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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.

The December 2024 - 3900.106 release is robust with features in 8 areas:  

  • Instructional design;
  • Communication and collaboration;
  • Learner progression and personalized experience;
  • Flexible grading;
  • Gradebook;
  • Integrations;  
  • Learn core and security; and
  • Upgrade to Ultra

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

Instructors:  

Instructors and Students:

Students:

Instructors and Administrators

Administrators:

All users:

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

Integrations

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

Learn Core & Security

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

Administrator panel showing Mobile App Token Timeout configuration

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

Learn SaaS release 3900.104.0

Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.104.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 5 November 2024 | Release to Production: Thursday, 7 November 2024
Original Course View, Ultra Course View

For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Learn 3900.104.0 version included below on this page. Details can be found on Anthology Global Support.

Latest release: ​​​​​​​3900.104.0-rel.36+1656a6c to Production servers to take place on 28 November 2024.

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

November 2024 – 3900.104 Release

The November 2024 - 3900.104 release is robust with features in 8 areas: 

  • Instructional design;
  • Tests and assignments;
  • Communication and collaboration;
  • Learner progression and personalized experience;
  • Integrations;  
  • Learn core and security; 
  • Mobile app; and 
  • Upgrade to Ultra

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

Instructors: 

Instructors and Students: 

Students:

Instructors and Administrators:

Observers:

Administrators:

All users:

Mobile app

Blackboard mobile app rebranding – 3900.104

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

To reflect Anthology Inc.’s rebranding efforts, the Blackboard Learn App will now be known simply as the Blackboard App. The change aligns the app with Anthology, Inc.’s rebranding efforts. The Blackboard App has an updated:

  • Splash screen
  • App icon
  • Name
  • App description 

These changes reflect Anthology’s vision, which is grounded in dedication to customer-centered innovation to inspire student success and institutional growth.

Image 1. Rebranded logos and designs for the Blackboard App

Mobile screens displaying rebranded Blackboard App logo and design

For Administrators: This feature is available for all courses. There are no configurations needed.

Return to November 2024 – 3900.104.0 Release description

Learn SaaS release 3900.102.0

Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.102.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 17 September 2024 | Release to Production: Thursday, 3 October 2024
Original Course View, Ultra Course View

For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Learn 3900.102.0 version included below on this page. Details can be found on Anthology Global Support.

Latest release: 3900.102.0-rel.33+21f9d21 to Production servers to take place on 31 October 2024.

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

October 2024 – 3900.102 Release

The October 2024 - 3900.102 release is robust with features in 9 areas: 

  • Instructional design;
  • Mastery learning and learner pathways;
  • Tests and assignments;
  • Communication and collaboration;
  • Flexible grading;
  • Gradebook;
  • Integrations;  
  • Mobile; and  
  • Upgrade to Ultra

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

Instructors: 

Instructors and Students: 

All users:

Upgrade to Ultra

Brightspace Conversion Improvements - 3900.102

Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Experience
Ultra Course View and/or Original Course View
Impact: Instructors
Related Topic: Migrate from D2L Brightspace

Question Library and Sections

We further refined the conversion of courses from Brightspace. The question library and sections in Brightspace now convert to question banks. This enhancement is important for converting quizzes that include question pools and sections.  

Important notes:

  • The question library and sections will be flattened. Nested question banks are not supported in Blackboard.  
  • Any sections without questions will not convert to question banks.

Gradebook Columns

Numeric, selectbox, text, and pass/fail grade Items in Brightspace are now preserved when converting a Brightspace course to Blackboard. Formula and calculated grade Items are not preserved and are dropped from the gradebook. Instructors should check if their formula or calculated grade items can be rebuilt in Blackboard’s calculated column. For more information, see Calculate Grades.

For Administrators: These features and improvements are available for all Ultra and Original courses. There are no configurations needed.

Return to October 2024 – 3900.102.0 Release description

Learn SaaS release 3900.100.0

Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.100.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 13 August 2024 | Release to Production: Thursday, 5 September 2024
Original Experience, Ultra Experience
Original Course View, Ultra Course View

For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Learn 3900.100.0 version included below on this page. Details can be found Behind the Blackboard. 

Latest release: 3900.100.0-rel.38+07d2c83 to Production servers to take place on 26 September 2024.

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

September 2024 – 3900.100 Release

The September 2024 - 3900.100 release is robust with features in 7 areas: 

  • Instructional design;
  • Tests and assignments; 
  • Flexible grading; 
  • Gradebook; 
  • Learner progression and personalized experience;
  • Learn core and security;  and
  • Upgrade to Ultra

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

Instructors: 

Instructors and Students: 

Students: 

Administrators: 

Instructors and Administrators:

All users:

AI Conversation – 3900.100 

Blackboard Learn SaaS 
Ultra Experience 
Ultra Course View 
Impact: All users
Related Topic: AI Conversation

It's tough to have 1:1 conversations with every student, especially in large courses. Some instructors are asking students to use AI services for topic-related activities to help. But, with many services and limited instructor visibility, results can vary. 

To better serve instructors who want to use AI with students, we're launching a new activity called AI Conversation. This is a Socratic questioning exercise guided by AI. AI Conversation lets students explore their thoughts on a topic. 

There are two elements to the activity:

  • AI Conversation 
    • This lets students think critically about the topic that the instructor designs.
  • Reflection question 
    • This asks the student to share their thoughts on the activity. The reflection question also lets the student flag any bias or errors from the AI as part of our Trustworthy AI Approach. Reflection helps students understand the responsible use of AI services. 

Instructors have the following configuration options: 

  • A topic for the AI Conversation 
  • An AI persona including a name, avatar (can be uploaded or generated), and personality trait 
  • Complexity level of responses 
  • Edit the reflection question, guiding the student on how best to reflect on this activity 

On submission, the instructor can review the AI conversation transcript and the student's reflection. The AI Conversation is a formative assessment by default, but you’re not restricted to this option.

Image 1. Instructor setting up a topic, AI Persona, and Reflection question

AI conversation setup page, demonstrating how to set up the question, persona, and complexity

Image 2. Instructor previewing the AI Conversation before making it visible to students

Instructor preview of what an AI conversation will look like to students

Image 3. A Student participating in the AI Conversation

Preview of student display of an AI conversation

Image 4. Instructor view of a submitted AI Conversation and reflection question

Grading page for an AI conversation

For administrators: In the building block, ‘AI Design Assistant and Unsplash,' a new option called ‘AI Chat Conversation’ is available. The default state is 'off.'  When this feature is ‘on,’ the privilege needs to be assigned to course roles as necessary, such as Instructor. The privilege that needs assigning is ‘Use AI Design Assistant.' When that role creates an AI Conversation in a course that’s visible to students, students will be able to complete the activity. Note that toggling this feature to ‘off’ after deployment will stop the AI Conversation services. Therefore, any AI conversation activities visible to students will not operate as expected.

Return to September 2024 – 3900.100.0 Release description

Integrations

Wiris Upgrade and Benefits – 3900.100

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

We’ve upgraded the Wiris engine and equation editor to the latest versions to improve performance. Version 8.10.2 of the engine and version 7.23 of the editor improves rendering of subscript and superscript formulas. This upgrade provides a better experience for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics courses.

Image 1. Before the Wiris upgrade

Math editor containing equations

Image 2. After the improvement 

Math editor containing equations after Wiris upgrade

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

Return to September 2024 – 3900.100.0 Release description

Learn Core & Security

Calendar Event Management – 3900.100

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

Institutions can now control which users can create events in the Base Navigation Calendar with a new system-level entitlement Calendar>Create Personal event. This update gives institutions greater control over calendar event creation within their learning environment.

If the Calendar>Create Personal event entitlement is not granted:

  • Users can’t create personal events in the Base Navigation Calendar.
  • Calendar tool is hidden in Base Navigation if users have no existing events in their calendars and lack this entitlement. Users don’t have permission to import Calendar events from external files (Settings).

When users possess the privilege of the Calendar>Create Personal event entitlement:

  • Users can create personal events using the Base Navigation Calendar.
  • The add calendar option is displayed.
  • The Calendar tool appears in Base Navigation.
  • Users can import Calendar events from external files (Settings).

For administrators: This feature is available for all System role users including None. There are no configurations needed. 

Return to September 2024 – 3900.100.0 Release description

Upgrade to Ultra

Brightspace Conversion Improvements - 3900.100

Blackboard Learn SaaS 
Ultra Experience and/or Original Experience 
Ultra Course View and/or Original Course View 
Impact: Instructors and Administrators 
Related Topic: Migrate from D2L Brightspace

Embedded Multimedia for Assignments and Discussions 

We’ve updated the conversion process from Brightspace to Blackboard for Assignments and Discussions. Images embedded in Assignments and Discussions will now convert. Instructors will no longer need to reupload images or multimedia after converting from Brightspace

Embedded Multimedia via Media Library Now Supported 

Previously, multimedia added to the Rich Content Editor in Brightspace using the Media Library did not convert properly. Images and multimedia would fail to load, requiring users to reupload them after converting their courses. This issue has been resolved, and multimedia added from the Media Library will convert. 

Arithmetic and Significant Figures Question Types 

We’ve improved the way we convert Arithmetic and Significant Figure Questions from Brightspace to Blackboard. We preserve more information related to the questions and questions can now be edited to resolve issues that can't be resolved during conversion. 

When converting Arithmetic and Significant Figure Question Types from Brightspace to Blackboard, it's important to carefully review all converted questions to ensure accuracy and functionality. Equations constructed using plain text in Brightspace may not accurately transfer to Blackboard, leading to potential errors or formatting issues. These discrepancies can impact the clarity and correctness of the questions, which affects the assessment's validity. 

We advise instructors to thoroughly examine each converted question and verify the accuracy of the equations. In some cases, it may be necessary to rebuild the equations partially or entirely to align with Blackboard's formatting and calculation standards. Ensuring the precision of these questions is essential before making the test available to students. Taking the time to review and correct any issues will help maintain the integrity of the assessment and provide a fair testing experience for all students.

For administrators: These features and improvements are available for all Ultra courses. There are no configurations needed.

Return to September 2024 – 3900.100.0 Release description

Learn SaaS release 3900.98.0

Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.98.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 16 July 2024 | Release to Production: Thursday, 8 August 2024
Original Experience, Ultra Experience
Original Course View, Ultra Course View

For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Learn 3900.98.0 version included below on this page. Details can be found Behind the Blackboard. 

Latest release: 3900.98.0-rel.37+68cbd0f to Production servers to take place on 22 August 2024.

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

August 2024 – 3900.98 Release

The August 2024 - 3900.98 release is robust with features in 8 areas: 

  • Instructional design; 
  • Mastery learning & learning pathways;
  • Tests and assignments; 
  • Communication and collaboration; 
  • Flexible grading; 
  • Gradebook; 
  • Learn core and security; 
  • Integrations; and 
  • Upgrade to Ultra 

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

Instructors: 

Instructors and Students: 

Instructors and Administrators: 

Administrators

All users: 

January 2024 – 3900.82 Release

We're aware that updates to copy workflows for admins are causing issues and we're actively working on a resolution.

The January 2024 - 3900.82 is robust with features in 9 areas:

  • Instructional design;
  • Mastery learning / Competency based education;
  • Tests and assignments;
  • Flexible grading;
  • Gradebook;
  • Learner progression and personalized experience;
  • Integrations;
  • Mobile; and
  • Upgrade to Ultra

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

Instructors:

Instructors and students:

All users:

Instructors and Administrators:

Administrators:

Original Course View: Updated options display when sending email from Grade Center – 3900.82

Blackboard Learn SaaS, Blackboard Learn 9.1
Original Course View
Impact: Instructors

Instructors can send emails to students in places like the Grade Center and Retention Center. Previously, the option to include student names in the sender copy was misleading. The checkbox seemed to apply to both sending a copy of the message and including recipient names. We’ve improved the presentation to clarify the expected behavior. A copy is always sent to the sender. The sender can opt-in to including recipient names in their copy of the email.

Image 1. The options to add attachments and include the names of recipients are better organized

The options to add attachments and include the names of recipients are better organized

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

Return to January 2024 – 3900.82 Release description
 

Upgrade to Ultra

Restricting Original Copy Workflows – 3900.82

We're aware that updates to copy workflows for admins are causing issues and we're actively working on a resolution.

Blackboard Learn SaaS, Learn 9.1
Original Experience
Original Course View
Impact: Instructors, Adminstrators

We had several issues related to copying items from Original to Ultra and Ultra to Ultra course view. The issues stemmed from users copying materials using Original workflows. The Original workflows opened the door for partial copies of items. The Original copy workflows were never designed or updated to support Ultra courses.

Here are two examples:

Example 1

The instructor would select "Discussions" and not select "Grade Center Columns and Settings." The discussions would copy without their associated grade center columns. The discussion would come over in a partial state and would not function. Instructors would need to delete and copy using the supported workflow.

Example 2

The instructor selects a "Content Area" with course links to discussions. They did not select "Discussions" or "Grade Center Columns and Settings." The course links copy. The course links don't function. The "Discussions" were not selected, and the course links have nothing to reference. Instructors would need to delete and copy using the supported workflow.

Previous Behaviors:

  • Instructors could use Original workflows to Copy from Original to Ultra.
  • Administrators could use Original workflows to copy from Original to Ultra.
  • Administrators could use Original workflows to copy from Ultra to Ultra.

New Behaviors:

  • Instructors can no longer use Original workflows to copy from Original to Ultra.
  • Administrators can no longer use Original workflows to copy from Original to Ultra.
    • Copy Course Materials into a New Course
    • Copy Course Materials into an Existing Course
  • Administrators can no longer use Original workflows to copy from Ultra to Ultra.
    • Copy Course Materials into a New Course
    • Copy Course Materials into an Existing Course

Alternatives

  • Instructors can copy from an Original to Ultra using the copy items workflow.
  • Administrators can copy from an Original to Ultra using the copy items workflow.
  • Administrators can copy from Ultra to Ultra using the copy items workflow.
  • Administrators can copy from Ultra to Ultra using the “Copy Course with Users (Exact Copy).
  • Administrators can export a course package from Ultra to import into another Ultra course.
  • Administrators can use the SIS Integration Framework to copy from Ultra to Ultra.

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

Return to January 2024 – 3900.82 Release description

Learn SaaS release 3900.82.0

Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.82.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 12 December 2023 | Release to Production: Thursday, 4 January 2024
Original Experience, Ultra Experience
Original Course View, Ultra Course View

For full feature details please review the corresponding notes for the Learn 3900.82.0 version included below on this page. Details can also be found on Behind the Blackboard.

Latest release: 3900.82.0-rel.51+579fa4e to Production servers to take place on 25 January 2024.

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

 

Learn SaaS release 3900.80.0

Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.80.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 7 November 2023 | Release to Production: Thursday, 7 December 2023
Original Experience, Ultra Experience
Original Course View, Ultra Course View

For full feature details please review the corresponding notes for the Learn 3900.80.0 version included below on this page. Details can also be found on Behind the Blackboard.

Latest release: 3900.80.0-rel.28+80fe7a8 to Production servers to take place on 21 December 2023.

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

Integrations

Gradebook API: Accessing grading dates – 3900.80

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

In a previous release, we introduced a feature that allows users to retrieve date-related grading data. Now, we incorporate two more fields into the response of all gradebook APIs: first and last relevant dates.

"firstRelevantDate" determined as:

  • The first recorded date when an attempt is scored.
  • The most recent date in which a final score is overridden.

"lastRelevantDate" determined as:

  • The date of the most recent modification of a grade when an attempt is scored.
  • The most recent date in which a final score is overridden.

We also introduce the following query parameters:

  • firstRelevantDateCompare
  • lastRelevantDateCompare

These parameters allow users to filter and refine the results.

For administrators: The required entitlements for Gradebook API remain unchanged. First and Last relevant dates do not apply to calculated columns.

Return to December 2023 – 3900.80 Release description

Enhanced user data retrieval with secondary IDs via REST API - 3900.80

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

The option to retrieve user data is crucial for administrators and support roles. User data retrieval is important for a host of reasons. For example, it allows institutions to ensure access control, user support, and data security.

In the past, retrieving user data depended on a single ID. Now, we are expanding the capabilities of the users' REST APIs to support secondary IDs. This will provide more flexibility and control when accessing user information.

Users can now use a secondary ID:

  • Contact Email: Users can now use the "contact.email" secondary ID to retrieve user data. This enhancement allows users to access their information by their institution/personal email address.
  • Student IDs: The "studentId" secondary ID is now supported in the GET /users public endpoint. You can use this feature to access user data using their student ID.
  • "Name" as New Attribute: Users can now retrieve user data based on attributes such as the user name. For this, we have the new query parameter "?name=". This will allow filtering by full names (first names, last names, middle names, or usernames).

These changes provide a significant improvement in the way users can manage user data via REST APIs.

For administrators: The required entitlements for User API remain unchanged.

Return to December 2023 – 3900.80 Release description

REST API for accessing assessment passwords - 3900.80

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

In Learn, assessments can be protected with access codes. Access codes help provide integrity and security for assessments.

To improve the integration with proctoring services, we extended the access code option via REST API.

Now, users can retrieve the access password configuration settings. The configuration setting is for both Ultra and Original courses. This information includes the following key fields:

  • Enabled: Flag that indicates whether the assessment is password-protected or not.
  • Password: This field contains the 6-digit passcode. The password is available in plain text, simplifying the integration process.

Furthermore, these fields will be accessible through the following Content endpoints:

  • GET /learn/api/public/v1/courses/{courseId}/contents
  • GET /learn/api/public/v1/courses/{courseId}/contents/{contentId}

For administrators: The required entitlements for Users API remain unchanged.

Return to December 2023 – 3900.80 Release description

Converting Building Block content to LTI (Echo360 Course Content) - 3900.80

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

In the past, some clients relied on building blocks to enhance course content. To help clients transition from building blocks to LTI tools, we created a Content Migration Tool. This tool focuses on helping clients migrate Kaltura content within Original courses.

We have now updated the migration tool to support the conversion of building blocks content to LTI. This change helps mitigate challenges with migrations from Original to Ultra courses.

Now, administrators can also convert Echo360 content from building blocks to LTI.

This conversion supports the Building Block content present within the iframe. This includes Mashup links within the content editor:

  • wikis, journals, discussions, groups
  • assessments, assignments, test questions, and question banks
  • announcements

As before, administrators can access the Building Block to LTI content conversion service through Administrator Tools.

Image 1. Converting Building Block Content to LTI

Converting Building Block Content to LTI

Image 2. Migration Service Settings

Migration Service Settings

Administrators can select from a drop-down menu the building block to be configured. The options are Echo360 and Kaltura.

Administrators can configure the required IDs and custom parameters for the conversion details.

Image 3. Migration settings for Echo 360 and Kaltura

Migration settings for Echo 360 and Kaltura

Building blocks mappings are displayed. Administrators can select whether they want to edit, delete, or turn off the building block for the conversion tool.

Image 4. Building block mappings

Building block mappings

Once configurations are set, administrators can manage the placements. They can select for the specific Building Block the courses to which they want to convert the content.

Image 5. Migrate courses with building block content

Migrate courses with building block content

Finally, at Migration Run Status, users can monitor the status of the conversion process for each course.

Image 6. Migration run status

Migration run status

For administrators: If the same course contains content from both Kaltura and Echo360 building blocks, the conversion process must be performed once for each building block.

Return to December 2023 – 3900.80 Release description

Mobile App

Enhancements to Grades – 3900.80

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

In response to user feedback, we've made improvements to the Grades page. The Grades page now offers more comprehensive information for students and instructors. We enhanced both the appearance and functionality.

For Instructors:

  • Upcoming Grading
    • Upon expansion, instructors find items that need grading.
  • Concise View
    • We've limited the display to only three items at a time.
    • A Show More link is available, leading to the gradebook for that course.
  • Efficient Navigation
    • Instructors can access grading tasks by selecting the respective item.
  • In the past, grade pills were black. Now grade pills display corresponding grade colors.

Image 1. Instructor view of Grades

Instructor view of Grades

For Students:

  • Upcoming Due Items
    • When expanding the section, students now find items that are due within a week.
  • Recently Graded
    • Expanded sections display items that have been recently graded.
  • Concise View
    • To avoid clutter, we've limited the display to only three items at a time.
    • A Show more link is available, leading to the gradebook for that course.
  • Quick Access
    • By selecting any item, users can navigate to the specific assessment or activity.
  • In the past, grade pills were black. Now grade pills display corresponding grade colors.

Image 2. Student view of Grades

Student view of Grades

For administrators: No additional settings are required for this feature.

Return to December 2023 – 3900.80 Release description

Canvas conversion improvements: Support for Multiple Grade Schemes – 3900.80

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

The Canvas Learning Management System allows instructors to create Grade Schemes. Grade schemes can use point or percentage ranges. Each point or percentage range has a name value.

Image 1. A Grade Scheme in Canvas

A Grade Scheme in Canvas

In the past, Grade Schemes in Canvas did not convert. We have updated the conversion so that Grade Schemes from Canvas are now preserved. Instructors no longer need to rebuild Grade Schemes when converting a course from Canvas.

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

Return to December 2023 – 3900.80 Release description

Release notes for earlier versions available in English only:

Return to top of the Archived Release Notes page