Blackboard Learning Management Reviews

Name: Blackboard Learning Management
Brand: Blackboard
Rating: 3.9 (8 reviews)

3.9 out of 5

8 reviews
87% willing to recommend

218 followers

What is Blackboard Learning Management?

Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS) is a comprehensive platform designed to enhance the teaching and learning experience in educational institutions. With its user-friendly interface and robust features, Blackboard LMS enables educators to create, deliver, and manage online courses effectively. Blackboard LMS is facilitates communication and collaboration among students and instructors. The platform's built-in discussion boards, chat rooms, and messaging systems enable real-time interaction and engagement, fostering a sense of community and allowing students to participate actively in the learning process.

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Blackboard Learning Management is the #6 ranked solution in top Learning Management Systems. PeerSpot users give Blackboard Learning Management an average rating of 7.8 out of 10. Blackboard Learning Management is most commonly compared to CYPHER Learning: Blackboard Learning Management vs CYPHER Learning. Blackboard Learning Management is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 61% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a university, accounting for 23% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Blackboard Learning Management

January 2025

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Featured reviews

James Phelps

Adjunct Professor at Nova Southeastern University

Initially, Blackboard had problems for faculty members who were forced to use it to try to get it set up and running. That said, over time, they improved that. Unfortunately, due to its licensing requirements on standalone systems, like at a university on our servers, we run into problems where we can only set it up in one way. The way you teach a biology class is not the way you teach a social science class, for example. It's not flexible. Often you are forced into compromising in such a manner that neither group would be happy. If you need help, the help desk in-house will provide 24-hour help to both students and faculty. That means you have eight people, eight hours a day, supervisors, and an overall manager. It takes at least 12 people to handle maintenance for a 10,000-person campus for 24-hour coverage.

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Craig Smallish

Faculty Member at Milwaukee Area Technical College

Blackboard has limitations in terms of delivering content and assessing student assignments because it can't handle large file sizes. It's also limited in its ability to track student activity. Instructors can see the student's most recent login, but they can't follow the activity. One suggestion for new features is a modification I've made on my own. When assessing my graphic design students, I launch a separate Google Meet session instead of keying lengthy content into the feedback pane. I record a video of me going through the student file that might be two minutes or 25 minutes long. I can download that as an MP4 or post the link to that recording within Blackboard. Blackboard can record feedback like that, but it's a convoluted process to get that video embedded into the feedback window. Feedback is essential for graphic design or any of our technical courses. We have face-to-face classes, but 90 percent of our courses are online. It's crucial that the students understand the feedback and incorporate it into improving their assignments. The ability to embed the video content is a clear and concise route. Blackboard's built-in video capture requires you to go into YuJa media chooser. You click to launch that, wait for it to open up, and record content. You launch the recording, gather your screen, and download that. It's a lengthy multi-step process. That's a taxing process for 20 assignments and five classes every week. I'd also like improvements to the pane where we view assignments. When students upload smaller files, like a JPEG rendering of a rough composition, we can't highlight everything. We can tag things and embed comments, but we can't highlight specific areas. We can only drop a pin and comment. In Google Docs, you can highlight, crop areas, and provide a specific point of visual contact for a composition. Blackboard would have a better product if they followed Google's lead in that regard.

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YN1

Teaching and Learning Systems Manager at a university with 5,001-10,000 employees

When the vendor made the push from Learn Original to Ultra, well-established features in the Learn Original version were not readily available in Learn ULTRA hence, the Blackboard Learn Ultra version lacked some features for a good year and we needed to come up with workarounds and use them until the solutions were brought back in. As far as I am aware they have caught up with original features however, it may vary across the community of users. Users were disappointed not to have well-used features from the beginning. As an improvement, I would suggest 'Blackboard Learn' to provide better integration with third-party software as well as ensure that the existing features are working well. Sometimes, vendors get too busy bringing new features and neglect the existing features that might need improvement or better workflow.

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Blackboard Learning Management mindshare

As of January 2025, the mindshare of Blackboard Learning Management in the Learning Management Systems (LMS) category stands at 2.4%, down from 2.6% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Learning Management Systems (LMS)	Jan 21, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jan 21, 2025	Download
Comparison	Blackboard Learning Management vs CYPHER Learning	Jan 21, 2025	Download
Comparison	Blackboard Learning Management vs Moodle	Jan 21, 2025	Download
Comparison	Blackboard Learning Management vs Google Classroom	Jan 21, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
CYPHER Learning	4.5	5.1%	100%	51 interviews Add to research
Google Classroom	4.1	6.2%	96%	25 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Blackboard Learning Management users like its real-time live interactions and scalability. Blackboard allows instructors to gather all their data in one place, including grading and attendance records and content uploaded by students or posted on Google Docs. The system can track when a student logs into Blackboard and participates in or views a session, providing valuable insights for instructors.

"The solution is easy to use."
"One of Blackboard's strengths is its historical prominence as a leading LMS for universities in the US and Europe a decade or more ago."
"The modules and courses are flexible."

Room for Improvement

Blackboard Learning Management requires frequent updates, which can be time-consuming. The platform has been described as inflexible and limited In terms of delivering content and assessing student assignments. It struggles with large file sizes and tracking student activity beyond their most recent login. Some users have requested a better way to incorporate video content. They also complained about the inability to highlight specific areas in smaller file uploads. Blackboard could benefit from incorporating some of the collaboration features found in Google Docs for a better user experience.

"Blackboard could benefit from significant improvements in its data storage and software functionality to remain competitive with more innovative LMS solutions."
"The solution must provide better integration with third-party software."
"The system falls short in terms of managing assessments and exams effectively."

Pricing

Blackboard Learning Management is considered expensive. Blackboard became less affordable after it was acquired by a larger company.

"The product pricing tends to be higher than alternatives."
"At the beginning, you can choose a basic plan. As your users grow you can buy a more expensive license."

Popular Use Cases

Blackboard Learning Management serves as a platform for organizing and delivering curriculum and lesson plans. It is commonly used in post-secondary education at university systems and community colleges.

Service and Support

Users reported that they can typically rely on internal support can typically handle routine tasks, but users must contact a Blackboard account representative for more difficult questions or significant assistance.

Deployment

Blackboard Learning Management's initial setup can be straightforward, with some users finding it easier than alternatives like Canvas LMS. However, others note complexities requiring IT involvement and inflexibility in class setups. Since 2019, it has been available as software as a service, simplifying onboarding for some. Issues with licensing on standalone university systems create limitations, yet assistance is available from support desks for faculty and students requiring 24-hour help. Setup ratings vary from four to ten out of ten.

Scalability

Blackboard Learning Management is highly scalable and can accommodate a large number of users. The platform is commonly used by large universities with thousands of students and faculty. Users report that they can upload large volumes of content into the system.

Stability

Some users complained that Blackboard Learning Management was not stable in the past, requiring frequent updates during semesters and leading to functionality issues. Other users found Blackboard to be generally reliable and attributed instability to bandwidth issues, particularly during the sudden shift to online learning due to the pandemic.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Blackboard Learning Management Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

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Top industries

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University

23%

Educational Organization

20%

Government

Computer Software Company

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Healthcare Company

Performing Arts

Financial Services Firm

Retailer

Non Profit

Insurance Company

Media Company

Hospitality Company

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Construction Company

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Wholesaler/Distributor

Energy/Utilities Company

International Affairs Institute

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

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Learn more about Blackboard Learning Management

Blackboard LMS also provides a full set of tools for content creation and management. Educators can easily upload and organize course materials, including documents, videos, and multimedia resources. The platform supports various file formats, making it convenient for instructors to deliver diverse content to their students.

Assessment and grading are simplified with Blackboard LMS. Educators can create online quizzes, assignments, and exams, and even set automated grading criteria. This saves time and effort, while also providing students with immediate feedback on their performance. The platform also offers grade book functionality, allowing instructors to track and manage student progress easily.

Blackboard LMS features robust analytics and reporting capabilities. Educators can access detailed data on student engagement, performance, and participation, enabling them to identify areas for improvement and tailor their teaching strategies accordingly. This data-driven approach enhances the effectiveness of instruction and supports personalized learning.

Blackboard LMS is also highly customizable, allowing institutions to tailor the platform to their specific needs. It integrates seamlessly with other educational tools and systems, ensuring a smooth workflow and enhancing the overall learning experience.

Blackboard Learning Management System is a powerful and versatile platform that empowers educators to deliver engaging and effective online courses. With its comprehensive features, user-friendly interface, and customizable options, Blackboard LMS is a valuable tool for educational institutions seeking to enhance their teaching and learning environment.