Release Notes for Learn SaaS
This page contains features and updates currently on Learn SaaS Test/Stage and Production environments. Visit Archived SaaS Release Notes to see features and updates in older versions. Visit In-Product Updates to learn more about in-product updates.
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Learn SaaS release 3900.110.0
Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.110.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 14 January 2025 | Release to Production: Thursday, 6 February 2025
Original Course View, Ultra Course View
For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Blackboard 3900.110.0 version included below on this page. Details can be found on Anthology Global Support.
Latest release to Test/Stage servers to take place on 14 January 2025.
For more information on updates and bug fixes, please visit Anthology Global Support.
The February 2025 - 3900.110 release is robust with features in 8 areas:
- Instructional design;
- Tests and assignments;
- Communication and collaboration;
- Gradebook;
- Learner Progression & Personalized Experience;
- Learn core and security;
- Upgrade to Ultra; and
- Premium features
These improvements impact instructors, students, and administrators. Some features do require administrative action.
Instructors:
- AI Design Assistant -- Set a larger maximum number of generated questions and learning modules
- Upload images to documents using the new image block
- Include IP addresses in student activity log
- Change folders to learning modules or learning modules to folders
- Exclude descriptions from learning modules generated by AI Design Assistant
- Improved accuracy when uploading grades and feedback
- Improvements to grade entry for discussions and journals from the Grid view or Submissions page
- Video Studio - Edit captions and transcripts
- Excluded attempts removed from Need Grading count
- Conversion of existing assignments to the new assignment workflow released in 3900.98
- Test Settings usability improvements
Instructors and Students:
- Improvements to avatar size and time stamp positioning for discussion replies
- Mask access code for an assessment
- Improvement to rendering in Bb Annotate
- Improvement to rendering of uploaded files
- Improvements to grading interface
- Video Studio – Add video content within the Course Content page
- Video Studio - Download recording transcripts
Instructors and Administrators
- Create multiple profiles for IP address restrictions on assessments
- Enhancements to course groups
- Activity-level groups in Original convert to course-level groups in Ultra
Students
Students and Administrators
Administrators:
Instructional Design
Exclude descriptions from learning modules generated by AI Design Assistant – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: AI Design Assistant
Instructors
We added the option to exclude descriptions from learning modules generated by the AI Design Assistant. Instructors who want to write their own descriptions no longer have to manually remove them from auto-generated learning modules.
Image 1. The Auto-Generate Learning Modules page has a new option to include or exclude descriptions.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Change folders to learning modules or learning modules to folders – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: Create Containers for Content
Instructors
Instructors can now change a folder to a learning module or a learning module to a folder. Benefits of changing a folder to a learning module include:
- Thumbnail images: Learning modules come with thumbnail images, which provide a visually appealing course experience.
- Forced sequencing: Instructors can force students to navigate learning modules in linear paths.
- Progress bar: Learning modules have a progress bar for students that highlights the number of items that they need to complete and their progression on those items.
- Previous and next navigation: Students can quickly navigate to the next or previous item in a learning module.
Image 1. The new option to change a folder to a learning module in the dropdown menu.
To give instructors more control over their courses, they can also change learning modules to folders. Instructors are warned that all learning module functions are removed when converting a learning module to a folder.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: Administrators can turn the feature on or off by going to Ultra Experience Management and selecting Change Folder to Learning Module or Learning Module to Folder.
Improvement to rendering of uploaded files - 3900.110
Impact: Instructors, Students
Instructors and students
Files uploaded by instructors to Blackboard now retain their original formatting and characteristics wherever instructors can upload files. Previously, formatting changes may have displayed with uploaded files, such as PowerPoints or Excel worksheets. With improved rendering, students can view files in their original format, leading to a better overall user experience.
This improvement is now available in both test/stage and production environments for Ultra and Original courses.
Image 1. A student's view of a Document, where an embedded PowerPoint slide displays next to a text block.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
AI Design Assistant -- Set a larger maximum number of generated questions and learning modules – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: AI Design Assistant
Instructors
When using the AI Design Assistant, instructors can now set the number of questions generated for tests and question banks to a maximum of 20. The maximum number of learning modules that the AI Design Assistant generates also increased to 20. Generating more questions at once reduces the chance that similar questions will be generated. The default number of questions and learning modules generated remains 4.
Image 1. The Auto-Generate Questions page displays a new maximum number of questions of 20.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Upload images to Documents using the new image block – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: Create Documents
Instructors
We added an image block to Documents. Instructors can use image blocks to upload their own images, use the AI Design Assistant to generate images, or select images from Unsplash. Image blocks can be moved throughout a Document, just like other block types. Instructors have the option to resize images, set height, and maintain aspect ratios in image blocks. A dedicated image block makes adding images more apparent. Adding images via the image block also reduces white space around images and provides greater control over content design.
Image 1. The new image block option in Documents.
Image 2. The preview of an image within a Document.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Tests & Assignments
Mask access code for an assessment – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated topic: Access Codes section of Assessment Settings
Instructors and Students
When an instructor or exam proctor enters an access code for an assessment on a student's computer, the code is masked (*******) to ensure enhanced security. Previously, the code was visible when entered on a student's screen, compromising the secure testing environment. An option to view the code is available but the default state keeps it hidden, providing better privacy and protection during testing.
Image 1: Masked access code
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improved performance for assignment file submissions – 3900.110
Impact: Students
Updated Topic: Submit an Assignment section of Submit Assignments
Students
The latest updates bring significant improvements to assignment submission uploads, ensuring a smoother experience for students:
- Timed assessments: When a student uploads a file just before the timer runs out, the upload will complete before the attempt is auto-submitted.
- Re-upload workflow: If a student's file doesn't upload correctly, they can easily re-upload it using the new workflow.
Students can now be confident that their files are successfully attached, received, and stored. They will be notified immediately if there are any issues with their file submissions.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Communication & Collaboration
Improvements to avatar size and time stamp positioning for discussion replies – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated Topic: Discussions
Instructors and Students
We adjusted the size of avatars and the position of time stamps to improve the user experience. Replies to posts are now easier to identify and avatar sizes are consistent.
Image 1. The new standard indentation and avatar sizes for discussions.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Enhancements to course groups – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors, Administrators
Updated Topic: Create and Manage Groups
Instructors
To simplify group management and enhance usability for instructors, we made several improvements to course groups:
- Activity-level groups are now course-level: All new groups are now course-level. Instructors can create course-level groups directly from a content item, eliminating the need to manage groups at the activity level.
- More warnings and restrictions: To prevent the creation of empty group sets during group assignments, we added restrictions and additional warning messages. This helps instructors make informed decisions and avoid disruptions in group management.
Image 1. The new warning for when an instructor creates a group assignment with an empty group.
- Simplified group creation: The option to reuse activity-level groups was removed. This change encourages instructors to focus on course-level groups and reduces confusion.
Existing activity-level groups in a course will remain activity-level.
Administrators
When copying course materials to a new course from the Administrator Panel:
- Group assignments with activity-level groups associated with a copied content item will not be duplicated.
- Copied content will indicate that it previously had groups with a “No groups” label, helping instructors understand the history of the content and encouraging the use of the new group management system.
For more details, visit Methods to Copy a Course.
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Gradebook
Excluded attempts removed from Needs Grading count – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
Instructors
Instructors can choose to exclude attempts that they do not intend to grade. Excluded attempts are removed from the Needs Grading workflow and any gradebook calculations.
With this release, we have ensured that excluded attempts are removed from the Needs Grading count in all gradebook views. This provides instructors with a more accurate overview of their outstanding grading workload.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Conversion of existing assignments to the new assignment workflow released in 3900.98 – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
In the 3900.98 release in August 2024, we separated the workflows for creating a test and creating an assignment. Prior to the 3900.98 release, the Create Assignment and Create Test workflows shared the same content and settings. The 3900.98 enhancement made each workflow distinct, where the Create Assignment workflow now contains only assignment-specific content and settings, while the Create Test workflow remained unchanged. The new assignment workflow enhancements included:
- A new Instructions box with a full content editor for detailed assignment instructions.
- A streamlined Settings panel with only options relevant to assignments.
- No option to add questions, as assignments cannot contain questions.
- Attempts are only created when students interact with the assignment, such as submitting a file or adding content to the editor.
As part of this release, we are performing a one-time, automatic bulk conversion of assignments created created prior to the new assignment workflow released in the 3900.98 release. After the bulk conversion, all assessments will follow either the assignment workflow released in the 3900.98 release or the test workflow. This will ensure that converted assignments benefit from the new assignment workflow's features.
Assignments will be converted in a one-time, bulk process following these definitions:
- Assignment: Any existing assessment without questions (such as MCQ, Essay, Hotspot) is classified as an "assignment.". Assignments will be converted.
- Test: Any existing assessment with questions (such as MCQ, Essay, Hotspot) is classified as a "test." Tests will not be converted.
The conversion will not affect the following items:
- Existing student assignment attempts and grades
- Existing gradebook calculations
- Assignment Settings and Category designation
- Tests
To ensure a successful, consistent conversion to the new assignment workflow, we updated the following processes:
- Converting courses
- Assignments will convert to the new assignment workflow.
- Tests without questions will be set to Hidden from students.
- Copying items
- Assignments copied from Original courses will convert to the new assignment workflow.
- Tests without questions copied from Original and Ultra courses will be set to Hidden from students.
- Restoring Original archive/export packages
- Assignments will convert to the new assignment workflow.
- Tests without questions will be set to Hidden from students.
- Restoring Ultra archive/export packages
- Assessments without questions will convert to the new assignment workflow.
- Tests without questions will be set to Hidden from students.
Administrators
During the conversion, assessments that are being converted will have an entry of Assignment added to the BBMD_ASSESSMENT_SUBTYPE column in the QTI_ASI_DATA table.
The bulk conversion will occur during the release upgrade. The release upgrade might take longer than normal.
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Test Settings usability improvements – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
Instructors
To enhance usability and improve the test-building experience, we streamlined the Settings panel for tests by removing the following assignment-specific options:
- Collect submissions offline
- Use grading rubric
- Maximum points
- 2 grades per student
- Peer review
By simplifying the Settings panel, we reduce complexity and save instructors time, allowing them to focus more on creating effective assessments rather than navigating through numerous options.
Additionally, we updated the functionality for student visibility options and release conditions for tests. Now, instructors must add one or more questions to their test to make it visible to students or to add release conditions. This ensures that students only see assessments that they can actively engage with.
Image 1: Settings panel with assignment-specific options removed
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improvements to grading interface – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
Instructors
To optimize the use of screen space and to give graders a larger view of the student submission, we redesigned the grading interface for assignments and tests.
We implemented the following design changes:
- Relocated the Previous Student and Next Student navigation controls next to the attempt grade pill and removed the gray bar that these buttons were on.
- Replaced the Previous Student and Next Student buttons with <> arrows.
- Moved the avatar, student name, and submission information to the existing black bar and removed the white bar where the information was previously listed.
Image 1: Grading interface prior to design changes
Image 2: Newly designed grading interface
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improved accuracy when uploading grades and feedback – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
Instructors
Instructors can now upload grades and feedback for assignments, journals, and discussions with improved accuracy. Previously, when instructors uploaded grades, they were always stored at the override level, which left the underlying attempts or submissions ungraded. This caused the Needs Grading and New Submission flags to remain visible, even when grading had been completed offline.
Uploaded grades and feedback are now correctly mapped to the corresponding attempt or submission whenever possible. This reduces confusion and provides better clarity for instructors.
Assignments with Single Attempts
- Ungraded Attempts. When an ungraded attempt is found, the grade is stored at the attempt level, the Needs Grading and New Submission flags are cleared, and any auto-zero is removed.
- Graded Attempts. If the attempt is already graded, the existing grade is updated accordingly.
- Existing Overrides. If an override already exists, only the override is updated. No changes are made to the attempt grade.
- No Submission. If a student has not submitted an attempt, the grade is stored as an override.
Assignments with Multiple Attempts
- Ungraded Attempts. If all attempts are ungraded, the grade is assigned to the appropriate attempt based on the aggregation model:
- First: The grade is assigned to the first attempt.
- Last: The grade is assigned to the last attempt.
- All (Min, Max, & Average): The grade is assigned to the last attempt. All other attempts are excluded.
- Single Graded Attempt. For a single graded attempt, the existing grade is updated.
- Multiple Graded Attempts. If more than one attempt is graded, the grade is stored as an override. The Needs Grading and New Submission labels remain unchanged.
- Existing Overrides. If an override already exists, the override grade is updated.
- No Submission. For students with no submission, the grade is stored as an override.
Discussions and Journals
- Ungraded Submissions. For ungraded submissions, the grade and feedback are added to the submission, and the Needs Grading and New Submission flags are cleared.
- Graded Submissions. If the submission is already graded, the grade and feedback are updated.
- Overrides. If a student has an override grade, the override grade and feedback are updated.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improvement to rendering in Bb Annotate - 3900.110
Impact: Instructors, Students
Instructors and students
We enhanced how files submitted by students are rendered in Bb Annotate. Previously, formatting changes during the rendering process made grading more challenging for instructors. Now, files display with the exact same formatting as when they were submitted, ensuring a smoother grading experience. This feature was well-received by customers in a tech preview!
Supported file types include:
- PowerPoints
- Excel worksheets
- PDFs
- Other common formats
Additionally, the warning about potential formatting changes during the conversion process has been removed.
This improvement is now available in both test/stage and production environments for Ultra and Original courses.
A PowerPoint file rendered by Bb Annotate now displays in the original format, ready to be annotated.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improvements to grade entry for discussions and journals from the Grid view or Grades & Participation page – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
Instructors
Instructors can now enter discussion and journal grades directly in the Grid view or Grades & Participation page with improved accuracy and consistency. Previously, grades entered in these views were stored at the override level. This caused confusion as underlying attempts remained ungraded and continued to display the Needs Grading and New Submission flags. This update ensures that grades entered this way are properly mapped to the underlying attempt or submission when applicable.
Grade Entry Requirements
- Ungraded Submissions. For ungraded submissions, the grade and feedback are added to the submission, and the Needs Grading and New Submission flags are cleared.
- Graded Submissions. If the submission is already graded, the grade and feedback are updated.
- Overrides. If a student has an override grade, the override grade and feedback are updated.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learner Progression & Personalized Experience
Include IP addresses in student activity log – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors and Administrators
Updated Topic: Student Activity Log
Instructors and administrators
IP addresses are now in the student activity log for assessment submissions and drafts. This new information can help with comparing data while reviewing a student’s test taking behavior
Image 1. The new IP address column that’s included in the student activity log.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learn Core & Security
Create multiple profiles for IP address restrictions on assessments – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors, Administrators
Updated Help page: Assessment IP Address Filtering (admin), Restrict Location (Instructor, Ultra), Restrict Location (Instructor, Original)
Administrators can now create more than one profile associated with one or more ranges of IP addresses. Each profile supports different IP filter rule configurations. These filters help secure testing environments. Instructors can select the desired testing location from available profiles.
Within Grading Security Settings in the Administrator Panel, administrators can now select Add Profile to define another profile with specific IP filter rules. You can now also select Edit on an existing profile to make changes to that profile.
Image 1: On the Grading Security Settings page, select the new Add Profile option to create a new profile. Each profile has an edit option in the drop-down menu.
For more information on Assessment restrictions, go to Assessment IP Address Filtering.
Instructors
Instructors administering assessments in both Ultra and Original courses can now select the location of their choice from available profiles configured by the administrator.
In the Assessment Settings panel, instructors can apply a location restriction by selecting a location from available profiles.
Image 2: Instructors can now select from multiple locations in the Location restriction field in Assessment Settings.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original Blackboard Courses
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: In the Administrator Panel, select Course Settings, then Grading Security Settings. If an existing course with IP restrictions is copied for a new course, IP restrictions need to be configured again.
Improved student email notifications in multi-brand environments – 3900.110
Impact: Students, Administrators
Updated Help page: SIS Framework Overview
We have updated the Blackboard SIS Integration Framework to support multi-brand environments. It now includes a field that stores the login URL for each user. This update improves the accuracy of email notifications to students.
A multi-brand environment is a single Blackboard environment that supports multiple institutions, such as an instance shared by several different universities within a regional system. If a student or instructor has not previously logged into a Blackboard environment that supports multiple institutions, an automated email notification could potentially direct them to an incorrect login URL.
If your institution doesn’t use a multi-brand Blackboard environment, there is no action you need to take.
Students and instructors
Email notifications will be more accurate and support requests will be reduced with this update. There are no user interface changes.
Administrator
Availability: Available for all Blackboard courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: Ensure that correct login URL data is entered when creating or updating student records within your SIS.
Upgrade to Ultra
Activity-level groups in Original convert to course-level groups in Ultra
Impact: Instructors, Administrators
Updated Topic: Copy Content from Other Courses
Instructors and administrators
When converting a content item associated with an activity-level group from Original to Ultra, the groups will now convert to course-level. This change simplifies how instructors manage content for converted courses. Having all groups at the course level ensures a consistent approach to group management across the entire course, which can improve the overall teaching experience.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Premium features
Video Studio – Add video content within the Course Content page – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated Help pages: Video Studio (administrator), Video Studio (instructor), Video Studio (student)
Instructors and course builders can now add video content to the Course Content page with Video Studio. While video can be incorporated within the announcements, feedback, and Documents, this new functionality enhances the ability to show compelling instructional content on the main course page.
Instructors
To add video content to the Course Content page, select + and then Record Audio/Video. To record the video, follow directions for using Video Studio.
Image 1: Record Audio/Video now appears among menu options when adding content to the Course Content page.
Students
Students can now view video content directly from the Course Content page. Video content appears with a camera icon. Select the video content, and a panel opens to display the recorded content.
Image 2: For students, video content on the Course Content page is designated by a camera icon next to the title of the content.
Administrator
Availability: Video Studio is a premium solution.
Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025. This trial provides access to the full version of Video Studio. Video Studio is set to OFF as a default in test/stage environments. If you want to enable it in your institution’s production environment, you can do that for free until the end of June 2025.
Configuration: In the Administrator Panel, select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond June 30, 2025, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it.
Video Studio - Edit captions and transcripts 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help pages: Video Studio (administrator), Video Studio (instructor)
Instructors can now edit video captions and transcripts for content created using Video Studio. This functionality allows instructors to correct minor errors and add clarity to the captions and transcripts that are automatically generated during a recording.
Instructors
To edit captions and transcripts of a recording, select Edit Content.
Image 1: To edit captions or transcripts within Video Studio, first select Edit content.
Next, hover your cursor over the video to display the option to edit (the button labeled with a pencil icon). If navigating with your keyboard, you can also select tab until you focus on the screen, which then displays the editing options. Select the button labeled with a pencil.
Image 2: Select the pencil button to reach the new caption/transcript editing capability within Video Studio.
Next, select Transcript, which displays the transcript. Select the pencil next to the text you want to edit within the transcript. Once you make your edits, select the checkmark to save the edit or select X to discard changes. Once you finish making all your edits, select Save Video. The changes now appear in both the captions and the transcript.
Image 3: The new Transcript button appears when you are editing a recording. After editing your text, select either the check button to save your change or X to discard it.
Administrator
Availability: Video Studio is a premium solution.
Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025. This trial provides access to the full version of Video Studio. Video Studio is set to OFF as a default in test/stage environments. If you want to enable it in your institution’s production environment, you can do that for free until the end of June 2025.
Configuration: In the Administrator Panel, select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond June 30, 2025, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it.
Video Studio - Download recording transcripts – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated Help pages: Video Studio (instructor), Video Studio (student)
Users can now download transcripts for content created using Video Studio. Video and audio recordings make for compelling teaching material, but if users don’t have ready access to text, it can pose a challenge for study and instruction. Giving users access to transcripts for recordings to print or highlight allows recorded content to be a powerful study tool.
Instructors and students
Once you’ve selected your recording and press play, select the transcript button at the bottom corner of the video screen. This opens the transcript panel displaying the text of the transcript. Select the download button at the top of transcript column. The transcript is downloaded as a VTT file that includes time stamps and speaker narration.
Image 1: A download button now appears in the Transcript panel of a Video Studio recording.
Administrator
Availability: Video Studio is a premium solution.
Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025. This trial provides access to the full version of Video Studio. Video Studio is set to OFF as a default in test/stage environments. If you want to enable it in your institution’s production environment, you can do that for free until the end of June 2025.
Configuration: In the Administrator Panel, select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond June 30, 2025, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it.
Change Badge size in Anthology Adopt
Impact: Administrators
Updated pages: Anthology Adopt Accessibility Page
A badge is one of the ways users can activate an Anthology Adopt guide in Blackboard. To enhance accessibility, you can now increase the size of badges. To change badge size, select Activation to open Activation Settings. Under Badges, select Edit Settings.
Image 1: When creating an Anthology Adopt guide, administrators can now adjust the badge size in Activation Settings.
In the Styling tab, there is a new size field that allows you to adjust the badge pixel size within a range of 8px to 300px. The default size is 14 pixels. The minimum target size for WCAG 2.2 AA is 24 pixels.
Image 2: In Badge Settings, under Styling, there is now a field to adjust the size of the badge.
Instructors and Students
When badge size is adjusted, the change appears automatically in Blackboard for all users.
Administrator
Availability: Anthology Adopt Powered by Pendo is a premium offering from Anthology.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: No configurations required.
Learn SaaS release 3900.108.0
Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.108.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 10 December 2024 | Release to Production: Thursday, 9 January 2025
Original Course View, Ultra Course View
For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Blackboard 3900.108.0 version included below on this page. Details can be found on Anthology Global Support.
Latest release: 3900.108.0-rel.28+dfa83d8 to Production servers to take place on 9 January 2025.
For more information on updates and bug fixes, please visit Anthology Global Support.
The January 2025 - 3900.108 release is robust with features in 4 areas:
- Instructional design;
- Mastery learning and learning pathways;
- Gradebook; and
- Learn core and security
These improvements impact instructors, students, and administrators. Some features do require administrative action.
Instructors:
- Availability of Achievements tab in courses
- Improvements to AI Design Assistant Outputs
- Improvements to AI Design Assistant Image Generation
- Expanded language Outputs for AI Design Assistant
- Show/hide columns from instructors in the gradebook
- Direct grade entry for assignments from the Grid view or Submissions page
- Improvements to file uploads for Content Designer: Documents
- Improvements to content blocks for Content Designer: Documents
Instructors and Students:
- Set default automatic zeros to off in the gradebook for new courses
- Add submission attempts for release conditions
Instructors and Administrators
- Manage course access from Course Settings
- New role privileges for course access management
- Mastery Gradebook visibility controls
Additionally, our premium service Course Catalog version 2.13 is now available with the following features:
Course Catalog (Premium offering)
- Milestone Integration
- WPM Integration
- Subscription Model
- Graduation and Withdrawal Emails
- Accessibility improvements
- Course IDs column added to Payment Code list
Additionally. Ally 2.11.0 is now available and Ally 2.11.1 is upcoming. These releases include the following features:
Instructional Design
Improvements to AI Design Assistant Outputs – 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: AI Design Assistant
We improved the following auto-generation features of the AI Design Assistant to have faster and more complex outputs. Outputs for learning modules are more descriptive and focused on the topic than in 3900.106. Assignments, discussions, and journals also present more depth in relation to prompts and content selected by instructors. In addition, images for AI Conversation avatars are more realistic. Instructors can now save time both with generating content and using that content in their courses.
- Assignments
- Discussions
- Journals
- Test questions
- Learning modules
- AI Conversation avatars
- Keywords for Unsplash
Our latest optimizations continue the work we did in the December 3900.106 release to optimize rubrics.
Image 1. The learning modules on the left were generated with the 3900.106 release. The learning modules are described with a few sentences. The learning modules on the right were generated with the 3900.108 release. The learning module descriptions are longer in 3900.108 than in 3900.106.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improvements to AI Design Assistant Image Generation – 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: AI Design Assistant
We improved the quality of the images generated by the AI Design Assistant, making them look more realistic and related to instructors' prompts. Instructors can generate images faster and the image files require less storage space.
Image 1. The two images on the left were generated by the AI Design Assistant with the 3900.106 release. The prompt used is “construction.” These images are related to tall buildings in cities. The two images on the right were generated by the AI Design Assistant with the 3900.108 release. The prompt used is also “construction.”
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Expanded Language Outputs for AI Design Assistant – 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: AI Design Assistant
The output languages available for AI workflows now include Greek, Catalan, Croatian, Irish, and Slovenian. More instructors can take advantage of the features of the AI Design Assistant. We added these languages based on feedback from instructors. For a list of all languages available for AI outputs, refer to AI Design Assistant for Instructors.
Image 1. Changing the output language is available as an advanced option in the AI Design Assistant.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improvements to Content Blocks for Content Designer: Documents – 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: Create Documents
We made editing content blocks in Documents easier. When instructors create or edit a Document, the content block no longer closes when they collapse the menu in the editor. Also, the editor no longer closes when editing table settings.
Image 1. A content block is open for editing while the menu remains open.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improvements to File Uploads for Content Designer: Documents – 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: Create Documents
We made uploading files to Documents easier. The default file option when instructors upload files to Documents is now View and Download.
Image 1. The View and download button is automatically selected when instructors go to Edit File Options.
Also, instructors can now use the Undo and Redo functions for file uploads.
Image 2. The Undo and Redo buttons are now available for file uploads.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Mastery Learning and Learning Pathways
Add Submission Attempts for Release Conditions – 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors and Students
Updated Topic: Content Release Conditions
Instructors can now use item submission status for a release condition. For example, an instructor who wants students to access a document only after submitting a quiz would use a release condition. Students can access content items without needing to wait for a grade to be posted.
Image 1. The new Attempt submitted option is in the dropdown menu for a gradable item in the Release condition panel.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: Turned on by default.
Configuration: None needed.
Availability of Achievements Tab in Courses – 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors and Students
Updated Topic: Achievements
We changed the availability of the Achievements tab in courses. The Achievements tab is now hidden from students until the instructor creates and posts Achievements for students to earn. Students will no longer have questions about an Achievements tab if it is not applicable to their courses.
Image 1. A student's course that with Achievements activated has a page for Achievements.
System administrators determine whether Achievements are available for use in courses at the institution-level. System administrators can configure the availability of Achievements in Ultra Experience Management in the Administrator Panel.
Image 2. The control for Achievements is in Ultra Experience Management.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Mastery tab in Gradebook availability controls - 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors, Administrators
Updated Topic: Mastery Tab and Course Settings
Administrators and instructors now have the flexibility to control the availability of the Mastery tab in the Gradebook. This configuration lets institutions align the use of the Mastery tab in Gradebook with their curriculum approach, while also giving instructors control over when and how it is visible to students.
Administrators determine whether the Mastery tab in Gradebook is available for use in courses at the institution-level. Administrators can configure the availability of the Mastery tab in Gradebook in Ultra Experience Management in the Administrator Panel.
Image 1. The option for turning the Mastery tab in Gradebook on and off is in Ultra Experience Management.
If an administrator turns on the Mastery tab in Gradebook at the institution-level, instructors can manage the availability of the Mastery tab in Gradebook at the course-level in Course Settings. If an administrator turned off the Mastery tab in Gradebook at the institution-level, the Mastery tab in Gradebook is not visible for instructors, and Visibility Settings appear as read-only in Course Settings.
Administrators who initially turned off the Mastery tab in Gradebook must also make sure that the Goal Performance Course Tool is turned off. Otherwise, instructors will still have the option to turn the Mastery tab in Gradebook on.
Instructors can manage the availability for themselves and their students. The configuration includes the Instructor Visibility toggle and the Student Visibility toggle. The Mastery goal tab for instructors setting determines if the Mastery tab in Gradebook is available for the instructors in their course. The Mastery goal tab for students setting determines if the Mastery tab in Gradebook is available to students in the course.
With the release of Mastery tab in Gradebook visibility settings, the Mastery Tab in Gradebook default at the course-level is automatically set to OFF. Therefore, instructors must go to Course Settings to make the Mastery tab in Gradebook visible at the course-level.
Image 2. The options for turning the Mastery tab in Gradebook on and off are in Course Settings.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: System administrators can configure Mastery Tab in Gradebook visibility in Administrator Tools Panel > Ultra Experience Management. If the Mastery Tab in Gradebook is enabled at the institution-level, instructors can configure Mastery Tab in Gradebook visibility in Course Settings.
Gradebook
Show/hide columns from instructors in the gradebook - 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: Ultra Gradebook
Instructors can now configure column visibility for their gradebook view, ensuring a cleaner and more organized workspace when grading. We've added a new Items Management page accessible from the Gradebook Settings panel. From this page, instructors can configure visibility for a single column selection or in bulk.
Visibility settings apply to the Grade page and Gradable Items page for non-student users (instructors, TAs, graders). The student view of any grading-related page is unaffected. If an instructor hides a column from their gradebook, that column continues to appear for students.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: Turned on by default.
Configuration: None needed.
Set default automatic zeros to off in the gradebook for new courses - 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated Topic: Ultra Gradebook
The Assign Automatic Zeros for Past Due Work option is now turned off by default for newly-created Ultra courses. Existing courses are unaffected. Changing the default setting to off prevents students from automatically receiving zeros for past due assignments. Instructors can turn on automatic zeros for late submissions in the Gradebook Settings panel.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: Turned on by default.
Configuration: None needed.
Direct grade entry for assignments from the Grid view or Submissions page - 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Instructors can now enter assignment grades directly in the Grid view or Submissions page with improved accuracy and consistency. Previously, grades entered in these views were stored at the override level, which caused confusion as underlying attempts remained ungraded and continued to display the Needs Grading and New Submission flags. This update ensures that grades entered this way are properly mapped to the underlying attempt or submission when applicable.
All grades entered via file upload continue to be stored a override grades.
Assignments with Single Attempts
- Ungraded Attempts. When an ungraded attempt is found, the grade is stored at the attempt level, the Needs Grading and New Submission flags are cleared, and any auto-zero is removed.
- Graded Attempts. If the attempt is already graded, the existing grade is updated accordingly.
- Existing Overrides. If an override already exists, only the override is updated. No changes are made to the attempt grade.
- No Submission. If a student has not submitted an attempt, the grade is stored as an override.
Assignments with Multiple Attempts
- Ungraded Attempts. If all attempts are ungraded, the grade is assigned to the appropriate attempt based on the aggregation model:
- First: The grade is assigned to the first attempt.
- Last: The grade is assigned to the last attempt.
- All (Min, Max, & Average): The grade is assigned to the last attempt. All other attempts are excluded.
- Single Graded Attempt. For a single graded attempt, the existing grade is updated.
- Multiple Graded Attempts. If more than one attempt is graded, the grade is stored as an override. The Needs Grading and New Submission labels remain unchanged.
- Existing Overrides. If an override already exists, the override grade is updated.
- No Submission. For students with no submission, the grade is stored as an override.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: Turned on by default.
Configuration: None needed.
Learn Core & Security
Manage course access from Course Settings – 3900.108
Blackboard SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: Course Settings (instructor), Managing Course Terms and Access (admin)
Instructors can now manage course access state settings through the Course Settings page. This change streamlines administrative tasks and enhances usability for instructors teaching courses.
Instructors or users with appropriate privileges can set the course state from Course Settings. This functionality was previously called Course is Open/Private and found in the Details & Actions panel.
Course access states are as follows:
- Open. Course content is available to students.
- Closed. Course content is not available to students. Previously called Private.
- Complete. No changes can be made by students or instructors.
Image 1. The Course Settings page now has a section called Course Access where instructors can set a course as Open, Closed, or Complete.
At the top of a course, the current course access state is displayed as a colored pill next to Course Settings. This change makes it easier for instructors to manage course states.
Image 2: At the top of a course, there is now an indicator that displays whether a course is Open, Closed, or Complete.
Additionally, instructors can access Course Settings from the Courses page. From the three dot menu, the instructor can select Course Settings.
Image 3. Course Settings option from the course card edit menu.
Administrators:
Availability: This feature is available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: The Course Access section is turned on by default, but only available to privileged users.
Configuration: These changes in the user interface require changes to role privileges, detailed in Course completion and new privileges for course access management – 3900.108. Instructors need the course settings privilege for Course Settings to display in their course: Course/Organization Control Panel (Customization) > Properties
New role privileges for course access management – 3900.108
Blackboard SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Administrators, Instructors
Updated Topic: Roles and Privileges, Course Settings (instructors)
There are new and updated privileges to support the new Course Access section of the Course Settings page.
In this release, course access settings moved from the Details & Actions panel to the Course Settings page (refer to Manage Course Access from Course Settings – 3900.108). Course availability to students and course completion are clearly demarcated as separate states:
- Open/Closed. Course content is not available to students. Previously called Open/Private.
- Complete. No changes can be made by students or instructors.
This change makes course access management easier for instructors.
Administrators
Availability - Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation - The Course Access section is turned on by default but only available to users assigned the new privileges.
Configuration - The privilege allowing a user to change course availability and completion is now two separate settings. In the Administrator Panel, assign these new and updated privileges to users:
- Course/Organization Control Panel (Customization) > Properties, Availability (updated privilege). This privilege is now only used for opening/closing a course. Previously it gave a user access to opening/closing a course as well as completing/uncompleting a course.
- Change Completion Status (on/off) (new privilege). This privilege allows a user to mark a course as complete, and they can revert this change.
- Partial Change Completion Status (on) (new privilege). This privilege allows a user to mark a course as complete, but they can’t revert this change.
If users have already been given privileges to open/close and complete courses prior to this release with Course/Organization Control Panel (Customization) > Properties, Availability, you don’t need to change privileges to maintain their access to these functions. If a user has not previously been given these privileges, you need to set their privileges for opening/closing a course and for completing a course.
Review Manage course access from Course Settings – 3900.108 for instructor-facing changes to course access options.
Course Catalog 2.13 Release Features
Milestone Integration
Release date: Test/Stage: Week of December 16th; Production: week of January 13th
Impact: Learners, Managers, Administrators
Updated Topic: Certificate Manager v2 and Create an Offering and Dashboard
Integration with Anthology Milestone allows learners to earn badges in Learn courses taken through Course Catalog. This integration provides a means to increase learner engagement through skill recognition and showcasing.
Learners
If an offering has a badge associated with it, there will be an icon on the course tile in the catalog that identifies the badge. Learners will also see badges associated with offerings they are enrolled in on the achievements section of the dashboard.
Image 1: Badge appears on catalog offering.
Managers
Managers define the criteria required to earn a badge when creating or editing an offering, and the learner automatically receives the badge once they achieve the criteria.
Image 2: Manager adds a badge to an offering.
Administrators
Administrators will enable and configure the Milestone Integration in the Certificate Manager v2 application.
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: The integration is configured in the Certificate Manager v2 application (Admin Panel > Platform Extensions Manager > Certificate Manager v2 > Configuration > Anthology Milestone). It requires licensing of the Anthology Milestone product.
Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description
WPM Integration
Release date: Test/Stage: Week of December 16th; Production: week of January 13th
Impact: Learners, Managers, Administrators
Updated topic: Payment Gateway v2
Integration with WPM allows learners to use this payment service provider to process payments for courses. Offering managers can include a finance code when creating an offering that indicates where the funds from the offering should be distributed. This allows institutions to designate funds collected from each offering for the appropriate department.
Learners
Learners can choose WPM as a payment provider when purchasing an offering.
Managers
Managers can input a finance code when creating an offering.
Image 1: Manager inputs a finance code for the offering.
This feature will only be functional for WPM payments.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: The WPM integration is configured in the Payment Gateway v2 application (Admin Panel > Platform Extensions Manager > Payment Gateway v2 > Configuration > WPM).
Subscription Model
Release date: Test/Stage: Week of December 16th; Production: week of January 13th
Impact: Learners, Managers
Updated Help Topic: Configure Course Catalog for a Subscription Model
Course Catalog can be set up for learners to use on a subscription basis. In this use case, learners purchase access to a catalog of courses rather than purchase individual courses. This model allows institutions to customize Course Catalog for their needs.
Learners
Learners can search the catalog for the subscription membership. When they purchase that offering, they will see the catalog of courses that is available with that subscription and be able to enroll in any of those courses.
Managers
The offering manager configures one offering as the subscription course and sets up other offerings to be viewable only by those learners who have purchased the subscription course. This is accomplished by giving learners who purchase the subscription course a specific institutional role, and allowing only learners with that role to view and enroll in the courses included in the subscription.
Image 1: Manager sets the offering as the subscription offering and assigns the role to the learner.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: See Configure Course Catalog for a subscription model.
Graduation and Withdrawal Emails
Release date: Test/Stage: Week of December 16th; Production: week of January 13th
Impact: Administrators
Updated Topic: Notification Settings
Administrators can set up templates for Graduation and Withdrawal Emails to be sent to learners. Graduation emails are sent automatically based on a date configured in the system. Withdrawal emails are sent to learners you select from the database of Course Catalog users on demand. The withdrawal email also allows you to make learner accounts unavailable or disabled and to remove learners’ graduation dates from the system. These emails can be used to manage communication about learners’ Course Catalog accounts.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: These email templates are configured in Course Catalog at Administration > Settings > Notifications. The configuration for when the Graduation Email is sent will be done by Anthology Professional Services experts; you should submit a ticket for assistance with this configuration.
Accessibility Improvements
Test/Stage: Week of December 16th; Production: week of December 16th
Impact: Learners
Various accessibility improvements have been released, including improvements to the consistency of the language tags used for screen readers throughout the application. These improvements make the application more accessible to all learners.
Learners
Learners will see an improved experience with screen readers.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: No configuration is needed.
Course IDs column added to Payment Code list
Test/Stage: Week of December 16th; Production: week of December 16th
Impact: Administrators
A Course IDs column has been added to the Payment Code list display in the Settings area of Course Catalog. This column makes it easier for administrators to manage codes because they can see at a glance which courses the codes apply to.
Administrators
Image 1: The Payment Code list now has a Course IDs column.
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog Courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: No configuration is required.
Ally 2.11.0 and 2.11.1 Release Features
Download Original File is Now Available from the Alternative Formats Dialog
Release date: Production: Week of December 16th
Impact: Learners, Administrators
Updated Topic: Alternative Formats and Usage Report
Learners
Learners now have the option to download the original file version of a file uploaded by their instructor directly from the Alternative Formats download dialog without having to navigate back to the course. Selecting the download icon next to the file name downloads the file.
Image 1: Download alternative formats dialog
Administrators
Administrators can track the usage of this feature within the Usage Report Export, available in the Institutional Report. This counts in the total downloads and shows as Original File in the distribution as part of overall engagement. This data is useful for institutions that want to analyze how alternative formats are being used.
Image 2: Ally Usage Report
Availability: This feature is now available for file content in Blackboard but does not apply to WYSIWYG/Rich Content items.
Activation: Activated by default.
Configuration: No configuration is needed.
Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description
Alternative Formats for Video Studio Videos within Blackboard Documents
Release date: Production: Week of January 20th
Impact: Learners, Administrators
Updated topic: Alternative Formats
Learners
Learners will have the ability to download Alternative Formats for Video Studio videos within Blackboard Documents when using the Ally Alternative Formats feature. When enabled by the administrator, students see the video as a valid file type to download a variety of Alternative Formats based on the transcript of the video when navigating through the Alternative Formats menu for Blackboard Documents.
Administrators
Administrators can configure this through the Ally Admin Configuration console to enable the ability to download alternative formats for Video Studio videos.
Availability: Available for Blackboard Video Studio videos only.
Activation: Not activated by default.
Configuration: Ally Admin Configuration console
Looking for older release notes?
Check out the Blackboard Learn Release Notes Archive for more information on past releases.
