Supporting Student Success Through Clear Module Contact Information
One of the questions students occasionally raise is:
“Who should I contact about this module?”
In many Blackboard Modules, students may see several members of staff listed under Module Staff. While this reflects the collaborative nature of module delivery, it can sometimes make it difficult for students to identify the most appropriate person to contact when they have a question.
To help provide a clearer and more consistent student experience, Blackboard Ultra includes a Primary Instructor setting that allows key teaching staff to be highlighted within the Course Staff area. When used alongside up-to-date staff information and profile details, this small adjustment can make Modules feel more welcoming, easier to navigate, and less confusing for students.
What Do Students See?
The Module Staff area appears within a Blackboard Module and provides students with a quick view of the teaching staff associated with that Module.
By default, Blackboard displays instructors alphabetically. However, when one or more staff members are designated as Primary Instructors, those individuals are prioritised within the display which means students are more likely to immediately see the staff member who is best placed to support them with module-related queries.
Why Does This Matter?
Students often access their Modules when they need information quickly, whether that’s guidance on an assessment, clarification about learning materials, or support with understanding module expectations.
When the most relevant contact is clearly visible, students can contact the appropriate member of staff sooner and experience greater consistency across their learning journey
Setting a Primary Instructor
If your Module has multiple instructors, you may wish to identify the Module Leader or principal teaching contact as a Primary Instructor.
To do this:
- Open your Blackboard Module.
- Select Class Register from the Details & Actions area.
- Locate the instructor you wish to update.
- Select the menu next to their name and choose Edit Member Information.
- Tick Primary Instructor.
- Save your changes.
The designated Primary Instructor will then be prioritised within the Course Staff display.
Other ways to improve student experience with the module:
Consider Whether Students Can Recognise You
For many students, particularly those studying across several Modules, names alone may not always be enough to identify the right person.
Adding a professional Blackboard profile photograph can help students:
- Put a face to a name
- Recognise staff from lectures and seminars
- Feel more confident making contact
- Build a stronger sense of connection within the online learning environment
A clear profile picture helps make Blackboard feel more personal and approachable, particularly for students who may be less confident about reaching out for support.
Check Your Display Name
It’s also worth checking how your name appears within Blackboard.
Students should be able to easily match the name they see in Blackboard with the names they encounter in timetables, module handbooks, teaching sessions, and email communications.
Consistent naming helps students quickly identify the correct contact and reduces unnecessary confusion. Adding a pronunciation guide for less well-known names is also useful.
Think Carefully About Multiple Primary Instructors
Blackboard allows more than one Primary Instructor to be assigned. In some cases this may accurately reflect how a Module is delivered. However, where possible, consider whether students would benefit from having one clearly identifiable first point of contact.
The aim is not to restrict who students can contact, but to make it easier for them to know where to start when they need help.
Make Contact Information Easy to Find
The Course Staff area is only one place students may look for support information.
Consider including a dedicated section within your Module containing:
- Staff names and roles
- Contact details
- Expected response times
- Availability information
- Guidance on who to contact for different types of enquiries
Providing this clarity can help students receive support more quickly and reduce the need to redirect enquiries between colleagues.
Making a Positive First Impression
Students often form their first impressions of a Module through what they see in Blackboard. Ensuring that staff information is clear, up to date and easy to interpret can help make that experience feel more welcoming and straightforward. Whether it’s identifying a Primary Instructor, adding a profile photo, or providing clear contact information, these small adjustments can help students understand how a Module is organised and where to go when they need guidance.
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