These are the highlights of this month’s new and improved features in Blackboard Ultra that will be live Thursday, August 7. The most relevant updates are related to a few key areas:

• Instructional design
• Communication & Collaboration
• Gradebook

Instructional Design

Enhance Documents with Block Styling Options

Anthology will be adding block styling to Documents, giving instructors new ways to enhance visual appeal and guide student attention. The styling options feature both colour and icons to help create visually engaging content. The style options include:

• Question
• Tip
• Key points
• Next steps
• Highlight

Improved LTI tool management with flexible copy options

Previously, LTI tools were only included when performing a full course copy. With this update, users who have the appropriate permissions can now select and copy individual LTIs when doing a partial course copy. This enhancement provides greater flexibility and control for instructors using LTI tools.

While the LTI standard—particularly LTI 1.3 with LTI Advantage—supports copying tools between courses, the actual behaviour of copied LTIs depends on how each provider has implemented the standard. Some tools may function immediately after copying, while others might require manual relinking or configuration to work properly in the new course.

To ensure a smooth experience, Anthology recommends testing all copied LTI links, especially those involving grade synchronization, user data or other course-specific functionality.

Communication and Collaboration

Video Studio: Use Video Studio in Announcements

Instructors can use Video Studio in Announcements to record or upload video and audio. The redesigned Video Studio button launches the standard Video Studio workflow, which automatically generates captions and transcripts. This makes content more accessible and supports personalized, engaging communication. This Video Studio tool will replace the Capture tool.

Gradebook

Increased accessibility in the student Gradebook and student Overview page

To improve accessibility, Anthology has updated the student Gradebook to use a semantic HTML table structure. The new structure improves screen reader support and keyboard navigation. The same change will be completed for the student Overview page, as well.

Turn on DirectSubmit functionality

The DirectSubmit feature allows instructors to submit papers directly to SafeAssign for originality checking, even outside of student assignments. This update to DirectSubmit includes several additional enhancements:

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• Instructors can delete submitted items.
• Mobile app callbacks improve integration.
• A new column provides direct links to download original submissions.
• A workflow for suggesting URLs enhances content comparison.
• Grading icons now align with updated design standards.

For more information, please visit the Blackboard Help Center.

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

CIHW is recruiting student participants for our research study titled Enhancing Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Among Young Adults in Peel: Mapping and Understanding Access to Physical Activity and Nutritional Supports.

The study aims to understand how young adults in the Peel Region experience access to healthy food and recreation, and to determine how these experiences match or differ from areas known as food and recreation deserts.

This research study is led by a collaborative team from Humber Polytechnic, University of Toronto, and Sheridan College. The project is funded by a Catalyst Grant from the Novo Nordisk Network for Healthy Populations at the University of Toronto. 

We ask faculty and staff to please share the attached poster with students in your classes, departments, or through your regular communication channels. 

Criteria:

• Aged 18 to 24 
• Living in Peel Region 
• Have been diagnosed with prediabetes/Type 2 diabetes, or
• Have family members diagnosed with prediabetes/Type 2 diabetes 

Join us at our recruitment events:

North Campus
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Dates:

How Students Can Participate 

Students can visit us at any of the recruitment events listed above or refer to the attached poster for complete details and additional participation options. 

Students who meet the criteria and complete the survey will have the opportunity to enter a draw to win one of five $50 gift cards!

Please note that due to paving work at North Campus, the following areas will be closed between August 5 and 29, 2025:

• Parking Lot 3
• Parking Lot 4
• Drop off loop between Barrett CTI and University of Guelph-Humber

The Humber and Guelph-Humber community is encouraged to park in Lots 1 and 13, or in the parking garage once it reopens (anticipated August 11). Every effort will be made to finish these paving projects ahead of time. Should you have any questions, please contact Roman Fuzak at roman.fuzak@humber.ca.

Thank you.

​When: Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 10 a.m. until Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 5 p.m.

As part of the SWITCH project, Arboretum Road will be closed at S building next Tuesday, August 5 at 10 a.m. The closure will last up to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 12. Please view the map for the layout of signage and the closure. 

Purpose: To connect the residence building S to the district system as part of the SWITCH project.

Impact on Occupants: The road will be closed to through traffic. Access to the residence buildings, including the loading dock, will not be impacted. The east gate will remain open for access to Lot 1, and the south gate will be used for exiting. However, to access the residence buildings, loading dock and daycare, please enter the campus from the E Entrance (view attached picture).

Thank you for your understanding and co-operation as we work to enhance our campus infrastructure.

For more information or if you have questions, please contact Hooman Aboutalebi, Senior Project Manager, at hooman.aboutalebi@humber.ca.