Blackboard Observer Overview

Some students may have observer accounts associated with their Blackboard account. The observers are UA faculty or UA staff that have received written permission from the student (and should have received permission from the instructors) to be able to view an associated student's course work. These users are there to assist in keeping the student "on track" in terms of course schedule and planning.

If you have additional questions about the observers in Blackboard, please contact CIT through the support portal.

What can observers see?

Observers can view course content as a student views course content. They are limited only to what the student sees. This includes anything available to students on the course menu and within the content areas of the course.

Observers cannot see

  • The Full Grade Center

  • Settings for assignments, tests, journals, etc.

What can observers do?

Observers can only view course content as a student views course content.

Observers cannot

  • Download files

  • Edit content or student submissions

  • Submit to tests, assignments, discussions, journals, etc.

  • Access third-party tools like publisher content and e-books.