New and Improved Features in Blackboard Ultra – July 2024 Update

Here are the highlights of this month’s new and improved features in Blackboard Ultra. For more details, please follow the links below:

Print answer key for assessments

Last month, Blackboard Ultra added the printing functionality for Tests. Now, the option to print with answer keys is added. By clicking the print button on a Test, a prompt will ask you to choose either to print a blank Test or one with answer keys. This new option allows instructors to save or print a Test with answer keys.

Improvements to prevent printing a question across pages

This release includes enhancements to the printing functionality for Tests. It ensures that a question will not span multiple pages, whether it’s a digital or physical document. The following items will now be printed on the same page: 1) question header and question, 2) answer icon and text, 3) table, 4) list, and 5) image. While very long text answer options may spill over to additional pages, the answer choice will be displayed next to the first line of text. In matching questions, the prompt/answer heading will remain with the answer pairs. These updates aim to improve user experience and enhance the readability of printed Tests.

Send a copy to email when scheduling announcements

Previously, the ability to email an announcement was only available for immediate posts. The new option of sending emails with future announcements enables instructors to prepare important messages in advance.

Recording audio and video when adding per question feedback

Per question feedback offers students more targeted advice. It includes a range of feedback options such as adding images and embedding videos, in addition to text-based feedback. However, it previously lacked the ability to record audio and video. To ensure consistency in all feedback mechanisms within Blackboard Ultra, this functionality has now been extended to include per question feedback.

The full list of July updates is available on the Blackboard Help Center website.

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