There are many ways by which you can integrate with the Blackboard learning platform. This tutorial assumes that you have already reviewed the Getting Started area of this site, have a general idea of how you want to integrate with or extend the core Blackboard platform, and are looking for more tangible code and examples jump start your development.

There are two major questions that will factor into the design of your Building Block. These are:
How will your tool plug into your Blackboard application server?

1. If you are developing a custom authentication module, your code will reside as a class file or Jar library on each application server. If you are developing this type of Building Block, jump straight to the custom authentication tutorial.
2. Your plugin may take the form of a Java-based web application that installs via the System Admin panel in the application GUI. A Building Block of this type can be used to expose the product APIs in other ways, such as via Web Services.

Note: Java is the preferred language for development, but .NET is offered as an alternative language in which to write your web application. The .NET APIs are no longer supported and do not contain the same level of functionality as do the Java APIs. A strategy for better .NET support as well as support for other languages is planned for a future release. Additionally, although not officially supported it is also possible to integrate with the platform via command-line application.

Where will it hook into the Blackboard Graphical User Interface (GUI)?

1. Tool type Building Blocks can add links in the GUI in any of several areas accessible to instructors, students, and system administrators depending on design and access control requirements.
2. Content type Building Blocks add capabilities to the content areas of each course.
3. Portal Module type Building Blocks add capabilities to the My Institution or other portal pages and are available to clients who license the Blackboard Community System.

Note: See the Getting Started section to see screenshots of how your links will appear in the GUI.