Base Navigation

After logging in, you have access to core features in the Base Navigation menu. This menu remains even when you are in a course.

When you select any link from the menu, you see a global view across all your courses. For example, Grades shows all your grading tasks organized by course. No need to navigate to each course to see what's ready for grading.

Overview of Base Navigation Menu

  • Institution Page: Important campus information and helpful links / resources
  • Profile: Set up and make changes to your profile image and settings
  • Activity: Up-to-the-minute action for all of your courses & organizations
  • Courses: Navigate to past, present, and upcoming courses
  • Organizations: Access organizations (communities) 
  • Calendar: View all course, organization, and institution events and due dates
  • Messages: View and send messages for all of your courses
  • Grades: See what needs grading across all of your courses (students can check their grades for all of their courses)
  • Assist: Learn about key services available to support NIU students with their academic success, wellness, and life
  • Tools: Access functions that are outside of courses, such as Blackboard Faculty Tools to request courses, Content Collection, or Portfolios 

blackboard base navigation menu

Learn More


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Get Help

Technical Support and Student Help

Division of IT Service Desk

815-753-8100
servicedesk@niu.edu

Teaching Support and Faculty Help

Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning

815-753-0595
citl@niu.edu