Improved Features in Blackboard Ultra - January 2025

These are the highlights of this month’s new and improved features in Blackboard Ultra that will be live Thursday, January 9. The most relevant updates are related to three key areas:

  • Instructional design
  • Mastery learning and learning pathways
  • and Gradebook

Learn more about the full update at Anthology's Blackboard website.

Instructional Design

Improvements to AI Design Assistant Outputs

Anthology has improved the following auto-generation features of the AI Design Assistant to have faster and more complex outputs. Anthology has also improved the quality of the images generated by the AI Design Assistant, making them look more realistic. Instructors can generate images faster and the image files require less storage space. 

  • Assignments 
  • Discussions 
  • Journals 
  • Test questions 
  • Learning modules
  • AI Conversation avatars 
  • Keywords for Unsplash 

Improvements to the Content Designer for Documents

When instructors create or edit a document, the content block no longer closes when they collapse the menu in the editor. Also, the editor no longer closes when editing table settings. For file uploads in the Content Designer of Documents, the default file option when instructors upload files to documents is now View and Download. Also, instructors can now use the Undo and Redo functions for file uploads. 

Mastery Learning and Learning Pathways

Add Submission Attempts for Release Conditions

Instructors can now use item submission status for a release condition. For example, an instructor who wants students to access a document only after submitting a quiz would use a release condition. Students can access content items without needing to wait for a grade to be posted!

The page for setting a release condition. The release condition is set to apply to all members and Performance is checked. Attempt submitted is highlighted in the dropdown menu for a gradable item.

Gradebook

Show/hide columns from instructors in the gradebook

Instructors can now configure column visibility for their gradebook view, ensuring a cleaner and more organized workspace when grading. Anthology has added a new Items Management page accessible from the Gradebook Settings panel. From this page, instructors can configure visibility for a single column selection or in bulk, without affecting visibility for students. This can help with grading using the gradebook!

Direct grade entry from the Grid view or Submissions page

Instructors can now enter grades directly in the Grid view or Submissions page with improved accuracy and consistency. Previously, grades entered in these views were stored at the override level, which caused confusion as underlying attempts remained ungraded and continued to display the Needs Grading and New Submission flags. This update ensures that grades entered this way are properly mapped to the underlying attempt or submission when applicable.

Need support? Contact the Innovative Learning Support Centre. We are here to help!