persistent technical issues that keep popping up. I've noticed other people mentioning similar problems but they haven't been resolved yet. One annoying thing is getting repeated notifications about new grades even after I've already viewed them.

Cons

The mobile app version isn't as good as the full desktop experience, which can be frustrating when you need to access features on the go.

“Quick communication

Pros

The communication features are incredibly fast and interactive when connecting with students. I really appreciate how it sparks engaging discussions about course material through blogs, journals, discussion boards and forums.

Cons

Finding content can be tricky for students, even when I give them clear directions. The dashboard doesn't naturally guide them to what's most important. I have to be really specific about where to look or they'll get lost trying to locate assignments and materials.

“Well structured layout

Pros

Keeps everything well-organized and makes it simple to present information. Online classroom delivery becomes much more simple with this setup.

Cons

Can be hard to access sometimes, though that's mainly because of our VPN setup and internal requirements.

“dashboard is clunky and always changing

Pros

I like how I can log in from my phone, laptop or tablet whenever I need to. Finding course materials and assignments is not an issue.

Cons

The interface isn't always user-friendly and the dashboard layout shifts depending on how our institution has it configured.

“Missing features in mobile version

Pros

Everything stays organized in one spot. All my course materials, assignments and grades are well integrated together.

Cons

UI can be pretty confusing at times and the mobile app is missing a lot of features that are available on the web version.

“Keeps students updated

Pros

Really appreciate how I can set up different groups and keep student information current. The community features work well and tracking assignments along with contact reports makes my workflow much smoother.

Cons

I wish there was better flexibility to customize how everything looks so it could work more for specific programs instead of just general courses.

“Responsive support team

Pros

It's very convenient and it's great how responsive their support team is when I need help. There's also a ton of useful features packed into this platform that make my daily tasks much easier.

Cons

Training for end users isn't really promoted to management at our facility, which makes it harder to get people properly trained on the system.

“great for managing quizzes and lessons

Pros

I can easily store all my materials and keep everything organized in folders. It's great for managing class content like syllabi, quizzes and lessons, plus showing grades and staying in touch with everyone.

Cons

The organization could definitely be better and I find the interface complex.

“Smooth set up

Pros

Setting up my virtual classroom was so easy with this platform. Everything I need as an instructor is right here in one place, which saves me from juggling multiple tools.

Cons

Support could definitely be more helpful when I run into issues. The pricing is pretty high too.

“customizations are very expensive

Pros

The uptime has been absolutely incredible. I can't remember a single instance where the system was unavailable when we needed it.

Cons

Customer support can be hit or miss and sales reps aren't always dependable when you need them. Plus, any customizations or changes come with a hefty price tag that really adds up.

“Missing important features

Pros

Its really easy to get around and the testing features work perfectly

Cons

The app just doesn't work well for educators. After moving to a different course management platform, I've realized this one is missing several features that would actually be helpful in my daily teaching routine.

“Runs smoothly once you learn it

Pros

Once you get the hang of where everything is located, this runs smoothly without unnecessary clutter. As a student, I'll admit it took effort to learn. But after getting familiar with the layout, it handles online coursework really well, actually better than other platforms I've tried, especially compared to Edmodo's offering.

Cons

The interface feels pretty outdated and the forum feature lacks any modern functionality or appealing design. When I first started using it, the layout and link placement weren't simple at all. There's definitely a steep learning curve before you can work efficiently with this program.

“Had to switch because it was too complicated

Pros

I appreciate how it maintains the same interface across different institutions I've worked with. The built-in messaging feature is really convenient too.

Cons

It's really confusing and I mean even after using it for months. I've seen other learning management systems that are way more user-friendly. When I was a student, I actually missed some assignments because I couldn't figure out how to use it properly. Now as an instructor, it's still pretty overwhelming. My organization ended up switching to a different platform because everyone was struggling with it and the feedback has been much more positive since the change.

“brings all coursework and info together

Pros

This platform brings together all my coursework, grades and important information in one place.

Cons

The customization options are pretty limited compared to what we actually need for our workflow. While it's built with a modular design, you can't really use custom modules, which is frustrating when you want to adjust things to your specific requirements.

“Uploading takes no time

Pros

Simple grading process, quick file uploads and customizable tabs make everything smooth.

Cons

Hard to know what students are actually viewing in certain sections.

“Many useful features

Pros

There's so much available here for both users and instructors to teach in various ways, which I really appreciate.

Cons

The interface can be pretty complex at times and students often struggle to figure out how to move through it.

“Friendly dashboard layout

Pros

The dashboard layout makes it really easy for students to find what they need and scroll around without getting lost.

Cons

The admin side isn't as easy to use as it could be. Sometimes I find myself clicking around trying to find what I need.

“Awesome Turnitin integration

Pros

It handles multiple courses well for both instructors and students. I can store tons of resources, papers, exams, grades and student info all in one place for each course. It's basically everything you need in a single hub for academic work. The Turnitin integration makes assignment submissions much smoother too.

Cons

Could really use more built-in tutorials and training resources right on the site to help users navigate everything more easily.

“Too many features

Pros

I appreciate being able to submit grades for my students online. Having everything stored in a digital record makes tracking much more convenient.

Cons

I find myself overwhelmed by all the extra features that clutter the interface. Getting around the system is pretty challenging, which makes the whole experience less user-friendly than I'd hoped.

“Wonderful text formatting feature

Pros

I love how smooth this runs with absolutely no lag at all. The menu layout is simple. What really impressed me are the text formatting features. It's like having a mini word processor right inside the app when I'm working on submissions.

Cons

The back button on mobile is really frustrating. Instead of taking me to the previous page, it just closes the entire app. I also like that you can create discussion boards but moving back to the main board after viewing a discussion is way too complicated with 3 extra steps and the back button doesn't help since it goes somewhere else entirely.