Archived Learn SaaS Release Notes

Learn SaaS release 3900.112.0

Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.112.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 11 February 2025 | Release to Production: Thursday, 6 March 2025
Original Course View, Ultra Course View

For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Blackboard 3900.112.0 version included below on this page. Details can be found on Anthology Global Support.

Latest release to Test/Stage servers to take place on 11 February 2025.

For more information on updates and bug fixes, please visit Anthology Global Support.

AI Design Assistant: Energy-saving image generation improvements – 3900.112 

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Help Page: Add Files, Images, Audio, and Video 
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-5580

Instructors

We changed how the AI Design Assistant presents generated images. Instead of presenting four at a time, the AI Design Assistant now generates only one. Each time another image is generated, it is saved so that instructors can select previously generated images. When an instructor selects an image or exits image generation, all images are cleared. This new method saves processing power and is more environmentally friendly. 

Image 1. The AI Design Assistant generates one image at a time and saves previously generated images.

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Help Page: Create Learning Modules 
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-2763

Instructors 

We made two enhancements to the user experience when generating learning modules. If an image isn't generated with a learning module, the title and description will no longer shift to the left. A placeholder image is now used to ensure a consistent reading experience. 

Image 1. Learning modules generated in 3900.110 lacked a placeholder image.

Image 2. The new placeholder image in 3900.112 appears beside the title.

We also added a refresh button to learning module images so instructors can easily generate a new image. This feature is particularly useful for modules where images were not created or for regenerating images that the instructor doesn’t want to use. 

Image 3. The new refresh button displays on the lower right corner of the image.

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Mastery Learning and Learning Pathways 

Analytics: New Course Goals reports – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Help Page: Course Reports 
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-1388, LEARNU-I-4464

Instructors 

We added two goals reports to the Analytics page in Blackboard. 

Release conditions panel: due dates now included – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Help Page: Content Release Conditions 
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-1886

Instructors 

When instructors customize release conditions for a content item, the due date for the item is now included with the date and time fields. Instructors are no longer required to go back to the item to check the due date, which saves time and reduces errors. 

Image 1. The due date of a content item now displays after the date and time fields.

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Usability improvements to Mastery tab in Gradebook – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Help Topic: Mastery Tab in Gradebook 
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-5385, LEARNU-I-6071

Instructors 

We made several improvements to the appearance of the Mastery tab in Gradebook. Goal titles were crowded by icons and longer goal titles were cut off. To address this, we adjusted how goal titles are displayed above columns: 

• Icons were removed.
• There are now two lines for goal names.
• There’s now hover text above goals that displays the full name of the goal. 

These changes ensure that instructors can easily read all goal titles, improving their overall experience with the Mastery tab in Gradebook. 

Image 1. Hover text appears over a goal title to display the full name.

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Tests & Assignments

Anonymous discussions: New privilege to reveal author – 3900.112 

Impact: All users 
Updated Help Topic: Create Discussions (Instructor), Discussions (Student)
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-4139 

All users 

System administrators or other users with the assigned system role privilege can now reveal the identity of the author of an anonymous discussion post or reply. This enhancement addresses instances where the anonymous feature is misused, such as bullying or other inappropriate behavior. Instructors can create anonymous discussions with confidence that any misuse can be quickly resolved. 

Instructors and students 

There’s now a warning that informs users that their identity can be revealed by an authorized user. 

Image 1. The new warning is associated with the Post anonymously option.

Administrators 

System administrators or other users with the assigned system role privilege can reveal the author of an anonymous discussion post or reply. Select the More options menu for a post, then select Reveal author. Administrators or other users with the assigned system role privilege must provide a reason for the anonymous reveal. There’s no indication for other readers of the discussion that the administrator revealed the author's user details. 

Due to the sensitive nature of this action, the administrator’s user details are recorded in the system log with the reason. The information in the system log includes: 

• Date of reveal
• Time of reveal
• Username of user requesting
• Course Name of revealed post/posts
• Discussion Name of revealed post/posts
• Reason given 

If the administrator refreshes the page, the user is once again anonymous. 

Image 2. From the administrator’s view, the user’s name is included with text that reads “Revealed.”

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: System Administrators are the only users who can reveal anonymous authors by default. The privilege can be assigned to other system roles if more extensive use is required. To access this privilege, go to the Administrator Panel. Select System Roles. Go to the Course/Organization Outline section. In Discussions, select the privilege for Reveal Anonymous Author. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Usability improvements for discussions – 3900.112 

Impact: Instructors, Students 
Updated Help Topic: Discussions (Instructor), Discussions (Student)
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-3567

We made several improvements to enhance the overall usability and efficiency of discussions, benefiting both instructors and students. 

Instructors and students 

• Improved visibility: Posts now have a gray background to stand out better against the page.
• Full post display: Long discussion posts are now fully visible without the need for scrolling, enhancing readability. 

Image 1. A long discussion post displayed in its entirety with a gray background.

Instructors 

We made several optimizations to enhance the accessibility of key features on the discussion home page. 

• Participation metrics: The number of posts and replies is now listed directly on the discussion home page, replacing the total response counter. This change makes important information more immediately available.
• Direct edit option: The Edit button is now directly accessible from the post, saving instructors time. 

Image 2. The changes made to the discussion home page included the addition of an Edit button and a count of posts and replies.

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Pop-out rubric when evaluating an attempt – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: Grade with Rubrics
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-745

To enhance grading efficiency, instructors can now pop out the grading rubric into a separate window when grading an assignment submission. The pop-out rubric is a separate, moveable window and formatted in a grid view. Previously, the rubric was only available in a side panel and formatted in a stack.

This update makes it easier to navigate and grade student submissions by providing a clearer, more comprehensive view of the rubric. Popping out the rubric lets instructors view the student submission and the rubric side-by-side for a more efficient grading experience. Instructors can quickly select performance levels and provide feedback in the rubric while viewing the student submission.

Image 1: Instructors can pop out the rubric by selecting the expand icon in the rubric panel.

Instructors

Instructors can access the pop-out rubric when reviewing a submission.

• Bulk Performance Level Selection: Instructors select a performance level heading to apply it across all relevant criteria, streamlining the grading process.
• Cell Selection and Syncing: Selected rubric cells are highlighted, and the associated grade pill updates to reflect the chosen score. When the instructor selects Save, performance levels and feedback appear in the gradebook, as it has prior to this update.
• Feedback Section Focus: Once a rubric cell is selected, the criterion feedback section automatically focuses on the textbox for immediate feedback entry.
• Navigation Warning: A warning appears if instructors have unsaved changes in the pop-out rubric and they attempt to navigate to another student or attempt.
• Grade Override Warning: If the grade is overridden, the rubric popout is inactive. A banner appears, showing that the grade was overridden, with an option to regrade using the rubric.
• Printing: Instructors can print a blank or completed rubric using the browser's print function.

When the pop-out rubric is open, the ability to add Overall Feedback and grade with the rubric in the main grading interface is inactive. This prevents an instructor from editing the same information in two separate places simultaneously.

Administrators

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed.

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

New student submission review page for tests – 3900.112

Impact: Students
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-1415

We are introducing a new and enhanced student-facing submission review page for tests. This review page is similar to the review page for assignments, which we introduced in the 3900.100 September 2024 release.

The new review page for tests ensures that all feedback is clearly laid out and easy for students to identify.

Image 1: The student view of the graded test submission includes a submission timestamp, submission receipt, and feedback for individual questions.

Students

Students can access the new test submission review page from these locations:

• The gradebook feedback button for the test
• The small panel that displays when students access a test from the Course Content page

If a student submits multiple attempts, they can review each attempt on the submission review page. The instructor defines which attempt to grade in the test's final grade calculation setting.

The new test submission review page displays the following information and feedback formats:

• Test content
• Student submission with question-level grades and feedback
• Submission timestamp
• Submission receipt
• Final grade and calculation model
• Attempt grade and feedback
• Override grade and feedback (if applicable)

Students can access all feedback on their submission, even if the assignment is hidden by a release condition.

Administrators

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed.

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Enhancements to hiding students with unavailable membership records – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-5556

Instructors can now hide or show students with unavailable user or membership records in the Mastery Gradebook tab in the gradebook.

Image 1: The Hides students in the gradebook who no longer have access to the course option in Gradebook Settings is not selected, and the avatar for unavailable students has a strikethrough.

Image 2: Avatars for students appear in the Students list of the gradebook.

Instructors

• Mastery Gradebook: The Hide students in the gradebook who no longer have access to the course option in Gradebook Settings now hides students with unavailable membership records in the Mastery Gradebook tab.
• Student Avatars: Avatars for students with unavailable membership records now display a strikethrough in the gradebook.
• Students List in Gradebook: Avatars are now added to the Students list in the gradebook, and students with unavailable membership records display a strikethrough on their avatars.

Administrators

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed.

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Show/hide calculation columns in the gradebook – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors

Instructors can now configure visibility for calculated columns from Items Management.

This enhancement streamlines the grading process and creates a cleaner, more organized grading workspace. To ensure that essential grading information is always available, the Overall Grade column cannot be hidden.

Administrators

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed.

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Grade Export v2 - Choose a default function type for calculated columns – 3900.112

Impact: Administrators 
Updated Help Page: Incoming Settings

When setting up a calculated grade column for Ultra courses through Grade Export v2, administrators now have the option to choose the default function type. Previously, the function type was always set to Average.

Choosing a default function type prevents unnecessary work and streamlines the grade column setup. Administrators can choose the correct function when they set up the grade column rather than requiring them to change the function after the grade column has been created.

To configure Incoming Settings, an administrator goes to Platform Extensions in the Administrator Panel, then selects Grade Export v2, Edit Settings. From the Default Calculation Function menu, they can choose between these available functions:  

• Average
• Minimum
• Maximum
• Total
• Variable

Image 1: The Default Calculation Function in the Edit Settings page for Grade Export v2 now has several default options: Average, Minimum, Maximum, Total, and Variable.  

Administrators

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Integrations

Enhanced Turnitin Report parameters – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors 

Turnitin is a third-party tool that integrates with Blackboard to improve student writing by providing instructors with originality reports on student writing. Turnitin now receives groups, user names, and roles data from Blackboard for submissions from the Assignments integration.

Instructors

There is no direct customer impact from this change, however Turnitin will use this information in the future to provide better match information to instructors. These enhancements will be communicated to customers by Turnitin.

Administrator

Availability: The Turnitin Integration is available for all Ultra courses.  

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed. Instructions for Turnitin LTI set up can be found on the Turnitin page for administrators. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Progress Tracking REST API – Read/Update student status for non-gradable items – 3900.112

Impact: Administrators 
Updated Help Page: Blackboard APIs

The new Progress Tracking public API allows third-party applications and integration platforms to efficiently retrieve and update student progress statuses for non-gradable activities.  

The progress tracking function allows instructors to track student course progress related to course content. This is automated for gradable content, such as Tests and Assignments, but doesn’t include non-gradable activities. Students must manually update the status for non-gradable items. Non-gradable items include Documents, links, or uploaded files displayed on the Course Content page or within Folders or Learning Modules. If students don’t manually update these non-gradable items, it makes the automated progress tracking system less accurate and complete.  

If students fail to manually update the status of their non-gradable activities, an automation using the API can correct those issues. The API simplifies progress tracking, making it easier for educational institutions to maintain accurate data and improve overall student engagement monitoring.  

The progress tracking API includes methods to retrieve data from single content entities (such as links and uploaded files) and parent entities parent content entities (such as Learning Modules and folders). The data is retrieved by GET by ID:  

GET by ID (single content):  

          /learn/api/public/v1/courses/{courseId}/contents/{contentId}/states/{userId}  

GET by ID (parent content):  

          /learn/api/public/v1/courses/{courseId}/contents/{contentId}/children/states/{userId}

The API also allows for updating content entities through PATCH:  

PATCH:  

          /learn/api/public/v1/courses/{courseId}/contents/{contentId}/states  

Administrator

Availability: This feature is available for all Ultra courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed.

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Course Access user experience improvements – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Course Settings, Managing Course Terms and Access

We have improved the user interface for managing course access for users. We have clarified the labels for hiding a course listing on the instructor view of the Courses page. We have also clarified the functionality of Course Status within Course Settings. No changes have been made to the underlying functionality of course access. These improvements make it easier for instructors to manage course visibility and access for users.

Instructors

Course Settings page

In Course Settings, the previous toggle switch for opening or closing a course has been replaced with radio buttons labeled Open and Closed. This change better indicates course status for enrolled students.

Image 1: Course Status is now controlled by radio buttons labeled Open and Closed within the Course Settings page.

Courses page

On the Courses page, the label Hide course has been changed to Hide course from me. This change clarifies that the action only hides the course from the instructor on the Courses page, not from enrolled students.

Image 2: On the Courses page for instructors, the option to hide a course within the Courses page is now labeled Hide course from me. 

Once a course is hidden from instructor view on the Courses page, the dropdown menu for Filters lists Hidden from me as an option. Selecting this option makes any hidden courses appear again on the Courses page.

Image 3: When a course is hidden on the Courses page, the dropdown menu for Filters now lists Hidden from me as an option. 

Administrator

Availability: This feature is available for all Ultra courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed.

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Pagination added to the Grading Security Settings page – 3900.112

Impact: Administrators
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-5103

The Grading Security Settings page on the Administrator Panel now includes pagination to improve the user experience. Now a longer list of profiles is displayed across multiple pages. This eliminates the need for page scrolling to find the desired profiles. This improvement provides a more efficient experience for administrators and makes the Grading Security Settings page more consistent with other Administrator Panel pages.

Image 1: The Grading Security Settings page within the Administrator Panel is now paginated to eliminate excessive scrolling through longer lists of profiles. 

Administrator  

Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original Blackboard Courses

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Copy Banners Between Courses – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Help Page: Copy Content from Courses 
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-3481

Instructors 

Instructors now have the option to copy banners between courses. This is ideal for instructors who prefer to copy course content in parts rather than performing a full course copy. This saves instructors time during course setup and rollover. Banners can be copied from Ultra or Original courses. 

Image 1. The Copy Items page now has the option to select the course banner under Settings.

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Canvas conversion: File upload improvements – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Help Page: Migrate from Canvas 

Instructors 

We resolved issues related to file conversions from Canvas to Blackboard. Previously, files with special characters in their names and files referenced multiple times within the same course were not converting correctly. These issues have now been addressed, ensuring accurate file preservation during conversion. 

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Video Studio - Upload 360° videos – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors and Students 
Updated Help Page: Video Studio (Instructor), Video Studio (Student)

Instructors 

Instructors can now upload 360° videos to Video Studio. 360° videos can pan to the left or right, providing a real to life experience. These immersive videos can introduce students to situations that would otherwise be out of reach. For example, a student could view a distant location or a scenario that might be dangerous. 

Students 

Students can view 360° videos in both full screen and windowed modes. To add accessibility for keyboard users, students can also use keyboard navigation using the W, A, S, D keys. There’s also a navigation aid on the video for mouse users. 

Image 1. The instructor upload screen for a 360° video.

Image 2. A student’s view of a 360° video. The navigation aid is a circle.

We’re working to enhance the video playback quality to support higher resolution videos. This update will be part of the next release. 

Administrators 

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 and production environments. If you want to turn it on in your institution’s 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.

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Video Studio – Access transcript in one-quarter size video block – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors, Students 
Updated Help Page: Video Studio (Instructors), Video Studio (Students)

Video Studio now allows users to access transcripts for recordings that are displayed in one-quarter size in Documents. When an instructor resizes a recording to one quarter size, a user accesses the transcript via a modal window that is displayed when they access a recording transcript. This improvement ensures that instructors and students can use a transcript at all display sizes.

Resizing the display of Video Studio recordings to one quarter size of the default full width display is possible when creating recordings within Documents. On the Course Content page, Video Studio recordings are displayed at full width.  If a user reduces the size of the browser window, the recording can be reduced to a minimum of half width of the full size.

Instructors and Students

A user isn’t able to skip forward or backward in a Video Studio recording that is sized at one-quarter size.

The user interface and functionality for accessing a transcript from a recording at one-quarter size is identical for instructors and students, except that the instructor view includes the Edit Content button.  

When user opens a Video Studio recording that is one-quarter size, a button that says View Transcript is displayed below the recording.  

Image 1: For a Video Studio recording that is sized to one-column in a Document, the user displays the transcript by selecting View Transcript, which is located below the recording.

Selecting View Transcript opens a modal window containing the recording transcript in read-only mode. The transcript editing functionality is unchanged for a recording displayed at one-quarter size of the default full width.

Image 2: The transcript for a recording sized to one column displays after selecting View Transcript.  

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 and production environments. If you want to enable it in your institution’s 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. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Course Catalog – New student dashboard configuration – 2.14

Test/Stage: week of February 3rd; Production: week of February 24th 
Impact: Students 
Updated Help Page: Dashboard

The student dashboard displays courses and achievements in their own tabs. Each tab now has filters that students can use to control the status or type of course or achievement that is displayed.

Each dashboard tile has an indicator of the item’s status. Previously, the courses and achievements tabs were broken into nested tabs to show different statuses and types of each. The student couldn’t control the view and needed to individually select each course and achievement to learn the status of each.  

The new dashboard reduces confusion, allows more student control over the user experience, and is more responsive and accessible.

Image 1: The dashboard now has a single tab for Achievements with filters for Status and Type. 

Students

Students use the Status filter on the Courses tab to choose which courses to display on screen. They use the Status and Type filters on the Achievements tab to choose which achievements to display.

Administrator

Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Course Catalog – Student achievement notifications – 2.14 

Test/Stage: week of February 3rd; Production: week of February 24th 
Impact: Students
Updated Help Page: Dashboard 
Idea Exchange ID: LEXT-I-14

Students now receive an in-app notification when they earn a new certificate. The notification congratulates them and prompts them to view their achievement in the student dashboard.

Previously, the only way students could determine whether they had earned a certificate was to navigate to the Achieved tab within the Certificates tab of the student dashboard. The new notification alerts the student, provides a sense of achievement, and makes it quick and easy for them to access the details of their certification. 

Image 1: An in-app notification appears when students achieve a new certificate. 

Students

The notification appears the next time the student logs into the Course Catalog after completing the certification. On the notification, they select the View Achievement button to access the Achievements tab on the student dashboard.

Administrator

Availability: Available in all Course Catalog courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Course Catalog – Default language selection on single-language sites – 2.14

Test/Stage: week of February 3rd; Production: week of February 3rd 
Impact: Managers and Administrators 
Idea Exchange ID: CC-I-3

Multiple Course Catalog menus now default to the configured language on single-language sites.

Managers and administrators no longer must choose the language from many of the language drop-down menus on single-language sites. These menus include those for creating catalog items and administrative catalog settings. This change saves time for managers and administrators performing multiple tasks, such as creating offerings, configuring catalog settings, and setting up notification emails.

Managers

If a site has only one language configured, many of the language menus are always set to that language.  

Administrator  

Availability: All Course Catalog courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Course Catalog – New Skip to Content buttons – 2.14

Test/Stage: week of February 3rd; Production: week of February 3rd  
Impact: All Users

We added a Skip to Content button to all pages in the Course Catalog to make content more accessible. Multiple links appear before featured content on each page, which previously caused keyboard and screen reader users to navigate through repetitive and irrelevant links. Skip to Content provides a way for these users to quickly access the main content and avoid frustration.

Students and Managers

When users navigate the site using the keyboard or a screen reader, Skip to Content displays at the beginning of each page. Users of screen readers or keyboard navigation can select Skip to Content to move past links and quickly access page content.

Image 1: A Skip to Content button appears for keyboard and screen reader users. 

Administrator  

Availability: All Course Catalog courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Course Catalog – Accessibility improvements to carousel – 2.14

Test/Stage: week of February 3rd; Production: week of February 3rd  
Impact: All Users

Users can now navigate through the carousel of featured course tiles on the homepage in the correct order using a keyboard or screen reader. Previously, the focus order of the items in the carousel was not the same as the visual order. This discrepancy caused confusion for users who access the site with assistive technologies. The corrected focus order improves the site’s accessibility.

Administrator

Availability: All Course Catalog courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

Course Catalog – Correct header levels applied – 2.14

Test/Stage: week of February 3rd; Production: week of February 3rd  
Impact: Students

Heading levels are now correctly applied based on the content hierarchy. Previously, many pages used inappropriate heading levels that disrupted semantic structure and navigation for assistive technologies. The corrected heading structure improves the user experience and complies with WCAG standards.  

Students

Students will find it easier to navigate the site with assistive technologies.

Administrator

Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description

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.

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.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

Mask access code for an assessment – 3900.110

Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated topic: Access Codes section of Assessment Settings

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.

Image 1: Masked access code

Instructors

The process for adding an access code is unchanged. When an instructor adds an access code for a test in Assessment Settings, the access code is masked by default. At any time, the instructor can select the eye icon to show the access code in Assessment Settings.

Students

When an instructor or exam proctor enters the access code on the student's computer, the access code is masked (******).

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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 Ultra courses. This feature is not available to GovCloud.

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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. 
 

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

SIS safety improvements in Administrator Panel – 3900.110

Impact: Administrators 
Updated Help page: Snapshot Flat File Integration Configuration, Course Examples, User Examples

We are introducing two changes to our Student Information System integration process to protect against loss of data from small mistakes when updating data. Two related features are added: 

1. SIS integration settings update: Purge is now replaced by Smart Delete in the Delete column within the Object Handling section of the Edit Snapshot Flat File Integration page. In a few instances the label Purge has been retained.  
2. User interface change: On the Upload Feed File page in SIS Integrations, the Complete Refresh option is discouraged through changes to labeling. 

Smart Delete

Previously, the only options for handling most data types were: 

• Do not disable or purge
• Disable
• Purge

Some data types like Course Associations can't be disabled. If a small corrective file was mistakenly uploaded in Refresh mode, or if an automation error caused a partial upload with the Purge setting, it could result in large amounts of data being deleted unexpectedly.

Now we separate the Delete mode behavior and Refresh modes behavior (the latter which imply deletion). When the mode is Delete, the delete option is now Smart Delete. Smart Delete has the same effect as the previous option Purge. When refreshing data, the data not in the file, but owned by the integration, will be disabled. For data types that don’t support being disabled such as Course/Organization Association and User Associations, Purge will delete data. 

When a file is uploaded in Delete mode, and Delete is set to Smart Delete, the data will be deleted.

Image 1: In the Object Handling section of the Edit Snapshot Flat File Integration page, the option Purge is now replaced by Smart Delete in the Delete column. Some Object Types such as Course/Organization Association and User Associations retain the Purge option.

User interface changes for SIS Integrations

To avoid unintended loss or disruption of data, the user interface within Upload Feed File page in SIS Integrations discourages the use of Complete Refresh and Complete Refresh by Data Source. These options are now grayed out by default. 

Image 2: In the Upload Feed File page, the options Complete Refresh and Complete Refresh by Data Source are now grayed out by default.

Options Complete Refresh and Complete Refresh by Data Source can be enabled by selecting the checkbox Enable Advanced Options. However, a warning appears describing these options’ unintended consequences and that they are rarely needed in this mode in the graphical user interface.

Image 3: A new checkbox option Enable Advanced Options enables the options Complete Refresh and Complete Refresh by Data Source. Selecting Enable Advanced Options also raises a warning about the unintended consequences of these enabled options.

Administrator

Availability: Available for all Blackboard courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

Privilege label change for two privileges introduced in 3900.108 release - 3900.110 

Impact: Administrators 
Updated Help page: Course Settings (Instructors)

In Blackboard release 3900.108, we introduced two new privileges to enhance course access management. To better reflect their functionality, the label names for these privileges were changed for in the 3900.110 release. 

Privilege descriptions and updated labels  

A new privilege introduced in 3900.108 called Partial Change Completion Status (on) allows a user to mark a course as complete and to revert this change.  

• New privilege label: Make Course/Organization complete  

A new privilege introduced in 3900.108 called Change Completion Status (on/off) allows a user to mark a course as complete and to revert this change.  

• New privilege label: Make Course/Organization complete and revert to not complete   

Administrator

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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. 

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

Anthology Adopt – Task List building block

Impact: Administrators 
Updated pages: Anthology Adopt building blocks

Anthology Adopt now features a Task List building block to create onboarding workflows and in-app experiences to guide Blackboard users through specified workflows.

An administrator may want to create Adopt guides within Blackboard that align with the order of a user’s workflow. The Task List building block makes it easy to design logical, customizable guides to align with the look and functionality of an institution’s Blackboard instance.

The Task List building blocks provides:  

• Sequential progression. Organize guides in a logical order to create structured learning or task completion.
• Progress tracking. Indicate completed guides to give users a sense of accomplishment and encourage them to continue.
• Customizable appearance. Align a task list to match your app's design and user experience.

For more information on creating guides using the Task List building block, go to Anthology Adopt building blocks. 

Administrator

Availability: Anthology Adopt Powered by Pendo is a premium offering from Anthology.

Activation:  None needed.

Configuration: No configurations required.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description

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.

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.

Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description

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.

Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description

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.

Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description

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.

Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description

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.

Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description

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.

Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description

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.

Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description

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. There are two ways to turn on the Mastery tab in Gradebook.

• Go to Tools in the Administrator Panel. Go to the Student Goal Performance Dashboard section. You must turn on Goal Performance. Set the availability of Goal Performance to ON.
• In the Administrator Panel, go to Course Settings. Select Course Tools. You must turn on Goal Performance. Set the availability of Goal Performance to ON.

Image 1. One of the options for turning the Mastery tab in Gradebook on and off is in Tools.

Image 2. Another option for turning the Mastery tab in Gradebook on and off is in Course Tools.

• Goal Performance set to locked: the Mastery tab in Gradebook will be in all gradebooks and instructors can’t control whether the Mastery tab in Gradebook is available or not.
• Goal Performance set to unlocked: instructors choose whether the Mastery tab in Gradebook is in their gradebooks. Instructors control this feature through the Course Settings options for their courses.

Administrators who initially turned off the Mastery tab in Gradebook must also make sure that the Goal Performance Course Tool is set to 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 by going to the Administrator Panel, then Course Settings. Goal Performance is in Course Tools. If the Mastery Tab in Gradebook is turned on at the institution-level, instructors can configure Mastery Tab in Gradebook visibility in Course Settings.

Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description

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.

Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description

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.

Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description

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.

Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description

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 

Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description

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.

Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description

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).

Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description

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.

Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description

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.

Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description

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.

Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description

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. 

Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description

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

Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description

Learn SaaS release 3900.106.0

Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.106.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 26 November 2024 | Release to Production: Thursday, 5 December 2024
Original Course View, Ultra Course View

For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Learn 3900.106.0 version included below on this page. Details can be found on Anthology Global Support.

Latest release: 3900.106.0-rel.53+be172ea to Production servers to take place on 19 December 2024.

For more information on updates and bug fixes, please visit Anthology Global Support.

Deploy Role Play Separately from Socratic Questioning for AI Conversation – 3900.106 

Blackboard Learn SaaS  
Ultra Course View  
Impact: Administrators 
Related Topic: AI Design Assistant and Unsplash Configuration 

We listened to your feedback and adjusted the AI Conversation toggle in the administrator panel. Previously, Socratic Questioning had to be turned on so that Role Play could be selected. Administrators can now choose to deploy Role Play separately from Socratic Questioning. 

Image 1. The AI Design Assistant and Unsplash configuration screen 

For administrators: Turning AI Conversation off after deployment will stop AI Conversation services. Therefore, any AI Conversation activities visible to students won't operate as expected.

Return to December 2024 – 3900.106.0 Release description

Video Studio: skip to a specific part of a recording - 3900.106

Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors, Students
Related Topic: Video Studio (instructor page), Video Studio (student page), Video Studio (administrator page)

In Video Studio, users can skip to a specific part of a recording, giving them more control over viewing. By selecting a time stamp in the transcript, the recording plays from the time selected.

For example, a student who views a recorded lecture can skip forward to a specific portion of the video. They can also replay any part of the video by selecting the desired timestamp in the transcript.

Image 1: Select a timestamp on the transcript and the recording plays from that part of the video

For Administrators: Video Studio is a premium solution. 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. In the Administrator Panel, select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond this date, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it.

Return to December 2024 – 3900.106.0 Release description

Group Management: Performance Improvements– 3900.106 

Blackboard Learn SaaS  
Ultra Course View  
Impact: Instructors
Related Topic:  Create and Manage Groups

Groups are an important part of managing students in a course, especially in large courses. We improved performance so saving groups is now 80%-90% quicker. This gives instructors more time for other course activities. 

For administrators: There are no configurations needed.

Return to December 2024 – 3900.106.0 Release description

Navigation Added for LTI and SCORM Items within Learning Modules – 3900.106 

Blackboard Learn SaaS  
Ultra Course View  
Impact: Students 
Related Topic: Learning Modules 

Instructors use learning modules to guide student progress through diverse types of course content. For easier navigation, students can now select arrows to the left and right of LTI or SCORM items to move through learning modules. 

For administrators: There are no configurations needed.

Return to December 2024 – 3900.106.0 Release description

AI Design Assistant: Rubric Generation Improvements – 3900.106 

Blackboard Learn SaaS  
Ultra Course View  
Impact: Instructors 
Related Topic:  AI Design Assistant

We optimized our AI Design Assistant rubric generation. Rubrics generated by the AI Design Assistant will now have more complex outputs. The AI Design Assistant will also work faster. Instructors can expect better rubrics, even for long, complicated assessments.

Image 1. Rubric generated by the AI Design Assistant in 3900.104

Image 2. Rubric generated by the AI Design Assistant in 3900.106

For administrators: There are no configurations needed.

Return to December 2024 – 3900.106.0 Release description

Discussion Enhancement: New Post Indicator – 3900.106 

Blackboard Learn SaaS  
Ultra Course View  
Impact: Instructors and Students 
Related Topic: Discussions 

We added a "New" indicator that displays next to posts and replies that a user has not yet accessed. This helps direct engagement by making new discussion activity easier to find and access. 

Image 1. The "New" indicator alongside a post and a reply

For administrators: There are no configurations needed.

Return to December 2024 – 3900.106.0 Release description

Learner Progression and Personalized Experience

Link to Attempt Log Added to Activity Log – 3900.106 

Blackboard Learn SaaS  
Ultra Course View  
Impact: Instructors and Administrators
Related Topic:  Student Activity Log

Users may now directly go to the attempt log for any test or assignment from the activity log by selecting the Attempt Log button associated with the item. 

Image 1. The new Attempt Log button in the activity log.

For administrators: There are no configurations needed.

Return to December 2024 – 3900.106.0 Release description

Improvements for late submissions – 3900.106

Blackboard Learn SaaS  
Ultra Course View  
Impact: Instructors 
Related Topic: Grade Assignments with Flexible Grading

To help instructors quickly identify late submissions in the attempt banner, late submissions now have a Late indicator. We also updated the wording from Submitted late <date> to Submitted <date>. 

For administrators: There are no configurations needed.

Grade override improvements - 3900.106

Blackboard Learn SaaS  
Ultra Course View  
Impact: Instructors 
Related Topic: Override Grades

To increase transparency when overriding grades, we added an Override indicator to overridden grades on the Grades & Participation screen for Discussions. 

We implemented the Undo Override workflow on the Discussion grading interface, mimicking the Undo Override workflow in the Journal grading interface.

For administrators: There are no configurations needed. 

Return to December 2024 – 3900.106.0 Release description

Additional Grader Information for Grade Export Tool – 3900.106

Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View, Original Course View
Impact: Administrators
Related Topic: Grade Export

Exporting grade data helps institutions create reports, perform audits, or integrate with information systems. The Grade Export (v2) tool allows institutions to manage this data exchange in bulk. Gradebook column data in an export file now includes additional information about the last grader for each grade. The name and email of that last grader appear as new columns in the extract file. This indicates the owner of the current grade value. These data enable institutions to follow up on grade questions or create reports on staff task completion. The new column headers in the extract file are:

• User.GRADER_FULLNAME indicates the full name of the last grader of the gradable item.
• User.GRADER_EMAIL indicates the email of the last grader of the gradable item.

For administrators: This data is extracted for all courses, Ultra or Original.  There are no configurations needed. Administrators manage the Grade Export (v2) tool by selecting Platform Extensions in Administrator Panel. 

Return to December 2024 – 3900.106.0 Release description

Performance Goals Scale via Public API – 3900.106

Blackboard Learn SaaS, Blackboard Learn 9.1  
Ultra Course View   & Original Course View 
Impact: Administrators   
Related Topic: Blackboard APIs

A new Blackboard public REST API lets developers retrieve the Goal Performance Scale configuration. Third party applications can access the defined performance scale for goals aligned with assessments. Instructors can reference the Goal Performance Scale while working with integrations to better track and analyze student goal performance. Configuration fields include range, label, and color.

Users can access to this information through the following endpoint:  

• GET /learn/api/public/v1/courses/settings/goalperformance/scale

For administrators: No configurations or specific entitlements needed.

Return to December 2024 – 3900.106.0 Release description

Mobile app sessions renew without requiring authentication – 3900.106

Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View & Original Course View
Impact: All users
Related topic: Account Lock

After the Blackboard App 9.11 is released on December 6, 2024, mobile users must update the Blackboard App on their devices to ensure proper functionality. A red banner indicating session expiration will display for any user who does not update their app.

Administrators can now define the maximum length of time a user can access the mobile app before they are required to login again. This time limit is controlled through an authentication token.  The token allows the app to automatically renew a session without re-authentication, as long as it hasn't expired.

To set the length of a token, go to the Administrator Tool Panel, select Account Lock Settings, and then Mobile App Token Timeout. By default, the mobile token lifetime is set to the maximum of 336 hours (about 2 weeks). The minimum setting is 1 hour.

Image 1. Mobile Token Timeout configuration from Administrator Tool Panel

For administrators: The verification process that ends inactive sessions runs every hour. If Use same value as Inactive Session Timeout is selected, and Maximum Activity is less than 60 minutes, the session timeout may not be precise to that value. However, the session timeout will occur in no more than an hour. For security certifications, select Use same value as Inactive Session Timeout to end sessions in the same timeframe. This option works independently of the type of device used to log in. Use these values for the Inactive Session Timeout: FedRAMP Moderate: 30 minutes; IL4: 25 minutes.

Return to December 2024 – 3900.106.0 Release description

Copy Items from Courses Improvement – 3900.106 

Blackboard Learn SaaS  
Original Course View 
Ultra Course View  
Impact: Administrators 
Related Topic: Copy Content from Other Courses 

We updated the copy workflow in Blackboard to make copying easier. Now, users with the following privileges can copy from any course that they have access to, even if they’re not enrolled: 

• Administrator Panel (Courses) > Courses > Copy Course 
• Administrator Panel (Organizations) > Organizations > Copy Organization 

For administrators: There are no configurations needed.

Return to December 2024 – 3900.106.0 Release description

Moodle Conversion Improvement: Images in Question Text – 3900.106 

Blackboard Learn SaaS  
Original Course View 
Ultra Course View  
Impact: Instructors 
Related Topic: Migrate from Moodle 

Images in quiz questions are now preserved during conversion from Moodle to Blackboard. Previously, images were not retained during the conversion process 

For administrators: There are no configurations needed.

Return to December 2024 – 3900.106.0 Release description