Blackboard Learn

What Blackboard Learn is
Blackboard Learn, now referred to as Blackboard LMS, is an institutional learning environment for higher education, government, business, and K-12 organizations. It supports course creation, assessments, personalized learning, accessibility, and connections to education technology systems. Instructors can use the AI Design Assistant to help prepare courses, documents, assessments, and grading rubrics. AI Conversation supports assessing students’ practical skills in a controlled digital environment and is included in the core license. Administrators select which AI capabilities to activate, while instructors can review and edit AI outputs before accepting them. Blackboard states that student data is not used to train external AI models.
The LMS connects to tools through LTI 1.3 and REST APIs, including Turnitin, VitalSource, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and most student information systems. Custom integrations are supported through the Partner Network. Blackboard Ally creates alternative formats for learners. The platform supports Android, iOS, web, and API access, along with assessments and single sign-on. Blackboard offers a Help Center, support cases, knowledge base articles, and developer documentation. Pricing is available on request, and the product page offers a demo and contact option.
Who it suits
Blackboard LMS suits institutions in higher education, government, business, and K-12 that need a shared learning environment with course creation and assessment tools. It may also suit organizations that need integrations, accessibility formats, and administrator control over AI capabilities.
What it does well
- AI Design Assistant helps create courses, documents, assessments, and rubrics.
- AI Conversation is included in the core license.
- Administrators choose which AI capabilities are active.
- Connects through LTI 1.3 and REST APIs.
- Blackboard Ally creates alternative formats for learners.
- Available on Android, iOS, web, and through API access.
What to know first
- There is no free plan.
- Pricing is available on request.
- Blackboard LMS AVA is a premium add-on.
Limits
There is no free plan. Blackboard LMS AVA is a premium add-on; AI Design Assistant and AI Conversation are included in the core license.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Blackboard LMS | Institution-focused LMS · AI Design Assistant and AI Conversation included in core license · Blackboard LMS AVA is a premium add-on | On request |
As blackboard.com lists them, read 28 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Blackboard LMS website.
- Use the demo or contact option to discuss the product.
- Arrange pricing with Blackboard.
- Access the platform on web, Android, or iOS, or use its API.
Verdict
Institutions seeking an LMS with course creation support, assessments, integrations, and configurable AI capabilities should consider Blackboard Learn. Its core license includes AI Conversation, while Blackboard LMS AVA is a premium add-on and pricing requires contacting Blackboard.
Questions
Does Blackboard Learn have a free plan?
No. Blackboard Learn is listed as paid, with no free plan.
How much does Blackboard Learn cost?
Pricing is available on request. The product page offers a demo and contact option.
Which platforms does it support?
Blackboard Learn supports Android, iOS, web, and API access.
What integrations are available?
It connects through LTI 1.3 and REST APIs, including Turnitin, VitalSource, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and most SIS platforms. Custom integrations are supported through the Partner Network.
What AI tools are included?
The AI Design Assistant helps instructors create courses, documents, assessments, and grading rubrics. AI Conversation, for assessing practical skills in a controlled digital environment, is included in the core license.
Who makes Blackboard Learn?
The listed maker is Blackboard Learn. The company is based in Washington, DC, United States, and was founded in 1997.
Facts from Blackboard Learn's own pages
- Accessibility
- Blackboard Ally creates alternative formats for learners, and the company reports 4 million accessibility improvements made in 2025. · blackboard.com, 28 Sept 2026
- AI controls
- Administrators can choose which AI capabilities to activate, and instructors can review and edit AI outputs before accepting them. · blackboard.com, 28 Sept 2026
- AI data use
- Blackboard states that student data is never used to train external AI models. · blackboard.com, 28 Sept 2026
- API access
- Yes · blackboard.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Assessments
- Yes · blackboard.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Audience
- Blackboard says its institutions span higher education, government, business, and K-12 worldwide. · blackboard.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Course creation
- The AI Design Assistant can help instructors create courses, documents, assessments, and grading rubrics. · blackboard.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Founded
- 1997 · blackboard.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- No · blackboard.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Washington, DC, United States · blackboard.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The LMS connects with EdTech tools through LTI 1.3 and REST APIs, including Turnitin, VitalSource, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and most SIS platforms; custom integrations are supported through the Partner Network. · blackboard.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Mobile app
- Blackboard Help documents Blackboard apps for iOS and Android, while noting that some course content and third-party tools may have limited or unsupported app functionality. · help.blackboard.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Platform history
- Blackboard says its Ultra LMS launched in 2016 as a SaaS platform and is now referred to as Blackboard LMS. · blackboard.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Practical skills
- AI Conversation lets instructors assess students’ practical skills in a controlled digital environment and is included in the core license. · blackboard.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Pricing
- The Blackboard LMS page offers a demo and contact option but does not show a price. · blackboard.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Blackboard LMS provides an institutional learning environment with AI, accessibility, and personalized learning at its core. · blackboard.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Security and compliance
- Blackboard lists SOC 2, FERPA, GDPR, ISO 27001/27017/27018, FedRAMP Class C, and WCAG 2.2 AA as externally audited certifications or compliance standards it maintains. · blackboard.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Security practices
- Blackboard says its product security program aligns with NIST standards, uses ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 certifications, and incorporates ISO 27017 and ISO 27018 controls. · blackboard.com, 28 Sept 2026
- SSO support
- Yes · blackboard.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Support
- Blackboard provides a Help Center with product documentation and guides, support cases and knowledge base articles for users, and a developer community with documentation. · blackboard.com, 28 Sept 2026
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