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 3900.76.0

Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.76.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 12 September 2023 | Release to Production: Thursday, 5 October 2023
Original Experience, Ultra Experience
Original Course View, Ultra Course View

For full feature details please review the corresponding notes for the Learn 3900.76.0 version included below on this page. Details can also be found on Behind the Blackboard.

Latest release: 3900.76.0-rel.17+f95a1cd to Test/Stage servers to take place on 26 September 2023.

For more information on updates and bug fixes, please visit Behind the Blackboard.

 

Learn SaaS release 3900.74.0

Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.74.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 15 August 2023 | Release to Production: Thursday, 7 September 2023
Original Experience, Ultra Experience
Original Course View, Ultra Course View

For full feature details please review the corresponding notes for the Learn 3900.74.0 version included below on this page. Details can also be found on Behind the Blackboard.

Latest release: 3900.74.0-rel.32+80961aa to Production servers to take place on 21 September 2023.

Since this release includes a Tomcat update, it is required that self-hosted clients have New Relic updated to its current version if New Relic is in use

For more information on updates and bug fixes, please visit Behind the Blackboard.

 

October 2023 – 3900.76 Release

The October 2023 - 3900.76 release is robust with features in eight (8) areas:

  • Assignments and tests;
  • Communication and collaboration;
  • Gradebook;
  • Learner progression and personalized experience;
  • Integrations;
  • Learn core and security;
  • Mobile; and
  • Upgrade to Ultra

These improvements impact instructors, students, and administrators. Some features do require administrative action.

Instructors:

Instructors and students:

Students:

All users:

Administrators:

Gradebook

Anonymous comments in Bb Annotate – 3900.76

Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Experience, Original Experience
Ultra Course View, Original Course View
Impact: Instructors, Students

In some grading scenarios, instructors prefer their students not to identify the individuals offering feedback on their submissions. To enhance anonymity, graders can now post Bb Annotate comments without disclosing their names. Instructors have the option to mark inline comments as anonymous when creating them or even after comments are added.

Image 1. Setting a comment as anonymous while editing the comment

Setting a comment as anonymous while editing the comment

Image 2. Anonymous comment as seen by the student

Anonymous comment as seen by the student

For administrators: A new configuration option, "Enables anonymous comments in Bb Annotate", appears on the Ultra Experience Management page in the Administrator Panel. The default state is "off.” The feature will have a phased release that may occur after the release date.

Return to October 2023 – 3900.76 Release description

REST API to track content copy history – 3900.76

Blackboard Learn SaaS, Blackboard Learn 9.1
Ultra Experience, Original Experience
Ultra Course View, Original Course View
Impact: Administrators
Related topic: Learn APIs

Understanding the copy history of course content is crucial to improve version control. Now users can retrieve a detailed history of content copies across different courses.

Administrators can use the endpoint GET /learn/api/public/v1/courses/{courseId}/contents/{contentId} to access course content. To retrieve the content copy history, include the "expand=copyHistory" parameter.

The "copyHistory" attribute contains a list of Content Copy history objects, each with two attributes:

  • contentId: Refers to the historical hierarchy of LTI content IDs
  • courseUuid: Refers to the corresponding course IDs from which the content was copied

For administrators: The required entitlements for Course Content API remain unchanged.

Return to October 2023 – 3900.76 Release description

REST API to access Gradebook dates – 3900.76

Blackboard Learn SaaS, Blackboard Learn 9.1
Ultra Experience, Original Experience
Ultra Course View, Original Course View
Impact: Administrators
Related topic: Learn APIs

Users can now retrieve valuable date-related grading data. This provides a more effective experience when working with this API.

For the endpoint GET /learn/api/public/v2/courses/{courseId}/gradebook/columns, users will now have access to the following attributes:

  • Created: This attribute allows you to find out when a grade or gradebook column was created.
  • Modified: With this attribute, you can get the date when a grade or gradebook column was last modified.

For this, we have also introduced corresponding query parameters to allow filtering:

  • ?date_created= date: Use this query parameter to filter the results based on the creation date.
  • ?date_modified= date: This query parameter enables you to filter results based on the date of the last modification.

These query parameters allow users to tailor their API requests. This ensures that the data required for reporting or management purposes is obtained.

For administrators: These query parameters allow users to tailor their API requests. This ensures that the data required for reporting or management purposes is obtained. The required entitlements for Gradebook API remain unchanged.

Return to October 2023 – 3900.76 Release description

Migration Tools (Kaltura Course Content) – 3900.76

Blackboard Learn SaaS, Blackboard Learn 9.1
Original Experience
Original Course View
Impact: Administrators

We are committed to ensuring a smoother transition experience ahead of the removal of Building Blocks. To help, we've enhanced Building Block content migration related to converting Kaltura content in Original Courses. The conversion transforms Building Block links to LTI links.

Administrators can manage placements through intuitive drop-down menus, simplifying the Building Block transition process.

The Content Migration Tool service for Kaltura can be accessed through Administrator Tools.

Image 1. Content Migration Tool

Content Migration Tool

Administrators will find a dedicated location for configuring settings.

Image 2. Migration Service Settings

Migration Service Settings

Administrators can select the required IDs and leverage custom parameters for course details and migrated content.

Image 3. Migration settings for Kaltura

Migration settings for Kaltura

Once configurations are set, administrators can manage placements seamlessly. They can select the courses to migrate to and monitor the status of the migrated courses.

Image 4. Content Migration Tool

Content Migration Tool

A course search function will display the courses (enabled or disabled) that contain the content links to be migrated. This has a designated time range for the search.

Image 5. Example – courses that contain Kaltura content links

Courses that contain Kaltura content links

Administrators can easily track the status of courses selected for content link migration. They can search for migration link statuses for each course based on a specified time range.

Image 6. Search options for identifying courses for migration

Search options for identifying courses for migration

This tool has been designed to accommodate other B2s and to allow for future enhancements without major changes to the interface.

For administrators: For optimal performance, select a maximum of two semesters during content migration process.

Return to October 2023 – 3900.76 Release description

Inactive session termination warning in Mobile App – 3900.76

Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Experience, Original Experience
Ultra Course View, Original Course View
Impact: All users

Terminating inactive sessions reduces the risk of unauthorized access to a user's account. When an administrator defines a timeout for inactive sessions, the auto-login option for the Mobile app does not renew the session. To improve the user experience, users are now alerted 6 minutes before the session expires. When the session expires, the user is logged out. If the app runs in the background, it counts as an inactive session.

Image 1. Notification appears 6 minutes before session termination

Notification appears 6 minutes before session termination

For administrators: Administrators can configure the time for inactive session termination from the Admin Panel > Security > Account Lock Settings. The default time a user can be inactive is 180 minutes (about 3 hours). The inactive time can be configured between 15 to 480 minutes. As before, session cleanup is a background task, so the ending of a session will be approximately the configured time, typically in a minute or two.

Return to October 2023 – 3900.76 Release description

Upgrade to Ultra

Canvas conversion improvements: Removed unnecessary Content Item/Document – 3900.76

Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Experience, Original Experience
Ultra Course View, Original Course View
Impact: Instructors

Canvas Modules convert to Content Areas in the Original Course View. The conversion created a Content Item inside the Content Area using the same title as the Content Area. The content item didn't contain any content. This created more work for users as they now needed to delete the unnecessary Content Item.

Image 1. Unnecessary Content Item with the same title as the Content Area

Unnecessary Content Item with the same title as the Content Area

Canvas Modules convert to Folders in the Ultra Course View. The conversion created a Document inside the Folder using the same title as the Folder. The Document didn't contain any content. This also created more work for users as they now needed to delete the unnecessary Document.

Image 2. Unnecessary Document with the same title as the Folder

Unnecessary Document with the same title as the Folder

Now the conversion process no longer creates unnecessary Content Items or Documents.

For administrators: This feature is available for all Original and Ultra courses. There are no configurations needed.

Return to October 2023 – 3900.76 Release description

Canvas conversion improvements: Preserving videos – 3900.76

Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Experience, Original Experience
Ultra Course View, Original Course View
Impact: Instructors, Administrators

In some cases, video files from Canvas were not coming over during conversion. We have resolved this issue for those converting to both Original and Ultra courses.

For administrators: This feature is available for all Original and Ultra courses. There are no configurations needed.

Return to October 2023 – 3900.76 Release description

September 2023 – 3900.74 Release

The September 2023 - 3900.74 release is robust with features in eight (8) areas:

  • AI Design Assistant;
  • Instructional design;
  • Flexible grading;
  • Gradebook;
  • Learner progression and personalized experience;
  • Integration;
  • Learn core and security; and
  • Mobile App

These improvements impact instructors, students, and administrators. Some features do require administrative action.

Instructors:

Instructors and students:

All users:

Administrators:

Instructional Design

Auto-captioning for video and audio feedback – 3900.74

Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Experience, Original Experience
Ultra Course View, Original Course View
Impact: Instructors

Ensuring accessible and inclusive experiences for our students is of paramount importance. We have taken a significant step forward by implementing automatic captioning for audio and video content used in assessment feedback and announcements. This feature enhances accessibility and fosters inclusivity. Auto-captioning also supports diverse language preferences, aligning with the user's chosen language in Learn.

Image 1: Auto-captioning within Learn Ultra Assessments

Auto-captioning within Learn Ultra Assessments

For administrators: This solution is available as part of your existing Learn license and will be on by default with no additional settings required.

Return to September 2023 – 3900.74 Release description

Integrations

Google Workspace - Cloud File Collaboration - 3900.74

Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Experience, Original Experience
Ultra Course View, Original Course View
Impact: Instructors, Students
Related topics: Google Workspace (Administrator),
Google Workspace (Instructor)

Collaborative documents foster active engagement and dynamic interaction among participants. Instructors can now create a Google Workspace collaborative document.

Supported file types include:

  • Google Docs
  • Google Sheets
  • Google Slides

Ultra Course View

In the Ultra Course View, Google Collaborate Document appears in the Create Item menu.

Image 1: Create a Google Collaborative Document

Create a Google Collaborative Document

Instructors may need to sign into a Google Workspace account to continue. Instructors can select an existing file or create a new file for collaboration.

Image 2: Create a new collaboration

Create a new collaboration

All student members of the course can access the file with permission to edit.

Image 3: Students can view the file inline and edit

Students can view the file inline and edit

Original Course View

In the Original Course View, a link appears in the Build Content menu and/or the add content button (+) in the content editor. The system administrator can decide the specific name in the Original Course View.

Image 4: Add Google Workspace Cloud Collaboration

Add Google Workspace Cloud Collaboration

An instructor can choose to create an item or edit an existing item and select the + symbol from the content editor. Select the “Google Cloud Collaboration document” to continue.

Image 5: Start a new Collaboration

Start a new Collaboration

Instructors may need to sign into a Google account to continue. Instructors can select an existing document or create a new file for collaboration. All student members of the course can access the file with permission to edit.

Image 6: Students can view the file inline and edit

Students can view the file inline and edit

For administrators: Please register the LTI Tool Provider in the Administrator panel. Only users in the same Google Workspace tenant can collaborate on documents.

Return to September 2023 – 3900.74 Release description

Anthology Adopt powered by Pendo – 3900.74

Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Experience, Original Experience
Ultra Course View, Original Course View
Impact: All users
Related topic: Anthology Adopt

It's important that we help institutions drive digital adoption of Learn Ultra. That's why we've created Anthology Adopt. Anthology Adopt allows institutions to create their own in-app messages and digital walkthrough guides in Learn. Institutions can segment these guides to targeted audiences for greater adoption. Anthology Adopt comes with a host of pre-created and defined guides that are updated each month based on each Learn release.

Institutions can analyze users' interactions of the guides. This supports customizations to further support adoption. Anthology Adopt is an additional license for Learn.

Image 1: Guides built in Anthology Adopt

Guides built in Anthology Adopt

Anthology Adopt provides users with different templates to build custom guidance in Learn. Font, colors and buttons are customizable. Users with Anthology Adopt permissions can access the Default Layouts page and create guides.

Image 2: Templates for building guides

Templates for building guides

Anthology Adopt also includes the following:

  • Option to segment pop-up messages to specific audience
  • Ability to analyze the users' interactions of the message prompted
  • Get support from our expert team

For administrators: Only users with a license will be able to create and publish guides in Learn. Institutions can acquire a license under the name of Anthology Adopt by contacting their account team for more information or requesting more information at https://www.anthology.com/contact-us/sales

Return to September 2023 – 3900.74 Release description

REST APIs to expand Rubric associations in Gradebook column endpoints – 3900.74

Blackboard Learn SaaS, Blackboard Learn 9.1
Ultra Experience, Original Experience
Ultra Course View, Original Course View
Impact: Administrators
Related topic: Learn APIs

We aim to bring greater clarity and control to the grading process. As such, we have updated the Rubric API, which extends the capabilities of our Gradebook Columns API. This API includes rubric association information.

Now, when retrieving information about gradebook columns using the endpoints below, users gain insights into the rubric associations linked to each column:

  • GET /learn/api/public/v2/courses/{courseId}/gradebook/columns
  • GET /learn/api/public/v2/courses/{courseId}/gradebook/columns/{columnId}

By including the query parameter ‘?expand=rubricAssociations’  in the API requests, the user receives an enriched payload that includes rubric association information.

This enhancement contributes to better-informed decisions and improved assessment management for our users.

For administrators: To make use of the new endpoints, the REST integration user must have the following privileges: “Course/Organization Control Panel (Tools) > Rubrics > View Rubric”

Return to September 2023 – 3900.74 Release description

REST APIs to REST API to track the origin of courses – 3900.74

Blackboard Learn SaaS, Blackboard Learn 9.1
Ultra Experience, Original Experience
Ultra Course View, Original Course View
Impact: Administrators
Related topic: Learn APIs

To provide greater clarity and increased control of your grading process, we have expanded our Courses Public API. Now this API includes a new ‘copyHistory’ field.

Using the following endpoints, users are able to trace the origin of content in cloned courses.

  • GET /public/v3/courses
  • GET /public/v3/courses/{courseId}

This read-only attribute will provide UuIds, offering a complete content history.

For administrators: To make use of the new endpoints, the REST integration user must have the following privileges: “Administrator Panel (Courses) > Courses”

Return to September 2023 – 3900.74 Release description

REST APIs to REST API to REST API to modify formulas for enhanced grading control – 3900.74

Blackboard Learn SaaS, Blackboard Learn 9.1
Ultra Experience, Original Experience
Ultra Course View, Original Course View
Impact: Administrators
Related topic: Learn APIs

We have extended the capabilities of our Gradebook Columns API to provide greater flexibility in grading. Users can now change the formulas used in the grade calculations for the "Overall Grade" column. Users can update the formula by making a request to the following endpoint:

  • PATCH /public/v2/courses/{courseId}/gradebook/columns

This update ensures that the grading process aligns with specific institutional grading policies. This allows instructors to provide a more accurate representation of student performance.

For administrators: To make use of the new endpoints, the REST integration user must have the following privileges: “Course/Organization Control Panel (Grade Center) > Full Control”.
It is mandatory that the sum of weighted overall values for calculated grading items must equate to exactly 100%.

Return to September 2023 – 3900.74 Release description

Mobile App

Grades landing page improvement – 3900.74

Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Experience and/or Original Experience
Ultra Course View and/or Original Course View
Impact: Instructors, Students

Grade information is one of the most important data points for instructors and students. The latest update to our mobile app brings an improvement to the grades landing page. With this update:

  • Students can now see their overall grade on the grades landing page.
  • Instructors can now see the overall course grade on the landing page.

These changes aim to enhance the user experience and provide a more streamlined way to access grade information.

Image 1. Grades landing page that allows both instructor and students see the overall grade for a course

Grades landing page that allows both instructor and students see the overall grade for a course

For administrators: This feature is available for all users of the Mobile App version 8.8. No action is needed from users who have enabled automatic updates on their devices. Users who have disabled automatic updates on their devices must download the update.

Return to September 2023 – 3900.74 Release description

Looking for older release notes?

Check out the Blackboard Learn Release Notes Archive for more information on past releases.

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