What’s New

Free Training for Respondus Lockdown Browser & Monitor

Join an upcoming webinar to see the latest features

Join an upcoming training webinar from Respondus to see the latest features and integrations for LockDown Browser and Monitor. Learn how these applications are used with a range of online testing...

Posted: July 10, 2024, 1:14 PM

Email scheduled announcements in July's Ultra update

Also available: Printer friendly answer key for assessments

Instructors often plan certain communications in advance to ensure students receive timely updates and critical information. This proactive approach helps maintain a structured learning...

Posted: July 2, 2024, 4:13 PM

Ada Crutchfield joins Instructional Technology team

Diverse backround in design, active learning, accessibility

We are pleased to introduce the newest member of the Instructional Technology team: Ada Crutchfield. Joining our team as an Instructional Design Specialist, Ada brings over a decade of...

Posted: June 17, 2024, 7:41 PM

Panopto Version Update (6/27/24)

Updates include accessibility improvements

On June 27th, Panopto is releasing an updated version (15.0).  No downtime is expected with this release. Updates include:  Improved Folder Drop-down Menus and Actions: Highly used folder...

Posted: June 4, 2024, 9:16 AM

June features printer-friendly tests & new Courses page

Language support for AI course tools, grading enhancements

This June, Ultra users can look forward to updates that enhance user experience and functionality including a new language selector when generating content with the AI Course Design Assistant,...

Posted: May 30, 2024, 2:26 PM

New Voicethread launches May 27th for all UMBC users

Enhanced commenting features and other changes

Starting May 27th all Voicethread users will experience the "new" Voicethread that includes enhanced features. These include: One Conversation – A simpler-to-use conversation structure makes...

Posted: May 23, 2024, 2:10 PM

FA2024 Courses Created in Blackboard on May 13, 2024

Blackboard course shells for FA2024 were created on May 13, 2024 per our previous announcement to support faculty preparation for Ultra in advance of the fall semester. Ultra will be the...

Posted: May 15, 2024, 1:20 PM

Enhancing Media and Accessibility Using Panopto

Updated media guidelines for Blackboard to begin this summer

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve the digital learning environment and support accessibility, all media content must be hosted in Panopto rather than Blackboard as of May 23, 2024,...

Posted: May 14, 2024, 12:20 PM

Blackboard Course File Access Outage

Students & Faculty Unable to Access File Attachments

Blackboard users may be unable to access course file attachments. Error messages may include: The specified resource was not found You do not have permission to access it Refused to connect...

Posted: May 13, 2024, 10:57 AM

Reminder: Blackboard Courses Scheduled for Server Retirement

Courses before Fall 2021 to be retired beginning 6/1

During Summer 2024, DoIT staff and Blackboard will archive our entire instance of Blackboard, which will save individually backed-up copies of every course and organization through SP2024. Courses...

Posted: May 10, 2024, 10:45 AM