Enabling Third Party Building Blocks

Blackboard allows for the integration of third party tools within the Blackboard environment using tools called building blocks.  In order for instructors to use these tools, these building blocks must be enabled in the course environment.  The following guide will demonstrate how to enable building blocks in your Blackboard course.

Accessing Blackboard Tool Availability

Image of the Blackboard control panel with the following annotations: 1.Click on Customization.2.Select Tool Availability.

Log into your Blackboard course and go to the Control Panel:

  1. Click on Customization.
  2. Select Tool Availability.

Modifying Tool Availability Settings

Image of the tool availability screen with an arrow pointing to a checkbox for a tool with instructions to check the box next to the tool you wish to enable. A second arrow is pointing to the Submit button at the top of the page with instructions to click Submit when finished.

You will now see a screen labeled Tool Availability that lists the available course tools. To enable a tool, locate the tool name in the column on the right and check the available checkboxes to enable the tool.  After you have made your changes, click the Submit button at either the top or the bottom of the page to save your changes.