Release Notes for Learn SaaS
This page contains features and updates currently on Learn SaaS Test/Stage and Production environments. Visit Archived SaaS Release Notes to see features and updates in older versions. Visit In-Product Updates to learn more about in-product updates.
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Blackboard SaaS release 4000.6.0
Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v4000.6.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 9 December 2025 | Release to Production: Thursday, 8 January 2026
Original Course View, Ultra Course View
For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Blackboard 4000.6.0 version included below on this page. Details can be found on Anthology Global Support.
For more information on updates and bug fixes, please visit Anthology Global Support.
The January 2026 - 4000.6 release is robust with features in seven areas:
- Instructional design;
- Tests and assignments;
- Gradebook;
- Learner progression and personalized experience;
- Integrations;
- Blackboard core; and
- Premium
These improvements impact instructors, students, and administrators. Some features do require administrative action.
All Users
Instructors:
- View activity log for Automations
- Grades Journey: Validate grades before submission, approval, or extract
- Grades Journey: Prevent manual extraction of unapproved grades
- Usability improvements for Document Block Layout
- Expanded question options for true/false
- Improved Gradebook download option
- Improved performance for large multiple choice or multiple answer tests
Instructors and Students:
- Enhanced multiple choice and multiple answer workflow
- Video Studio – Use knowledge checks for videos
- Video Studio – Download video for offline use
- Video Studio – Edit description
- Video Studio – Bulk edit speaker names in video transcripts
Administrators
- Granular control of Achievements for Ultra via Institutional Hierarchy
- Grade Export: Email a grade extract summary list
Instructors and Administrators:
Instructional Design
Usability improvements for Document Block Layout – 4000.6
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: "Resizing and moving blocks” section on Create Documents
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
To improve usability and accessibility, we restructured the menu for document block layout. Previously, all options for changing the row, size, or position of a block were in a single dropdown list. Now, these options are organized by type of change (row, size, and position).
Selecting the edit icon for a block prompts a menu with three options: Change row, Change [block/column] size, and Change [block/column] position. Each of these options have a sub-menu, with the related actions.
- Change row
- Move to row above
- Move to row below
- New row above
- Change [block/column] size
- Expand to the left
- Expand to the right
- Shrink from the left
- Shrink from the right
- Change [block/column] position
- Move to the left
- Move to the right
Image 1: How document block styling options displayed before
Image 2: How document block styling options display now
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Tests & Assignments
Expanded question options for true/false – 4000.6
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: True/False Questions
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We expanded the display options for true/false questions to include:
- True/False
- Yes/No
- Right/Wrong
- Agree/Disagree
These additional answer options display when:
- Instructors create or edit this question type when building a test or in a question bank
- Students answer the question
- Instructors grade the question
- Students review their submission or graded question
Image 1: True/false questions now include additional options.
When converting courses, tests, or pools from Original to Ultra, questions with these display options convert to Ultra with the corresponding display option, Additionally, this enhancement includes improved keyboard navigation when creating true/false questions. We updated the styling of the answer selection for true/false questions to radio buttons.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Enhanced multiple choice and multiple answer workflow – 4000.6
Impact: Instructors and Students
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We updated question setup to provide a more intuitive experience, including updating the default answer options from three to four and improving controls for how students interact with questions. These changes support greater flexibility in assessment design and an improved experience for students.
Instructors
To reduce setup time when creating a multiple choice question, we changed the default number of answer options from three to four. Instructors can add or remove answer options.
Instructors can now define the number of answer selections that a student can make for each multiple choice question. When the student takes the assessment, the system enforces the instructor’s selection limit.
Image 1: Instructors can define the number of answer selections for each multiple choice question.
Students
For questions where students can select only one answer, the selection mechanism is radio buttons. For questions where students can select more than one answer, the selection mechanism is checkboxes.
Image 2: The student's selection mechanism of checkbox or radio button is determined by how many answers they can select.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improved performance for large multiple choice or multiple answer tests – 4000.6
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We've optimized rendering of MCQ and True/False questions, significantly improving load times for large tests. For example, a 200-question test now loads in ~5 seconds, down from ~25 seconds, which equates to an 80% improvement.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improved Gradebook download option – 4000.6
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
In a previous release, we introduced an option for whether to include or exclude hidden items in the Gradebook download. In this release, we improved this functionality by making this option available only if the Gradebook has hidden items.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learner Progression & Personalized Experience
View activity log for Automations – 4000.6
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Automations
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors can now access an activity log for each automation in their courses. The activity log lists the action date and time the automation was triggered and identifies the student and item that triggered it. This feature gives all instructors in the course visibility into when automations occur and which students receive automated messages.
Instructors
To view the activity log for an automation, instructors select View Automations from Course Assistants on the Course Content page, then select an automation. They then select the Activity Log tab.
Image 1: The activity log shows when an automation was triggered, by which student, and by which item.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: Automations are off by default. Administrators can turn them on by going to the Administrator Panel. Select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Automations to turn automations on or off.
Users need the following privileges to work with automations:
- Course/Organization > Automations > Add allows users to create new automations.
- Course/Organization > Automations > Delete allows users to delete automations.
- Course/Organization > Automations > Edit allows users to edit existing automations.
- Course/Organization > Automations > View allows users to view existing course automations.
Improved Automation placement on Course Content page – 4000.6
Impact: Administrators and Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Automations
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
The heading for the section on the Course Content page that includes automations is now Course Assistants instead of Virtual Assistant, and the AVA logo has been removed. This change clarifies that automations do not require an AVA license and helps prevent confusion for administrators and instructors.
Image 1: Automations appear in the Course Assistants section on the Course Content page.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Blackboard Core
Navigate courses and tools faster with refreshed user interface – 4000.6
Impact: All Users
Updated Help Topic: Multiple topics
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-2913, LEARNU-I-4193, LEARNU-I-4536
We’re introducing a refreshed Blackboard interface designed to make teaching and learning more intuitive and efficient. These updates help you find information faster, reduce clicks, and simplify tasks such as managing courses, grading, and configuring settings.
The changes reflect extensive feedback from instructors, administrators, and students and aim to:
- Use screen space more effectively
- Reduce navigation errors, such as accidental exits
- Improve performance and page load times
- Provide clearer context and orientation
- Minimize motion for smoother navigation
Changes include the following:
Refreshed Base Navigation
Cleaner layout for clear access to main navigation tabs with less clutter.
- User profile now appears at the top of the navigation, complete with profile image for easier customization.
- Admin and Sign Out options are moved to the bottom of the panel, separating them from other actions for clarity.
- Administrators can now access base navigation directly from the administrator panel, streamlining workflow transitions.
Image 1: The refreshed Base Navigation menu moves Profile to the top of the menu. Admin and Sign Out are moved to the bottom of the panel. The cleaner layout improves clarity for users.
Course Panels Become Full-Screen Course Pages
Courses now open in full-screen mode to maximize horizontal space and reduce clutter. This update applies to top-level panels such as Course Content Homepage, Calendar, Announcements, Discussions, Gradebook, Analytics, Groups, and Achievements. Secondary panels will update in future releases.
Image 2: The refreshed user interface in courses includes full-screen course pages and improvements to enhance the amount of screen space for users to engage with their course.
Home button replaces Exit
The “X” to exit a course is replaced with a Home button that returns you to your institution’s landing page (Activity Stream, Institution page, or Courses page). The “X” remains for lower-level panels like learning modules for now.
Course ID and title in the header bar
The header now displays the course ID and title for better context. Breadcrumbs will be added in a future update to improve navigation further.
System navigation changes affect how the course ID and course title appear within the course experience. You can set and update these display options as part of the brand workflow, choosing how the course title and ID are shown.
Full-width banner
The course banner spans the full width of the screen with the course ID and title on a darker background for better clarity and accessibility.
If a course doesn’t have a selected banner, a placeholder image will appear at the top. When using brands, this image will adopt a hue of the brand color you set, ensuring visual consistency across all courses.
Image 3: The Course menu has been moved further to the top of the screen to make better use of screen space for users. Additionally, the menu reflects an institution’s branding, using colors and styles from your theme settings.
Branded course menu
The course menu reflects your institution’s branding, using colors and styles from theme settings. The menu is positioned higher on the screen for better use of space.
Course Switcher
Users can quickly jump between their four most recent courses or go to the full Courses page. More enhancements are planned based on ongoing feedback.
Image 4: The new course switcher lets users move between the four most recent courses.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Integrations
Granular Control of Achievements for Ultra via Institutional Hierarchy – 4000.6
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Achievements
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Administrators can now manage the Achievements feature in Ultra Courses at specific levels of the Institutional Hierarchy. Previously, feature access was only controlled via system-level Feature Flags, which applied globally and offered limited flexibility for institutions with complex governance needs. This update provides more control and flexibility to manage Achievements within your institution. Read about creating and managing nodes in Institutional Hierarchy on the Blackboard Help Center.
Achievements for Ultra is now treated as a configurable tool that administrators can manage at the Institutional Hierarchy node level using the familiar Manage Tools interface. The existing Feature Flag remains temporarily, creating a shared control model:
- When the Feature Flag is ON, the feature is visible in the Admin Tool and Institutional Hierarchy, with ON/OFF toggle and lock options. Administrators can adjust availability for specific IH nodes.
- When the Feature Flag is OFF, the feature does not appear in the Admin Tool and Institutional Hierarchy.
If the Feature Flag is later removed, the feature remains fully manageable via Institutional Hierarchy, ensuring long-term governance without global flags.
This shared control model supports safe testing and gradual rollout while transitioning from Feature Flags to Institutional Hierarchy-based governance.
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: No action required.
Configuration: No action required.
Grades Journey: Validate grades before submission, approval, or extract – 4000.6
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Configure the Approval Workflow
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Graders now see a red X in the Current Grade column when a grade is invalid. If they try to submit, approve, or extract invalid grades, a message appears explaining that some grades are invalid and lists the valid options. This update makes it clear to graders when invalid grades are entered for students and prevents invalid grades from being submitted, approved, or extracted.
Instructors
Image 1: A red X now appears when the current grade is an invalid grade.
Image 2: A window appears if the grader tries to submit, approve, or extract invalid grades that lists the valid grade values.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Original and Ultra courses.
Activation: This feature requires a Grades Journey license.
Configuration: This feature is off by default. From the Admin Panel, choose Platform Extensions and edit the Grade Export v2 settings. Select Configure for the Approval Workflow. Select Validate Grades in the Grade Approval and Transfer Settings section.
Grades Journey: Prevent manual extraction of unapproved grades – 4000.6
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Configure the Approval Workflow
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Graders now get an error message when they try to manually extract grades that are not in the Approved status. This feature prevents graders from sending unapproved grades to the student information system.
Instructors
Image 1: An error message appears when a grader tries to extract grades that have not been approved.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Original and Ultra courses.
Activation: This feature requires a Grades Journey license.
Configuration: This feature is off by default. From the Admin Panel, choose Platform Extensions and edit the Grade Export v2 settings. Select Configure for the Approval Workflow. Select Only allow extract for approved grades? in the Grade Approval and Transfer Settings section.
Grade Export: Email a grade extract summary list – 4000.6
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Notification Settings
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Administrators can now send a single email with a text file listing all courses included in a grade extract to chosen administrative recipients. The file contains the course IDs and is sent after any extract that transfers grades, including scheduled and manual extracts. This feature provides administrative recipients with the option to receive a single email per extract rather than an email for each individual course, which can be more efficient.
Image 1: Administrators input the recipient email on the Notifications Settings screen in the Grade Export v2 Settings.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Original and Ultra courses
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Premium
Video Studio – Use Knowledge Checks for Videos – 4000.6
Impact: Instructors and Students
Updated Help Topic: Video Studio (Instructor), Video Studio (Student)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors can now embed ungraded knowledge check questions directly into videos in Video Studio. The video pauses at designated points and prompts students to answer a question related to the content they just watched. After answering correctly, the video resumes.
This feature helps instructors confirm that students understand key concepts and keeps students engaged throughout the video.
Instructors
Instructors can add knowledge checks from the Edit screen for a recording. The page shows the number of knowledge checks in use. Instructors can add or edit questions, set multiple-choice options with one or more correct answers, and choose the timestamp where the question appears. Questions are ungraded and designed to validate comprehension, not assess performance. Instructors also have access to general analytics about student responses.
Image 1: Instructors can now embed knowledge checks within a Video Studio recording.
Students
When students watch a video with knowledge checks, the video stops at the specified timestamp and displays a question. Students must answer correctly to continue and can try as many times as needed. Knowledge checks create an interactive experience that encourages active participation and deeper understanding.
Image 2: Students receive a knowledge check question that is embedded in the Video Studio recording where an instructor has chosen to point it.
Administrators
Availability: Requires a Video Studio license.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Video Studio – Download recording for offline use – 4000.6
Impact: Instructors and Students
Updated Help Topic: Video Studio (Instructor), Video Studio (Student)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
This feature is available in test/stage environments on Tuesday 16 December 2025.
Users can now download Video Studio recordings directly to their local devices for offline access. This update gives instructors and students more flexibility to access course content without an internet connection.
Instructors
Instructors can choose which recordings students can download by turning the download option on or off for each recording. This provides control over how course material is shared.
Image 1: Instructors can now choose whether or not to allow students to download a Video Studio recording for offline use.
Students
When students open a recording with download enabled, they can select the download option to save the file to their device. This makes it easier to learn on the go, such as during commutes or in areas with limited connectivity.
There is no direct option to download to cloud storage, but users can move files to cloud services manually.
Our February 2026 release (version 4000.8) will allow students to download recordings that they create.
Administrators
Availability: Requires a Video Studio license.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Video Studio – Edit Description – 4000.6
Impact: Instructors and Students
Updated Help Topic: Video Studio (Instructor), Video Studio (Student)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors and students can add or edit descriptions for Video Studio recordings. Use the description field to provide context, summarize content, highlight key topics, or include guidance for viewers before they watch.
Instructors and Students
Instructors and students can add or update the title and description of any Video Studio recording. Use the description field to summarize the video, highlight key topics, or provide instructions for students.
Image 1: Video Studio users can now edit their recording description after they create their recording.
Administrators
Availability: Doesn't require a Video Studio license.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Video Studio – Bulk edit speaker names in video transcripts – 4000.6
Impact: Instructors and Students
Updated Help Topic: Video Studio (Instructor), Video Studio (Student)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
This feature is available in test/stage environments on Tuesday 16 December 2025.
Instructors and Students can now update all instances of a speaker’s name in a video transcript in one step. This update makes editing faster and keeps names consistent throughout the transcript.
Instructors and Students
To edit a speaker’s name, open the Transcript Editor for your video. Select the name you want to change and apply the update. All occurrences of that name update automatically.
Image 1: Users can now bulk edit the name of a speaker within a recording transcript.
Administrators
Availability: Doesn't require a Video Studio license.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Blackboard SaaS release 4000.4.0
Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v4000.4.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 11 November 2025 | Release to Production: Thursday, 4 December 2025
Original Course View, Ultra Course View
For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Blackboard 4000.4.0 version included below on this page. Details can be found on Anthology Global Support.
For more information on updates and bug fixes, please visit Anthology Global Support.
The December 2025 - 4000.4 release is robust with features in eight areas:
- Mastery learning and learning pathways;
- Communication and collaboration;
- Gradebook;
- Learner progression and personalized experience;
- Integrations;
- Blackboard core;
- Blackboard Admin;
- Mobile; and
- Premium
These improvements impact instructors, students, and administrators. Some features do require administrative action.
Instructors:
- Set release conditions for open or started and for non-assessment content items
- Improved handling of group membership changes
- Aligned gradebook submission counts with Show/Hide Unavailable Students Gradebook setting
- Standardized tabbed interface in Flexible Grading
- Improved Automations experience
- Specify participation requirements for Discussions
- AI Conversation – Remove Originality Reporting
- Better Audio and Video in Feedback
- Learning Module Table of Contents – Instructor View
- Bb Annotate Enhancements and Bug Fixes
Instructors and Students:
- AVA – Responses to Student Messages
- Support Inline and Display Formulas in MathJax
- Video Studio: Recording Minimize Workflow
- Video Studio – Record Screen and Camera Simultaneously
Students:
Instructors and Administrators:
All Users
Administrators:
- Customize grade pills to reflect incomplete/complete status and exemption criteria
- Apply schema-based gradebook calculations
- Enhance Control Over LTI Proctoring Tools with Institutional Hierarchy
- Permanent “Course Complete” Banner in Closed Original Courses
- Import and Export Privileges for System and Course Roles
- Switch on or off Discussion tool visibility
Mastery Learning and Learning Pathways
Set release conditions for open or started and for non-assessment content items – 4000.4
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Content Release Conditions
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-638, LEARNU-I-394, LEARNU-I-2551, LEARNU-I-34
We expanded release conditions to include activity on items including non-assessment content. This enhancement allows conditions to be based on whether a student has opened or started content items such as documents, media, or course links. Instructors can now control access based on whether a student has opened or started a prerequisite content item.
Key options for release conditions:
- Unopened: The student has not accessed the item.
- Opened or Started: The student has accessed the item.
This enhancement supports flexible learning pathways and mastery-based progression. For example, an instructor can require students to open a reading or watch a video before an assessment becomes available.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Communication & Collaboration
AVA – Responses to Student Messages – 4000.4
Impact: Student, Instructor
Updated Help Topic: Messages (Student), Messages (Instructor)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
AVA now responds to common student messages sent to instructors. Students often ask about information already available in the course, which increases instructor workload and delays responses. AVA helps reduce this workload and gives students faster answers to common questions.
When a student sends a message to an instructor, AVA scans the course from the student’s perspective to find a relevant answer. Instructors can review and clarify AVA’s responses if needed.
AVA can respond to questions about:
- Due dates, grades, and course content that is visible to the student
- Accommodations and exceptions
- Direct links to relevant course information
- Learner progress within modules, if progress tracking is turned on
AVA responds only when the message is sent to the Instructor role or a role marked as “Treat Users with this Role as Instructor.” AVA does not respond if the message includes more than one student or other roles.
Image 1: AVA responding to a student’s message
Instructors can turn on AVA autoreplies in Course Settings if the feature is enabled in the Administrator Panel. The default setting is off. Instructors can change this setting at any time during the course.
Instructors can review all AVA responses and add context if needed. AVA only responds based on course content. If an item appears in the gradebook, AVA will try to provide details. If AVA can’t find an answer, it will let the student know and suggest waiting for the instructor’s reply. AVA uses the Course Language Pack.
Currently, AVA cannot:
- Read or extract content from uploaded documents
- Answer questions about third-party content such as SCORM, OneDrive, or external websites
- Search the internet or external storage
- Provide details about institutional resources outside the course
Administrators
Availability: AVA is a premium solution.
Activation: AVA features are included in your Blackboard license until 30 June 2026. After that, an AVA license is required. The student message response feature is turned off by default.
Configuration: To turn on this feature, go to the Administrator Panel. Select Building Blocks under Integrations, then Installed Tools. Find the AI Design Assistant and Unsplash building block and select Settings. Under the AVA section, select AVA Responses to Students.
Specify participation requirements for Discussions – 4000.4
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Discussions (Instructor)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors now have greater flexibility when managing student participation in Discussions. With this update, instructors can specify required student responses for a Discussion topic. It can be difficult for students to meet an instructor’s expectations in a discussion if those expectations are not clearly expressed. This enhancement allows instructors to more closely align grading requirements with their pedagogical goals and provides students with clear expectations for each phase of participation.
Instructors
Instructors can now make clear participation requirements to students. The initial release adds participation requirements to the existing due date(s) for discussions. Instructors can set requirements on the number of required posts and/or replies for a student to fulfil the requirement.
The status of participation requirements is updated through to completion, giving a student a clear understanding of progress made. Participation requirements are linked to progress tracking, so that will be accurately displayed for the student to monitor. Participation requirements are optional but recommended for maximum benefit.
This update does not affect grading workflows or Gradebook structure.
Image 1: Instructors being able to set participation requirements in discussion settings.
Students
The new participation requirements in Discussions give students a clearer understanding of instructor expectations in an assigned Discussions topic. Students can monitor their progress both in the assigned Discussions topic as well as in Progress Tracking.
Image 2: Showing the complete state when all the requirements have been met.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
AI Conversation – Remove Originality Reporting – 4000.4
Impact: Instructor
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
The AI Conversation tool in Blackboard supports student engagement through Socratic questioning and role-play activities. Instructors configure settings for each activity, including assessment and grading options. In this release, the Originality Reporting option has been removed from the settings panel. Because the activity involves interaction with an AI persona, Originality Reporting does not generate a meaningful report. Keeping the option could cause confusion, so it has been removed to improve clarity. Improves instructor experience by removing unsupported reporting.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Gradebook
Customize grade pills to reflect incomplete/complete status and exemption criteria – 4000.4
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Default Settings for Courses
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We updated the grade pill display for the Complete/Incomplete grade schema to improve clarity for instructors and students. Grade pills for incomplete items now appear in gray, making them visually distinct from graded submissions. This change ensures that incomplete statuses are clearly communicated without implying a low score or performance level.
Image 1: Incomplete items have a gray grade pill.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Apply schema-based gradebook calculations – 4000.4
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Default Settings for Courses
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We introduced a type of gradebook calculation that relies on a new Calculated schema option for custom grade schemas. When enabled, gradebook calculations will use the schema’s numeric Grade Names (e.g., 1, 5.7, 6.8) instead of the raw assessment scores. This enhancement supports grading models like the Chilean grading scale, where a zero score should be interpreted as a 1.
Example:
Three assessments are worth 100 points each and are scored as 0, 82, and 97. Each assessment has been set to use a calculated schema that maps those scores to the Grade Names 1, 5.6, and 6.8 respectively. If an Average calculation is performed, it will use (1 + 5.7 + 6.8) / 3 = 4.5, instead of performing the calculation based on the raw assessment scores and having the output translated onto a grade schema.
Image 1: Administrators can configure schema-based Gradebook calculations.
Image 2: Instructors have the schema calculations in their Gradebook.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: Admins can enable the system-level Calculated schema option for users via the Tools framework accessed via the administration panel under the heading ‘Grading schema - grade name value calculation’. When enabled:
- Administrators have access to a Use rounded scores setting that allows control over whether calculated results used in secondary calculations are exact or rounded based on the configured grade pill decimal settings. The setting is available in Admin > Course Settings > Grade Pill Settings > Calculation Precision and is set to OFF by default. Note that when enabling the setting, all cached calculated grades in the system are cleared and recalculated.
- Instructors have access to a Use "Grade Name" labels in gradebook calculations’ toggle when they view or edit a grade schema in their course. The toggle controls if grade schema Grade Names are used in gradebook calculations. The toggle is set to OFF by default. This setting is included when Grade schemas are copied as part of course copy workflows.
Configuration:
- Create a custom grade schema and enable the Use "Grade Name" labels in gradebook calculations’ toggle.
- Configure the grade schema and ensure that the Grade Names used are numeric and conform to locale-specific decimal formatting.
- Maximum of two decimal places is supported.
- Add the custom grade schema to all assessments that will be used in grade calculations
- Use the ‘Add total calculation’ option when performing gradebook calculations. Both points and weighted calculations are supported. Advanced calculations are not supported at this time.
- Ensure that the configured calculation is set to display in Points.
Improved handling of group membership changes – 4000.4
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We’ve enhanced Flexible Grading and the Submissions page for group assessments to better handle changes in group memberships. These improvements ensure grading accuracy and reduce confusion when groups are modified after submissions:
- On the Submissions page, if all members are removed from a group:
- The group avatar displays a ? icon.
- A No members label appears.
- The group name becomes non-selectable.
- For active groups, the Flexible Grading interface always shows the current group members for each attempt.
Image 1: On the Submissions page, a No Members label appears in groups with no members.
Image 2: The Flexible Grading interface shows the current group members for each attempt.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Aligned gradebook submission counts with Show/Hide Unavailable Students Gradebook setting – 4000.4
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Gradebook submission counts now align with the instructor’s Show/Hide Unavailable Students setting. When unavailable students are hidden, counts exclude their submissions. When unavailable students are shown, counts include their submissions.
This alignment applies to:
- Submissions page
- Gradable items page
- Student Activity page
Image 1: Instructors can set Student Visibility in Gradebook Settings.
Image 2: Gradebook submission counts align with the Show/Hide Unavailable Students setting, with unavailable students not affecting the submission count.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Standardized tabbed interface in Flexible Grading – 4000.4
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We improved the Flexible Grading experience by introducing a consistent tabbed interface for all submission types. Previously, tabs were only shown for file-based submissions. With this update, instructors will now see tabs for:
- Instructions: Always present, even if no instructions are provided (displays “No instructions” when empty).
- Submission: For text, LTI or mixed submissions (text, images, files).
- File tabs: Each file submitted appears in its own tab, rendered in Annotate when possible.
This enhancement makes grading more intuitive and efficient by providing a uniform layout across different submission formats. On mobile, navigation buttons appear at the top of the tabbed interface for quick access to previous and next submissions.
Image 1: Consistent tabbed interface for all submission types.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Better Audio and Video in Feedback – 4000.4
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Video Studio (Instructor)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors can now use the full Video Studio workflow when giving assessment feedback or working in Flexible Grading. They can record or upload video and audio directly in the feedback editor, using features like captioning, transcription, and editing to deliver clear, personalized communication.
This update makes feedback more engaging and accessible, and the workflow matches other Video Studio-supported areas in Blackboard Ultra.
Instructors
Instructors will see the Video Studio button in the feedback editor when grading. They can add media to express tone and intent more effectively. Video Studio supports automatic captioning and transcription and lets instructors edit recordings to improve clarity.
Image 1: Video Studio button available in the instructor feedback panel.
Image 2: Video Studio recording embedded in the instructor feedback panel.
Administrators
Availability: No Video Studio license required; available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learner Progression & Personalized Experience
Improved Automations experience – 4000.4
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Automations
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We made several enhancements to Automations based on user feedback.
Instructors
- Better visibility of Automations actions
- Users can now check the status of each automation directly from the list.
- Each automation now displays who executed it, increasing transparency in multi-instructor courses.
- Cleaner interface and more intuitive interactions, including:
- Pagination on the automation list for smoother navigation.
- Improved error messaging and validation when configuring numeric inputs.
- Minor layout and usability improvements for the automation rules panel.
- String and localization improvements.
Image 1: There is an indicator of the status of each automation in the list (active or inactive). The last person to execute the action is stated under each automation, and an error message is displayed for an automation that is incorrectly configured.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: Automations are off by default. Administrators can turn them on by going to the Administrator Panel. Select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Automations to turn automations on or off.
Users need the following privileges to work with automations:
- Course/Organization > Automations > Add allows users to create new automations.
- Course/Organization > Automations > Delete allows users to delete automations.
- Course/Organization > Automations > Edit allows users to edit existing automations.
- Course/Organization > Automations > View allows users to view existing course automations.
Integrations
Enhance Control Over LTI Proctoring Tools with Institutional Hierarchy – 4000.4
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Institutional Hierarchy
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
This enhancement applies only to proctoring tools that are using our Ultra Proctoring Service integration based on IMS's LTI 1.3 integration flow.
Institutions using Blackboard’s Institutional Hierarchy (IH) can now manage LTI proctoring tool placements at the node level. Previously, proctoring tools were managed globally, which limited how large organizations—such as university systems or multi-campus institutions—could tailor proctoring solutions for specific campuses, departments, or academic units. Administrators now have more flexibility to manage tool access, improving governance and the instructor experience.
Key improvements include:
- Administrators can turn proctoring tool placements on or off for individual nodes in the Institutional Hierarchy. For example, a central Blackboard administrator can assign different proctoring tools to different universities or departments within the same system. Each unit only accesses tools relevant to its contracts or instructional needs.
- Instructors configuring assessments only access proctoring tools available for their node. Tools not assigned to a node don’t appear in assessment settings, reducing confusion and streamlining the experience.
- Support for multiple deployments of the same LTI proctoring tool. Administrators can register and manage several deployments and assign them to specific nodes for more precise control.
- Familiar configuration workflow using the “Manage Tools” experience.
Image 1: This flowchart shows how institutions using Blackboard’s Institutional Hierarchy can manage LTI proctoring tool placements at the node level.
This update supports complex governance models and phased rollouts by managing feature access at campus, department, or faculty levels. It also reduces administrative overhead and helps instructors focus on relevant tools aligned with institutional agreements and instructional needs.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses using Institutional Hierarchy.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: Administrators configure proctoring tool access and deployments in the Tools section of the Administrator panel and within Institutional Hierarchy node settings.
Support Inline and Display Formulas in MathJax – 4000.4
Impact: Instructors and Students
Updated Help Topic: Math Editor (Instructor), Math Editor (Student)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
MathJax support in the Content Editor now includes additional LaTeX delimiters for rendering mathematical formulas. This update improves compatibility with standard STEM workflows and simplifies uploading exam content without changing source files.
Instructors and students can now use:
- \(...\) for inline equations
- \[...\] for display equations
These options are in addition to the existing $ delimiters. Expanded support improves the experience of working with mathematical notation in Ultra courses and enhances visual clarity for complex expressions such as integrals, sums, and products.
$$...$$ was previously implemented to render formulas inline due to the previous MathJax setup. With the new enhancement introducing \(...\) for inline and \[…\] for display, the rendering now follows MathJax’s standard behavior, where $$...$$ is treated as display mode.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: To turn on MathJax rendering for LaTeX formulas in the Content Editor, go to Tools in the Tools and Utilities module in the Administrator Panel. Locate MathJax for LaTeX (Ultra Only) and set Availability to ON for Course Tool and/or Organization Tool, based on your institution’s preference.
Blackboard Core
Learning Module Table of Contents – Instructor View – 4000.4
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Learning Modules (Instructor)
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-159
Instructors now have access to a collapsible Table of Contents panel in Learning Modules. This update mirrors the student experience and supports consistent navigation across roles. Instructors can quickly move between module items and access content that isn’t yet available to students—without switching to Student Preview or changing availability settings.
This streamlined workflow helps instructors review and organize course content more efficiently, saving time and improving course management.
The Table of Contents panel includes all items in a module. Select Contents to open or collapse the panel. Instructors can navigate the full module structure and align course design with the student experience.
Image 1: Instructor view of a Learning Module with the Table of Contents panel open.
For smaller screen sizes, when an instructor sets up an assignment within a learning module, the settings panel moves from the right-hand side into the header bar. This is signified by a settings cog.
The change has been made to allow more space on the screen with the left-handed table of contents available. Users accessing that board on smaller screens, you will notice that the settings cog has moved to the header bar for that particular piece of assessment.
For discussions instructors also see that the participation panel and settings panel both move into the header bar as buttons on smaller screen views.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: Opt-out during rollout. To opt out, go to the Administrator Panel, select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module, and switch off Content navigator.
Configuration: None needed.
Blackboard Admin
Import and Export Privileges for System and Course Roles – 4000.4
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Course and Organization Roles
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Administrators can now manage role privileges more efficiently in Blackboard by importing and exporting privilege sets for System and Course roles. This update simplifies how permissions are reviewed, edited, and updated across the institution.
In the Administrator Panel, select either System Roles or Course/Organization Roles. Identify the role you want to update and select Privileges from the role's edit option. Updates include:
A new Export All option on the Role Details page to download all assigned privileges for a selected role as a CSV file. The file includes the privilege name, scope (YES/NO), and privilege ID.
Privilege files can be edited offline to adjust permissions.
The Import option on the role's list of privileges updates privileges by uploading a modified CSV file.
Image 1: The page that lists privileges for each system or course role now contains options to Export and Import privileges.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Use New Spectator Role (Course Role) – 4000.4
Impact: Instructors & Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Course and Organization Roles (Administrator)
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNO-I-35
The Spectator course role gives institutions a flexible, read-only option for course access. Use this role for auditors, observers, or external reviewers who need to review course content without making changes or accessing administrative features. This role supports secure, non-intrusive access to course materials and improves oversight and collaboration.
The Spectator role applies at the course level and grants read-only access to all course content. Users with this role cannot edit, delete, grade, or change course settings.
The role uses the same permission checks as the Viewer system role but only applies to courses where the user is enrolled as a Spectator. Spectator users do not have access to administrator privileges or system-wide data.
Assign the Spectator role from the Role Management page using the course role selector. Administrators manage which courses a Spectator can access and for how long through enrollments.
Common uses include:
Assigning Spectator to external auditors for accreditation reviews
Giving department chairs or instructional designers access to observe course delivery
Providing temporary, read-only access for peer review or compliance checks
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Switch on or off Discussion tool visibility - 4000.4
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Administrators can now manage the visibility of the Discussion tool for both Courses and Organizations in Blackboard. A new toggle on the Tools page lets administrators show or hide the Discussion tab and related components in the Ultra Course View interface. When the tool is turned off, all discussion-related elements—including the Discussion tab, content creation options, group discussions, and activity stream notifications—are hidden from users. Existing discussions are not deleted and will reappear with no data loss if the tool is turned back on.
Feature behavior includes:
When turned off, all discussion components are hidden from the interface, including during content creation and in group settings.
Graded discussions remain visible in the Gradebook but are non-selectable and inaccessible. Grades can still be changed, and the grade column can be deleted.
Discussion activities are hidden from the Activity Stream. Previously recorded activities reappear when the tool is turned back on.
No data is lost when toggling the tool off or on.
It’s strongly recommended to turn off the Discussion tool only for new courses and organizations. Turning it off in courses with existing discussions—especially graded ones—may cause issues. Links to discussions will no longer work, and content links or URLs will break.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses and organizations.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: Administrators manage the Discussion tool from the Tools page in the Administrator Panel. In the list of tools, locate Discussion Board and find Course Tool and Organization Tool. Both tools now have the option to be turned on or off. To hide Discussion visibility turn the tool off in in Courses and/or Organizations. If it is off, users won't see the Discussions tab within a Course or Organization. This tool will no longer be visible in the Participation and Engagement section when creating content.
Permanent “Course Complete” Banner in Closed Original Courses – 4000.4
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
When an Original course is marked as complete, a permanent banner now appears on all course pages stating: This course is complete. No further modifications are allowed.
This banner provides clear visual confirmation that the course has ended. It aligns Original courses with Ultra courses, where this banner already exists.
Currently, the banner is informational only—users can still make edits. In an upcoming release, editing completed Original courses will be restricted.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Mobile
Managing Blackboard App Session Timeouts and Session Controls – 4000.4
Impact: All Users
Updated Help Topic: Session Management
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Blackboard has updated the default session timeout for Blackboard App (mobile). The default session duration has been extended from 3 hours to 336 hours (14 days). This change applies only to institutions that have not previously customized their mobile session timeout setting. If your institution has already adjusted this value, your configuration will remain unchanged. This change supports a smoother mobile experience for Blackboard App users.
Administrators can review and adjust mobile session timeout and session control settings to balance security requirements with student convenience. These controls are available in Account Lock Settings under the Security section of the Administrator Panel.
Key options include:
- Mobile App Token Timeout: Defines how long a user stays signed in before reauthentication is required (configurable from 1–336 hours).
- Inactive Session Timeout: Sets the maximum idle time before automatic logout.
- Concurrent Session Control: Limits the number of devices or browsers a user can be signed into at once.
Feature behavior includes:
- The new default timeout reduces unexpected logouts for students, improving continuity across devices and sessions.
- Institutions with customized timeout settings will not be affected by this change.
- All session controls can be updated at any time; changes take effect immediately for new sessions.
- Adjusting these settings can help reduce support tickets related to login interruptions and align with compliance standards such as GovRamp and NIST.
If students report frequent logouts, review your mobile session timeout settings to ensure they align with your institution’s needs.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: Manage session timeout and session controls from Account Lock Settings under the Security section of the Administrator Panel.
Premium
Video Studio: Recording Minimize Workflow – 4000.4
Impact: Instructors and Students
Updated Help Topic: Video Studio (Instructor), Video Studio (Student)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Users can now minimize the camera view and Video Studio controls during a recording session. This update helps instructors and students focus on screen content while keeping the camera visible in a smaller overlay. The minimized view can be restored at any time, supporting flexible presentation styles.
This workflow is especially helpful when giving feedback. It supports clearer communication and stronger engagement.
Image 1: Instructors can now minimize Video Studio recording workflow to focus on a desired screen with a Minimize option.
Instructors can minimize the camera and controls while recording feedback or lectures. The camera appears as a small overlay, giving more options for presenting. Instructors can pause, resume, or restore the full camera view during the recording. This workflow is available wherever Video Studio is supported, including assessment feedback and flexible grading. Automatic captioning and transcription are included.
Image 2: Instructors can minimize Video Studio recording workflow for a more agile approach to recording and presenting instruction to students.
Students benefit from more focused instructional content and feedback. The minimized view helps follow on-screen demonstrations while keeping a visual connection with the instructor. Students can also create polished, professional presentations.
Administrators
Availability: Included with Blackboard Ultra; no Video Studio license required.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Video Studio – Record Screen and Camera Simultaneously – 4000.4
Impact: Instructors and Students
Updated Help Topic: Video Studio (Instructor), Video Studio (Student)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Users can now record their screen and camera at the same time in Video Studio. This update supports more engaging and immersive recordings, helping instructors and students create content that reflects live presentations and lectures.
Instructors and Students
Instructors can record themselves while sharing their screen, making it easier to deliver lectures, walkthroughs, or demonstrations with both visual context and personal presence. Students can use this feature to present their work in a more expressive and professional format.
This feature is part of Blackboard Core and works for announcements and feedback without a Video Studio license.
Image 1: Split-screen recording showing the instructor and shared screen content.
Administrators
Availability: Requires a Video Studio license. Available as a part of Blackboard Core in instructor feedback and flexible grading.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Course Catalog: Use Trust Payments to pay for courses – 4000.4
Test/Stage: week of 17 November 2025; Production: week of 17 November 2025
Impact: Students
Updated Help Topic: Payment Gateway v2
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We added Trust Payments as a payment service provider. This gives students the option to use Trust Payments to purchase courses from Course Catalog. As we continue to add more payment service providers, students gain greater flexibility and choice when paying for courses.
Students
When students select Buy for a course, they now see Trust Payments as one of the payment options if it is implemented by their institution.
Image 1: Trust Payments is now one of the listed payment methods. (Only payment methods available at an individual’s institution will be listed.)
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: To set up the Trust Payments integration, you will need to access support through a support case.
Bb Annotate enhancements and bug fixes
Test/Stage: 12 December 2025; Production: 12 December 2025
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Bb Annotate
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
This is a maintenance update unrelated to Blackboard December 2025 release. This update is released into test/stage and production environments beginning December 12 and completing globally December 16.
We’ve addressed several issues to improve the reliability and user experience of Bb Annotate. Below are key fixes included in this release:
Text Selection & Highlighting
- Improved Highlighting Behavior. Fixed an issue where selecting the last character of a paragraph prevented proper text highlighting for comments.
Text Formatting & Color
- Font Color Consistency for Asian Languages. Corrected a bug where color changes applied to Chinese characters reverted to black after the first character.
- Stable Text Color in Text Boxes. Resolved an issue where text color reverted to black when moving the cursor within a text box.
- Comment Box Stability When Changing Text Color. Fixed a problem where the comment box disappeared when selecting a text color in “Fit Width” view.
Typing & Input Behavior
- Apostrophe Typing Issue. Eliminated a bug where typing apostrophes quickly caused the cursor to jump to the top of the page.
- Automatic Cursor Focus for Comments. Improved workflow by ensuring the cursor automatically focuses in the comment box when adding annotations.
Copy-Paste & Rich Text Handling
- Preserved Formatting When Pasting from External Sources. Fixed issues with text pasted from Google Docs and MS Word:
- Google Docs text now displays correctly without requiring fill color changes.
- Microsoft Word text no longer adds extra spaces.
- Inline Grading Stability with Named Colors. Resolved a JavaScript error that occurred when pasting formatted text containing named colors into the Inline Grading comment box.
Accessibility
- Improved Document Viewer Panel Adjustment. Enhanced usability by allowing keyboard navigation for resizing thumbnail previews, reducing reliance on drag-only adjustments.
Looking for older release notes?
Check out the Blackboard Learn Release Notes Archive for more information on past releases.
