Instructors decide if Observers have access to the course. A person with an Observer role is assigned to follow specific users on the Blackboard Learning System without interacting with the system. Observers are able to view the course and track Student progress. Also, the Instructor can communicate Early Warning System notifications to Observers as well as the Student, or just to the Observers of the Student.

Set Observer Access

1. Log into your Blackboard account.
2. Open the course that you wish to modify.
3. Go to the Control Panel.
4. Click Settings in the Course Options section of the Control Panel.
5. Click Observer Access.
6. Choose either Yes or No.
7. Click Submit.
8. Click OK to confirm Success and Return to Setting Menu.
9. Click OK to Return to Control Panel Menu.

Set Tool Observer Access

1. Log into your Blackboard account.
2. Open the course that you wish to modify.
3. Go to the Control Panel.
4. Click Manage Tools from Course Option Menu.
5. Click Tool Availability.
6. Most of the Tools in Blackboard do not allow you to make them accessible to Observers, but a few do. You may select Guest Access for Address Book, Announcements, Calendar, Tasks.