What’s New

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New group enhancements scheduled for December Ultra update

Ungraded assignments also coming this month

Managing large numbers of students and groups is an important tool in Blackboard. In the current version of Ultra, faculty had to create assignments and discussions before they could create and...

Posted: December 3, 2019, 11:26 AM

WT/SP2020 Courses Created in Blackboard on December 2, 2019

Blackboard course shells for WT2020 and SP2020 were created on December 2, 2019. The Ultra Course Preview setting is again enabled in WT/SP2020 courses to allow faculty adoption with an updated...

Posted: December 3, 2019, 8:06 AM

DoIT Adjusts Support of Bb Ultra Rollout

All faculty still decide when to migrate before FA21

Based on new analysis of how Blackboard (Bb) Ultra has been adopted across campus, DoIT has decided to modify its approach to faculty support across colleges.  Specifically, DoIT will focus on...

Posted: November 26, 2019, 7:57 AM

Why CNMS Student Bb Use is So High

Use of Assessments is Key -- and Informs Ultra Rollout

When DoIT announced the phased rollout of Blackboard (Bb) Ultra on April 4 of this year, we did so based on the number of courses typically using Bb in each college as of Spring 2019, starting...

Posted: November 25, 2019, 10:59 PM

Improved accessibility support for Ultra courses in November

Light update also features new icons throughout Ultra system

As a fully redesigned system, Ultra benefits from an intentional focus on accessibility and mobile responsiveness. In addition to extensive checks to meet accessibility standards, Ultra includes...

Posted: November 5, 2019, 9:52 AM

RESOLVED - Blackboard Offline on Oct 7

UMBC is monitoring the issue & working with Bb support

At approximately 5:30pm, DoIT staff became aware of a potential outage with our instance Blackboard Learn. System admins immediately investigated the reports and opened a ticket with Blackboard...

Posted: October 7, 2019, 6:09 PM

Reminder: Bb Courses Scheduled for Retirement from Server

AY14-15 & AY15-16 courses to be removed in late January 2020

As previously announced, Blackboard courses from AY14-15 and AY15-16 will be retired from our active production site by the end of January 2020.  The Blackboard system’s overall performance and...

Posted: October 4, 2019, 9:36 AM

Partial points coming to test questions to Ultra in October

Bulk download of student submissions also available

Calculating the grade on an Ultra tests becomes more flexible in the October update when the partial points feature is introduced. When creating a question in an assessment, instructors can enter...

Posted: October 2, 2019, 2:43 PM

Combining Machine and Human Intelligences for Interventions

Bb Predict and FYIs Inform Behavioral Nudges

Over the past three full semester terms, UMBC has implemented a predictive analytics pilot “nudge” campaign using Blackboard (Bb) Predict. Beginning in the Spring 2018 term, we selected high...

Posted: September 25, 2019, 3:11 PM

Self-Enrolled Groups Introduced to Ultra in September

Needs grading filter also available to Ultra gradebook

Group management is an invaluable resource in a Blackboard course, especially one with large enrollments. UMBC is closely monitoring the evolution of this important tool in Ultra as we continue...

Posted: September 4, 2019, 2:10 PM