New MyMason/Blackboard Navigation

The update took place on January 4, 2021. 

Faculty/Staff: Want more frequent Blackboard update information and a forum to discuss instructional technology with peers? Join the new Mason Blackboard Teams site.

What is not changing?

The basic look and functionality of courses and organization is not changing. The website URL is not changing.

What is changing?

The pages before you access a course (login page, course list) are changing. The main navigation links move to the left side of Blackboard. This update provides a modern interface, improves mobile browser access, and provides new notification options.

The only course changes are the course menu will have a black background which cannot be changed and guest links to courses will need to change.

Links to MyMedia (Kaltura) and the Content system will now be under Tools.

Many of the links and information about other services (Email, Library, Patriot Web) will be removed, in order to focus on access to and information about courses in Blackboard.

New Navigation Menu

The new navigation menu moves to the left side of the screen in a more modern and intuitive interface providing quick access to the most critical information.

Menu

Home: Help and information.

Profile: Make changes to your profile and choose notification settings. More about Profile and Notifications

Activity Stream: See up-to-the-minute information about your courses. View course and system announcements. This replaces the My Blackboard function under your name in the old version.

Courses: Access courses, organized by term. Details and FAQs »

Organizations: Access your organizations.

Calendar: View course events and due dates for your courses.

Messages: Use the Course Message tool (Blackboard's internal communication system). Courses messages will trigger an alert email to the user(s), but the message must be read in Blackboard. Instructors can turn this off in their courses by going to Tools and choosing "Hide Link" for Course Messages.

Grades: Check your grades for all courses.

Tools: Access global functions that are outside of a course such as MyMedia (Kaltura) or the Content Collection. Connect your OneDrive account.

FAQs

Expand All / Collapse All

Why are you making this change?
This update improves mobile browser access; it provides a modern interface with improved notifications; it prepares Mason for future learning management system updates.
Is there a recommended browser?
All major browsers are supported.
How do I access my courses?
From the main navigation menu, click Courses. On the Courses page, you can view your current, past, and upcoming enrollment courses.
What are Messages on the menu?
Messages is the Course Message tool that has always existed in Blackboard courses. This is an internal Blackboard messaging system, where all communication becomes part of the course record. Users will receive an email notifying them of a new course message, but they must view the message in Blackboard.
What do I do if I end up on a page where I can't access the navigation menu (and I see the old Blackboard interface)?
This can happen with old URLs to specific locations in the older version of Blackboard. Look at the URL at the top of your browser and remove everything except the beginning: http://mymasonportal.gmu.edu and hit the return/enter key. This will return you to the main page. Guest URLs to a course may need to be changed to prevent this from happening.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Contact the ITS Support Center.

Examples

Login PageNew Login

Landing Page

The new landing page will feature information about interface changes, Blackboard help information, and links to related resources.

Home

Blackboard Course

The only change to courses is the course menu will have a black background and cannot be changed. If you use a guest link URL to provide access to your course (very rare), a new URL will be required.

Course

 

Last modified: May 3, 2022