What’s New

June update supports written feedback via Ultra rubric rows

Also coming: Record short audio/video course announcements

6/5 update: The June release is delayed. As soon as we have more information, we will post it. 7/1 update: The June release was rolled into the July update. Rubrics can be an essential tool for...

Posted: May 13, 2021, 1:44 PM

Blackboard Courses Scheduled for Server Retirement in FA21

Courses Before Summer 2018 to be Retired

During the Summer 2021, DoIT staff and Blackboard will archive our entire instance of Blackboard, which will save individually backed-up copies of every course and organization through SP2021....

Posted: May 12, 2021, 4:24 PM

Test Scoring Moving to Akindi Bubble Sheets

Print or scan a test from any local computer

Beginning Fall 2021, UMBC will employ Akindi for paper-based, bubble sheet assessments. Akinidi is a Scantron alternative that allows instructors to print and score bubble sheets from any local...

Posted: May 12, 2021, 1:58 PM

Faculty prioritize grading & assessments for Ultra’s future

About 76% of current & planned Ultra aligns with Original

When Ultra was first introduced at UMBC in SP2018, four adventurous faculty opted to use a newly redesigned Blackboard course interface in their courses. Ultra represented a new phase of...

Posted: May 11, 2021, 11:27 AM

Coming Soon: Pinning Videos & Student Gallery View in Collab

Choose who you want to focus on during synchronous sessions

UPDATE: Following the introduction of gallery view to faculty in April 2021, we are pleased to announce that students and participants will also have access to 25 videos per page with the May...

Posted: May 5, 2021, 11:07 AM

SU2021 Courses Created in Blackboard on April 27, 2021

Blackboard course shells for SU2021 were created on April 27, 2021. The Ultra Course Preview setting is again enabled in SU2021 courses to allow faculty adoption with anupdated support schedule...

Posted: April 28, 2021, 10:11 AM

End of Semester Sprint Offers Customized Consults to Faculty

Two Sprints. One Day. Choose your time & topic.

The end of semester is a busy time of year for everyone, especially faculty. Instructional Technology will host two 2-hour sprint sessions on Thursday, May 13, 2021 for faculty to virtually...

Posted: April 27, 2021, 11:37 AM

12 Effective Practices for Delivering Blackboard Tests

Get ready for final exams with these test prep tips

Online tests and assignments are an effective and convenient way to assess students in the virtual environment. Throughout the semester, faculty can leverage many different options and settings...

Posted: April 26, 2021, 12:38 PM

New Update to Respondus Lockdown Browser Released

Students using Macs & Chromebooks must install update

A new update to Respondus Lockdown Browser (RLDB) is available for students to download and install. This update is for Mac users and the Chrome extension.  Students must make sure they are using...

Posted: April 22, 2021, 8:28 AM