Now that all courses are being delivered using Brightspace, we enter the final phase of UB’s Learning Management System Transition, which involves shutting down the Blackboard service. Access to Blackboard ends on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. Below are some frequently asked questions about the shutdown.
FAQ for Instructors
Do I need to migrate any course content from Blackboard to Brightspace?
All course content currently on Blackboard (Spring 2022 through Summer 2023) has been migrated to Brightspace and is available in the MIG or Admin tabs in the My Courses widget.
You can also export course content from Blackboard as a backup or import it into Brightspace.
Go to Control Panel > Packages and Utilities > Export/Archive Course.
Click Export Package.
Click Select All under Select Course Materials.
Click Submit.
After the selection for export are submitted, the system creates the export package. When the package is complete, an email alert is sent to the instructor.
After the email is received,
Go to Control Panel > Packages and Utilities > Export/Archive Course.
Click on the export package.
Save the file to your computer. The file must remain in the ZIP format.
Do not unzip an export package or remove files from the package. Otherwise, the package will not import correctly.
How long will courses remain on Brightspace?
Migrated course content from credit-bearing courses will remain on Brightspace for two years following the end of the semester in which the courses were taught. For example, Spring 2022 migrated content will be removed from Brightspace after the end of the Spring 2024 semester.
Credit-bearing courses taught on Brightspace will be removed from the system one year after the end of the semester in which they were taught. For example, Summer 2023 Brightspace courses will be removed after the end of the Summer 2024 sessions.
How will students with incompletes from past terms finish coursework after Dec. 1?
After Dec. 1, a student can finish incompletes by submitting coursework to the instructor offline, or the instructor can enroll the student in the Brightspace version of the course. Instructors should download any information they need (grades, student submissions, etc.) from the Blackboard course before Dec. 1.
What if I need to back up student grades and interactions?
Instructors can download grades, assignment submissions and quiz submissions. Discussion posts need to be copied and pasted from Blackboard to a word processing program. Please note the following:
Assignment and quiz submissions need to be downloaded individually; there is no bulk download submissions tool in Blackboard.
Although you can create an archive file with grades and student interactions, UB will no longer have a Blackboard server to view the information stored in the archive file.
Go to Control Panel > Grade Center > Full Grade Center.
Click Work Offline and select Download.
Keep Full Grade Center selected.
Click Submit.
Click Download.
Go to Control Panel > Grade Center > Full Grade Center.
Click the chevron (v-shaped icon) next to the assignment name and select Assignment File Download.
Click the checkbox to the left of Name under Select Users to select all students.
Choose Last attempt file or All attempt files under Select Files.
Click Submit.
Click Download assignments now.
Go to Control Panel > Grade Center > Full Grade Center.
Click the chevron (v-shaped icon) next to the assignment name and select Download Results.
Choose options for Format of Results and Attempts to Download.
Click Click to download results.
You will need to copy and paste discussion posts from Blackboard to a word processing program.
In addition, an archive of Blackboard grades and student interactions for courses delivered from Spring 2022 through Summer 2023 will be available for three years. This is an archive of data, not a functioning Learning Management System. Instructors can request Blackboard course information by .
Additional questions?
If you have questions about access to Blackboard ending on Dec. 1, please c.
FAQ for Students
If you are a student finishing an incomplete, make sure you are in contact with your instructor and know how to proceed after access to Blackboard ends on Dec. 1, 2023.
If you are still accessing administrative courses, contact the instructor(s) for information on the plans to transition to Brightspace before Blackboard is shut down.
If you are a student downloading coursework or a portfolio for future reference, please finish before Dec. 1, 2023.
How do I see past-term courses on Blackboard?
By default, Blackboard courses become unavailable to students the first business day after grades are due, so students will onlly see administrative courses and credit-bearing courses courses where the instructor has extended student access in Blackboard.
If you need access to other past-term courses, you will need to reach out to the instructors and request extended enrollment.
How do I download my portfolios from Blackboard?
Click the More link for the portfolio you want to download.
Select Download from the drop-down menu.
Click Click to download Portfolio. A ZIP file will download containing all the files for your portfolio.
Double-click the ZIP file to expand it.
Open the folder created by the ZIP file.
Double-click index.html to view your portfolio in a browser.
Additional questions?
If you have questions about access to Blackboard ending on Dec. 1, please c.