Select Blackboard Courses in MyBU : TechWeb : Boston University

Select Courses to Create in Blackboard through MyBU

Each term you can choose to create a Blackboard course site for any of your course sections through MyBU.

After loading a Term in the app, clicking the Save button will submit the options for all course sections on the screen.

After submitting, your courses should be created in Blackboard within 6 hours.

the blackboard course selection tool with a fall semester course section list loaded

Guided Tour

Step 1: Access the Tool

The tool is available through the MyBU sidebar.

MyBu Student sidebar with blackboard course selection sidebar item indicated

Step 2: Choose a Term and Load Courses

Choose a Term and then click the Load Courses button. (If you have already submitted the selected Term you will get a message reminding you that you can contact IT Help for further requests.)

Blackboard Course Selection app showcasing the term selection drop down and Load Course button

Step 3: Review Courses and Blackboard Options

When the Term is loaded you will see a table with a row for each of your courses and an option to create the course in Blackboard or not and whether that course should be in the Original view or the Ultra view.

NOTE: By default “Do Not Create in Blackboard” is selected and you must choose “Create in Blackboard” on any row where a course site is needed.

Fall 2025 Term courses loaded with default options unmodified

Step 4: Select Options for All Rows

All of the courses for the term will be submitted when you click the Save button, so ensure you have filled out the table completely.

NOTE: If you want a Blackboard Ultra course to be created, remember to click both the “Create in Blackboard” option as well as the “Use Ultra” option.

If a course is not editable it was already saved by another faculty member also teaching the same course section or an administrator.

Combinations of create ultra, create original, do not create ultra, and a row that is not editable are highlighted. Note that selecting Ultra is not sufficient to create the course you must also select Create in Blackboard. The row that is not editable has been saved by another faculty member or an administrator.

Step 5: Click Save to Submit the Term

When you click “Save” ALL course sections for the selected Term will be saved. Please make sure you’ve chosen “Create in Blackboard” for each course you will need (in addition to choosing Ultra in courses where you would prefer to use that course view).

A save confirmation step highlighting the option to cancel and continue editing if not done, and the option to click "ok" to finalize options for the chosen Term and guidance that once submitted further changes will need to be sent to IT Help

You will be prompted to confirm that you’re ready to submit the Term.

After you click “OK” you won’t be able to make further changes to that Term without contacting ithelp@bu.edu.

Step 6: Review Courses in Blackboard

When you’ve confirmed the submission you will receive a confirmation message.

submission confirmation: "any courses that you chose to create in Blackboard should appear there after 6 hours, if you need to make any changes, please contact the IT Help Center"

After 6 hours, please review your list of courses in Blackboard and ensure that the courses for the submitted Term have been created. For guides on accessing Blackboard and more information visit Blackboard Learn for Instructors on TechWeb.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Original and Ultra?

BU currently supports Blackboard Learn in two formats: Original course view and Ultra course view. The Blackboard Ultra course view (“Blackboard Ultra” or simply, “Ultra”) is the newer version with more accessible and mobile-friendly features. The whole university will need to be in Ultra course view by the end of December 2026.

In the Ultra Course View, workflows are simplified (fewer clicks), a modern look and feel, and a fully responsive interface on all devices. All course content now appears on the main page (Content tab). One of Ultra’s key feature is the design, creation, and placement of content all happen on the same page called Course Content.

The Original Course View includes all of the traditional workflows and depth of functions Blackboard Learn is known for. The course menu appears on the left side of your window and is the cornerstone for the organization and navigation of your course. You create links on the course menu to present tools and materials to students.

For a video and more information visit Courses: Ultra vs Original on TechWeb.

A Blackboard course created with the Ultra view

Ultra Course View

A Blackboard course created with the Original view

Original Course View

How do I combine sections?

After clicking load classes, select Create in Blackboard and either Original or Ultra for each section on the Term you are submitting that you need in Blackboard. After clicking Save you should see these courses appear in Blackboard within 6 hours.

For the sections you would like combined, ask the IT Help Center to create a new course for groupings. This will have the section code beginning with “Z”.

On Blackboard, any changes you make to the “Z” section will be visible to students enrolled in your other sections.