Blackboard™ is the software platform on which West London Online is built. Blackboard is primarily designed as a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), an online learning system providing students with web access (from anywhere in the world) to course materials, and other resources made available by lecturers.

Blackboard enables students to communicate electronically with their tutors and fellow students. It allows students and staff to take part in online group discussions, and access selected course materials, such as module study guides. Students are able to read announcements related to their course or the university as a whole, and to access a range of information sources. Increasingly Blackboard is used to allow students to submit their assignment work - and to receive grades and feedback - online.