Editing Your Profile

Your profile in Blackboard lets you add a profile photo, add name pronunciation, and adjust your notification settings.

Once you have added a profile photo, it will be visible throughout Blackboard, such as on your Discussion Board posts or within your Groups. This will help you and your classmates get to know one another and form a community.

Blackboard profile page

Accessing Your Profile

  1. Log into Blackboard
  2. Click your name in the left navigation menu (prior to entering a course)

Adding a Profile Photo

  1. Move your mouse over the profile photo (it is a gray silhouette if you have not yet added a photo)
  2. Click the pencil icon that appears
  3. Click the Upload a New Profile Picture button
  4. Find the photo you want to use on your computer and click Open
  5. Wait for the photo to upload

Adding Name Pronunciation

Names are important, particularly accurately pronouncing each others' names. Mispronouncing a name, asking repeatedly for someone to pronounce it, or saying that someone's name is too difficult to pronounce are microaggressions that can make someone feel like they don't belong as part of our community, even if that isn't what you intended.

In Blackboard, the name pronunciation feature allows you to add a phonetic spelling and short audio recording of how to pronounce your name. If your classmate or faculty member has added pronunciation to their profile, you will be able to view it in your courses on the roster, discussions, messages, and groups.

To add either phonetic spelling or a short audio recording for the pronunciation of your name:

  1. Click the Add pronunciation link on your profile
  2. In the Pronunciation field, type in a phonetic spelling of your name 
  3. Click the Record name pronunciation link to record yourself pronouncing your name
    1. You may need to click Allow to provide permission for the browser to use your microphone
    2. Wait for the 3..2..1.. countdown to begin recording
    3. Click the Stop button to the right when you are done recording
    4. Click Play name pronunciation to review your record and click the X to remove the current recording and start a new one
  4. Click the Done button when you have finished

Tips for Phonetic Spelling

  • Separate syllables with dashes
  • Use capital letters to indicate the syllable that should be stressed
  • Review this phonetic spelling guide (PDF) for recommendations on how to spell your name phonetically

Modifying Notification Settings

Blackboard automatically sends you notifications for the most important activities in your courses, like new announcements, content, grades, or discussions. You can also be notified of upcoming or past due dates. You can view these notifications in the Activity Stream, receive them as an email, or get push notifications from the Blackboard Student app.

In the Global Notification Settings, you can decide which notifications are important to you and how you would like to receive them.

Connect Cloud Storage Accounts

If you connect a cloud storage account, like your NIU Microsoft OneDrive storage, or a personal OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, or Google Drive account, you can post files from those storage spaces to Blackboard without downloading them to your local computer or mobile device. This allows you to work entirely in the cloud. 

This used to be included on your Profile. That workflow has been updated so now you can access Cloud Storage as you are submitting files in your courses. 

Learn more about submitting files from cloud storage in Original Course View

Learn more about submitting files from cloud storage in Ultra Course View

How do I change my name in Blackboard?New

Your name in Blackboard is automatically updated based on your name in MyNIU. By default, this is your legal name. If you go by a name that is different from your legal name, you can designate this within MyNIU. Once you have specified a preferred/proper name in MyNIU, Blackboard will update by the next business day to display your preferred/proper name on rosters, in the discussion board, in the gradebook, and anywhere else your name is visible to your classmates or instructor. Note that your preferred/proper name will also appear in the online directory, O365, commencement program, and press releases containing information supplied by Registration and Records. 

This process is different from changing your legal primary name on official records and transcripts, which can be done through Registration and Records.

Why do I sometimes see name pronunciation for my classmates or instructors?New

Blackboard profiles include an option for you to provide a phonetic spelling or short audio recording of how to pronounce your name. If your classmates or instructor has added information on how to pronounce their name, you will see that in Blackboard when you hover over or click on their profile photo. If you do not see name pronunciation in their profile card, they have not added that information.


Login to Blackboard

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

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