{"id":4177,"date":"2022-11-04T13:50:34","date_gmt":"2022-11-04T18:50:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lesleyelis.com\/elisblog\/?page_id=4177"},"modified":"2024-04-09T15:47:57","modified_gmt":"2024-04-09T20:47:57","slug":"whats-new-in-ultra","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.lesleyelis.com\/elisblog\/whats-new-in-ultra\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s New in Ultra?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Blackboard has recently tripled its development team for Ultra courses. New features and improvements are released every month<\/em>! Some of these new features are large updates with completely new functionality. Others are small enhancements that improve workflows and your experience teaching and learning in Ultra.<\/p>\n

You can view all the details on Blackboard’s “What’s New in Learn Ultra<\/strong>“<\/a> site.<\/p>\n

Recent Highlights We Think You Will Love<\/h1>\n

Persistent Navigation for Learning Modules (April 2024)<\/span><\/h1>\n

The navigation bar within learning modules has been updated to remain visible as students scroll through the content. This adjustment eliminates the need for students to scroll back to the top of the content in order to access the navigation tools.<\/p>\n

\"Student<\/a>

Student view of a learning module with navigation controls.<\/p><\/div>\n

Find out more about Learning Modules: Create Learning Modules in Blackboard Ultra<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Anonymous Discussion Posts (April 2024)<\/span><\/h1>\n

You now have the option to allow students to post anonymous responses and replies in Discussions. This will give students the option to post as themselves or anonymously, allowing them the opportunity to share their thoughts without judgement or bias. Anonymous posts contain no identifying information \u2013 neither faculty nor other students will be able to tell who posted.<\/p>\n

\"Instructor<\/a>

Instructor view of Discussion settings with anonymous responses and replies selected.<\/p><\/div>\n

Please note that because identifying information is not available, anonymous discussions cannot be graded.<\/p>\n

Find out more about Discussions: Discussions in Blackboard Ultra<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Flexible Grading: Provide Feedback for Individual Questions (April 2024)<\/span><\/h1>\n

In addition to providing overall feedback, you can now provide contextual feedback on all assessment questions and question types.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Instructor view of feedback for an individual question as well as overall feedback on the assessment.<\/p><\/div>\n

Once assessment scores are posted, students can access both overall feedback and question-specific feedback.<\/p>\n

Find out more about grading assessments: Grade Tests with Flexible Grading<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Batch Edit: Adjust Individual Due Dates (April 2024)<\/span><\/h1>\n

It is now easier to update availability and due dates after copying your course. In addition to adjusting dates in bulk, you can also update individual due dates and availability for any item using the Batch Edit tool.<\/p>\n

\"View<\/a>

View of Batch Edit tool for adjusting the due date of an individual item.<\/p><\/div>\n

Find out more about the Batch Edit tool: Batch Edit in Blackboard Ultra<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mark Announcements Read\/Unread (March 2024)<\/span><\/h1>\n

Users can now mark Announcements as read\/unread either within the New Course Announcement popup or in the Course Announcements page.<\/p>\n

In the New Course Announcement popup, select the circle beside the announcement to mark it as read. Once marked, a small checkmark will appear.<\/p>\n

\"Select<\/a>

Select the Announcement to mark it as read.<\/p><\/div>\n

From the Course Announcements page, select the circle beside the Announcement to mark it as read. Once marked, a small checkmark will appear, and the background of the announcement will appear slightly darker. To mark a read Announcement as unread, select the circle again.<\/p>\n

\"Select<\/a>

Read and unread Announcements in the Course Announcements page<\/p><\/div>\n

Find out more about Announcements:\u00a0Announcements in Blackboard Ultra Courses<\/a>.<\/p>\n

New Announcements Indicator (March 2024)<\/span><\/h1>\n

If you have unread Announcements in your course, you will now see a number displayed beside the Course Announcements page. This indicator alerts users to the number of unread Announcements in their course.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

Unread Announcement Indicator displayed beside the Course Announcements page.<\/p><\/div>\n

Find out more about Announcements:\u00a0Announcements in Blackboard Ultra Courses<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Assessment Due Date Improvements (March 2024)<\/span><\/h1>\n

Default Due Date<\/h2>\n

Instead of the due date defaulting to the date\/time the assessment was created, Blackboard has updated the default assessment due date to tomorrow\u2019s date at 11:59 PM.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

Default assessment due date<\/p><\/div>\n

No Due Date Option<\/h2>\n

While we typically encourage faculty to enter due dates for assessments, there may be situations where due dates aren\u2019t necessary. This may be especially true when creating a development shell.<\/p>\n

Previously, if you did not want your assessment to display a due date, you would need to click into the Due Date and delete the date. Blackboard has now streamlined this process, making it easier and more intuitive. Now, you may simply select the No Due Date option when creating your assessment.<\/p>\n

\"Select<\/a>

No due date selected for an assessment<\/p><\/div>\n

Please note that in some cases, the No Due Date option may conflict with other Assessment Results settings, such as when students can view their submission or automated feedback. If this happens, you will be prompted to review your settings.<\/p>\n

Find out more about Assessments:<\/p>\n