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Blackboard SaaS release 3902.1.0
Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3902.1.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 9 September 2025 | Release to Production: Thursday, 2 October 2025
Original Course View, Ultra Course View
For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Blackboard 3902.1.0 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 October 2025 - 3902.1 release is robust with features in four areas:
- Instructional design;
- Communication and collaboration;
- Tests and assignments;
- Integrations; and
- Premium
These improvements impact instructors, students, and administrators. Some features do require administrative action.
Instructors:
- Consistent Save and Cancel options in Settings page
- Tag questions with metadata in tests and question banks
- Require questions before making forms visible to students
Students:
- Improved student experience with Fill in the Blank question type
- Course Catalog: Use Flywire to pay for courses
Instructors and students
Administrators:
Instructional Design
Manage files in the Learning Object Repository – 3902.1
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Learning Object Repository
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Administrators can now upload files into the Learning Object Repository, and instructors can insert those files onto the Content page in their courses and organizations. This provides the ability for institutions to manage files centrally from the Learning Object Repository, saving time and maintaining consistency throughout the institution.
The following attributes and settings are synced and locked down in courses and organizations:
- Title
- Description
- Visibility
- Uploaded File
- Display Options
- Goals
Image 1. Administrators can now use the Upload button to add files to the Learning Object Repository.
original (12kb)
Image 2: An upload progress window appears. When the file finishes uploading, a message appears that the file has been uploaded successfully with a button to Add to Repository.
Image 3: The file appears in the list of objects in the Learning Object Repository.
By default, users with the System Administrator (Z) role are the only users who have access to upload files to the Learning Object Repository. To give a user the ability to upload files, administrators must grant the following privilege:
- Base Navigation > Tools > Learning Object Repository > Upload
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Locked attributes and settings for Documents in the Learning Object Repository – 3902.1
Impact: Administrator
Updated Help Topic: Learning Object Repository
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-6434
We locked the following attributes and settings for Documents in the Learning Object Repository:
- Visibility settings
- Class conversations
- Goals and standards
Image 1: The Visible to Students button is now grayed out and cannot be changed by instructors.
Image 2: In the Details & Information panel, the checkmark for Allow class conversations is grayed out and cannot be changed by instructors. Goals & Standards has a notations that states "This is managed by your institution. Editing is disabled."
In September, we updated all existing Documents associated with the Learning Object Repository to support syncing of the identified attributes and settings. That update ensured that settings could be managed directly from the repository before locking them.
Now, any setting an administrator can modify in the Learning Object Repository will reliably sync and remain locked in associated courses. Previously, it was unclear which attributes were synced and enforced. With this update, it’s clear: if it is editable in the Learning Object Repository, it is synced and locked.
In the future, institutions will have the flexibility to choose which attributes are locked or unlocked. These changes lay the groundwork for further improvements in upcoming releases.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Communication and Collaboration
Improved Course Messages User Interface – 3902.1
Impact: Instructors and Students
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We’ve redesigned the Course Messages interface in Blackboard to deliver a cleaner, more modern messaging experience. Messages now appear in chat-style bubbles, with the sender’s messages left-justified and the recipient’s messages right-justified—similar to popular messaging apps like iMessage or Teams. The sender’s avatar is displayed next to their messages, making it easier to visually identify participants in the conversation. Your own avatar does not appear in your view but will be visible to others when you send messages.
Image 1. Messages now appear in chat-style bubbles, with the sender’s messages left-justified and the recipient’s messages right-justified—similar to popular messaging apps.
This update improves clarity and usability, helping users quickly distinguish between sent and received messages. Time stamps are clearly displayed, and group conversations are visually separated for better organization.
Image 2. When you receive a message, an avatar of the sender appears on your Messages page. Your avatar appears to the user you are messaging.
These enhancements are part of ongoing efforts to modernize communication tools and streamline the user experience.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Tests & Assignments
Consistent Save and Cancel options in Settings page – 3902.1
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
To improve usability and consistency, we standardized the Save and Cancel actions across several assessment settings pages.
Instructors
This enhancement includes the following updates:
- Timer settings: Removed the X icon and added Save and Cancel buttons.
- Access code settings: Replaced Close and Continue with Cancel and Save.
- Learning Outcome Measurements: Removed the X icon and added Save and Cancel buttons.
- Turnitin Originality Report settings: Removed the X icon and added Save and Cancel buttons. SafeAssign settings remain unchanged.
Image 1: Cancel and Save buttons appear consistently throughout Assignment Settings.
Image 2: Cancel and Save buttons appear consistently throughout Assignment Settings.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Tag questions with metadata in tests and question banks – 3902.1
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: "Sort and search question banks" section of Question Banks
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-932
Instructors can now tag questions with metadata when creating or editing questions in tests, forms, and banks. Metadata is not visible to students during test-taking or review.
Instructors
When creating or editing a question, instructors can turn on Question metadata, then create or apply a tag to the question. Created tags become available in the Enter question tags search results, allowing instructors to apply that tag to other questions without needing to create them again.
Metadata is visible during question creation or editing and can be used to filter questions when reusing or adding to pools. Created tags are facets in the Categories filter set available on the question banks and Reuse question pages.
Question metadata for tests and pools that were copied from Original is preserved. Original offered four metadata types: Category, Topics, Levels of Difficulty, and Keywords. When questions have metadata that belongs to Topics, Levels of Difficulty, or Keywords metadata type, that type also becomes available for filtering on the question banks and Reuse question pages.
Example: An instructor copied an Original question pool to Ultra. The question pool contained questions that had metadata for all four types. When viewing the question bank in Ultra, the Tags section of the filter panel has filter sets for Categories, Topics, Levels of Difficulty, and Keywords. The Original tags are facets in these filter sets.
Image 1: Instructors can create and apply a tag to questions.
Image 2: Tags appear as filters in the question bank.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Require questions before making forms visible to students – 3902.1
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Forms
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We improved the visibility controls for forms to align with those of tests. Previously, instructors could make a form visible to students, even if it contained no questions. This enhancement ensures that students only access complete and purposeful assessments.
Instructors must first add at least one question to a form before they can make it visible to students. Release conditions cannot be set until the form includes questions.
Image 1: Instructors must enter at least one question before form can be visible to students.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improved student experience with fill in the blank question type – 3902.1
Impact: Students
Updated Help Topic: Fill in the Blank Questions
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-2027
We enhanced the student experience when answering fill in the blank questions in tests. Fill in the blank questions now display the blanks inline with the surrounding text, whether the question is presented as a sentence, paragraph, or table. We also added hidden ARIA labels to blanks to improve screen reader accessibility.
Image 1: Before this update, the blanks appeared below the question.
Image 2: After this update, the blanks appear in-line with the question.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Integrations
Updated Google Drive API Access – 3902.1
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
To ensure full compliance with Google's latest privacy and security policies, Blackboard has updated its integration with Google Drive APIs. These updates enhance the security of the Cloud Storage feature and reflect an ongoing commitment to safeguarding user data.
The updated API access ensures that all interactions with Google Drive within Blackboard meet the latest compliance requirements. This change is part of our broader effort to modernize integrations and reduce institutional risk.
This update is backend-only with minor changes to the user interface, which doesn’t change the existing workflow.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses using Google Drive integration.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Grade Export: Search and filter the audit history – 3902.1
Test/Stage: week of 8 September 2025; Production: week of 8 September 2025
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Admin Tools
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We added search and filter options to the audit history screen for the Grade Export tool. Now, administrators can search the history of submission, approval, and extraction actions taken in a course. The search includes the Action, Performed by, Performed on, and Message fields. They can also filter the history by choosing one or more statuses from the Action Status menu. These options help administrators quickly find specific submission, approval, and extraction events without scrolling through the entire history.
Image 1: The Audit History screen now has a Search Results field and a Select Action Status menu.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Original and Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Premium
Course Catalog: Access course roles in the Course Enrollment Report
Test/Stage: week of 8 September 2025; Production: week of 8 September 2025
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Reporting
Idea Exchange ID: CC-I-26
We added a Course Roles column to the Course Enrollment report. This column allows administrators to easily distinguish between instructors, students, and other roles enrolled in the offerings. The column improves reporting accuracy, supports user management workflows, and helps troubleshoot issues related to enrollment.
Image 1: The new Role column now appears in the Course Catalog Course Enrollment Report.
User roles included in the report are:
- Student
- Instructor
- Teaching assistant
- Course builder
- Grader
- Guest
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Course Catalog: Use Flywire to pay for courses
Test/Stage: week of 8 September 2025; Production: week of 8 September 2025
Impact: Students
Updated Help Topic: Payment Gateway v2
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We added Flywire as a payment service provider. This gives students the option to use Flywire to purchase courses from Course Catalog, giving them more flexibility in how they pay.
Students
When students select Buy for a course, they now see Flywire as one of the payment options if it is implemented by their institution.
Image 1: Flywire is now one of the listed payment methods. (Only payment methods available at an individual's institution will be listed.)
Image 2: When the student chooses Flywire and selects Purchase, the Flywire PSP screen opens for them to continue the purchase.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: To set up the Flywire integration, you will need to access support through a support case, engaging Anthology Professional Services along with the Flywire Account Executive and Implementation Manager.
Blackboard SaaS release 3900.125.0
Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.125.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 19 August 2025 | Release to Production: Thursday, 4 September 2025
Original Course View, Ultra Course View
For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Blackboard 3900.125.0 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 September 2025 - 3900.125 release is robust with features in six areas:
- Instructional design;
- Tests and assignments
- Communication and collaboration;
- Gradebook;
- Integrations; and
- Premium
These improvements impact instructors, students, and administrators. Some features do require administrative action.
Instructors:
- Enhance Documents with block styling options
- Add and manage question titles in tests, forms, and banks
- Export question banks in QTI v2.1 format
- AVA - Use AI to generate attempt feedback summaries from rubrics
- AVA - Use AI to revise submission feedback
- Use pop-out rubric when grading group submissions
- Use See More functionality in Add Question Pool
- Improved accessibility on the Submissions list page in the Gradebook
- Grade Export: Display record range and total number of search results
- Simplify announcement creation with cleaner interface
Instructors and Students:
Students:
- Improve EULA Workflow for Turnitin Submissions
- Display per question feedback to students on group test submissions
Administrators:
- Customize grade pill thresholds
- SCORM – Send Learner Event Data to Learner Record Store (LRS)
- Update content with synced Learning Object Repository attributes and settings
All users:
Instructional Design
Enhance Documents with block styling options – 3900.125
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Create Documents
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-5171
Instructors
We added block styling to Documents, giving instructors new ways to enhance visual appeal and guide student attention. The styling options feature both color and icons. The style options include:
- Question
- Tip
- Key points
- Next steps
Image 1. Instructors can select styling options from a dropdown menu that appears in Edit mode on all block types.
This update helps instructors create more engaging content.
Best practices for using Block Styling
Use Styling Purposefully
- Apply block styles to add visual interest, organize your content, and guide students through key ideas, actions, or reflections.
- Use styles consistently to build familiarity and reduce cognitive load.
- Clearly communicate the purpose of the styles to students to improve usability and accessibility and help all learners understand their significance
Style-Specific Guidance
- Question: Use for prompts or reflective questions. Keep questions concise and open-ended to encourage critical thinking.
- Tip: Use for tips, insights, or helpful suggestions. Ensure tips are actionable and relevant to the content.
- Key points: Use to highlight key points or essential facts. Keep these blocks brief and focused to reinforce retention.
- Next steps: Use for next steps or instructions. Present steps in a clear, logical order and consider using numbered lists for clarity.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Update content with synced Learning Object Repository attributes and settings – 3900.125
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Learning Object Repository
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-6434
We introduced an update that syncs more attributes and settings in Learning Object Repository objects. The following attributes and settings are now synced:
- Visibility settings
- Class conversations
- Goals
Syncing attributes will allow us to lock these attributes and settings in the October update. Locking visibility settings is especially valuable for managing instructor-only materials. By enforcing visibility at the repository level, administrators can ensure that sensitive or instructional content remains hidden from students, regardless of where the object is used.
Syncing in the Learning Object Repository is not instant and takes time. We're waiting until the October update to add locking, so that all existing Documents in the Learning Object Repository will have had time to be updated. This prevents administrators from being unable to adjust the settings of an object before the update.
This change to syncing supports our broader strategy of careful expansion before opening up the Learning Object Repository for selective configurability. It ensures consistency, security, and clarity across learning environments. In the future, we'll increase the usability of the Learning Object Repository by giving institutions the option to choose which settings are locked or unlocked.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Tests & Assignments
Add and manage question titles in tests, forms, and banks
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Reuse Questions
Idea Exchange ID: BD-I-64
Instructors can now add, view, edit, and delete question titles when working on questions in tests, forms, and banks. Titles are optional and non-unique. Titles are recommended, as they enhance searchability and reuse workflows.
Image 1: Instructors can enter or edit the question title.
Instructors
In the keyword search in the Reuse question panel, instructors can now search for questions on the question text or the question title.
Titles appear when:
- Creating or editing questions in tests, forms and banks
- Viewing or selecting questions via the Reuse questions workflow in tests, forms and banks
- Adding questions to pools (Add Question Pool workflow)
- Viewing questions in a pool (View Questions workflow)
Titles do not appear when the instructor views or grades the test and form submissions. Students do not see the question titles when they take a test or review their submission.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Export question banks in QTI v2.1 format
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-2654
Instructors and instructional designers can now export question banks in the QTI v2.1 format. This enhancement supports the IMS Question and Test Interoperability (QTI) standard, which enables the exchange of assessment content between systems.
Instructors
This update allows instructors to:
- Export question banks from Ultra courses in QTI v2.1 format.
- Use exported packages in other learning platforms that support QTI.
- Simplify onboarding and migration processes by using a standards-based format.
This feature is especially useful for institutions that use multiple systems or are transitioning to Ultra.
The export process uses the same backend as Original courses, which already support QTI v2.1 export from Pools. This ensures consistency and reliability across course types.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Display time limits and extra time consistently across roles
Impact: All Users
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-5282, LEARNU-I-6822
We improved how time limits and extra time are communicated in Assessments. This change ensures that all users understand exactly how much time is available.
Now, all users have the time limits and extra time presented in a consistent format:
Example:
“Time limit: 20 minutes + 10 minutes extra time”
This format appears:
- When instructors configure or review assessment settings.
- When students begin or review an assessment.
- In the preview mode for instructors.
Image 1: Time Limit configurations appear in the Assessment Settings panel.
Image 2: Time limit information appears in the assessment metadata.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Communication & Collaboration
Require confirmation for updated email addresses – 3900.125
Impact: All users
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We temporarily disabled this feature due to problem we identified. This problem is now fixed, tested, and resolved. We are enabling this feature on Test/Stage instances on Thursday 18th September 2025, followed by production instances on Tuesday 23rd September 2025. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we ensure this feature operates as intended.
All users
To enhance security and ensure reliable communication, we added a verification step when users update their email address in Blackboard. Now, whenever a user changes their email, a confirmation message is sent to the new address. The user must verify the new email before the change takes effect. This helps prevent issues caused by typos or incorrect addresses, ensuring users continue to receive important communications without interruption.
Image 1. Users have the option to resend the confirmation email from their profile.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Simplify announcement creation with cleaner interface – 3900.125
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Announcements
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors
We streamlined the New Announcement page by removing the unnecessary Recipients dropdown. Previously, this dropdown only offered one option—sending to all course members—making it redundant. With this update, the page now displays only relevant options, creating a cleaner, more focused interface and a smoother user experience.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Gradebook
Use pop-out rubric when grading group submissions
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-745
Instructors can now use the pop-out rubric when grading group submissions in Flexible Grading. This enhancement brings the same efficient grading experience already available for individual submissions to group work.
The pop-out rubric is a separate, moveable window and formatted in a grid view. Previously, the rubric was only available in a side panel and formatted in a stack. This update makes it easier to navigate and grade student submissions by providing a clearer, more comprehensive view of the rubric. Popping out the rubric lets instructors view the student submission and the rubric side-by-side for a more efficient grading experience. Instructors can quickly select performance levels and provide feedback in the rubric while viewing the student submission.
Instructors
Instructors can access the pop-out rubric when reviewing a submission.
- Bulk performance level selection: Apply a level across all criteria with one click.
- Cell syncing: Selected cells update the grade pill automatically.
- Focused feedback entry: Selecting a cell moves focus to the feedback textbox.
- Navigation warning: Alerts instructors if they try to leave with unsaved changes.
- Override warning: Shows a banner if the grade was overridden and disables rubric editing.
- Printing: Instructors can print blank or completed rubrics using the browser’s print function.
When the pop-out rubric is open, the ability to add Overall Feedback and grade with the rubric in the main grading interface is inactive. This prevents an instructor from editing the same information in two separate places simultaneously.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Display per question feedback to students on group test submissions
Impact: Students
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Students can now view per-question feedback on group test submissions. Instructors have been able to provide per-question feedback, but it was not visible to students until now.
Students
With this update:
- Students reviewing a graded group test can see feedback for each question.
- Feedback supports all formats: text, file attachments, and video recordings.
- Per-question feedback appears alongside overall feedback and rubric scores.
This enhancement ensures that group submissions benefit from the same detailed feedback experience as individual submissions. It also supports:
- Originality reports (when enabled via SafeAssign or TII).
- Attempt-level score overrides for individual group members.
- AI Rewrite for both overall and per question feedback.
- Navigation between group submissions using Previous/Next controls.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Use see-more functionality in Add Question Pool
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We added See more functionality for the Sources, Questions Types, and Tags filter sets. This enhancement helps instructors more easily navigate long lists of filter values when managing large pools of questions.
Instructors
In the Add Question Pool screen, the filter panel now includes See more functionality for Sources, Question Types, and Tags when the number of values in that filter section exceeds 10. Selecting See more expands the list, revealing the full list of values.
Image 1: Selecting See more expands the list, revealing the full list of values.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improved accessibility on the Submissions list page in the Gradebook
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
To improve accessibility, we updated the Submissions list page in the Gradebook to use a semantic HTML table structure. This change replaces the previous layout, which relied on stacked <div> elements. The new structure improves screen reader support and keyboard navigation.
- Screen reader users can now hear row and column headers as they navigate the table.
- Keyboard users can move efficiently across rows and columns without needing to tab through each element.
- The table uses proper HTML markup, including <caption>, <th>, <tr>, and <td> elements to ensure clarity and accessibility.
- The update applies to all submission list views, including standard, individual, and peer assessments.
This change aligns the Submissions list with the accessibility improvements previously made to the student Gradebook and supports Anthology’s commitment to inclusive design.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Customize grade pill thresholds
We have identified an issue with this feature, which has been resolved and is currently undergoing testing. As a precaution, the feature has been temporarily disabled across our test, stage, and production environments. We anticipate re-enabling it as part of our scheduled maintenance release during the week commencing 8th September 2025. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We added a new system-level setting that allows administrators to customize the performance thresholds and colors used in grade pills across Ultra courses. This update helps institutions align grading visuals with their own policies and reinforce grading expectations in a way that resonates with both students and faculty.
With this update, administrators can:
- Define up to 10 performance levels.
- Choose from 12 accessible, predefined colors.
- Set custom percentage thresholds for each level.
- Ensure that each color is used only once to maintain clarity.
The default configuration matches the existing scale:
- > 90% = green
- 80–89% = yellow-green
- 70–79% = yellow
- 60–69% = orange
- 50–59% = red
Administrators can also choose to turn off colored grade pills entirely, in which case grades appear in white on a black background.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: To configure performance thresholds and colors, select Grade Pill Colors in the Course Settings area of the Admin panel. This is a system-level setting that applies to all grade pills across the institution. Once configured, the custom thresholds and colors are reflected consistently in all grade views.
Grade Export: Display record range and total number of search results – 3900.125
Test/Stage: week of 11 August 2025; Production: week of 11 August 2025
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
The Grade Export tool now indicates which records are currently listed out of a total number of search results. This update helps graders quickly understand how many records match their search and where they are in the list, improving navigation through search results.
Instructors
Image 1: The Grade Export tool now indicates which records are currently listed out of a total number of search results.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Integrations
Improve EULA Workflow for Turnitin Submissions – 3900.125
Impact: Students
Updated Help Page: Turnitin (Student)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Students now receive clearer guidance when submitting assessments to Turnitin if they haven’t signed the End User License Agreement (EULA). This update aligns with the latest 1EdTech Asset Processor Specification and improves the submission experience.
Previously, students who hadn’t signed the EULA couldn’t submit assessments and didn’t receive helpful instructions. This caused confusion and increased support requests. Now, students receive a message explaining the issue and what to do next.
Students
If a student hasn’t signed the EULA, they receive this message: Before submitting the assignment, you must review and agree to the Turnitin End User Licensing Agreement below. The modal message also displays the EULA. After scrolling through and selecting Accept, the student can submit the assignment. Blackboard sends this information to Turnitin immediately. The EULA applies to all other Ultra Courses for that student. If the EULA changes, Turnitin can reset acceptance status.
If a student selects Decline, they receive this message: By declining the Turnitin End User Licensing Agreement, you will not be able to submit assignments online. You must contact your instructor for alternate ways to submit your assignments.
This update improves clarity, reduces friction in the submission process, and streamlines the Blackboard-Turnitin integration.
Administrator
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses using Turnitin integration.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: To enable the new EULA workflow, a new placement must be added to the relevant integration. In the Administrator Panel, navigate to LTI Tool Providers and select the Turnitin Feedback Studio Sandbox integration. Navigate to Manage Placements and select Synchronize Placements.
SCORM – Send Learner Event Data to Learner Record Store (LRS) – 3900.125
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Page: SCORM Engine
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
SCORM activity data of students can now be securely emitted from Blackboard to external Learner Record Stores (LRS). Institutions can use advanced analytics and reporting tools designed for SCORM content.
Previously, Blackboard’s SCORM player captured learner interactions but didn't include a way to send this data to external LRS platforms. This limitation impacted clients who rely on LRS systems for compliance, performance tracking, and learner analytics.
Image 1: SCORM activity data of students can now be securely emitted from Blackboard to external Learner Record Stores (LRS).
New capabilities include:
- LRS Integration toggle switch: Administrators can now turn on SCORM event data transmission using a new toggle switch in the Administrator Panel.
- Configurable LRS Targets: Institutions can register their LRS URL credentials.
- Event Emissions: The system now supports a wide range of SCORM events.
The integration aligns with xAPI standards, ensuring compatibility with modern LRS platforms.
This update empowers institutions to track learner progress and gain deeper insights into SCORM-based learning.
Administrator
Availability: All Ultra Courses
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: In the Administrator Panel, under Integrations, select Building Blocks. Next select Installed Tools. Then select Search SCORM Engine B2. In SCORM Settings in the Administrator Panel, turn on Use External LRS. Then fill out External LRS Settings fields: URL, Username (Key), and Password (Secret). Username and password are provided by the LRS.
Premium
Video Studio: Use Video Studio in Journals – 3900.125
Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated Help Topics: Journals (Instructor); Journals (Student)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Video Studio now works with Journals in Ultra Courses. Instructors and students can record or upload video and audio directly within journal prompts and responses. This update supports more personal, engaging, and accessible communication.
Instructors
Instructors can now use Video Studio when creating a journal assignment. A new Video Studio button appears in the content editor of the journal description field. Instructors can record or upload media to introduce the topic, share context, or encourage reflection. The standard Video Studio workflow supports automatic captioning and transcription, ensuring accessibility and consistency across the platform.
Image 1: Instructors can now include Video Studio recordings in Journals.
Students
Students can respond to journal prompts using video or audio. The Video Studio button in the content editor when creating a journal entry. Students can record or upload media to share their thoughts in a more dynamic and personal way. This enhancement supports multimodal learning and allows students to engage with course content using their preferred communication style.
Administrators
Availability: Requires a Video Studio license.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
AVA - Use AI to generate attempt feedback summaries from rubrics
Impact: Instructor
Updated Help Topic: Grade Assignments with Flexible Grading and Grade Tests with Flexible Grading
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
The new AI-powered Summarize option in Flexible Grading lets instructors generate high-quality overall feedback for student submissions evaluated using a rubric. This tool uses generative AI to analyze and suggest overall feedback on the submission based on the rubric criteria, the selected performance levels and their descriptions, and any criterion feedback provided.
Instructors
Instructors can access the Summarize option when providing overall feedback on assignments once the rubric has been completed. For assignments, the summary is based on the rubric criteria, the selected performance levels and their descriptions, and any criterion-level feedback provided. Any existing Overall Feedback in the RTE will also be included in the summary.
Instructors can accept, reject, or regenerate the summary. Accepting the summary then allows the instructor to directly edit and further refine the summary. Rejecting reverts the summary to the original. Regenerating the summary prompts a newly written summary.
Image 1: Instructors can generate feedback.
Administrators
Availability: The Summarize feature is a premium solution.
Activation: AVA features including AI summarization are included in your Blackboard license until 30th June 2026 when a specific AVA license will be required.
Configuration: In the building block, AI Design Assistant and Unsplash, a new option called AI Summarization is available under the AI feedback generation heading. The default state is off. When this feature is turned on, the privilege needs to be assigned to course roles, such as Instructor. The required privilege is Generate AI Feedback Changes in Course/Organization Control Panel.
AVA - Use AI to revise submission feedback
Impact: Instructor
Updated Help Topic: Grade Assignments with Flexible Grading and Grade Tests with Flexible Grading
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
The new AI-powered Rewrite option in Flexible Grading helps instructors improve the clarity and tone of their feedback. This tool uses generative AI to reword instructor-authored comments—whether they are rough notes, bullet points, or complete sentences—into more polished and student-friendly language. The Rewrite option supports iterative editing and is designed to help instructors deliver clearer, more impactful feedback with less effort.
Instructors
When an instructor is providing overall feedback on submissions in Flexible Grading, the Rewrite option becomes available when the instructor adds at least 30 characters. After entering their own comments, instructors can select Rewrite to generate a suggested version of the feedback. A banner clearly indicates that the suggestion is AI-generated.
Instructors can accept, reject, or regenerate the suggestion. Accepting the suggestion allows instructors to continue editing the revised feedback directly in the rich text editor. Rejecting or canceling the suggestion restores the original input. Instructors can use the Rewrite option multiple times on the same feedback to refine their message further.
Image 1: Instructors can select Rewrite to regenerate the feedback.
Administrators
Availability: The Rewrite feature is a premium solution.
Activation: AVA features including AI rewrite are included in your Blackboard license until 30th June 2026 when a specific AVA license will be required.
Configuration: In the building block, AI Design Assistant and Unsplash, a new option called AI rewrite is available under the AI feedback generation heading. The default state is off. When this feature is turned on, the privilege needs to be assigned to course roles, such as Instructor. The required privilege is Generate AI Feedback Changes in Course/Organization Control Panel.
Blackboard SaaS release 3900.123.0
Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.123.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 8 July 2025 | Release to Production: Thursday, 7 August 2025
Original Course View, Ultra Course View
For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Blackboard 3900.123.0 version included below on this page. Details can be found on Anthology Global Support.
Latest release to Test/Stage servers to take place on 8 July 2025.
For more information on updates and bug fixes, please visit Anthology Global Support.
The August 2025 - 3900.123 release is robust with features in six areas:
- Instructional design;
- Communication and collaboration;
- Gradebook;
- Blackboard core;
- Upgrade to Ultra; and
- Premium
These improvements impact instructors, students, and administrators. Some features do require administrative action.
Instructors:
- Video Studio: Use Video Studio in Announcements
- Increased accessibility in the student Overview page
- Grade Export: Notification appears when grade approval is completed
- Grade Export: Sort columns in the approval workflow
- Grade Export: Access student username on the grade level approval screen
Instructors and Students:
Students
- Adding table of contents and full-width assessment panel to Learning Modules
- Course Catalog: Discover important information about courses on redesigned course tiles
- Course Catalog: Clarify enrollment steps with improved prompts and feedback
- Increased accessibility in the student Gradebook
Instructors and Administrators:
- Ensure new courses use the latest Learning Object Repository content
- Ensure consistency with course-level group conversion
- Enhance usability on the Associations page of the Learning Object Repository
- Improve LTI tool management with flexible copy options
- Grade Export: Use new approval statuses in Advanced Course Search
- Use upgraded Rustici SCORM Engine
Administrators:
Instructional Design
Ensure new courses use the latest Learning Object Repository content – 3900.123
Impact: Instructors and administrators
Updated Help Topic: Learning Object Repository
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors and Administrators
We enhanced the syncing logic in the Learning Object Repository. Courses that have ended or are marked as complete don't receive updates from the Learning Object Repository. This means Learning Object Repository objects may be updated after a course ends, but before that course is used as a template for a new one, which could cause outdated content to be copied forward.
Image 1. The current sync model can result in an outdated copy of an object.
Now, when content is copied from one course to another, the system will automatically pull in the latest version of each Learning Object Repository object to ensure that new courses always start with the most current materials. As a result, content authors no longer need to manually update Learning Object Repository objects after a course begins.
Image 2. Copied objects are automatically updated in the new sync model.
The new behavior doesn't apply if the destination course is past its end date or has been marked as complete.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Enhance usability on the Associations page of the Learning Object Repository – 3900.123
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Learning Object Repository
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
The Associations Page has been improved for better clarity and usability.
- Added support for courses with a duration type of "Days from the date of enrollment"
- Fixed an issue where a 0 would display when loading the Associations Page
- Associations that aren't part of a term will now display as "--" under the Term Column
- Accessing an object's associations from the More options menu will now take the user to the tab view of the Associations page
Image 1. The Associations tab now shows a “--” under the Term column.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Track sync progress from Learning Object Repository to courses and organizations – 3900.123
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Learning Object Repository
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We added a new task type, "Sync from Repository/Template," to the Tasks and Logs page in the Learning Object Repository. This feature allows users to monitor the progress of updates being applied from the repository to all linked courses and organizations. Users can track when the sync is created, started, and completed. This enhancement helps users confirm that updates have been successfully delivered to the appropriate courses and organizations.
Image 1. The new task type, “Sync from Repository/Template,” is on the Tasks and Logs page.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improve LTI tool management with flexible copy options – 3900.123
Impact: Instructors and administrators
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors
Previously, LTI tools were only included when performing a full course copy. With this update, users who have the appropriate permissions can now select and copy individual LTIs. This enhancement provides greater flexibility and control for instructors and administrators using LTI tools.
While the LTI standard—particularly LTI 1.3 with LTI Advantage—supports copying tools between courses, the actual behavior of copied LTIs depends on how each provider has implemented the standard. Some tools may function immediately after copying, while others might require manual relinking or configuration to work properly in the new course.
To ensure a smooth experience, we recommend testing all copied LTI links, especially those involving grade synchronization, user data, or other course-specific functionality.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Communication & Collaboration
Video Studio: Use Video Studio in Announcements – 3900.123
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Video Studio (Instructor)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Announcements now support video and audio content through Video Studio. This update, including a new Video Studio button in the Announcements content editor, replaces the Capture tool. This feature is integrated in the core Blackboard product and doesn’t require a separate Video Studio license. Video Studio in Announcements makes video and audio creation more consistent across the platform, improving both usability and accessibility.
Instructors
Instructors can use Video Studio in Announcements to record or upload video and audio. The redesigned Video Studio button launches the standard Video Studio workflow, which automatically generates captions and transcripts. This makes content more accessible and supports personalized, engaging communication.
Administrators
Availability: Included as part of Blackboard. This feature doesn’t require a Video Studio License.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Ensure consistency with course-level group conversion – 3900.123
Impact: Instructors and administrators
Updated Help Topic: Create and Manage Groups
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors and administrators
We streamlined the process of converting groups from activity-level to course-level to improve consistency and ease of use for instructors.
All activity-level groups are now automatically converted to course-level groups:
- During course conversion from Original to Ultra.
- When course materials are copied into a new course.
All group associations with content items are preserved, so instructors don’t need to manually reassociate groups with content. Course-level groups offer more consistent group management and are easier to use across the course. This update ensures a smoother experience for instructors managing group activities.
Group behavior for exact copies hasn’t changed.
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Gradebook
Increased accessibility in the student Gradebook – 3900.123
Impact: Student
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
To improve accessibility, we updated the student Gradebook to use a semantic HTML table structure. This change replaces the previous layout, which relied on stacked <div> elements. The new structure improves screen reader support and keyboard navigation.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Increased accessibility in the student Overview page – 3900.123
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
To improve accessibility, we updated the student Overview page to use a semantic HTML table structure. This change replaces the previous layout, which relied on stacked <div> elements. The new structure improves screen reader support and keyboard navigation.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Turn on DirectSubmit functionality – 3900.123
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: DirectSubmit
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
The DirectSubmit feature allows instructors to submit papers directly to SafeAssign for originality checking, even outside of student assignments. With this update, administrators have the ability to manage faculty access to DirectSubmit based on institutional preferences. By default, DirectSubmit remains available, ensuring seamless access to SafeAssign’s plagiarism detection capabilities.
This update to DirectSubmit includes several additional enhancements:
- Instructors can delete submitted items.
- Mobile app callbacks improve integration.
- A new column provides direct links to download original submissions.
- A workflow for suggesting URLs enhances content comparison.
- Grading icons now align with updated design standards.
Instructors
When administrators set DirectSubmit as available, instructors can delete submitted items, access original submission downloads, and benefit from consistent grading icons. These enhancements streamline the workflow and improve usability.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: This feature is turned on by default. Administrators can turn it on or off by going to the Administrator Panel. Select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select SafeAssign Direct Submit to turn on or off.
Grade Export: Notification appears when grade approval action is completed – 3900.123
Test/Stage: 11 July 2025; Production: 11 July 2025
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
A notification now appears at the top of the screen when graders take an action in the approval workflow, such as approving or extracting grades. This message indicates success or displays an error message. The notification helps users understand the outcome and avoid confusion.
Instructors
Image 1: A notification banner appears at the top of the screen stating that the grades were approved successfully.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Grade Export: Sort columns in the approval workflow – 3900.123
Test/Stage: 11 July 2025; Production: 11 July 2025
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Graders can now sort columns in the approval workflow by selecting the arrow next to the column header name. They can sort in ascending or descending order to organize items in a way that fits their workflow and makes items easier to find. This helps users quickly focus on the most relevant items and reduces time spent searching.
Instructors
Image 1: Instructors can click the arrows next to the column header name to sort the items in the column.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Grade Export: Access student username on the grade level approval screen – 3900.123
Test/Stage: 11 July 2025; Production: 11 July 2025
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We added the student username as a column to the grade level approval screen. This gives graders a way to differentiate between students who have the same or similar names, preventing confusion.
Instructors
Image 1: The grade level approval screen now has a username column.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Grade Export: Use new approval statuses in Advanced Course Search – 3900.123
Test/Stage: 11 July 2025; Production: 11 July 2025
Impact: Instructors and Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
When using the Advanced Course Search, administrators and instructors who have the correct permissions will now be able to specify a wider variety of approval statuses to filter by, including Error, Locked, Partially Approved, and more. This gives users the ability to fine tune their searches and obtain more granular results, resulting in increased efficiency.
Instructors and Administrators
Administrators and instructors with appropriate permissions can now choose from the following statuses to filter by in the Advanced Course Search:
- All
- Approved
- Extracted
- Error
- Locked
- Partially Approved
- Partially Extracted
- Submitted
- Unapproved
- Unlocked
Image 1: The Status filter in the Advanced Course Search now has a wider variety of options to choose from.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Blackboard Core
Adding table of contents and full-width assessment panel to Learning Modules - 3900.123
Impact: Students
Updated Help Topic: Learning Modules (Student)
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-159
A table of contents for the instructor view is coming in a future release.
We’ve redesigned the Learning Module experience for students by adding a collapsible table of contents. This update improves navigation, orientation, and progress tracking. Additionally, assessments now open in a full panel in Learning Modules. These updates create a more consistent and focused user experience.
This feature will be released to test environments in July and production in August. Institutions can opt out during the initial rollout.
Students
Students now have a simplified way to navigate and track progress in Learning Modules. Updates include:
- A table of contents for the items in a Learning Module. Select Contents to open and collapse the table of contents
Image 1: Learning Modules now contain a Table of Contents panel to orient students within Learning Modules for their courses. The panel can be collapsed with the arrow button at the top of the Table of Contents.
- Easy navigation between items
- Manual or automatic item completion tracking from within the Learning Module
- Next and Previous buttons moved closer together at the top of the page for an improved experience.
Forced sequence in Learning Modules
When sequencing is enforced, students must use the Next and Previous buttons to move through content in order. Students can’t jump ahead using the table of contents unless they have already completed the item they are navigating to. Skipping ahead without completing a Learning Module item is disabled in this mode.
Image 2: The navigation buttons Previous and Next now appear closer to each other in the user interface within Learning Modules to give an improved user experience.
Assessments within Learning Modules
Assessments now open in a full panel, providing a consistent and distraction-free experience.
Image 3: The Assessments pages within Learning Modules now appear as a full-sized panel.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: Opt-out during rollout. To opt out: in the Administrator Panel, select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select and switch off Content navigator to navigate between learning module items.
Configuration: None needed.
Use SIS integration to bulk update course completion status – 3900.123
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Managing Course Terms and Access
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Administrators can now use the Student Information System (SIS) integration to update course and organization completion status in bulk. This builds on last month’s update, which added bulk completion management via the Administrator Panel. With this enhancement, administrators can automate completion and uncompletion actions through SIS, improving consistency and reducing manual work.
Data can now be added to a new column in their SIS flat file called Complete. Use Y to mark a course or organization as complete, or N to mark it as incomplete. This update applies only during SIS update operations—not during course or organization creation.
To use this feature, go to Data Integration in the Administrator Panel, then select Student Information System Integrations. Select Upload Feed File and upload your file.
Administrators
Availability: This feature is available for all Ultra courses and organizations. It can be used for Original Course View, but setting an Original Course to complete will turn off notifications and might block future updates.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Integrations
Use upgraded Rustici SCORM Engine – 3900.123
Impact: Administrators, Instructors
Updated Help Page: Add SCORM Packages (Instructor), SCORM Engine (Administrator)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Rustici SCORM Engine is upgraded from version 20.1 to version 23 to ensure continued support, improved performance, and access to the SCORM standards. This update enhances compatibility, applies critical security patches, and lays the groundwork for future SCORM-related improvements.
The upgrade supports a wide range of SCORM standards, including SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004, and others. It also reduces bugs and improves the stability of SCORM content delivery in Blackboard Ultra.
Benefits of version 23 include:
- xAPI 2.0 support along with Engine LRS improvements
- Import and launch streaming video formats HLS or MPEG-DASH
- Alternate configuration sources for Hashicorp’s Vault and Consul
Do not modify SCORM-related database tables. Changes may disrupt the functionality of the upgraded engine.
Administrator
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed, but institutions are encouraged to test SCORM content post-upgrade.
Upgrade to Ultra
Enhance visual consistency for embedded LTI tools – 3900.123
Impact: Instructors and students
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors and students
Previously, the width of embedded LTI tools was determined by the dimensions specified by the provider. This often led to unused space and grey letterboxing on either side of the content within Blackboard. With this update, all embedded LTIs now default to 100% width. This ensures that responsive tools make full use of the available space and aligns their behavior with standalone LTIs on the Course or Organization Content page, which also use 100% width by default.
This change brings visual consistency across Blackboard and enhances the user experience by eliminating unnecessary spacing and improving content presentation.
Attention LTI Providers: With our recent update, all embedded LTIs now default to 100% width. This ensures responsive tools utilize the full available space. We strongly encourage providers to test their integrations and make any necessary changes to ensure proper display and compatibility with this new behavior.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Premium
Course Catalog: Discover important information about courses on redesigned course tiles
Test/Stage: week of 14 July 2025; Production: week of 14 July 2025
Impact: Students
Updated Help Topic: Catalog
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Redesigned course tiles now display important information for guests and logged-in users, preventing the need to open the course details panel to access that information about the course. A consistent Learn More call-to-action button now appears on each tile to provide a consistent look and feel throughout the catalog. These updates make course information more accessible to all students.
Students
Each course tile now clearly states:
- whether the course is free or paid
- how many badges and certificates are associated with the course
- if an access code is required to enroll in the course
- if admin approval is required to enroll in the course
Each tile also includes a Learn More button that provides a consistent look and feel throughout the catalog.
Image 1: The course tile shows the course is free, that one certificate is associated with it, and that an access code is required to enroll. It has a Learn More button for students to discover more details about the course.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses
Activation: None needed
Configuration: None needed
Course Catalog: Clarify enrollment steps with improved prompts and feedback
Test/Stage: week of 14 July 2025; Production: week of 14 July 2025
Impact: Students
Updated Help Topic: Enroll in a Course
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We improved the enrollment experience to reduce confusion and streamline the process for both guests and logged-in users. These updates clarify next steps and provide better feedback during key interactions. They create a smoother, more predictable path from course discovery to enrollment for students.
Students
- Redesigned enrollment prompts provide relevant information about the course, such as whether admin approval is required or an access code must be entered.
Image 1: A window appears that informs the student that the course requires admin approval to enroll and provides a Continue button.
- A confirmation message is displayed after enrollment is complete, giving the user a success message and a choice of actions: Browse Catalog or Go to Dashboard.
Image 2: A confirmation message is displayed after the student enrolls that offers them the options to Browse Catalog or Go to Dashboard.
- When a guest selects an enrollment action and signs in, the system now remembers the original action. After the user signs in, a window appears that prompts them to complete the action they started.
Image 3: A window appears that prompts the user to continue with the action they started before they signed in.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Blackboard SaaS release 3900.121.0
Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.121.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 10 June 2025 | Release to Production: Thursday, 3 July 2025
Original Course View, Ultra Course View
For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Blackboard 3900.121.0 version included below on this page. Details can be found on Anthology Global Support.
Latest release to Test/Stage servers to take place on 10 June 2025.
For more information on updates and bug fixes, please visit Anthology Global Support.
The July 2025 - 3900.121 release is robust with features in eight areas:
- Instructional design;
- Mastery learning and learning pathways;
- Tests and assignments;
- Gradebook;
- Learner progression and personalized experience;
- Integrations
- Blackboard core;
- Premium
These improvements impact instructors, students, and administrators. Some features do require administrative action.
Instructors:
- Design engaging Documents faster with the AI Design Assistant
- Enhance instructor efficiency with expanded Activity page
- Hide Goals features for institutions
- Add captions to image blocks in Documents
- Review student engagement with announcements
- Support QTI question import in banks
- Apply the No Category option to Gradebook Items
- Enhanced pop-out rubric
- Navigate with previous and next functionality in Group Submissions
- Access Progress Tracking tool via Course Settings
- Video Studio: Create and edit recordings in Forms
Instructors and Students:
- Retroactively assign achievements to students
- Render mathematical formulas with MathJax
- Video Studio: Create and edit recordings in Assignments and Tests
- Video Studio: Editing capabilities in Discussions
Students:
- Course Catalog: Access More Information text with keyboard navigation
- Course Catalog: Enter confirmation codes with improved screen reader support
Administrators:
- Control how descriptions convert from Original to Ultra
- Allow instructors to switch between folders and learning modules
- Learning Object Repository: Identify object usage across courses and organizations
- Learning Object Repository: Enhance usability with modification date
- Learning Object Repository: Updated deletion message to show effects on associated items
- Advanced analytics with subject and term type sorting
- Manage Bulk Completion for Courses and Organizations
- Ensure visibility of file attachment options for node administrators in the Institutional Hierarchy
- Course Catalog: Navigate side panels more easily with keyboard and screen readers
All Users:
Instructional Design
Design engaging Documents faster with the AI Design Assistant – 3900.121
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Create Documents
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors
Instructors can now use the AI Design Assistant to build visually appealing, interactive Documents more efficiently. The AI Design Assistant suggests layouts, generates knowledge checks, and generates or suggests images—saving time and helping students stay engaged. Instructors can focus more on teaching rather than formatting.
- Attractive layouts
- The AI Design Assistant suggests clean, structured layouts and adds helpful headings automatically.
- Images
- Instructors can include AI-generated images or choose from a selection of stock images from Unsplash.
- Knowledge checks
- The AI Design Assistant generates multiple choice questions based on the Document’s content to help check student understanding.
Generating document layouts is especially helpful for instructors using the Convert a file block. The Convert a file block efficiently brings all content into a single block, making it quick and easy to get started. The AI Design Assistant enhances this process by automatically organizing the content into separate, structured blocks—saving instructors time and effort while improving the overall course layout.
Image 1. The Document has two content blocks of text content and nothing else.
Image 2. The Document now has a heading, an image positioned alongside the text, and a knowledge check.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: The AI Design Assistant must be turned on before it can be used for Document layouts. In the Administrator panel, go to Building Blocks. Select Installed Tools to access AI Design Assistant and Unsplash settings. Make sure that the AI Design Assistant is turned on, then set Suggest document layout to On.
Add captions to image blocks in Documents – 3900.121
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Create Documents
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-4541
Instructors
Instructors can now add captions above or below image blocks in Documents. Captions provide context and support understanding, helping students engage more deeply with visual content.
Image 1. Instructors can go to Edit File Options to add image captions and set positions.
Image 2. The image caption appears above the image and provides more context.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Control how descriptions convert from Original to Ultra – 3900.121
Impact: Instructors and administrators
Updated Help Topic: Convert Courses to Ultra - Bulk Conversion
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors
We added a new feature to control how folder and learning module descriptions are converted from Original to Ultra. Original courses support rich formatting, embedded multimedia, file attachments, and over 750 characters in folder and learning module descriptions. When converted to Ultra, descriptions are limited to plain text with a 750-character limit. This can result in data loss. To prevent data loss, we added the option to convert folder and learning module descriptions to Documents during conversions from Original to Ultra.
Administrators
Administrators can find the feature labeled as Convert Folder and Learning Module Descriptions to Documents in Ultra Experience Management. When the feature is turned on, descriptions are converted into Documents to preserve content. The Document is placed within the associated folder or learning module. When the feature is off, descriptions convert as plain text with a 750-character limit.
We turned on this feature by default to prevent the high chance of data loss during conversion. When bulk converting courses, institutions need to decide whether they want this new feature turned on to reduce the amount of work to get courses ready for teaching and learning.
Image 1. The Convert Folder and Learning Module Descriptions to Documents feature is turned on by default.
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: Go to Ultra Experience Management to find the new toggle switch for the Convert Folder and Learning Module Descriptions to Documents feature.
Learning Object Repository: Enhance usability with modification date – 3900.121
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Learning Object Repository
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We added a Date Modified column to the Learning Object Repository. This enhancement allows users to quickly review the most recent modification date for each learning object. Users can easily identify the most recently updated content and sort objects by newest or oldest.
Image 1. The Date Modified column is now in the Learning Object Repository.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learning Object Repository: Identify object usage across courses and organizations – 3900.121
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Learning Object Repository
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We added a new Associations page to the Learning Object Repository. The Associations page lists which courses and organizations are using a specific object from the repository. With this enhancement, institutions can better understand how widely a resource is used and identify which courses may be affected before making updates. This supports more informed decision-making and change management.
Image 1. The Associations page lists the courses an object is associated with and includes the course availability.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learning Object Repository: Updated deletion message to show effects on associated items – 3900.121
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Learning Object Repository
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We updated the pop-up Delete message associated with deleting an item in the Learning Object Repository. Users now receive more information about what happens to associated objects when they delete an item, including the number of objects affected. This change responds to feedback that the original message was unclear.
Previous text when deleting an object:
"Are you sure you want to permanently delete this object? This action cannot be undone."
Revised text when deleting an object:
"Are you sure you want to permanently delete this object? This action cannot be undone. Deleting this object will affect [number] associated objects in courses and/or organizations. The associated objects will be disconnected from the Learning Object Repository, allowing full editing within courses and organizations."
Image 1. Users will receive a new, longer message when they select Delete.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Allow instructors to switch between folders and learning modules – 3900.121
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Create Learning Modules
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors
We streamlined the teaching experience by removing the Change Learning Module to Folder or Folder to Learning Module feature flag. Starting in version 3900.121, instructors can always change folders to learning modules and vice versa. Institutions that previously turned the feature off will now have it on by default. This update reflects Blackboard’s strategy of rolling out new features incrementally, while allowing institutions the flexibility to adopt them at their own pace.
Image 1. The Change Folder to Learning Module or Learning Module to Folder feature flag is in Ultra Experience Management.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Advanced analytics with subject and term type sorting – 3900.121
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Institutional Hierarchy
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Administrators can now sort courses by subject and terms by type to better organize data and improve reporting. These updates support deeper insights into student performance across programs, departments, and academic structures. The update to terms is fully backwards compatible.
- Sort Courses by Subject: Group courses by subject to analyze learning outcomes across similar programs and course types. Subjects can be linked to nodes to reflect your institution’s hierarchy.
- Sort Terms by Type: Compare performance across different academic calendars or structures with more flexible term organization.
Benefits Across Roles
These enhancements support a range of institutional needs:
- Administrators
- Organize courses into parent-child relationships and term types.
- Generate reports that highlight trends in student performance and engagement.
- Program Directors
- Review data across programs and departments.
- Identify trends and areas for curriculum improvement.
- Support accreditation reporting with data-driven decisions.
- Instructional Designers
- Review data across programs and departments.
- Identify trends and areas for curriculum improvement.
- Support accreditation reporting with data-driven decisions.
These new sorting options bring more structure to academic data, helping institutions make informed decisions at every level.
Image 1. Administrators can access the new Subjects sorting feature directly from the Administrator panel.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Hide Goals features for institutions – 3900.121
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Goals
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-790, LEARNU-E-475
Instructors
We streamlined the Goals feature to reduce distractions for instructors. If an institution doesn’t use Goals, the option to align course items with goals is hidden. Goal Reports on the Analytics page are also hidden. These updates help instructors focus on the tools that support their teaching.
Image 1. The Align with goals option will no longer be available in course item settings if an institution doesn’t use the Goals feature.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Retroactively assign achievements to students – 3900.121
Impact: Instructors and students
Updated Help Topic: Achievements
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-6358, LEARNU-E-336
Instructors and students
Achievements can now be awarded after an assessment is created or completed. Instructors can use them more flexibly to recognize student progress. Students automatically receive any Achievements they’ve earned, no matter when they were added. This update empowers instructors to use Achievements more dynamically and ensures students are recognized for their accomplishments.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Tests & Assignments
Support QTI question import in banks – 3900.121
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Question Banks and Import or Export Test, Surveys, and Pools
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-2654
Instructors
To enhance interoperability and streamline assessment creation, we now support importing questions from QTI packages into banks. Instructors and instructional designers often use different tools to create assessments, and ensuring a smooth transfer of questions between platforms is critical. With this update, users can import QTI v2.1 formatted questions into banks efficiently, maintaining compatibility with industry standards.
Questions that are supported include:
- True/False
- Multiple Choice
- Multiple Answer
- Fill-in-the-blank
- Essay
During the import process, users will receive notifications indicating the upload progress, success, or failure. If any individual questions cannot be converted due to unsupported types or behaviors, the system will provide clear feedback, ensuring instructors are informed of limitations.
This improvement allows institutions to leverage QTI-based assessment content more effectively, making course transitions and content management more seamless.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Gradebook
Apply the No Category option to Gradebook Items – 3900.121
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Grade categories
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-4041, LEARNU-I-4803, LEARNU-I-3649, LEARNU-I-5824
Managing graded items is now more flexible with the addition of the No Category option in the Grade Category dropdown menu. This change allows instructors to remove an item from a category without needing to assign it elsewhere. By selecting No Category, no category data is stored, keeping grading workflows simple while maintaining consistency.
Instructors
Instructors can now remove an item from a category when it's not needed, without automatically assigning it to another category. The No Category option appears in the Grade Category dropdown menu for all items, making it easy to keep grading structures clean and organized.
Selecting No Category ensures that the item is not linked to any grading category, and no data is stored for it in the system. This provides a more streamlined way to manage grades without unnecessary assignments. Instructors can now tailor grade organization more precisely to fit their course needs.
Image 1: No Category option is available in the Grade Category dropdown menu.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Enhanced pop-out rubric – 3900.121
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We made several enhancements to the pop-out rubric in the Gradebook.
- Attempting to close the pop-out rubric without saving your changes prompts a warning, reminding you to save your changes.
- Selecting Save no longer closes the pop-out rubric.
- We improved keyboard navigation, specifically arrow key and tab interaction, for the grid table.
Image 1: Warning appears when an instructor attempts to close the pop-out rubric without saving changes.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Navigate with previous and next functionality in Group Submissions – 3900.121
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Reviewing and grading group submissions is now more efficient with the addition of Previous and Next navigation controls. Instructors can efficiently move between group submissions using header bar controls, creating a smoother grading experience with fewer clicks.
Instructors
Instructors can now navigate between group submissions without needing to return to the submission list. The Previous and Next buttons appear in the header bar.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learner Progression & Personalized Experience
Enhance instructor efficiency with expanded Activity page – 3900.121
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Activity Page
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-171, LEARNU-I-868
We expanded and optimized the Activity page for instructors in Blackboard. Previously, the Activity page featured only the activity stream, which provided a chronological overview of course activity and upcoming events. Our latest update, developed in close collaboration with our global learning community, addresses the challenges instructors faced in managing a large number of courses. This update makes course management easier and more efficient.
The Activity page is responsive across all devices and can be accessed from both desktop web browsers and the Blackboard app. The activity stream is included with the new Activity page.
Instructors
New features on the Activity page:
- Course Section: The updated Activity page now includes a course section that outlines new activity in current, open courses since an instructor last logged into Blackboard.
- Shortcuts: New shortcuts have been added to enhance instructor efficiency.
- Go to items that need grading
- Find courses with new messages
- Access the Course Activity report directly to review students with alerts
- Shortcuts: New shortcuts have been added to enhance instructor efficiency.
- Announcements: Read important institutional announcements.
Image 1. The new Activity page has sections for announcements, courses, and the activity stream.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: This feature is turned off by default. Turn the feature on to use the new Activity page.
Configuration: Go to Ultra Experience Management in the Administrator Panel. Select Instructor Dashboard to turn the new Activity page on and off.
Review student engagement with announcements – 3900.121
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Announcements
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-730, LEARNU-I-1701
Instructors
Instructors can now verify which students have marked an announcement as viewed. By selecting the viewer count on the main Announcements page, instructors can open a list showing who has and hasn’t acknowledged the message. From this list, instructors can send a message to follow up with students who haven’t viewed the announcement or confirm that key information was received. This helps instructors understand how effectively their announcements are reaching students.
Image 1. Each announcement comes with a Viewers column on the Announcements page.
Image 2. The list of viewers for an announcement shows that two students have read the announcement and one hasn’t.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Integrations
Render mathematical formulas with MathJax – 3900.121
Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated Help Page: Math Editor (Instructor)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We’ve enhanced the formula rendering experience in the Content Editor by implementing MathJax, a powerful tool for displaying mathematical notation. This update improves the visual accuracy and consistency of LaTeX-based formulas, aligning them more closely with scientific and academic standards.
MathJax offers a more precise rendering style preferred by many STEM instructors. When activated, MathJax will automatically render LaTeX code entered directly in the Content Editor across supported areas of Blackboard. Wiris is still available as the default to render formulas for the Content Editor. If MathJax is not activated, Wiris will render formulas.
MathJax feature only supports $$..$$ delimiters at this time. MathJax rendering does not apply to the Math Editor (which is opened by selecting the plus button, then the Insert Math option in the Content Editor). Formulas created in the Math Editor continue to be rendered by Wiris.
Administrator
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: To enable Mathjax rendering for LaTeX formulas in the Content Editor, select Tools in the Tools and Utilities module in the Administrator Panel. Locate MathJax for LaTeX (Ultra Only) and with Availability ON for Course Tool and/or Organization Tool, depending on the institution's preference.
Ensure visibility of file attachment options for node administrators in the Institutional Hierarchy – 3900.121
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-585
We’ve enhanced the course archiving experience for Institutional Hierarchy Node Administrators by ensuring consistent access to file attachment options without requiring administrator enrollment in the course.
Previously, Node Administrators experienced intermittent issues where file attachment settings (such as Include File Attachments, Calculate Size, and Manage Package Content) were not visible unless administrators were manually enrolled in the course. This workaround led to unnecessary administrator enrollments in archived courses.
Enhancements include:
- Reliable Access: Node Administrators can now consistently access all archive-related options without needing to be enrolled in the course.
- Privilege Improvements: We updated system role privileges to ensure that Node Administrators inherit the necessary permissions to:
- Include or exclude file attachments during archiving
- Calculate course size
- Manage package content
- Manage archived packages
- Improved Workflow: This update eliminates the need for manual workarounds, streamlining the archiving process and preserving clean user lists.
This change improves administrative efficiency and ensures a more predictable and professional experience when managing course archives.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: Ensure Node Admins have the appropriate archive privileges assigned through their system roles.
Blackboard Core & Security
Access Progress Tracking tool via Course Settings – 3900.121
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Progress Tracking (instructors), Progress Tracking for Administrators
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We’ve streamlined the instructor experience by relocating the Progress Tracking tool from the Details & Actions section on the Course Content page and moving it to the Course Settings page. This change aligns with our ongoing effort to simplify the user interface.
Instructors
Instructors can now activate or deactivate Progress Tracking from the Course Settings page, under a new section labeled Progress Tracking. This improves an instructor’s experience by placing the tool outside of the Course Content page, which is primarily for daily work.
Image 1: The option to turn on the Progress Tracking tool for tracking student progress is now located in Course Settings.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: Instructors need the following privileges to modify Progress Tracking:
- Course/Organization Control Panel (Customization) > Modify Progress Tracking Configuration
- Course/Organization Control Panel (Customization) > Properties to access the Course Settings page
Manage Bulk Completion for Courses and Organizations – 3900.121
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Page: Managing Course Terms and Access
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Administrators can now manage the completion status of their institution’s courses and organizations in bulk. With the new Bulk Completion feature, administrators can now mark multiple Ultra courses or organizations as Complete or Not Complete in a single action—saving time and reducing manual effort.
Select Courses in the Administrator Panel and then use the search to create a list of courses to manage. Administrators can now select multiple courses or organizations on this page and apply a bulk action to update their completion status. Two options are available:
- Mark as Complete
- Unmark as Complete
Image 1: Now administrators can mark courses complete or revert complete status in bulk within the Administrator Panel.
A new green check icon appears in the Status column to indicate when a course or organization is marked Completed. If a course is both Completed and Unavailable, both the green check and the red unavailable icon display side by side.
Image 2: When a course is marked as Complete, a green check icon appears next to the course listing for that course.
Improved sorting
Status column sorting now includes completion and availability statuses as well as other usability improvements, enhancing sorting capability.
Per-Course Completion Toggle
Each course or organization now includes a dropdown menu with context-aware options:
- If the course is Not Completed, the option to Mark as Completed appears.
- If the course is Completed, the option to Mark as Not Completed appears.
Additionally, a course has context aware options for Availability. Instead of showing both options, Make Available or Make Unavailable is displayed based on context, providing a consistent and intuitive user experience.
Administrator
Availability: This feature is available for all Ultra courses and organizations. It can be used for Original Course View, but setting an Original Course as complete will disable notifications and may block other updates in the future.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: To use this feature, users must have the appropriate privileges:
- Change Completion Status (on/off)
- Partial Change Completion Status (on) (if applicable)
- Access to the Administrator Panel and course list
Premium
Video Studio: Create and edit recordings in Assignments and Tests – 3900.121
Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated Help Page: Video Studio (Instructors), Video Studio (Students)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors and students can now create, upload, and edit Video Studio recordings directly within Assignments and Tests. This enhancement supports more dynamic and personalized learning experiences by enabling multimedia instructions and submissions.
Instructors
Instructors can use the camera icon in the Rich Text Editor (RTE) to launch Video Studio when creating an Assignment or Test. They can record or upload a video or audio file to provide detailed instructions, visual examples, or emphasize key concepts. Recordings are embedded directly into the assignment or test content.
Image 1: Video Studio recordings can now be embedded within Blackboard Assessments.
Students
Students can respond to Assignments and Tests using Video Studio. They can create or upload a video or audio file as part of their submission, offering a more expressive and flexible way to demonstrate understanding.
Upload limits for students:
- Recording limit: 5 minutes
- Upload limit: 5GB
Administrator
Availability: Requires Video Studio.
Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025.
Configuration: To configure Video Studio: select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio.
Video Studio: Create and edit recordings in Forms – 3900.121
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Video Studio (Instructors)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Video Studio is now available in Forms, allowing instructors to create or upload video and audio content as part of form responses. This feature enhances engagement and clarity in feedback, surveys, and other form-based interactions.
Instructors
Instructors can embed Video Studio recordings when creating Forms, using the camera icon in the Content Editor. This allows them to provide multimedia context or instructions.
Image 1: Instructors can now embed Video Studio recordings within Blackboard Forms.
Administrator
Availability: Requires Video Studio.
Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025.
Configuration: To configure Video Studio: select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio.
Video Studio: Editing capabilities in Discussions – 3900.121
Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated Help Page: Video Studio (Instructors), Video Studio (Students)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We’ve expanded Video Studio functionality in Discussions to include editing the title, captions, and transcripts. Instructors and students can now edit their Video Studio recordings directly within discussion threads, using the same intuitive editing tools available in other areas of Blackboard.
This enhancement supports more polished and purposeful video contributions, improving the quality of asynchronous discussions.
Image 1: Instructors and students now have editing capabilities for Video Studio recordings in Discussions.
Administrator
Availability: Requires Video Studio.
Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025.
Configuration: To configure Video Studio: select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio.
Course Catalog: Navigate side panels more easily with keyboard and screen readers
Test/Stage: 9 June 2025; Production: 9 June 2025
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
When a side panel opens on administrative screens, the focus now remains within the panel instead of returning to the underlying page. This enhancement reduces navigation disruptions and provides an improved experience for users who navigate using keyboards and screen readers.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Course Catalog: Select a language with clearer guidance for screen readers
Test/Stage: 9 June 2025; Production: 9 June 2025
Impact: Students, Managers, and Administrators
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Students and Managers
The language selection button now includes improved accessibility support. The button now includes descriptive alt text, and screen readers announce it with "Select language" verbiage. These changes provide clearer guidance and a more inclusive experience for all users.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Course Catalog: Access More Information text with keyboard navigation
Test/Stage: 9 June 2025; Production: 9 June 2025
Impact: Students
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Students
The More Information text on the course tiles in the catalog is now accessible through keyboard navigation. When the information icon receives the keyboard focus, the text appears. This update ensures that users who rely on keyboard navigation can easily access additional information about courses.
Image 1: The More Information text is accessible through keyboard navigation.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Course Catalog: Enter confirmation codes with improved screen reader support
Test/Stage: 9 June 2025; Production: 9 June 2025
Impact: Students
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Students
We enhanced the accessibility of the confirmation code input fields in the sign-up workflow. Instead of multiple inputs without context, there is now a single, properly labeled input field. Screen readers correctly announce the label, providing users with the necessary context to enter information. This update improves usability and aligns with accessibility best practices.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learn SaaS release 3900.118.0
Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.118.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 6 May 2025 | Release to Production: Thursday, 5 June 2025
Original Course View, Ultra Course View
For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Blackboard 3900.118.0 version included below on this page. Details can be found on Anthology Global Support.
Latest release to Test/Stage servers to take place on 6 May 2025.
For more information on updates and bug fixes, please visit Anthology Global Support.
The June 2025 - 3900.118 release is robust with features in eight areas:
- Instructional design;
- Tests and assignments;
- Communication and collaboration;
- Gradebook;
- Learner progression and personalized experience;
- Blackboard core;
- Security and Accreditation; and
- Premium
These improvements impact instructors, students, and administrators. Some features do require administrative action.
Instructors:
- Add resizable dividers to Documents
- Student Activity Log: Simplify review of student content access
- Create Jumbled Sentence Questions
- Generate AI Jumbled Sentence Questions
- Perform Bulk Category Changes in Item Management
- Navigate the Gradable Items tab in the Gradebook
- Grade Export v2: Choose the number of items per page
- Enhance grading workflow with better navigation and layout
- Enhance stability and usability of commenting tools
Instructors and Students:
- Enhance student engagement with discussion activity indicator
- Enhanced overall appearance and usability of Knowledge Checks
- Video Studio: Create and share recordings in Discussions
Instructors and Administrators:
- Assign new Viewer system role and entitlement to manage system access
- Select IP Restriction Profiles with new search function
Administrators:
Instructional Design
Add resizable dividers to Documents – 3900.118
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Create Documents
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-5102
Instructors
We added a divider block to Documents. Dividers can be used to help students easily identify related and unrelated sections. This new feature will greatly improve the readability and structure of educational materials.
Key Features:
- Flexible: Dividers can be used in various ways to suit different instructional needs.
- Resizable: Dividers can be resized across up to four columns, providing flexible options.
Image 1. The new option to add a divider is now included among the various block types.
Image 2. The divider block spans three columns in the Document.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Enhanced overall appearance and usability of Knowledge Checks - 3900.118
Impact: Instructors and students
Updated Help Page: Create Documents
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We made several adjustments to the appearance and responsive behavior of Knowledge Checks. These changes enhance the visual effects and usability for both instructors and students.
Instructors and students
- Answer Choices: The letters of answer choices now display at the top of each answer option, rather than in the middle.
- Answer Labels: Correct and incorrect answer labels have been moved from the side of an answer option to the top.
- Question Text Padding: Padding on the right side of question text that extended past the answer text has been removed.
- Small Screen Adjustments: On very small screens, the “Correct answer” label is now shortened to “Correct.”
Instructors
- Answer Metrics: Answer metrics now appear at the top of answer text alongside the correct and incorrect answer labels.
- Visual Indicators: Instead of highlighting questions with red and green to indicate the correctness of the answer, a colored bar now appears at the top of a question.
- Result Labels: Result labels are now displayed in lowercase instead of all capital letters.
- Small Screen Padding: Padding to the left and right of the Knowledge Check results has been removed for smaller screens.
- Participation Count: The number of students who participated is no longer shown as a fraction. Instead, students are described as part of a number. For example, "2 of 8 students participated."
Image 1. The instructor view of Knowledge Check results in 3900.116.
Image 2. The instructor view of Knowledge Check results in 3900.118.
Students
We made several changes to enhance the mobile and small screen experience for students.
- Submit Button: The Submit button now occupies the entire space at the bottom of a question, rather than just partial space on the right.
- Feedback Layout: For correct answers, the checkmark indicator, correct answer feedback, and Reset button now stack vertically instead of being on a single row. This change also applies to incorrect answer feedback and the Try again button.
- Answer Selection Indicator: On all screens, the answer a student selects now has a purple line to indicate it has been chosen.
Image 3. The student view of an incorrect answer in a Knowledge Check in 3900.116.
Image 4. The student view of an incorrect answer in a Knowledge Check in 3900.118.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Tests and Assignments
Create Jumbled Sentence Questions - 3900.118
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Jumbled Sentence Questions
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-1677
Instructors
Instructors can now create jumbled sentence questions for online exams. This feature lets instructors define one or more paragraphs with blanks for students to complete. Additionally, instructors can:
- Define distractors to challenge students
- Add automated feedback for correct and incorrect answers
- Designate questions as extra credit
- Use accessibility tools, such as keyboard-only workflows, to create this question type
To create a variable, insert the variable in square brackets within the paragraph. Each variable is automatically recognized as the correct answer. Instructors can enable partial credit to award points for partially correct responses. For example, if half of the answers are correct, half of the max points are awarded.
Variables can include the following characters:
- Letters
- Digits (0-9)
- Periods (.)
- Underscores (_)
- Hyphens (-)
The question text and variable input are validated for syntax correctness, notifying instructors of any errors, such as a missing bracket.
Example paragraph with variables:
Single water molecules are held together by [covalent] bonds and multiple water molecules are held together by [hydrogen] bonds. The kind of bond where atoms are sharing electrons but are not sharing them equally is [polar covalent bond].
Saved questions display variables in bold and underlined in purple for clarity. Instructors can also manually add feedback to student responses and use the Edit/Regrade workflow during grading.
Image 1: Instructor creates a jumbled sentence question type.
Students
Answer options are displayed in a random order, ensuring fairness in the assessment experience.
Students can:
- Identify if a question is marked as extra credit
- Answer questions using assistive technology
- Auto-save their responses as they work
- Reset the question to clear all selections
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Generate AI Jumbled Sentence Questions - 3900.118
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Jumbled Sentence Questions
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
With the release of the new jumbled sentence question type, instructors can use AI to generate jumbled sentence questions.
Instructors
Jumbled Sentence is now an option in the Question Type dropdown. When creating the question in a test or a question bank, instructors can select Generate to produce the question content. Instructors can add the AI-generated jumbled sentence question to question pools or tests. Instructors can edit the AI-generated question, including points, distractors, automated feedback, extra credit, and partial credit settings.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Enhance stability and usability of commenting tools - 3900.118
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Bb Annotate
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors
We made several bug fixes in Bb Annotate.
- We fixed an issue where selecting a comment made the document turn opaque and the Close button no longer worked.
- We resolved several visual inconsistencies that occurred after the latest update.
- The group dropdown in the toolbar is now showing in dark theme.
- Colors are consistent when hovering and selecting tools.
- Dropdown menus are now always in white.
- Buttons on the toolbar are white.
- Bookmarks now all have the same color background.
- The Save and Cancel buttons in the comment box are correctly aligned.
- Anonymous comments can be added. o Comments can be customized when the comment box is open while the screen is resized.
- We fixed an issue in Firefox where using the Backspace key made the cursor go to the top of the comment box when released.
- The Save button now correctly displays in comment boxes instead of an up arrow.
- Comment formatting options are available in Annotate Fit Width view while editing a comment.
- When a link is selected within a comment, editing options remain available.
These fixes will go to production on the following dates:
Asia Pacific: May 23, 2025
Europe, Africa, and the Middle East: May 26, 2025
North and South America: May 26, 2025
Administrator
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Enhance grading workflow with better navigation and layout - 3900.118
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Bb Annotate
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors
We added two new features to Bb Annotate.
- We added bookmarks to the navigation. Instructors can use bookmarks to quickly move between pages in a student submission while grading. This enhancement streamlines the grading workflow by allowing instructors to navigate student submissions more efficiently.
Image 1. Instructors can select bookmarks to navigate.
- At low resolutions or zoomed in, the comment box spans the bottom of the screen instead of being a pop-up. This update improves accessibility and usability, enhancing the overall grading experience.
Image 2. The comment box now appears at the bottom instead of as a pop-up.
Administrator
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Communication & Collaboration
Enhance student engagement with discussion activity indicator – 3900.118
Impact: Instructors and students
Updated Help Page: Discussions (for instructors), Discussions (for students)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors and students
We improved the discussion experience by adding another indicator of activity. This addition encourages student engagement and makes it easier for instructors to track student activity.
- Unread Discussion Posts: The Discussions page now shows the number of unread discussion posts from anywhere in a course.
Image 1. From the Course Content page, the link to the Discussions page now has a number beside it that indicates the number of new discussion posts.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Convert activity-level groups to course-level groups during course restores – 3900.118
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Page: Restore Courses
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We simplified the process of converting groups when a course is restored. Previously, activity-level groups remained activity-level groups during a course restore. Now, activity-level groups are converted to course-level groups. This change is part of our ongoing transition to exclusively use course-level groups in Blackboard. The first stage of this process is course restoration and import.
This update provides more consistency for instructors and streamlines the course restoration process for administrators.
Key Features:
- Content Associations: Groups keep their associations with content items.
- Enrollment and Membership: Enrollment and membership details are retained.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Gradebook
Perform Bulk Category Changes in Item Management - 3900.118
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-311
Building on the new Item Management Gradebook view, instructors can now perform bulk category changes for Gradebook items.
Instructors
Instructors can select one or more gradebook columns on the Item Management page and assign them to an existing category.
This feature allows instructors to efficiently organize and manage gradebook items. Changing the category of a gradebook item updates the category label for display purposes without altering the item itself. The process follows the familiar Bulk Edit interface pattern, where instructors can select items, select Change Category, and use the modal to view and select available categories.
Image 1: Instructor is bulk changing the category for multiple selected gradebook items.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Navigate the Gradable Items tab in the Gradebook
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Accessibility Overview
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors
We have an ongoing commitment to the usability and accessibility of the Gradebook. The Gradable Items tab uses a table-based layout to improve navigation and interaction for instructors who use keyboards and screen readers. This makes the Gradebook more accessible for all instructors.
Image 1. The Gradable Items tab is accessible from the Gradebook page.
Navigate the Gradable Items tab by keyboard
- Use the Tab key to go to the Gradable Items tab.
- Tab to the Gradable Items table header to enter the table.
- Use the arrow keys to navigate the table.
- The Tab key will take you out of the table and to the Close button. Shift + Tab returns you to the Settings button.
Navigate the Gradable Items tab with screen readers
Screen reader users can navigate to the Gradable Items tab using the keyboard instructions. You can also use the specialized keyboard combination for your screen reader to go directly to the table.
- JAWS: Use Insert + Control + T
- NVDA: Use T, then Control + Down arrow to enter the table
- VoiceOver: Use Control + Option + Command + Right arrow key to choose the table option
- Once in the table, screen reader users can use table navigation (Control + Alt + arrow keys) to navigate the table.
- If you want to add content, use the down arrow to go to the More options button at the end of the row. The next down arrow will be the Add content button.
Note for JAWS users
- JAWS users can move left or right in any row by using table navigation keys.
- To move up and down between assignment rows, navigate to the Item column first.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Student Activity Log: Simplify review of student content access – 3900.118
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Student Activity Log
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-6169
Instructors
We added a new filter to the Student Activity Log to enhance tracking and reviewing student engagement. This update streamlines the evaluation process and provides more comprehensive data for instructors.
- Enhanced LTI Access Filter: The LTI access filter includes all types of LTI items, including LTI placeholders. This provides instructors with more detailed insights into how students interact with LTI elements in their courses.
Image 1. The LTI Access filter is in the Event menu.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Blackboard Core
Assign new Viewer system role and entitlement to manage system access – 3900.118
Impact: Instructors, Administrators
Updated Help page: Roles and Privileges (Administrator); System Roles (Administrator)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Administrators can now assign an entitlement and role that provides access to all course materials, grades, and user information without editing capabilities by default. Administrators can also customize this role to give it specific capabilities as needed. This role is ideal for academic deans, department chairs, and external auditors who need comprehensive access to review academic content and performance within Blackboard.
More about the Viewer role:
- System role. This is a system-level role that can be flexibly implemented based on institutional needs. By default, users with this role can enter the Administrator Panel to search for courses.
- Comprehensive viewing access. Users with this role can view all course materials, grades, attempts, feedback, discussions, and unavailable content, as well as user information.
- No editing capabilities. By default, this role is strictly read-only, ensuring users can’t make any changes to the content, grades, user information, or system configurations. Administrators can customize the role and add specific editing privileges as needed.
- Customizable privileges. While the default settings provide broad viewing access, institutions can customize the privileges to restrict access to specific areas if needed. In addition, it can be customized to allow the role to edit specific information as needed.
Use cases:
- Academic deans reviewing student coursework and academic standards;
- Department chairs monitoring faculty adherence to course requirements and instructional design standards for both available and unavailable courses within their department; and
- External auditors conducting reviews for accreditation purposes.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed. Entitlements included in Viewer role:
- user.only.VIEW
- course.gradebook-grades.execute.only.VIEW
- course.gradebook.only.VIEW
- course.groups.admin.only.VIEW
- course.pool.VIEW
- system.admin.only.VIEW
- course.announcements.VIEW
- course.adaptiverelease.VIEW
- course.assessment.results.VIEW
- course.calendar.VIEW
- course.content.VIEW
- course.content.designer.VIEW
- course.assessment.exceptions.VIEW
- course.gradebook-item.exceptions.VIEW
- course.gradebook-grades.VIEW
- course.gradebook-metadata.VIEW
- course.gradebook.attempts.VIEW
- course.groups.VIEW
- course.progress.information.VIEW
- course.rubrics.VIEW
- course.tools.VIEW
- system.administration.top.VIEW
- system.course.VIEW
- system.org.VIEW
- system.user.VIEW
- system.user.course.enrollment.VIEW
- system.user.org.enrollment.VIEW
- course.assessment.VIEW
- course.learningstandards.alignment.VIEW
- Course.ultra.discussion.groups.VIEW
Security and Accreditation
Select IP Restriction Profiles with new search function – 3900.118
Impact: Instructors, Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Restrict Location (Instructor), Assessment IP Address Filtering (Administrator)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors and administrators can now use a search function to select IP restriction profiles for defining test-taking locations when creating tests. This search functionality enhances the user experience by simplifying the process of identifying and managing profiles.
Administrators can access this search functionality in the Administrator Panel. Select Course Settings, then Grading Security Settings. After entering letters in the search bar and selecting Go, the list of profiles is filtered to display profiles that match the entered letters.
Image 1: The Grading Security Settings page now includes a search bar that filters profiles based on the letters entered.
Instructors
When creating or revising a test, instructors can restrict the test-taking location by selecting an available profile in the Location Restriction field of the Assessment Settings.
Instead of scrolling through a long dropdown menu containing many profiles, instructors can simply perform a search. This new search functionality allows instructors to enter letters in the search bar, filtering the available profiles to those that match the entered letters. This improves the user experience by reducing the need to scroll.
Image 2: Location Restriction field now includes a search bar for filtering available profiles.
Image 3: When letters are entered in the Location Restriction search bar, the profiles are filtered to show those that match the letters entered.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Premium
Video Studio: Create and share recordings in Discussions - 3900.118
Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated Help Page: Video Studio (Instructors), Video Studio (Students)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Update title and edit transcript capabilities in Discussions will be available in July 3900.121 release.
Instructors and students can now record, upload, and view Video Studio recordings in Discussions. Previously, students could only view Video Studio content. Now, they can create Video Studio recordings in Discussions. These improvements enhance the course experience by allowing both instructors and students to create dynamic discussions with engaging video and audio recordings.
Instructors
When creating a discussion topic, instructors can access Video Studio by selecting the camera button on the Rich Text Editor (RTE) panel. They can upload or create a recording using the existing Video Studio workflow, which embeds the recording in the Rich Text Editor. Instructors can also add descriptive text along with the embedded recording.
Image 1: Instructors can now embed Video Studio recordings when they create Discussion topics in a course.
Instructors can also add Video Studio content in discussion responses by selecting the camera button in the RTE panel.
Instructors can also view Video Studio content within Discussions, both their own and that of their students.
Students
Students have the same ability as instructors to respond to discussion topics with responses with Video Studio recordings. When creating a response, students select the camera button in the RTE panel to create or upload a recording.
All video and audio content created or uploaded within a discussion thread can be viewed by students.
Image 2: Students can now create and upload Video Studio recordings in Discussion posts.
Administrator
Availability: Video Studio is a premium solution.
Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025. This trial provides access to the full version of Video Studio. Video Studio is set to OFF as a default in test/stage and production environments. If you want to enable it in your institution’s environment, you can do that for free until the end of June 2025.
Configuration: To configure Video Studio: select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond June 30, 2025, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it.
Anthology Adopt: Create embedded user guides
Impact: Administrators
Updated pages: Anthology Adopt Guides
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Administrators can now create embedded guides, which provide guidance directly embedded into Blackboard. Unlike overlay guides, embedded guides are placed inline within Blackboard content areas, ensuring a seamless user experience.
Embedded Guide capability:
- Embed guides. Surface guidance directly within Blackboard, without needing to launch a guide.
- Enhance usability. Create a non-disruptive experience by having guidance embedded in the page.
- Customizable appearance. Align an embedded guide to match the design and user experience of your Blackboard instance.
Image 1: Administrators can now create embedded guides inline with Blackboard content areas.
For more information, go to Anthology Adopt Guides.
Administrator
Availability: Anthology Adopt Powered by Pendo is a premium offering from Anthology.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Anthology Adopt: Track user interaction with Guides in Path reports
Impact: Administrators
Updated pages: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Administrators can now see how users interact with Guides in Path reports. This feature provides insights into how users reach and continue their journey after experiencing a guide. This update improves path analysis by offering visibility into guide views within user paths.
Guide Activity in Paths feature:
- Improved visibility. Create a deeper understanding into user behavior based on interactions with guides within their journey.
- Enhance guide optimization. Pinpoint where users drop off or continue after interacting with guides.
Image 1: Anthology Adopt Path reports from Base Navigation-Activity Stream.
Administrator
Availability: Anthology Adopt Powered by Pendo is a premium offering from Anthology.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Grade Export v2: Choose the number of items per page – 3900.118
Test/Stage: week of May 19th; Production: week of May 19th
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors can now choose to display 10, 50, or 100 items per page in the approval workflow. Displaying more items on a single page reduces the need to switch pages, making the approval process more efficient. Instructors can adjust the number of items shown to match their preferences and workflow needs.
Image 1: Instructors can choose the number of items to display on each page in the approval workflow.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learn SaaS release 3900.116.0
Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.116.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 8 April 2025 | Release to Production: Thursday, 1 May 2025
Original Course View, Ultra Course View
For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Blackboard 3900.116.0 version included below on this page. Details can be found on Anthology Global Support.
Latest release to Test/Stage servers to take place on 8 April 2025.
For more information on updates and bug fixes, please visit Anthology Global Support.
The May 2025 - 3900.116 release is robust with features in 7 areas:
- Instructional design;
- Mastery learning and learning pathways;
- Communication and collaboration;
- Tests & Assignments;
- Gradebook;
- Blackboard Core & Security; and
- Premium
These improvements impact instructors, students, and administrators. Some features do require administrative action.
Instructors:
- AI Design Assistant: Auto-generate AI Conversations
- Achievements show current recipients without browser refresh
- Qualitative rubrics with no-points option
- Gradebook accessibility enhancements
- Grade Export v2: Pagination added to the approval workflow
- Grade Export v2: Select items across pages added to the approval workflow
- Grade Export v2: Buttons that are not enabled no longer appear in the approval workflow
- Grade Export v2: Columns renamed on Grades Approval and Transfer screen
- Video Studio - Analytics for student engagement
- Video Studio - Automatically detect different speakers in a recording
- Course Catalog: Copy discussions from course template
Instructors and Students:
- Enhancements to discussions
- “View submission one time” test results setting
- Text-based columns in Gradebook
- Video Studio - 360° Video: easy link from desktop to Virtual Reality Headset
Instructors and Administrators:
- Learning Object Repository: New search function for inserting objects
- Learning Object Repository: Notification emails
- IP Restriction for Ultra Courses - Multiple Test Rooms – Hide Profiles
Students:
Administrators:
Instructional Design
AI Design Assistant: Auto-generate AI Conversations – 3900.116
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: AI Conversation
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors
The AI Design Assistant can now auto-generate AI Conversations. AI Conversations are conversations between students and an AI persona.
- Socratic Questioning: Conversations that encourage students to think critically through continuous questioning.
- Role-play: Conversations that allow students to play out scenarios with the AI persona, enhancing their learning experience.
Creating personas and topics for an AI Conversation can take a lot of time. To streamline this process, the AI Design Assistant can generate three suggestions at once. You can select what the AI Design Assistant generates. You can choose to generate:
- AI Conversation title
- AI persona
- Reflection question
These suggestions provide inspiration for an AI Conversation. Instructors can refine the AI Design Assistant’s suggestions in several ways:
- Provide additional context
- Adjust the complexity of the question
- Select context from the course
- Manually revise the question
The time saved by auto-generating AI Conversations allows instructors to focus more on embedding AI Conversations into their courses.
Image 1. The auto-generate feature is now available in AI Conversations.
Image 2. There are several ways to customize AI Conversations.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: In the building block, AI Design Assistant and Unsplash, a new option called Generate Conversations is available. The default state is off. When this feature is turned on, the privilege needs to be assigned to course roles, such as Instructor. The required privilege is Use AI Design Assistant. When someone with that role creates an AI Conversation, the Auto-Generate Conversation option is available. Turning off Generate Conversations after deployment will remove instructors' permission to generate AI Conversations. However, AI Conversations will still work if Socratic or role-play conversations are turned on.
Learning Object Repository: Enhancements to privileges – 3900.116
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Page: Learning Object Repository
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Based on feedback, Learning Object Repository privileges are renamed to align with the naming conventions for other privileges. This provides a more consistent and streamlined experience for administrators using the Learning Object Repository.
The previous privilege labels and their new labels are as follows:
Viewing Learning Object Repository from Tools page:
- Previous labels:
- Individuals with this privilege can view the Learning Object Repository from the Tools page.
- Updated labels:
- Base Navigation > Tools > Learning Object Repository
- Base Navigation > Tools > Learning Object Repository > Search
Creating, editing, and deleting objects in the Learning Object Repository:
- Previous label:
- Individuals with this privilege can create, edit, and delete objects in the Learning Object Repository.
- Updated labels:
- Base Navigation > Tools > Learning Object Repository > Create
- Base Navigation > Tools > Learning Object Repository > Edit
- Base Navigation > Tools > Learning Object Repository > Delete
- Base Navigation > Tools > Learning Object Repository > ... > Copy Items
- Base Navigation > Tools > Learning Object Repository > ... > Tasks and Logs
Inserting objects from the Learning Object Repository into courses and organizations:
- Previous label:
- Individuals with this privilege can insert objects from the Learning Object Repository into courses and organizations.
- Updated label:
- Course/Organization > Content > + > Learning Object Repository
Image 1. Adjusting the privileges for the Learning Object Repository is available in Course/Organization Roles.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learning Object Repository: New search function for inserting objects – 3900.116
Impact: Instructors and administrators
Updated Help Page: Learning Object Repository
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors
We added a search function to the insert object workflow for the Learning Object Repository.
- Search by Name: Users can now search for objects by name, making it easier to find specific items.
- Pagination: The list of items supports retrieving more than 1,000 objects at once, giving users a wide variety of options.
- Automatic Sorting: The list is automatically sorted in alphabetical order for a more organized view.
This update enhances the workflow to make inserting objects easier and more efficient.
Users must have permission to insert objects into courses. This permission is turned on by default for instructors and course builders.
Image 1. The option to search is now available when users go to insert objects.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learning Object Repository: Sorting for Associations column – 3900.116
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Page: Learning Object Repository
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Users can now sort items in the Learning Object Repository by association, in addition to sorting by name. Users can easily identify objects with the highest or lowest number of associations. This workflow enhancement streamlines the process of finding the most relevant objects.
Users must have access to view the Learning Object Repository from the Tools page. This permission is turned on by default for the System Administrator (Z) role.
Image 1. Users can now select the Associations column to sort by the number of associations.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learning Object Repository: Notification emails – 3900.116
Impact: Instructors and administrators
Updated Help Page: Learning Object Repository
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors
Based on your feedback, we updated the Learning Object Repository to remove confirmation email notifications when inserting an object from the Learning Object Repository into a course or organization. This update aligns Learning Object Repository functionality with how copies are handled in Ultra courses. Additionally, the update reduces unnecessary emails ensuring that users’ inboxes receive only essential communications.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Mastery Learning and Learning Pathways
Achievements show current recipients without browser refresh – 3900.116
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Achievements
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors
Achievements now show their current recipients automatically without a browser refresh. Previously, an Achievement needed to be refreshed in the browser to show which students had earned an Achievement after grade changes. This improvement means that instructors can be confident that students’ Achievement statuses are always accurate and up to date.
Image 1. The students listed as recipients of an Achievement are updated automatically.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Tests & Assignments
"View submission one time" test results setting – 3900.116
Impact: Instructors and Students
Updated Help Page: Assessment Settings
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-355
We added a new test result setting option, View submission one time. When a student completes the test, they can review their answers and detailed feedback, such as which questions were answered correctly. The View submission one time option lets instructors provide students with immediate feedback, while maintaining test security.
Instructors
To access this setting option, select Available after submission in the Assessment results section of the Assessment Settings, then select View submission one time from the Customize when the submission content is visible to students dropdown. This dropdown is available only if Allow students to view their submission is selected.
Students
Students benefit from immediate feedback on their test performance in a secure and limited timeframe. Restricting access after the review session balances the need for meaningful insights with the importance of maintaining academic integrity.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Qualitative rubrics with no-points options – 3900.116
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Create Rubrics
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-382
Instructors
Instructors can now create and use no-points rubrics for qualitative evaluation. This rubric type allows instructors to assess student work based on criteria and feedback, rather than numerical values. In addition, the AI generation option now supports no-points rubrics, providing a streamlined method to create detailed evaluation criteria.
Instructors can select No Points as a rubric type when creating or generating a rubric. This option is available alongside existing percentage and points-based rubrics. Instructors can also edit rubrics to switch between different rubric types, including percentage, points range, and no points.
Image 1: No Points option is available in the Rubric Type dropdown.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Communication & Collaboration
Enhancements to discussions – 3900.116
Impact: Instructors and students
Updated Help Page: Discussions (for instructors), Discussions (for students)
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-5098
Instructors and students
We made several enhancements to discussions to improve the user experience and make discussions more engaging and efficient.
- Updated wording: We used to call discussion contributions "responses" and "replies." We changed this to "posts" and "replies."
- Improved input field text: Previously, the text within the input field was "Type a response." The text within the input field is now "Post a response to the discussion."
- Avatar update: We previously included the user's avatar beside the input field. We removed the avatar to increase the area for adding content to the discussion.
Image 1. The Respond button is now labelled Post. There's no avatar included beside the input field and the text within the field instructs users to post a response.
- Streamlined response entry: The text field for entering a response is now directly below the discussion topic for a more intuitive experience.
- Instructor indicator: When an instructor posts in a discussion thread, an indicator beside their name now identifies them as an instructor.
Image 2. The instructor indicator appears beside the instructor’s name.
- Aligned draft indicator: The Draft indicator is now aligned with the user's name, enhancing clarity.
- Enhanced search field: The search field for participant names now includes a magnifying glass icon for better visibility.
Image 3. The magnifying glass icon appears before users select the Participant name field.
- Simplified group discussions: The large banner beneath group discussion posts has been removed. Users can now directly select their group without distraction.
Image 4. The menu for selecting a group is directly after the discussion post.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Gradebook
Gradebook accessibility enhancements – 3900.116
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors
The Gradable Items tab in the Gradebook now features a redesigned interface to improve accessibility and navigation for keyboard-only and screen reader users. This enhancement supports an accessible experience for instructors grading student work, reducing the time and effort required to manage student grades.
With this update, the Gradable Items tab uses a table-based layout to enhance usability:
- Screen reader users can now hear both header and row announcements, allowing for smoother navigation through student submissions.
- Keyboard users can now move efficiently across rows or down columns using arrow keys.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Text-based columns in Gradebook – 3900.116
Impact: Instructors and students
Updated Help Page: Ultra Gradebook
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-1566
Instructors can now create custom text-based columns in the Gradebook, giving them the ability to record information for an assessment, such as performance code, group membership, and tutoring information.
Text-based columns in the Gradable Items view are accessible through a properly marked-up table layout. Screen reader users can navigate and hear headers and rows accurately. Sorting and assistive technology features ensure an inclusive experience for all users.
Instructors
Instructors can now create text-based columns in the Gradebook. These columns allow instructors to record up to 32 characters. The column is not restricted to text input.
Instructors can:
- Create text-based columns via the Add workflow in both the grid view and Gradable Items page;
- Name the column, control student visibility, and add a description;
- Add and edit text information for a specific student using an inline eidt workflow.
Text-based columns exclude the following:
- Points values (automatically set to 0 points)
- Due dates
- Categories
- Gradebook calculations and related calculation UIs
Content in text-based columns auto-posts and supports sorting functionality within the Gradebook grid view. Instructors can also download and upload text-based columns using the Gradebook's upload/download function.
Image 1: Instructors can select Add Text Item to create a text-based column.
Image 2: Instructors can enter column name, set visibility for students, and enter a description for the text-based column.
Students
Students can access text-based columns and associated information in their Gradebook when the column is set to Visible to students.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Grade Export v2: Approval History available to administrators
Test/Stage: week of March 24th; Production: week of March 24th
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Page: Admin Tools
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Administrators now can use Show History in course level approval workflow. Selecting Show History provides administrators with a detailed history of all submission, approval, and extraction actions taken in a course, as well as determining the user who took each action. This history gives administrators the ability to follow up on any questions about actions taken during the approval process.
Image 1: In the approval workflow, a Show History button now appears for administrators for each course.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Grade Export v2: Pagination added to the approval workflow
Test/Stage: week of March 24th; Production: week of March 24th
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
The approval workflow pages are now paginated, limiting each page to ten items. This eliminates the need for scrolling through a long list to find the desired item. This improvement provides a more efficient experience for instructors.
Image 1: Page numbers appear at the bottom of the approval workflow pages, eliminating the need for excessive scrolling.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Grade Export v2: Select items across pages added to the approval workflow
Test/Stage: week of March 24th; Production: week of March 24th
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors now can select items across pages in the approval workflow. If an instructor checks the box to select all items, all items on the page are selected. Instructors can also select all items across pages. This feature increases instructor efficiency by allowing them to perform actions on all items returned in a search.
Image 1: Instructors now have the option to select multiple records across pages.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Grade Export v2: Buttons that are not enabled no longer appear in the approval workflow
Test/Stage: week of March 24th; Production: week of March 24th
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Now, buttons that are not enabled in the Grade Export v2 administrator settings do not appear in the approval workflow. Previously, these buttons still showed in the UI as grayed-out options that were not actionable. This change provides a cleaner interface and prevents confusion for instructors.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Grade Export v2: Choose course roles in Platform Extensions Manager
Test/Stage: week of March 24th; Production: week of March 24th
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
In addition to institution and system roles, administrators can now choose course roles for Grade Approver User access in the Platform Extensions Manager tool. This option gives administrators more granular control over what course roles can launch the Grade Approval and Transfer tool.
Image 1: Administrators can now choose course roles in addition to institution and system roles, for Grades Approver User access.
Administrators
Availability: Available for Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Grade Export v2: Columns renamed on Grades Approval and Transfer screen
Test/Stage: week of March 24th; Production: week of March 24th
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We renamed two columns on the grade-level Approval and Transfer screen. Now, instructors can find the student's current grade in the Current Grade column. The Previously Approved Grade column provides the last grade that was approved for the student. Instructors can clearly identify how a student’s grade has changed since the last time grades were approved.
Instructors
Image 1: Columns are now titled Current Grade and Previously Approved Grade.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learn Core & Security
IP Restriction for Ultra Courses - Multiple Test Rooms – Hide Profiles – 3900.116
Impact: Instructors, Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Assessment IP Address Filtering (admin), Restrict Location (Instructor)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Administrators can now hide or unhide profiles used for proctoring tests. This security feature ensures that only available profiles are used for proctoring tests, which enhances security. The feature also improves change management by allowing administrators to control profile visibility without impacting existing configurations.
IP filters permit test access only on computers that are specified. Administrators can create more than one profiles associated with one or more ranges of IP addresses. Instructors assign the proctoring lab or location to students from the available profiles configured by the administrator.
Administrators can hide a profile in the Administrator Panel by selecting Course Settings, then Grading Security Settings. Open the menu for the profile to be hidden, then select Make Unavailable.
Image 1: Administrators can now hide profiles used for proctoring tests by selecting Make Unavailable in the profile’s edit menu.
Once hidden, that profile is displayed on the Grade Security Settings page with a red dot with an X icon.
Image 2: Once a profile is hidden, it is displayed Grade Security Settings page with a red dot with an X icon.
Instructors
For new test configurations, a hidden profile doesn't appear as an option for instructors selecting Location Restriction in Test Settings. However, the profile still appears if it was available in existing test configurations. In this case, when an instructor selects the unavailable profile, they get a message requiring them to choose another profile.
Image 3: A profile that is hidden from instructors doesn't appear as an option in Location Restriction in Test Settings.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed. The option Make Unavailable applies exclusively to Ultra courses. In Original courses, all profiles remain available for configuration at all times.
Video Studio - Automatically detect different speakers in a recording - 3900.116
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Video Studio (Instructors)
Exchange ID: Not applicable
Video Studio can now automatically identify different speakers in a recording and individually segment them within the recording transcript. The feature can identify up to 30 speakers. Instructors can manually edit the speaker labels to better identify each individual for users.
The ability to automatically detect speakers and edit speaker labels enhances the accuracy and clarity of a recording transcript, making it more valuable to instructors and students alike.
Instructor
When instructors access a recording transcript, they will see that Video Studio automatically generates transcriptions segmented by speaker. The default label for each speaker is Speaker 0, Speaker 1, up to 30 speakers. Instructors can edit speaker labels the same way they can edit recording transcripts.
Image 1: Video Studio is now able to identify multiple speakers when it automatically generates captions and transcript. When generated, the speakers are identified from "Speaker 0" up to "Speaker 29."
Image 2: Video studio allows instructors to edit speaker label names in the transcript.
Administrator
Availability: Video Studio is a premium solution.
Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025. This trial provides access to the full version of Video Studio. Video Studio is set to OFF as a default in test/stage and production environments. If you want to enable it in your institution’s environment, you can do that for free until the end of June 2025.
Configuration: To configure Video Studio: select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond June 30, 2025, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it.
Video Studio - 360° Video: easy link from desktop to Virtual Reality Headset - 3900.116
Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated Help Page: Video Studio (Instructors), Video Studio (Students)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Please consult your VR headset operating instructions prior to use. Some users may experience motion sickness, dizziness, or mild discomfort when using VR headsets. In rare cases, individuals sensitive to flashing lights may be at risk of seizures. Taking regular breaks and following safety guidelines can help ensure a comfortable experience.
With Video Studio, users can now turn 360° videos into immersive experiences with an easy Virtual Reality (VR) headset handoff workflow.
VR experiences can sometimes require specific equipment and software that can be challenging to maintain. Video Studio introduces a straightforward process that links any VR device to 360° videos in Blackboard.
Immersive virtual experiences are particularly beneficial for educational scenarios where physical presence is not feasible. For example, construction students can explore a highway construction environment to identify risks; students can tour the international space station; or new faculty can familiarize themselves with classroom layouts using 360° walkthroughs.
This straightforward VR headset handoff workflow makes it easy for users to experience immersive VR learning. Students can gain a deeper understanding of their course material in an accessible manner. The product agnostic nature of this Video Studio feature means that institutions can use existing VR equipment or purchase equipment to fit their budget and needs.
Instructors and students
Once an instructor records a 360° video, they can upload it like any other Video Studio recording. Detailed instructions for linking to a VR headset can be found in the Video Studio (instructors) topic.
Image 1: Video Studio now includes the option Connect VR on 360 video recordings so that a user can connect their VR headset for an immersive experience of the video.
Administrator
Availability: Video Studio is a premium solution.
Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025. This trial provides access to the full version of Video Studio. Video Studio is set to OFF as a default in test/stage and production environments. If you want to enable it in your institution’s environment, you can do that for free until the end of June 2025.
Configuration: This feature requires installing a new building block. In the Administrator Panel, select Building Blocks in the Integrations module. Then, select Installed Tools. In the list of building blocks, select Device Authentication. To configure Video Studio: select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond June 30, 2025, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it.
Course Catalog: Copy discussions from course template – 2.16
Test/Stage: Thursday, 10 April 2025; Production: Thursday, 10 April 2025
Impact: Managers
Updated Help Topic: Create an Offering
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
If managers create an offering with a template, discussions from that template are now copied by default unless the option chosen is Blank Course Ultra View. Previously, discussions were not copied. This change prevents managers from having to repetitively create discussions in their Course Catalog courses.
The template option Blank Course Ultra View does not copy any content. Discussions are not copied and no toggle switch appears.
Managers
A Copy Template Discussions toggle appears when managers choose a template that is not blank. They can turn off the option to copy discussions.
Image 1: A Copy Template Discussions toggle now appears when managers choose a template option.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Course Catalog: Pagination added to Achievements tab on learner dashboard – 2.16
Test/Stage: Thursday, 10 April 2025; Production: Thursday, 10 April 2025
Impact: Students
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
The Achievements tab on the learner dashboard is now paginated, limiting each page to ten items. This eliminates the need for scrolling through a long list to find the desired item. This improvement provides a more efficient experience for students.
Image 1: Page numbers appear at the bottom of the Achievement tab pages, eliminating the need for excessive scrolling.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learn SaaS release 3900.114.0
Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.114.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 11 March 2025 | Release to Production: Thursday, 3 April 2025
Original Course View, Ultra Course View
For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Blackboard 3900.114.0 version included below on this page. Details can be found on Anthology Global Support.
Latest release to Test/Stage servers to take place on 11 March 2025.
For more information on updates and bug fixes, please visit Anthology Global Support.
The April 2025 - 3900.114 release is robust with features in 8 areas:
- Instructional design;
- Mastery learning and learning pathways;
- Communication and collaboration;
- Tests & Assignments;
- Gradebook;
- Learner progression and personalized experience;
- Upgrade to Ultra; and
- Premium
These improvements impact instructors, students, and administrators. Some features do require administrative action.
Instructors:
- Course Activity improvements: 3000 student limit removed
- Course Activity improvements: Sending messages
- Indicator if student has or has not reviewed feedback
- Enhanced grading experience for group submissions
- Moodle conversion: Improved support for embedded multimedia
- Achievements in student preview
- Course Catalog – Award an achievement based on percentage score
Instructors and Students:
- Content Designer: Print Document
- Activity indicator color changed to purple
- Improved support for LTI: Resize requests
- Improved student experience when test or assignment is changed to Hidden from Students
- Ally - Math Support for Microsoft Word Documents Now Available for HTML Alternative Formats - 2.13
Students:
- Replace Feedback column with actionable Results column in student Gradebook
- Course Catalog – Access certificate details from student dashboard
Instructors and Administrators:
Administrators:
Instructional Design
Learning Object Repository – 3900.114
Impact: Instructors and administrators
Updated Help Topic: Learning Object Repository
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-3138
The new Learning Object Repository is an institutional repository designed to centralize resources across courses and organizations. Administrators can upload objects to the Learning Object Repository for instructors to copy into their courses.
- Updates to objects in the Learning Object Repository are automatically applied to all associated courses and organizations, saving instructors time and maintaining consistency.
- Changes aren’t applied to courses that are marked complete or with an end date/term end date in the past.
- Only the title, body, and description are synced for objects in the Learning Object Repository. All other settings are set to the default. For example, if the object is set to visible in the Learning Object Repository, the object will default to visible in every course. Instructors can override settings unrelated to title, body, and description if they have the associated permissions.
- For students who were marked incomplete and need to regain access to a course, we recommend extending the student's enrollment date instead of the course enrollment date. Extending the student's enrollment date prevents changes to course objects from the Learning Object Repository when objects are updated.
This is the initial release of the Learning Object Repository. The capabilities of this release are best suited to reusing institutional content. Program or department uses will be better suited to future planned updates.
Good candidates for objects to keep in the Learning Object Repository include:
- technology requirements
- AI policies
- course etiquette
- academic integrity policies
At this time, only Documents are available for the Learning Object Repository. File uploads are coming in a future update. We'll add other objects in future releases. Administrators can access the Learning Object Repository through the Tools page in Blackboard.
Image 1. The new button for the Learning Object Repository is on the Tools page.
Managing objects
By default, users with the System Administrator (Z) role are the only users who have access to the Learning Object Repository to manage objects. To create a custom role or give someone access to the Learning Object Repository, users must be granted the following system privileges:
- Individuals with this privilege can view the Learning Object Repository from the Tools page.
- Individuals with this privilege can create, edit, and delete objects in the Learning Object Repository.
- Individuals with this privilege can insert objects from the Learning Object Repository into courses and organizations.
Inserting objects
By default, users with the Instructor, Course Builder, or System Administration roles are the only users who can insert objects from the Learning Object Repository into a course or organization. To give a user access to insert objects from the Learning Object Repository, administrators must grant the following privileges:
- Course/Organization (Content Areas) > Create Materials
- Individuals with this privilege can insert objects from the Learning Object Repository into courses and organizations.
If you want to remove access to inserting objects from the Learning Object Repository, remove the following privilege:
- Individuals with this privilege can insert objects from the Learning Object Repository into courses and organizations.
Instructors
Instructors access the Learning Object Repository through the More options menu on the Course Content page. Instructors can copy an object from the Learning Object Repository, but certain attributes are locked down. For example, instructors are locked out from editing the title, description, and body of a Document.
Image 2. Instructors hover over the Information button to be informed that a Document is managed by their institution, and they have no editing privileges.
Administrator
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: Access to the Learning Object Repository is controlled by privileges. Instructor and Course Builder roles have access to the Learning Object Repository by default. Administrators may want to remove those privileges until their institution is ready to use the Learning Object Repository.
Copy objects into the Learning Object Repository - 3900.114
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Learning Object Repository
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-3138
Administrators can copy objects to the new Learning Object Repository. Many institutions already have objects that are candidates for this repository, such as institutional policies, support information, technology requirements, and more. This feature allows administrators to copy existing objects directly into the Learning Object Repository, removing the need to create new objects from scratch and saving valuable time. To access the Learning Object Repository, select the Learning Object Repository button on the Tools page. To copy items, select the More options menu.
At this time, administrators can copy only Documents into the Learning Object Repository. We’re adding file uploads in a future release.
Image 1. The option to copy items is in the More options menu of the Learning Object Repository.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: Access to the Learning Object Repository is controlled by privileges. Instructor and Course Builder roles have access to the Learning Object Repository by default. Administrators may want to remove those privileges until their institution is ready to use the Learning Object Repository.
Content Designer: Print Document – 3900.114
Impact: Instructors and students
Updated Help Topic: Create Documents
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-95
Instructors and students can now print Documents or save them to PDF, providing more ways to engage with content. This new option allows users to:
- Review content offline
- Share content with students or peers
- Physically archive content
To print a Document, select Print. Use the browser to print options to select the following:
- A printer or the PDF option
- The page range
- The layout
When printing from a mobile device, the Document prints as displayed on a desktop web browser.
Depending on the size of some content (for example, images), items may shift to the next page depending on the page layout and scale.
Instructors
- Knowledge check blocks print with all the question and answer options.
- All other blocks print as displayed outside of editing mode.
Image 1. The new Print button for Documents is now available for instructors.
Students
- Knowledge check blocks appear in the same way that they are on the Document page when the student chooses to print.
- If a student hasn’t answered a knowledge check, the block prints as unanswered.
- If a student has answered the knowledge check, the block prints as displayed along with any instructor feedback.
Image 2. The new Print button for Documents is now available for students.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Achievements in course copies – 3900.114
Impact: Instructors and administrators
Updated Help Topic: Achievements
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-6344
Instructors and administrators
Achievements are now included with course copies. Previously, instructors had to create new Achievements for each course. Copying Achievements has multiple benefits:
- Saves instructors valuable time
- Helps instructors provide students with a more engaging educational experience
- Standardizes the use of Achievements between courses
Achievements can only be copied with whole course copies. Achievements can't be copied in a granular copy where content is selected individually.
Achievements carried over with course copies also includes badges from Anthology Milestone.
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Default state of Achievements changed to On – 3900.114
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Achievements
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Achievements are now available to instructors by default. Institutions that had already adjusted the state of Achievements had their choices respected.
Achievements states:
- Default state before 3900.114: Off
- Default state after 3900.114: On
- State for institutions that had turned Achievements on before 3900.114: On
- State for institutions that hadn’t changed the state of Achievements before 3900.114: On
We made this change to bring attention to this feature for instructors who weren’t yet using Achievements. Achievements are a useful tool for motivating and rewarding students.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: To turn Achievements on and off, select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Go to Achievements in Ultra and select On or Off.
Default state of Check for Achievements tab for students setting changed to Off - 3900.114
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Achievements
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
The default state for the Check for Achievements tab visibility for students setting is now Off. In institutions using Achievements, students who haven’t earned any Achievements will have the Achievements tab on their course pages. Institutions that had already adjusted the Check for Achievements tab visibility for students setting had their choices respected.
Check for Achievements tab visibility for students setting:
- Default state before 3900.114: On
- Default state after 3900.114: Off
- State for institutions that had turned the setting off before 3900.114: Off
- State for institutions that hadn’t changed the setting before 3900.114: Off
We made this change so students will know that they can earn Achievements in their courses before they’ve earned any. Students who are aware of Achievements will be more motivated learners.
This change was pushed to production on April 1, 2025.
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: To adjust the Check for Achievements tab visibility for students setting, select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Go to Check for Achievements tab visibility for students and select On or Off.
Achievements in Student Preview – 3900.114
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Achievements
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-6049
Instructors
Instructors can now access Achievements through the Student Preview. This helps instructors preview achievements from the student perspective, providing a more accurate representation of the student experience. Instructors can also verify that the Achievements page is available for students in their courses.
Image 1. The Achievements page is now in the Student Preview.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Communication & Collaboration
Course Activity improvements: Sending messages – 3900.114
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Course Activity Report
Instructors
We improved sending messages from the Course Activity report.
- Instructors can now select all students for courses with over 3000 students. Previously, the option to select all students was only for courses with 3000 students or fewer.
- To be more user-friendly, the Recipients field now includes the following group labels:
- All students
- Selected students
- Selected students with alerts
- Selected students without alerts
These enhancements make it easier to communicate with students in large classes, including students with or without alerts.
Image 1. The Recipients field responds to instructor filters.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Activity indicator color changed to purple – 3900.114
Impact: Instructors and students
Updated Help Topics: Navigate Inside an Ultra Course for Students, Navigate Inside an Ultra Course for Instructors
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors and students
The color of the activity indicator for discussions, journals, and conversations is changed from blue to purple to better unify the color scheme of Blackboard. Users now have a more consistent and cohesive experience.
Image 1. The activity indicator now appears in purple beside a content item’s title.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Tests & Assignments
Improved student experience when test or assignment is changed to Hidden from Students - 3900.114
Impact: Students
Updated Topic: "Control what students can access" section on Create Content
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-3193
We've enhanced the assessment workflow for students when an instructor sets a test or assignment to Hidden from students. If an instructor sets a test or assignment to Hidden from students while the students are actively taking the assessment, students who have the assessment open can continue working on it without interruption. This ensures that students can finish their work without disruption.
Previously, if an instructor set an assessment to Hidden from students while students were actively taking the assessment, the students were abruptly kicked out of the assessment and redirected to the course content page.
Instructors
Instructors can continue using the Hidden from students setting for tests and assignments without worrying about disrupting students who are actively working on the assessment.
Students
Students are not disrupted when working on an assessment, even if the instructor hides the assessment from students. If students save and close the assessment, they cannot access that assessment again because of the hidden status.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Gradebook
Indicator if student has or has not reviewed feedback – 3900.114
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-1612
Instructors
In the Gradebook, instructors now have enhanced ability to monitor student engagement with assessment feedback. An indicator on the student Overview page now displays whether a student has reviewed the feedback for a given assessment.
When a grade is posted, the indicator includes a label of Not reviewed with the existing Completed label in the Status column. When the student reviews the feedback, the status updates to Reviewed with a review timestamp.
If the new grade indicator is reset for the assessment, such as when a grade is updated or if the assessment has multiple attempts, the timestamp updates when the student reviews the feedback again. If all attempts are deleted, the Not reviewed or Reviewed label is removed.
Image 1: Instructor Gradebook view has Reviewed and Not Reviewed labels in the Status column.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Replace Feedback column with actionable Results column in student Gradebook – 3900.114
Impact: Students
Updated Help Page: Grades (Students)
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-4329, LEARNU-I-5949
To encourage student to review their submitted assessments in the Gradebook:
- A new Results column replaces the Feedback column
- A View button in the new Results column replaces the Feedback column's purple feedback icon
When a grade is posted and the new grade indicator (purple circle) is turned on, the View button displays for the assessment. By proving a clear call-to-action, students are more likely to review their submission and feedback.
Students
When students select the View button, the new grade indicator turns off, and students are redirected to their submission. If no submission is made, the side panels with feedback opens. The View button remains unless the instructor deletes the graded submission and all attempts.
Image 1: Previous view of the student Gradebook included Feedback column with feedback icon and new grade indicator when feedback is available for review.
Image 2: New view of the student Gradebook includes an actionable Results column, with the new grade indicator turning off after the student views the feedback.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Enhanced grading experience for group submissions – 3900.114
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Grade Group Assignments
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We migrated group grading to Flexible Grading. Instructors now have a more streamlined experience when grading group assignment and test submissions in Flexible Grading. This update allows instructors to benefit from the more efficient grading interface and workflow of Flexible Grading when evaluating group submissions.
Some capabilities for individual submissions, such as per question feedback on group test submissions and pop-out rubric on group assignment submissions, will be added to group submissions after this initial release.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learner Progression & Personalized Experience
Course Activity improvements: 3000 student limit removed – 3900.114
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Course Activity Report
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors
We removed the limit to how many students were included in the Course Activity report. Courses with over 3000 students now correctly include all students in the report. Previously, courses with over 3000 students would only include the first 3000 students in the Course Activity report. Managing larger courses is now more accurate and user-friendly for instructors.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Upgrade to Ultra
Moodle conversion: Improved support for embedded multimedia – 3900.114
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Migrate from Moodle
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors
All embedded audio, video, and images are now accessible after converting a course from Moodle to Blackboard. Previously, there were some cases where the embedded audio, video, or images didn’t convert. We resolved this issue, and instructors can be confident that their materials are transferring correctly.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improved Support for LTI: Resize Requests – 3900.114
Impact: Instructors and students
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
LTI providers can now specify their desired height for embedded LTIs in Blackboard. Previously, all embedded LTIs were set to a fixed height, which often resulted in excessive white space below content.
- Adjusting height for embedded LTIs is supported through the lti.frameResize post message. This applies to all locations where LTIs can be embedded within the rich content editor.
Instructors and students
This enhancement ensures a more visually appealing interface for users. The cleaner layout helps users focus better on the content.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Premium
Course Catalog – Access certificate details from student dashboard – 2.15
Test/Stage: week of March 24th; Production: week of March 24th
Impact: Students
Updated Help Page: Dashboard
Idea Exchange ID: not applicable
Students can now access details about a course certificate by selecting the certificate tile on the student dashboard. A pop-up appears with details about the certificate, including certificate requirements. This empowers students with a clear understanding of how to earn certificates.
Students
When a student selects a certificate tile on the Achievements page, a pop-up window appears. This window displays
- certificate status
- course that the certificate is aligned with
- certificate requirements
If the certificate is earned, its expiration date and a download button appear. The student selects Download to download a PDF copy of the certificate.
Image 1. A pop-up window now displays details about the certificate.
Administrator
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Course Catalog – Award an achievement based on percentage score – 2.15
Test/Stage: week of March 3rd; Production: week of March 3rd
Impact: Managers
Updated Help Page: Create an Offering
Idea Exchange ID: not applicable
Managers
Managers can now award achievements based on a percentage score in addition to awarding based on points. They can make this selection based on the Blackboard configuration for the grade item. Managers save time awarding certificates or badges because they no longer need to convert percentages to total points in the Assign Certificate panel.
Image 1: A percentage of 100% now appears as an option along with points next to a grade item's name in the Gradebook Items menu.
Administrator
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Premium
Video Studio - Analytics for student engagement – 3900.116
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Video Studio (Instructors)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors using Video Studio can now access analytics to gain valuable insights into student engagement with recordings. With user analytics, instructors can make data-informed decisions about their recording content and instructional strategies to promote engagement with a course.
Instructors
An instructor can access recording analytics from the editing workflow. Select Edit Content and then the pencil button that appears when you hover over or tab to the recording screen. On the panel that appears, select Analytics.
- Total Views: Track the total number of times a recording has been accessed by students.
- Individual Users: Identify the unique users who have opened a recording.
- Average Time Viewed: Monitor the average duration students spend listening to or watching a recording.
- Total Watch Time: Know the total duration of time students spend listening to or watching a recording.
These analytics can reveal which parts of a recording are most and least engaging by analyzing engagement patterns and timestamps. Once a user has accessed a recording, it may take up to 20 minutes for this data to be represented in the analytics.
If analytics data is not yet available for a specific video, the Analytics tab is displayed, but each metric will show dashes as placeholders. For GovCloud clients, analytics are not available, and the Analytics tab is not displayed.
Image 1: Instructors can now view user analytics when they select the Analytics menu item in the Edit Contents page.
Administrator
Availability: Video Studio is a premium solution.
Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025. This trial provides access to the full version of Video Studio. Video Studio is set to OFF as a default in test/stage and production environments. If you want to enable it in your institution’s environment, you can do that for free until the end of June 2025.
Configuration: In the Administrator Panel, select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond June 30, 2025, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it.
Ally - Math Support for Microsoft Word Documents Now Available for HTML Alternative Formats - 2.13
Production: March 19, 2025
Impact: Instructors and Students
Idea Exchange ID: not applicable
As part of our ongoing efforts to support students through the power of flexibility and choice, Ally's document conversion process has been upgraded to include the first version of support for Office Math found in Microsoft Word documents. Students downloading the HTML and BeeLine Reader Alternative Formats will now see the math equations rendered as MathML via MathJax in their browser. This is an important first step to support math content in a wider range of Ally Alternative Formats and means that students will no longer be missing important math equations when downloading their preferred HTML option.
Image 1: HTML Alternative Format with rendered Math.
This conversion happens automatically as part of Ally's processing pipeline and does not require any configuration from the administrator. To be considered for conversion, the math content must be inserted as an equation in Word. Otherwise, Ally will not recognize this as math.
This is the first of multiple releases to support math within Ally's Alternative Format options. Support for additional formats, including Audio and Immersive Reader, will be handled in subsequent releases in order to continue to provide immediate benefits to the students. Support for math in PowerPoint will also be included in a future release.
Learn SaaS release 3900.112.0
Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.112.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 11 February 2025 | Release to Production: Thursday, 6 March 2025
Original Course View, Ultra Course View
For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Blackboard 3900.112.0 version included below on this page. Details can be found on Anthology Global Support.
Latest release to Test/Stage servers to take place on 11 February 2025.
For more information on updates and bug fixes, please visit Anthology Global Support.
The March 2025 - 3900.112 release is robust with features in 10 areas:
- Instructional design;
- Mastery learning and learning pathways;
- Tests and assignments;
- Communication and collaboration;
- Gradebook;
- Learner Progression & Personalized Experience;
- Integrations;
- Learn core and security;
- Upgrade to Ultra; and
- Premium features
These improvements impact instructors, students, and administrators. Some features do require administrative action.
Instructors:
- AI Design Assistant: Energy-saving image generation improvements
- AI Design Assistant: Learning module generation improvements
- Analytics: New Course Goals reports
- Release conditions panel: Due dates now included
- Usability improvements to Mastery tab in Gradebook
- Copy Banners Between Courses
- Canvas conversion: File upload improvements
- Pop-out rubric when evaluating an attempt
- Enhancements to hiding students with unavailable membership records
- Show/hide calculation columns in the gradebook
- Enhanced Turnitin Report parameters
- Course Access user experience improvements
Instructors and Students:
- Usability improvements for discussions
- Video Studio - Upload 360° videos
- Video Studio - Access transcript in one-quarter size video block
Students
- New student submission review page for tests
- Course Catalog - New student dashboard configuration - 2.14
- Course Catalog - Student achievement notifications - 2.14
- Course Catalog - Correct header levels applied - 2.14
Instructors and Administrators
Administrators:
- Progress tracking REST API - Read-Update student status for non-gradable items
- Pagination added to the Grading Security Settings page
- Grade Export v2 - Choose a default function type for calculated columns
All users:
Instructional Design
AI Design Assistant: Energy-saving image generation improvements – 3900.112
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Add Files, Images, Audio, and Video
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-5580
Instructors
We changed how the AI Design Assistant presents generated images. Instead of presenting four at a time, the AI Design Assistant now generates only one. Each time another image is generated, it is saved so that instructors can select previously generated images. When an instructor selects an image or exits image generation, all images are cleared. This new method saves processing power and is more environmentally friendly.
Image 1. The AI Design Assistant generates one image at a time and saves previously generated images.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
AI Design Assistant: Learning module generation improvements – 3900.112
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Create Learning Modules
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-2763
Instructors
We made two enhancements to the user experience when generating learning modules. If an image isn't generated with a learning module, the title and description will no longer shift to the left. A placeholder image is now used to ensure a consistent reading experience.
Image 1. Learning modules generated in 3900.110 lacked a placeholder image.
Image 2. The new placeholder image in 3900.112 appears beside the title.
We also added a refresh button to learning module images so instructors can easily generate a new image. This feature is particularly useful for modules where images were not created or for regenerating images that the instructor doesn’t want to use.
Image 3. The new refresh button displays on the lower right corner of the image.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Mastery Learning and Learning Pathways
Analytics: New Course Goals reports – 3900.112
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Course Reports
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-1388, LEARNU-I-4464
Instructors
We added two goals reports to the Analytics page in Blackboard.
Course Goal Coverage Report
- Provides a comprehensive view of goal coverage for a single course.
- Displays both covered and gap values for all associated curricular areas.
- Includes a detailed breakdown of course items aligned with goals.
Course Goal Performance Report
- Evaluates how a course meets selected goals.
- Includes overall averages and detailed breakdowns for individual students and goals.
Instructors can gain deeper insights into how course content aligns with institutional goals. They can also assess student progress more effectively.
If a course has no goals, instructors will receive a report with no data.
Image 1. The new Goal Reports are located in the Course Reports tab of the Analytics page.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Release conditions panel: due dates now included – 3900.112
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Content Release Conditions
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-1886
Instructors
When instructors customize release conditions for a content item, the due date for the item is now included with the date and time fields. Instructors are no longer required to go back to the item to check the due date, which saves time and reduces errors.
Image 1. The due date of a content item now displays after the date and time fields.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Usability improvements to Mastery tab in Gradebook – 3900.112
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Topic: Mastery Tab in Gradebook
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-5385, LEARNU-I-6071
Instructors
We made several improvements to the appearance of the Mastery tab in Gradebook. Goal titles were crowded by icons and longer goal titles were cut off. To address this, we adjusted how goal titles are displayed above columns:
- Icons were removed.
- There are now two lines for goal names.
- There’s now hover text above goals that displays the full name of the goal.
These changes ensure that instructors can easily read all goal titles, improving their overall experience with the Mastery tab in Gradebook.
Image 1. Hover text appears over a goal title to display the full name.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Tests & Assignments
Anonymous discussions: New privilege to reveal author – 3900.112
Impact: All users
Updated Help Topic: Create Discussions (Instructor), Discussions (Student)
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-4139
All users
System administrators or other users with the assigned system role privilege can now reveal the identity of the author of an anonymous discussion post or reply. This enhancement addresses instances where the anonymous feature is misused, such as bullying or other inappropriate behavior. Instructors can create anonymous discussions with confidence that any misuse can be quickly resolved.
Instructors and students
There’s now a warning that informs users that their identity can be revealed by an authorized user.
Image 1. The new warning is associated with the Post anonymously option.
Administrators
System administrators or other users with the assigned system role privilege can reveal the author of an anonymous discussion post or reply. Select the More options menu for a post, then select Reveal author. Administrators or other users with the assigned system role privilege must provide a reason for the anonymous reveal. There’s no indication for other readers of the discussion that the administrator revealed the author's user details.
Due to the sensitive nature of this action, the administrator’s user details are recorded in the system log with the reason. The information in the system log includes:
- Date of reveal
- Time of reveal
- Username of user requesting
- Course Name of revealed post/posts
- Discussion Name of revealed post/posts
- Reason given
If the administrator refreshes the page, the user is once again anonymous.
Image 2. From the administrator’s view, the user’s name is included with text that reads “Revealed.”
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: System Administrators are the only users who can reveal anonymous authors by default. The privilege can be assigned to other system roles if more extensive use is required. To access this privilege, go to the Administrator Panel. Select System Roles. Go to the Course/Organization Outline section. In Discussions, select the privilege for Reveal Anonymous Author.
Usability improvements for discussions – 3900.112
Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated Help Topic: Discussions (Instructor), Discussions (Student)
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-3567
We made several improvements to enhance the overall usability and efficiency of discussions, benefiting both instructors and students.
Instructors and students
- Improved visibility: Posts now have a gray background to stand out better against the page.
- Full post display: Long discussion posts are now fully visible without the need for scrolling, enhancing readability.
Image 1. A long discussion post displayed in its entirety with a gray background.
Instructors
We made several optimizations to enhance the accessibility of key features on the discussion home page.
- Participation metrics: The number of posts and replies is now listed directly on the discussion home page, replacing the total response counter. This change makes important information more immediately available.
- Direct edit option: The Edit button is now directly accessible from the post, saving instructors time.
Image 2. The changes made to the discussion home page included the addition of an Edit button and a count of posts and replies.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Gradebook
Pop-out rubric when evaluating an attempt – 3900.112
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: Grade with Rubrics
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-745
To enhance grading efficiency, instructors can now pop out the grading rubric into a separate window when grading an assignment submission. The pop-out rubric is a separate, moveable window and formatted in a grid view. Previously, the rubric was only available in a side panel and formatted in a stack.
This update makes it easier to navigate and grade student submissions by providing a clearer, more comprehensive view of the rubric. Popping out the rubric lets instructors view the student submission and the rubric side-by-side for a more efficient grading experience. Instructors can quickly select performance levels and provide feedback in the rubric while viewing the student submission.
Image 1: Instructors can pop out the rubric by selecting the expand icon in the rubric panel.
Instructors
Instructors can access the pop-out rubric when reviewing a submission.
- Bulk Performance Level Selection: Instructors select a performance level heading to apply it across all relevant criteria, streamlining the grading process.
- Cell Selection and Syncing: Selected rubric cells are highlighted, and the associated grade pill updates to reflect the chosen score. When the instructor selects Save, performance levels and feedback appear in the gradebook, as it has prior to this update.
- Feedback Section Focus: Once a rubric cell is selected, the criterion feedback section automatically focuses on the textbox for immediate feedback entry.
- Navigation Warning: A warning appears if instructors have unsaved changes in the pop-out rubric and they attempt to navigate to another student or attempt.
- Grade Override Warning: If the grade is overridden, the rubric popout is inactive. A banner appears, showing that the grade was overridden, with an option to regrade using the rubric.
- Printing: Instructors can print a blank or completed rubric using the browser's print function.
When the pop-out rubric is open, the ability to add Overall Feedback and grade with the rubric in the main grading interface is inactive. This prevents an instructor from editing the same information in two separate places simultaneously.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
New student submission review page for tests – 3900.112
Impact: Students
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-1415
We are introducing a new and enhanced student-facing submission review page for tests. This review page is similar to the review page for assignments, which we introduced in the 3900.100 September 2024 release.
The new review page for tests ensures that all feedback is clearly laid out and easy for students to identify.
Image 1: The student view of the graded test submission includes a submission timestamp, submission receipt, and feedback for individual questions.
Students
Students can access the new test submission review page from these locations:
- The gradebook feedback button for the test
- The small panel that displays when students access a test from the Course Content page
If a student submits multiple attempts, they can review each attempt on the submission review page. The instructor defines which attempt to grade in the test's final grade calculation setting.
The new test submission review page displays the following information and feedback formats:
- Test content
- Student submission with question-level grades and feedback
- Submission timestamp
- Submission receipt
- Final grade and calculation model
- Attempt grade and feedback
- Override grade and feedback (if applicable)
Students can access all feedback on their submission, even if the assignment is hidden by a release condition.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Enhancements to hiding students with unavailable membership records – 3900.112
Impact: Instructors
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-5556
Instructors can now hide or show students with unavailable user or membership records in the Mastery Gradebook tab in the gradebook.
Image 1: The Hides students in the gradebook who no longer have access to the course option in Gradebook Settings is not selected, and the avatar for unavailable students has a strikethrough.
Image 2: Avatars for students appear in the Students list of the gradebook.
Instructors
- Mastery Gradebook: The Hide students in the gradebook who no longer have access to the course option in Gradebook Settings now hides students with unavailable membership records in the Mastery Gradebook tab.
- Student Avatars: Avatars for students with unavailable membership records now display a strikethrough in the gradebook.
- Students List in Gradebook: Avatars are now added to the Students list in the gradebook, and students with unavailable membership records display a strikethrough on their avatars.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Show/hide calculation columns in the gradebook – 3900.112
Impact: Instructors
Instructors can now configure visibility for calculated columns from Items Management.
This enhancement streamlines the grading process and creates a cleaner, more organized grading workspace. To ensure that essential grading information is always available, the Overall Grade column cannot be hidden.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Grade Export v2 - Choose a default function type for calculated columns – 3900.112
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Page: Incoming Settings
When setting up a calculated grade column for Ultra courses through Grade Export v2, administrators now have the option to choose the default function type. Previously, the function type was always set to Average.
Choosing a default function type prevents unnecessary work and streamlines the grade column setup. Administrators can choose the correct function when they set up the grade column rather than requiring them to change the function after the grade column has been created.
To configure Incoming Settings, an administrator goes to Platform Extensions in the Administrator Panel, then selects Grade Export v2, Edit Settings. From the Default Calculation Function menu, they can choose between these available functions:
- Average
- Minimum
- Maximum
- Total
- Variable
Image 1: The Default Calculation Function in the Edit Settings page for Grade Export v2 now has several default options: Average, Minimum, Maximum, Total, and Variable.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Integrations
Enhanced Turnitin Report parameters – 3900.112
Impact: Instructors
Turnitin is a third-party tool that integrates with Blackboard to improve student writing by providing instructors with originality reports on student writing. Turnitin now receives groups, user names, and roles data from Blackboard for submissions from the Assignments integration.
Instructors
There is no direct customer impact from this change, however Turnitin will use this information in the future to provide better match information to instructors. These enhancements will be communicated to customers by Turnitin.
Administrator
Availability: The Turnitin Integration is available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed. Instructions for Turnitin LTI set up can be found on the Turnitin page for administrators.
Progress Tracking REST API – Read/Update student status for non-gradable items – 3900.112
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Page: Blackboard APIs
The new Progress Tracking public API allows third-party applications and integration platforms to efficiently retrieve and update student progress statuses for non-gradable activities.
The progress tracking function allows instructors to track student course progress related to course content. This is automated for gradable content, such as Tests and Assignments, but doesn’t include non-gradable activities. Students must manually update the status for non-gradable items. Non-gradable items include Documents, links, or uploaded files displayed on the Course Content page or within Folders or Learning Modules. If students don’t manually update these non-gradable items, it makes the automated progress tracking system less accurate and complete.
If students fail to manually update the status of their non-gradable activities, an automation using the API can correct those issues. The API simplifies progress tracking, making it easier for educational institutions to maintain accurate data and improve overall student engagement monitoring.
The progress tracking API includes methods to retrieve data from single content entities (such as links and uploaded files) and parent entities parent content entities (such as Learning Modules and folders). The data is retrieved by GET by ID:
GET by ID (single content):
/learn/api/public/v1/courses/{courseId}/contents/{contentId}/states/{userId}
GET by ID (parent content):
/learn/api/public/v1/courses/{courseId}/contents/{contentId}/children/states/{userId}
The API also allows for updating content entities through PATCH:
PATCH:
/learn/api/public/v1/courses/{courseId}/contents/{contentId}/states
Administrator
Availability: This feature is available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learn Core & Security
Course Access user experience improvements – 3900.112
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Course Settings, Managing Course Terms and Access
We have improved the user interface for managing course access for users. We have clarified the labels for hiding a course listing on the instructor view of the Courses page. We have also clarified the functionality of Course Status within Course Settings. No changes have been made to the underlying functionality of course access. These improvements make it easier for instructors to manage course visibility and access for users.
Instructors
Course Settings page
In Course Settings, the previous toggle switch for opening or closing a course has been replaced with radio buttons labeled Open and Closed. This change better indicates course status for enrolled students.
Image 1: Course Status is now controlled by radio buttons labeled Open and Closed within the Course Settings page.
Courses page
On the Courses page, the label Hide course has been changed to Hide course from me. This change clarifies that the action only hides the course from the instructor on the Courses page, not from enrolled students.
Image 2: On the Courses page for instructors, the option to hide a course within the Courses page is now labeled Hide course from me.
Once a course is hidden from instructor view on the Courses page, the dropdown menu for Filters lists Hidden from me as an option. Selecting this option makes any hidden courses appear again on the Courses page.
Image 3: When a course is hidden on the Courses page, the dropdown menu for Filters now lists Hidden from me as an option.
Administrator
Availability: This feature is available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Pagination added to the Grading Security Settings page – 3900.112
Impact: Administrators
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-5103
The Grading Security Settings page on the Administrator Panel now includes pagination to improve the user experience. Now a longer list of profiles is displayed across multiple pages. This eliminates the need for page scrolling to find the desired profiles. This improvement provides a more efficient experience for administrators and makes the Grading Security Settings page more consistent with other Administrator Panel pages.
Image 1: The Grading Security Settings page within the Administrator Panel is now paginated to eliminate excessive scrolling through longer lists of profiles.
Administrator
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original Blackboard Courses
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Upgrade to Ultra
Copy Banners Between Courses – 3900.112
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Copy Content from Courses
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-3481
Instructors
Instructors now have the option to copy banners between courses. This is ideal for instructors who prefer to copy course content in parts rather than performing a full course copy. This saves instructors time during course setup and rollover. Banners can be copied from Ultra or Original courses.
Image 1. The Copy Items page now has the option to select the course banner under Settings.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Canvas conversion: File upload improvements – 3900.112
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Migrate from Canvas
Instructors
We resolved issues related to file conversions from Canvas to Blackboard. Previously, files with special characters in their names and files referenced multiple times within the same course were not converting correctly. These issues have now been addressed, ensuring accurate file preservation during conversion.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Premium
Video Studio - Upload 360° videos – 3900.112
Impact: Instructors and Students
Updated Help Page: Video Studio (Instructor), Video Studio (Student)
Instructors
Instructors can now upload 360° videos to Video Studio. 360° videos can pan to the left or right, providing a real to life experience. These immersive videos can introduce students to situations that would otherwise be out of reach. For example, a student could view a distant location or a scenario that might be dangerous.
Students
Students can view 360° videos in both full screen and windowed modes. To add accessibility for keyboard users, students can also use keyboard navigation using the W, A, S, D keys. There’s also a navigation aid on the video for mouse users.
Image 1. The instructor upload screen for a 360° video.
Image 2. A student’s view of a 360° video. The navigation aid is a circle.
We’re working to enhance the video playback quality to support higher resolution videos. This update will be part of the next release.
Administrators
Availability: Video Studio is a premium solution.
Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025. This trial provides access to the full version of Video Studio. Video Studio is set to OFF as a default in test/stage and production environments. If you want to turn it on in your institution’s environment, you can do that for free until the end of June 2025.
Configuration: In the Administrator Panel, select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond June 30, 2025, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it.
Video Studio – Access transcript in one-quarter size video block – 3900.112
Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated Help Page: Video Studio (Instructors), Video Studio (Students)
Video Studio now allows users to access transcripts for recordings that are displayed in one-quarter size in Documents. When an instructor resizes a recording to one quarter size, a user accesses the transcript via a modal window that is displayed when they access a recording transcript. This improvement ensures that instructors and students can use a transcript at all display sizes.
Resizing the display of Video Studio recordings to one quarter size of the default full width display is possible when creating recordings within Documents. On the Course Content page, Video Studio recordings are displayed at full width. If a user reduces the size of the browser window, the recording can be reduced to a minimum of half width of the full size.
Instructors and Students
A user isn’t able to skip forward or backward in a Video Studio recording that is sized at one-quarter size.
The user interface and functionality for accessing a transcript from a recording at one-quarter size is identical for instructors and students, except that the instructor view includes the Edit Content button.
When user opens a Video Studio recording that is one-quarter size, a button that says View Transcript is displayed below the recording.
Image 1: For a Video Studio recording that is sized to one-column in a Document, the user displays the transcript by selecting View Transcript, which is located below the recording.
Selecting View Transcript opens a modal window containing the recording transcript in read-only mode. The transcript editing functionality is unchanged for a recording displayed at one-quarter size of the default full width.
Image 2: The transcript for a recording sized to one column displays after selecting View Transcript.
Administrator
Availability: Video Studio is a premium solution.
Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025. This trial provides access to the full version of Video Studio. Video Studio is set to OFF as a default in test/stage and production environments. If you want to enable it in your institution’s environment, you can do that for free until the end of June 2025.
Configuration: In the Administrator Panel, select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond June 30, 2025, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it.
Course Catalog – New student dashboard configuration – 2.14
Test/Stage: week of February 3rd; Production: week of February 24th
Impact: Students
Updated Help Page: Dashboard
The student dashboard displays courses and achievements in their own tabs. Each tab now has filters that students can use to control the status or type of course or achievement that is displayed.
Each dashboard tile has an indicator of the item’s status. Previously, the courses and achievements tabs were broken into nested tabs to show different statuses and types of each. The student couldn’t control the view and needed to individually select each course and achievement to learn the status of each.
The new dashboard reduces confusion, allows more student control over the user experience, and is more responsive and accessible.
Image 1: The dashboard now has a single tab for Achievements with filters for Status and Type.
Students
Students use the Status filter on the Courses tab to choose which courses to display on screen. They use the Status and Type filters on the Achievements tab to choose which achievements to display.
Administrator
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Course Catalog – Student achievement notifications – 2.14
Test/Stage: week of February 3rd; Production: week of February 24th
Impact: Students
Updated Help Page: Dashboard
Idea Exchange ID: LEXT-I-14
Students now receive an in-app notification when they earn a new certificate. The notification congratulates them and prompts them to view their achievement in the student dashboard.
Previously, the only way students could determine whether they had earned a certificate was to navigate to the Achieved tab within the Certificates tab of the student dashboard. The new notification alerts the student, provides a sense of achievement, and makes it quick and easy for them to access the details of their certification.
Image 1: An in-app notification appears when students achieve a new certificate.
Students
The notification appears the next time the student logs into the Course Catalog after completing the certification. On the notification, they select the View Achievement button to access the Achievements tab on the student dashboard.
Administrator
Availability: Available in all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Course Catalog – Default language selection on single-language sites – 2.14
Test/Stage: week of February 3rd; Production: week of February 3rd
Impact: Managers and Administrators
Idea Exchange ID: CC-I-3
Multiple Course Catalog menus now default to the configured language on single-language sites.
Managers and administrators no longer must choose the language from many of the language drop-down menus on single-language sites. These menus include those for creating catalog items and administrative catalog settings. This change saves time for managers and administrators performing multiple tasks, such as creating offerings, configuring catalog settings, and setting up notification emails.
Managers
If a site has only one language configured, many of the language menus are always set to that language.
Administrator
Availability: All Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Course Catalog – New Skip to Content buttons – 2.14
Test/Stage: week of February 3rd; Production: week of February 3rd
Impact: All Users
We added a Skip to Content button to all pages in the Course Catalog to make content more accessible. Multiple links appear before featured content on each page, which previously caused keyboard and screen reader users to navigate through repetitive and irrelevant links. Skip to Content provides a way for these users to quickly access the main content and avoid frustration.
Students and Managers
When users navigate the site using the keyboard or a screen reader, Skip to Content displays at the beginning of each page. Users of screen readers or keyboard navigation can select Skip to Content to move past links and quickly access page content.
Image 1: A Skip to Content button appears for keyboard and screen reader users.
Administrator
Availability: All Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Course Catalog – Accessibility improvements to carousel – 2.14
Test/Stage: week of February 3rd; Production: week of February 3rd
Impact: All Users
Users can now navigate through the carousel of featured course tiles on the homepage in the correct order using a keyboard or screen reader. Previously, the focus order of the items in the carousel was not the same as the visual order. This discrepancy caused confusion for users who access the site with assistive technologies. The corrected focus order improves the site’s accessibility.
Administrator
Availability: All Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Course Catalog – Correct header levels applied – 2.14
Test/Stage: week of February 3rd; Production: week of February 3rd
Impact: Students
Heading levels are now correctly applied based on the content hierarchy. Previously, many pages used inappropriate heading levels that disrupted semantic structure and navigation for assistive technologies. The corrected heading structure improves the user experience and complies with WCAG standards.
Students
Students will find it easier to navigate the site with assistive technologies.
Administrator
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learn SaaS release 3900.110.0
Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.110.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 14 January 2025 | Release to Production: Thursday, 6 February 2025
Original Course View, Ultra Course View
For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Blackboard 3900.110.0 version included below on this page. Details can be found on Anthology Global Support.
Latest release to Test/Stage servers to take place on 14 January 2025.
For more information on updates and bug fixes, please visit Anthology Global Support.
The February 2025 - 3900.110 release is robust with features in 8 areas:
- Instructional design;
- Tests and assignments;
- Communication and collaboration;
- Gradebook;
- Learner Progression & Personalized Experience;
- Learn core and security; and
- Premium features
These improvements impact instructors, students, and administrators. Some features do require administrative action.
Instructors:
- AI Design Assistant -- Set a larger maximum number of generated questions and learning modules
- Upload images to documents using the new image block
- Include IP addresses in student activity log
- Change folders to learning modules or learning modules to folders
- Exclude descriptions from learning modules generated by AI Design Assistant
- Improved accuracy when uploading grades and feedback
- Improvements to grade entry for discussions and journals from the Grid view or Submissions page
- Video Studio - Edit captions and transcripts
- Excluded attempts removed from Need Grading count
- Conversion of existing assignments to the new assignment workflow released in 3900.98
- Test Settings usability improvements
Instructors and Students:
- Improvements to avatar size and time stamp positioning for discussion replies
- Mask access code for an assessment
- Improvement to rendering in Bb Annotate
- Improvement to rendering of uploaded files
- Improvements to grading interface
- Video Studio – Add video content within the Course Content page
- Video Studio - Download recording transcripts
Instructors and Administrators
Students
Students and Administrators
Administrators:
Instructional Design
Exclude descriptions from learning modules generated by AI Design Assistant – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: AI Design Assistant
Instructors
We added the option to exclude descriptions from learning modules generated by the AI Design Assistant. Instructors who want to write their own descriptions no longer have to manually remove them from auto-generated learning modules.
Image 1. The Auto-Generate Learning Modules page has a new option to include or exclude descriptions.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Change folders to learning modules or learning modules to folders – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: Create Containers for Content
Instructors
Instructors can now change a folder to a learning module or a learning module to a folder. Benefits of changing a folder to a learning module include:
- Thumbnail images: Learning modules come with thumbnail images, which provide a visually appealing course experience.
- Forced sequencing: Instructors can force students to navigate learning modules in linear paths.
- Progress bar: Learning modules have a progress bar for students that highlights the number of items that they need to complete and their progression on those items.
- Previous and next navigation: Students can quickly navigate to the next or previous item in a learning module.
Image 1. The new option to change a folder to a learning module in the dropdown menu.
To give instructors more control over their courses, they can also change learning modules to folders. Instructors are warned that all learning module functions are removed when converting a learning module to a folder.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: Administrators can turn the feature on or off by going to Ultra Experience Management and selecting Change Folder to Learning Module or Learning Module to Folder.
Improvement to rendering of uploaded files - 3900.110
Impact: Instructors, Students
Instructors and students
Files uploaded by instructors to Blackboard now retain their original formatting and characteristics wherever instructors can upload files. Previously, formatting changes may have displayed with uploaded files, such as PowerPoints or Excel worksheets. With improved rendering, students can view files in their original format, leading to a better overall user experience.
This improvement is now available in both test/stage and production environments for Ultra and Original courses.
Image 1. A student's view of a Document, where an embedded PowerPoint slide displays next to a text block.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
AI Design Assistant -- Set a larger maximum number of generated questions and learning modules – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: AI Design Assistant
Instructors
When using the AI Design Assistant, instructors can now set the number of questions generated for tests and question banks to a maximum of 20. The maximum number of learning modules that the AI Design Assistant generates also increased to 20. Generating more questions at once reduces the chance that similar questions will be generated. The default number of questions and learning modules generated remains 4.
Image 1. The Auto-Generate Questions page displays a new maximum number of questions of 20.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Upload images to Documents using the new image block – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: Create Documents
Instructors
We added an image block to Documents. Instructors can use image blocks to upload their own images, use the AI Design Assistant to generate images, or select images from Unsplash. Image blocks can be moved throughout a Document, just like other block types. Instructors have the option to resize images, set height, and maintain aspect ratios in image blocks. A dedicated image block makes adding images more apparent. Adding images via the image block also reduces white space around images and provides greater control over content design.
Image 1. The new image block option in Documents.
Image 2. The preview of an image within a Document.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Tests & Assignments
Mask access code for an assessment – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated topic: Access Codes section of Assessment Settings
When an instructor or exam proctor enters an access code for an assessment on a student's computer, the code is masked (*******) to ensure enhanced security. Previously, the code was visible when entered on a student's screen, compromising the secure testing environment.
Image 1: Masked access code
Instructors
The process for adding an access code is unchanged. When an instructor adds an access code for a test in Assessment Settings, the access code is masked by default. At any time, the instructor can select the eye icon to show the access code in Assessment Settings.
Students
When an instructor or exam proctor enters the access code on the student's computer, the access code is masked (******).
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improved performance for assignment file submissions – 3900.110
Impact: Students
Updated Topic: Submit an Assignment section of Submit Assignments
Students
The latest updates bring significant improvements to assignment submission uploads, ensuring a smoother experience for students:
- Timed assessments: When a student uploads a file just before the timer runs out, the upload will complete before the attempt is auto-submitted.
- Re-upload workflow: If a student's file doesn't upload correctly, they can easily re-upload it using the new workflow.
Students can now be confident that their files are successfully attached, received, and stored. They will be notified immediately if there are any issues with their file submissions.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Communication & Collaboration
Improvements to avatar size and time stamp positioning for discussion replies – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated Topic: Discussions
Instructors and Students
We adjusted the size of avatars and the position of time stamps to improve the user experience. Replies to posts are now easier to identify and avatar sizes are consistent.
Image 1. The new standard indentation and avatar sizes for discussions.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Enhancements to course groups – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors, Administrators
Updated Topic: Create and Manage Groups
Instructors
To simplify group management and enhance usability for instructors, we made several improvements to course groups:
- Activity-level groups are now course-level: All new groups are now course-level. Instructors can create course-level groups directly from a content item, eliminating the need to manage groups at the activity level.
- More warnings and restrictions: To prevent the creation of empty group sets during group assignments, we added restrictions and additional warning messages. This helps instructors make informed decisions and avoid disruptions in group management.
Image 1. The new warning for when an instructor creates a group assignment with an empty group.
- Simplified group creation: The option to reuse activity-level groups was removed. This change encourages instructors to focus on course-level groups and reduces confusion.
Existing activity-level groups in a course will remain activity-level.
Administrators
When copying course materials to a new course from the Administrator Panel:
- Group assignments with activity-level groups associated with a copied content item will not be duplicated.
- Copied content will indicate that it previously had groups with a “No groups” label, helping instructors understand the history of the content and encouraging the use of the new group management system.
For more details, visit Methods to Copy a Course.
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Gradebook
Excluded attempts removed from Needs Grading count – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
Instructors
Instructors can choose to exclude attempts that they do not intend to grade. Excluded attempts are removed from the Needs Grading workflow and any gradebook calculations.
With this release, we have ensured that excluded attempts are removed from the Needs Grading count in all gradebook views. This provides instructors with a more accurate overview of their outstanding grading workload.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Conversion of existing assignments to the new assignment workflow released in 3900.98 – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
In the 3900.98 release in August 2024, we separated the workflows for creating a test and creating an assignment. Prior to the 3900.98 release, the Create Assignment and Create Test workflows shared the same content and settings. The 3900.98 enhancement made each workflow distinct, where the Create Assignment workflow now contains only assignment-specific content and settings, while the Create Test workflow remained unchanged. The new assignment workflow enhancements included:
- A new Instructions box with a full content editor for detailed assignment instructions.
- A streamlined Settings panel with only options relevant to assignments.
- No option to add questions, as assignments cannot contain questions.
- Attempts are only created when students interact with the assignment, such as submitting a file or adding content to the editor.
As part of this release, we are performing a one-time, automatic bulk conversion of assignments created created prior to the new assignment workflow released in the 3900.98 release. After the bulk conversion, all assessments will follow either the assignment workflow released in the 3900.98 release or the test workflow. This will ensure that converted assignments benefit from the new assignment workflow's features.
Assignments will be converted in a one-time, bulk process following these definitions:
- Assignment: Any existing assessment without questions (such as MCQ, Essay, Hotspot) is classified as an "assignment.". Assignments will be converted.
- Test: Any existing assessment with questions (such as MCQ, Essay, Hotspot) is classified as a "test." Tests will not be converted.
The conversion will not affect the following items:
- Existing student assignment attempts and grades
- Existing gradebook calculations
- Assignment Settings and Category designation
- Tests
To ensure a successful, consistent conversion to the new assignment workflow, we updated the following processes:
- Converting courses
- Assignments will convert to the new assignment workflow.
- Tests without questions will be set to Hidden from students.
- Copying items
- Assignments copied from Original courses will convert to the new assignment workflow.
- Tests without questions copied from Original and Ultra courses will be set to Hidden from students.
- Restoring Original archive/export packages
- Assignments will convert to the new assignment workflow.
- Tests without questions will be set to Hidden from students.
- Restoring Ultra archive/export packages
- Assessments without questions will convert to the new assignment workflow.
- Tests without questions will be set to Hidden from students.
Administrators
During the conversion, assessments that are being converted will have an entry of Assignment added to the BBMD_ASSESSMENT_SUBTYPE column in the QTI_ASI_DATA table.
The bulk conversion will occur during the release upgrade. The release upgrade might take longer than normal.
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Test Settings usability improvements – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
Instructors
To enhance usability and improve the test-building experience, we streamlined the Settings panel for tests by removing the following assignment-specific options:
- Collect submissions offline
- Use grading rubric
- Maximum points
- 2 grades per student
- Peer review
By simplifying the Settings panel, we reduce complexity and save instructors time, allowing them to focus more on creating effective assessments rather than navigating through numerous options.
Additionally, we updated the functionality for student visibility options and release conditions for tests. Now, instructors must add one or more questions to their test to make it visible to students or to add release conditions. This ensures that students only see assessments that they can actively engage with.
Image 1: Settings panel with assignment-specific options removed
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improvements to grading interface – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
Instructors
To optimize the use of screen space and to give graders a larger view of the student submission, we redesigned the grading interface for assignments and tests.
We implemented the following design changes:
- Relocated the Previous Student and Next Student navigation controls next to the attempt grade pill and removed the gray bar that these buttons were on.
- Replaced the Previous Student and Next Student buttons with <> arrows.
- Moved the avatar, student name, and submission information to the existing black bar and removed the white bar where the information was previously listed.
Image 1: Grading interface prior to design changes
Image 2: Newly designed grading interface
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improved accuracy when uploading grades and feedback – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
Instructors
Instructors can now upload grades and feedback for assignments, journals, and discussions with improved accuracy. Previously, when instructors uploaded grades, they were always stored at the override level, which left the underlying attempts or submissions ungraded. This caused the Needs Grading and New Submission flags to remain visible, even when grading had been completed offline.
Uploaded grades and feedback are now correctly mapped to the corresponding attempt or submission whenever possible. This reduces confusion and provides better clarity for instructors.
Assignments with Single Attempts
- Ungraded Attempts. When an ungraded attempt is found, the grade is stored at the attempt level, the Needs Grading and New Submission flags are cleared, and any auto-zero is removed.
- Graded Attempts. If the attempt is already graded, the existing grade is updated accordingly.
- Existing Overrides. If an override already exists, only the override is updated. No changes are made to the attempt grade.
- No Submission. If a student has not submitted an attempt, the grade is stored as an override.
Assignments with Multiple Attempts
- Ungraded Attempts. If all attempts are ungraded, the grade is assigned to the appropriate attempt based on the aggregation model:
- First: The grade is assigned to the first attempt.
- Last: The grade is assigned to the last attempt.
- All (Min, Max, & Average): The grade is assigned to the last attempt. All other attempts are excluded.
- Single Graded Attempt. For a single graded attempt, the existing grade is updated.
- Multiple Graded Attempts. If more than one attempt is graded, the grade is stored as an override. The Needs Grading and New Submission labels remain unchanged.
- Existing Overrides. If an override already exists, the override grade is updated.
- No Submission. For students with no submission, the grade is stored as an override.
Discussions and Journals
- Ungraded Submissions. For ungraded submissions, the grade and feedback are added to the submission, and the Needs Grading and New Submission flags are cleared.
- Graded Submissions. If the submission is already graded, the grade and feedback are updated.
- Overrides. If a student has an override grade, the override grade and feedback are updated.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improvement to rendering in Bb Annotate - 3900.110
Impact: Instructors, Students
Instructors and students
We enhanced how files submitted by students are rendered in Bb Annotate. Previously, formatting changes during the rendering process made grading more challenging for instructors. Now, files display with the exact same formatting as when they were submitted, ensuring a smoother grading experience. This feature was well-received by customers in a tech preview!
Supported file types include:
- PowerPoints
- Excel worksheets
- PDFs
- Other common formats
Additionally, the warning about potential formatting changes during the conversion process has been removed.
This improvement is now available in both test/stage and production environments for Ultra and Original courses.
A PowerPoint file rendered by Bb Annotate now displays in the original format, ready to be annotated.
Administrators
Availability: Available for Ultra courses. This feature is not available to GovCloud.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improvements to grade entry for discussions and journals from the Grid view or Grades & Participation page – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
Instructors
Instructors can now enter discussion and journal grades directly in the Grid view or Grades & Participation page with improved accuracy and consistency. Previously, grades entered in these views were stored at the override level. This caused confusion as underlying attempts remained ungraded and continued to display the Needs Grading and New Submission flags. This update ensures that grades entered this way are properly mapped to the underlying attempt or submission when applicable.
Grade Entry Requirements
- Ungraded Submissions. For ungraded submissions, the grade and feedback are added to the submission, and the Needs Grading and New Submission flags are cleared.
- Graded Submissions. If the submission is already graded, the grade and feedback are updated.
- Overrides. If a student has an override grade, the override grade and feedback are updated.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learner Progression & Personalized Experience
Include IP addresses in student activity log – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors and Administrators
Updated Topic: Student Activity Log
Instructors and administrators
IP addresses are now in the student activity log for assessment submissions and drafts. This new information can help with comparing data while reviewing a student’s test taking behavior
Image 1. The new IP address column that’s included in the student activity log.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learn Core & Security
Create multiple profiles for IP address restrictions on assessments – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors, Administrators
Updated Help page: Assessment IP Address Filtering (admin), Restrict Location (Instructor, Ultra), Restrict Location (Instructor, Original)
Administrators can now create more than one profile associated with one or more ranges of IP addresses. Each profile supports different IP filter rule configurations. These filters help secure testing environments. Instructors can select the desired testing location from available profiles.
Within Grading Security Settings in the Administrator Panel, administrators can now select Add Profile to define another profile with specific IP filter rules. You can now also select Edit on an existing profile to make changes to that profile.
Image 1: On the Grading Security Settings page, select the new Add Profile option to create a new profile. Each profile has an edit option in the drop-down menu.
For more information on Assessment restrictions, go to Assessment IP Address Filtering.
Instructors
Instructors administering assessments in both Ultra and Original courses can now select the location of their choice from available profiles configured by the administrator.
In the Assessment Settings panel, instructors can apply a location restriction by selecting a location from available profiles.
Image 2: Instructors can now select from multiple locations in the Location restriction field in Assessment Settings.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original Blackboard Courses
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: In the Administrator Panel, select Course Settings, then Grading Security Settings. If an existing course with IP restrictions is copied for a new course, IP restrictions need to be configured again.
Improved student email notifications in multi-brand environments – 3900.110
Impact: Students, Administrators
Updated Help page: SIS Framework Overview
We have updated the Blackboard SIS Integration Framework to support multi-brand environments. It now includes a field that stores the login URL for each user. This update improves the accuracy of email notifications to students.
A multi-brand environment is a single Blackboard environment that supports multiple institutions, such as an instance shared by several different universities within a regional system. If a student or instructor has not previously logged into a Blackboard environment that supports multiple institutions, an automated email notification could potentially direct them to an incorrect login URL.
If your institution doesn’t use a multi-brand Blackboard environment, there is no action you need to take.
Students and instructors
Email notifications will be more accurate and support requests will be reduced with this update. There are no user interface changes.
Administrator
Availability: Available for all Blackboard courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: Ensure that correct login URL data is entered when creating or updating student records within your SIS.
SIS safety improvements in Administrator Panel – 3900.110
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help page: Snapshot Flat File Integration Configuration, Course Examples, User Examples
We are introducing two changes to our Student Information System integration process to protect against loss of data from small mistakes when updating data. Two related features are added:
- SIS integration settings update: Purge is now replaced by Smart Delete in the Delete column within the Object Handling section of the Edit Snapshot Flat File Integration page. In a few instances the label Purge has been retained.
- User interface change: On the Upload Feed File page in SIS Integrations, the Complete Refresh option is discouraged through changes to labeling.
Smart Delete
Previously, the only options for handling most data types were:
- Do not disable or purge
- Disable
- Purge
Some data types like Course Associations can't be disabled. If a small corrective file was mistakenly uploaded in Refresh mode, or if an automation error caused a partial upload with the Purge setting, it could result in large amounts of data being deleted unexpectedly.
Now we separate the Delete mode behavior and Refresh modes behavior (the latter which imply deletion). When the mode is Delete, the delete option is now Smart Delete. Smart Delete has the same effect as the previous option Purge. When refreshing data, the data not in the file, but owned by the integration, will be disabled. For data types that don’t support being disabled such as Course/Organization Association and User Associations, Purge will delete data.
When a file is uploaded in Delete mode, and Delete is set to Smart Delete, the data will be deleted.
Image 1: In the Object Handling section of the Edit Snapshot Flat File Integration page, the option Purge is now replaced by Smart Delete in the Delete column. Some Object Types such as Course/Organization Association and User Associations retain the Purge option.
User interface changes for SIS Integrations
To avoid unintended loss or disruption of data, the user interface within Upload Feed File page in SIS Integrations discourages the use of Complete Refresh and Complete Refresh by Data Source. These options are now grayed out by default.
Image 2: In the Upload Feed File page, the options Complete Refresh and Complete Refresh by Data Source are now grayed out by default.
Options Complete Refresh and Complete Refresh by Data Source can be enabled by selecting the checkbox Enable Advanced Options. However, a warning appears describing these options’ unintended consequences and that they are rarely needed in this mode in the graphical user interface.
Image 3: A new checkbox option Enable Advanced Options enables the options Complete Refresh and Complete Refresh by Data Source. Selecting Enable Advanced Options also raises a warning about the unintended consequences of these enabled options.
Administrator
Availability: Available for all Blackboard courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Privilege label change for two privileges introduced in 3900.108 release - 3900.110
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help page: Course Settings (Instructors)
In Blackboard release 3900.108, we introduced two new privileges to enhance course access management. To better reflect their functionality, the label names for these privileges were changed for in the 3900.110 release.
Privilege descriptions and updated labels
A new privilege introduced in 3900.108 called Partial Change Completion Status (on) allows a user to mark a course as complete and to revert this change.
- New privilege label: Make Course/Organization complete
A new privilege introduced in 3900.108 called Change Completion Status (on/off) allows a user to mark a course as complete and to revert this change.
- New privilege label: Make Course/Organization complete and revert to not complete
Administrator
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Premium features
Video Studio – Add video content within the Course Content page – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated Help pages: Video Studio (administrator), Video Studio (instructor), Video Studio (student)
Instructors and course builders can now add video content to the Course Content page with Video Studio. While video can be incorporated within the announcements, feedback, and Documents, this new functionality enhances the ability to show compelling instructional content on the main course page.
Instructors
To add video content to the Course Content page, select + and then Record Audio/Video. To record the video, follow directions for using Video Studio.
Image 1: Record Audio/Video now appears among menu options when adding content to the Course Content page.
Students
Students can now view video content directly from the Course Content page. Video content appears with a camera icon. Select the video content, and a panel opens to display the recorded content.
Image 2: For students, video content on the Course Content page is designated by a camera icon next to the title of the content.
Administrator
Availability: Video Studio is a premium solution.
Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025. This trial provides access to the full version of Video Studio. Video Studio is set to OFF as a default in test/stage environments. If you want to enable it in your institution’s production environment, you can do that for free until the end of June 2025.
Configuration: In the Administrator Panel, select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond June 30, 2025, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it.
Video Studio - Edit captions and transcripts 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help pages: Video Studio (administrator), Video Studio (instructor)
Instructors can now edit video captions and transcripts for content created using Video Studio. This functionality allows instructors to correct minor errors and add clarity to the captions and transcripts that are automatically generated during a recording.
Instructors
To edit captions and transcripts of a recording, select Edit Content.
Image 1: To edit captions or transcripts within Video Studio, first select Edit content.
Next, hover your cursor over the video to display the option to edit (the button labeled with a pencil icon). If navigating with your keyboard, you can also select tab until you focus on the screen, which then displays the editing options. Select the button labeled with a pencil.
Image 2: Select the pencil button to reach the new caption/transcript editing capability within Video Studio.
Next, select Transcript, which displays the transcript. Select the pencil next to the text you want to edit within the transcript. Once you make your edits, select the checkmark to save the edit or select X to discard changes. Once you finish making all your edits, select Save Video. The changes now appear in both the captions and the transcript.
Image 3: The new Transcript button appears when you are editing a recording. After editing your text, select either the check button to save your change or X to discard it.
Administrator
Availability: Video Studio is a premium solution.
Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025. This trial provides access to the full version of Video Studio. Video Studio is set to OFF as a default in test/stage environments. If you want to enable it in your institution’s production environment, you can do that for free until the end of June 2025.
Configuration: In the Administrator Panel, select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond June 30, 2025, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it.
Video Studio - Download recording transcripts – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated Help pages: Video Studio (instructor), Video Studio (student)
Users can now download transcripts for content created using Video Studio. Video and audio recordings make for compelling teaching material, but if users don’t have ready access to text, it can pose a challenge for study and instruction. Giving users access to transcripts for recordings to print or highlight allows recorded content to be a powerful study tool.
Instructors and students
Once you’ve selected your recording and press play, select the transcript button at the bottom corner of the video screen. This opens the transcript panel displaying the text of the transcript. Select the download button at the top of transcript column. The transcript is downloaded as a VTT file that includes time stamps and speaker narration.
Image 1: A download button now appears in the Transcript panel of a Video Studio recording.
Administrator
Availability: Video Studio is a premium solution.
Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025. This trial provides access to the full version of Video Studio. Video Studio is set to OFF as a default in test/stage environments. If you want to enable it in your institution’s production environment, you can do that for free until the end of June 2025.
Configuration: In the Administrator Panel, select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond June 30, 2025, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it.
Change Badge size in Anthology Adopt
Impact: Administrators
Updated pages: Anthology Adopt Accessibility Page
A badge is one of the ways users can activate an Anthology Adopt guide in Blackboard. To enhance accessibility, you can now increase the size of badges. To change badge size, select Activation to open Activation Settings. Under Badges, select Edit Settings.
Image 1: When creating an Anthology Adopt guide, administrators can now adjust the badge size in Activation Settings.
In the Styling tab, there is a new size field that allows you to adjust the badge pixel size within a range of 8px to 300px. The default size is 14 pixels. The minimum target size for WCAG 2.2 AA is 24 pixels.
Image 2: In Badge Settings, under Styling, there is now a field to adjust the size of the badge.
Instructors and Students
When badge size is adjusted, the change appears automatically in Blackboard for all users.
Administrator
Availability: Anthology Adopt Powered by Pendo is a premium offering from Anthology.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: No configurations required.
Anthology Adopt – Task List building block
Impact: Administrators
Updated pages: Anthology Adopt building blocks
Anthology Adopt now features a Task List building block to create onboarding workflows and in-app experiences to guide Blackboard users through specified workflows.
An administrator may want to create Adopt guides within Blackboard that align with the order of a user’s workflow. The Task List building block makes it easy to design logical, customizable guides to align with the look and functionality of an institution’s Blackboard instance.
The Task List building blocks provides:
- Sequential progression. Organize guides in a logical order to create structured learning or task completion.
- Progress tracking. Indicate completed guides to give users a sense of accomplishment and encourage them to continue.
- Customizable appearance. Align a task list to match your app's design and user experience.
For more information on creating guides using the Task List building block, go to Anthology Adopt building blocks.
Administrator
Availability: Anthology Adopt Powered by Pendo is a premium offering from Anthology.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: No configurations required.
Learn SaaS release 3900.108.0
Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.108.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 10 December 2024 | Release to Production: Thursday, 9 January 2025
Original Course View, Ultra Course View
For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Blackboard 3900.108.0 version included below on this page. Details can be found on Anthology Global Support.
Latest release: 3900.108.0-rel.28+dfa83d8 to Production servers to take place on 9 January 2025.
For more information on updates and bug fixes, please visit Anthology Global Support.
The January 2025 - 3900.108 release is robust with features in 4 areas:
- Instructional design;
- Mastery learning and learning pathways;
- Gradebook; and
- Learn core and security
These improvements impact instructors, students, and administrators. Some features do require administrative action.
Instructors:
- Availability of Achievements tab in courses
- Improvements to AI Design Assistant Outputs
- Improvements to AI Design Assistant Image Generation
- Expanded language Outputs for AI Design Assistant
- Show/hide columns from instructors in the gradebook
- Direct grade entry for assignments from the Grid view or Submissions page
- Improvements to file uploads for Content Designer: Documents
- Improvements to content blocks for Content Designer: Documents
Instructors and Students:
- Set default automatic zeros to off in the gradebook for new courses
- Add submission attempts for release conditions
Instructors and Administrators
- Manage course access from Course Settings
- New role privileges for course access management
- Mastery Gradebook visibility controls
Additionally, our premium service Course Catalog version 2.13 is now available with the following features:
Course Catalog (Premium offering)
- Milestone Integration
- WPM Integration
- Subscription Model
- Graduation and Withdrawal Emails
- Accessibility improvements
- Course IDs column added to Payment Code list
Additionally. Ally 2.11.0 is now available and Ally 2.11.1 is upcoming. These releases include the following features:
Instructional Design
Improvements to AI Design Assistant Outputs – 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: AI Design Assistant
We improved the following auto-generation features of the AI Design Assistant to have faster and more complex outputs. Outputs for learning modules are more descriptive and focused on the topic than in 3900.106. Assignments, discussions, and journals also present more depth in relation to prompts and content selected by instructors. In addition, images for AI Conversation avatars are more realistic. Instructors can now save time both with generating content and using that content in their courses.
- Assignments
- Discussions
- Journals
- Test questions
- Learning modules
- AI Conversation avatars
- Keywords for Unsplash
Our latest optimizations continue the work we did in the December 3900.106 release to optimize rubrics.
Image 1. The learning modules on the left were generated with the 3900.106 release. The learning modules are described with a few sentences. The learning modules on the right were generated with the 3900.108 release. The learning module descriptions are longer in 3900.108 than in 3900.106.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improvements to AI Design Assistant Image Generation – 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: AI Design Assistant
We improved the quality of the images generated by the AI Design Assistant, making them look more realistic and related to instructors' prompts. Instructors can generate images faster and the image files require less storage space.
Image 1. The two images on the left were generated by the AI Design Assistant with the 3900.106 release. The prompt used is “construction.” These images are related to tall buildings in cities. The two images on the right were generated by the AI Design Assistant with the 3900.108 release. The prompt used is also “construction.”
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Expanded Language Outputs for AI Design Assistant – 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: AI Design Assistant
The output languages available for AI workflows now include Greek, Catalan, Croatian, Irish, and Slovenian. More instructors can take advantage of the features of the AI Design Assistant. We added these languages based on feedback from instructors. For a list of all languages available for AI outputs, refer to AI Design Assistant for Instructors.
Image 1. Changing the output language is available as an advanced option in the AI Design Assistant.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improvements to Content Blocks for Content Designer: Documents – 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: Create Documents
We made editing content blocks in Documents easier. When instructors create or edit a Document, the content block no longer closes when they collapse the menu in the editor. Also, the editor no longer closes when editing table settings.
Image 1. A content block is open for editing while the menu remains open.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Improvements to File Uploads for Content Designer: Documents – 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: Create Documents
We made uploading files to Documents easier. The default file option when instructors upload files to Documents is now View and Download.
Image 1. The View and download button is automatically selected when instructors go to Edit File Options.
Also, instructors can now use the Undo and Redo functions for file uploads.
Image 2. The Undo and Redo buttons are now available for file uploads.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Mastery Learning and Learning Pathways
Add Submission Attempts for Release Conditions – 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors and Students
Updated Topic: Content Release Conditions
Instructors can now use item submission status for a release condition. For example, an instructor who wants students to access a document only after submitting a quiz would use a release condition. Students can access content items without needing to wait for a grade to be posted.
Image 1. The new Attempt submitted option is in the dropdown menu for a gradable item in the Release condition panel.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: Turned on by default.
Configuration: None needed.
Availability of Achievements Tab in Courses – 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors and Students
Updated Topic: Achievements
We changed the availability of the Achievements tab in courses. The Achievements tab is now hidden from students until the instructor creates and posts Achievements for students to earn. Students will no longer have questions about an Achievements tab if it is not applicable to their courses.
Image 1. A student's course that with Achievements activated has a page for Achievements.
System administrators determine whether Achievements are available for use in courses at the institution-level. System administrators can configure the availability of Achievements in Ultra Experience Management in the Administrator Panel.
Image 2. The control for Achievements is in Ultra Experience Management.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Mastery tab in Gradebook availability controls - 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors, Administrators
Updated Topic: Mastery Tab and Course Settings
Administrators and instructors now have the flexibility to control the availability of the Mastery tab in the Gradebook. This configuration lets institutions align the use of the Mastery tab in Gradebook with their curriculum approach, while also giving instructors control over when and how it is visible to students.
Administrators determine whether the Mastery tab in Gradebook is available for use in courses at the institution-level. There are two ways to turn on the Mastery tab in Gradebook.
- Go to Tools in the Administrator Panel. Go to the Student Goal Performance Dashboard section. You must turn on Goal Performance. Set the availability of Goal Performance to ON.
- In the Administrator Panel, go to Course Settings. Select Course Tools. You must turn on Goal Performance. Set the availability of Goal Performance to ON.
Image 1. One of the options for turning the Mastery tab in Gradebook on and off is in Tools.
Image 2. Another option for turning the Mastery tab in Gradebook on and off is in Course Tools.
- Goal Performance set to locked: the Mastery tab in Gradebook will be in all gradebooks and instructors can’t control whether the Mastery tab in Gradebook is available or not.
- Goal Performance set to unlocked: instructors choose whether the Mastery tab in Gradebook is in their gradebooks. Instructors control this feature through the Course Settings options for their courses.
Administrators who initially turned off the Mastery tab in Gradebook must also make sure that the Goal Performance Course Tool is set to OFF. Otherwise, instructors will still have the option to turn the Mastery tab in Gradebook on.
Instructors can manage the availability for themselves and their students. The configuration includes the Instructor Visibility toggle and the Student Visibility toggle. The Mastery goal tab for instructors setting determines if the Mastery tab in Gradebook is available for the instructors in their course. The Mastery goal tab for students setting determines if the Mastery tab in Gradebook is available to students in the course.
With the release of Mastery tab in Gradebook visibility settings, the Mastery Tab in Gradebook default at the course-level is automatically set to OFF. Therefore, instructors must go to Course Settings to make the Mastery tab in Gradebook visible at the course-level.
Image 2. The options for turning the Mastery tab in Gradebook on and off are in Course Settings.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: System administrators can configure Mastery Tab in Gradebook visibility by going to the Administrator Panel, then Course Settings. Goal Performance is in Course Tools. If the Mastery Tab in Gradebook is turned on at the institution-level, instructors can configure Mastery Tab in Gradebook visibility in Course Settings.
Gradebook
Show/hide columns from instructors in the gradebook - 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: Ultra Gradebook
Instructors can now configure column visibility for their gradebook view, ensuring a cleaner and more organized workspace when grading. We've added a new Items Management page accessible from the Gradebook Settings panel. From this page, instructors can configure visibility for a single column selection or in bulk.
Visibility settings apply to the Grade page and Gradable Items page for non-student users (instructors, TAs, graders). The student view of any grading-related page is unaffected. If an instructor hides a column from their gradebook, that column continues to appear for students.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: Turned on by default.
Configuration: None needed.
Set default automatic zeros to off in the gradebook for new courses - 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated Topic: Ultra Gradebook
The Assign Automatic Zeros for Past Due Work option is now turned off by default for newly-created Ultra courses. Existing courses are unaffected. Changing the default setting to off prevents students from automatically receiving zeros for past due assignments. Instructors can turn on automatic zeros for late submissions in the Gradebook Settings panel.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: Turned on by default.
Configuration: None needed.
Direct grade entry for assignments from the Grid view or Submissions page - 3900.108
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Instructors can now enter assignment grades directly in the Grid view or Submissions page with improved accuracy and consistency. Previously, grades entered in these views were stored at the override level, which caused confusion as underlying attempts remained ungraded and continued to display the Needs Grading and New Submission flags. This update ensures that grades entered this way are properly mapped to the underlying attempt or submission when applicable.
All grades entered via file upload continue to be stored a override grades.
Assignments with Single Attempts
- Ungraded Attempts. When an ungraded attempt is found, the grade is stored at the attempt level, the Needs Grading and New Submission flags are cleared, and any auto-zero is removed.
- Graded Attempts. If the attempt is already graded, the existing grade is updated accordingly.
- Existing Overrides. If an override already exists, only the override is updated. No changes are made to the attempt grade.
- No Submission. If a student has not submitted an attempt, the grade is stored as an override.
Assignments with Multiple Attempts
- Ungraded Attempts. If all attempts are ungraded, the grade is assigned to the appropriate attempt based on the aggregation model:
- First: The grade is assigned to the first attempt.
- Last: The grade is assigned to the last attempt.
- All (Min, Max, & Average): The grade is assigned to the last attempt. All other attempts are excluded.
- Single Graded Attempt. For a single graded attempt, the existing grade is updated.
- Multiple Graded Attempts. If more than one attempt is graded, the grade is stored as an override. The Needs Grading and New Submission labels remain unchanged.
- Existing Overrides. If an override already exists, the override grade is updated.
- No Submission. For students with no submission, the grade is stored as an override.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: Turned on by default.
Configuration: None needed.
Learn Core & Security
Manage course access from Course Settings – 3900.108
Blackboard SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: Course Settings (instructor), Managing Course Terms and Access (admin)
Instructors can now manage course access state settings through the Course Settings page. This change streamlines administrative tasks and enhances usability for instructors teaching courses.
Instructors or users with appropriate privileges can set the course state from Course Settings. This functionality was previously called Course is Open/Private and found in the Details & Actions panel.
Course access states are as follows:
- Open. Course content is available to students.
- Closed. Course content is not available to students. Previously called Private.
- Complete. No changes can be made by students or instructors.
Image 1. The Course Settings page now has a section called Course Access where instructors can set a course as Open, Closed, or Complete.
At the top of a course, the current course access state is displayed as a colored pill next to Course Settings. This change makes it easier for instructors to manage course states.
Image 2: At the top of a course, there is now an indicator that displays whether a course is Open, Closed, or Complete.
Additionally, instructors can access Course Settings from the Courses page. From the three dot menu, the instructor can select Course Settings.
Image 3. Course Settings option from the course card edit menu.
Administrators:
Availability: This feature is available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: The Course Access section is turned on by default, but only available to privileged users.
Configuration: These changes in the user interface require changes to role privileges, detailed in Course completion and new privileges for course access management – 3900.108. Instructors need the course settings privilege for Course Settings to display in their course: Course/Organization Control Panel (Customization) > Properties
New role privileges for course access management – 3900.108
Blackboard SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Administrators, Instructors
Updated Topic: Roles and Privileges, Course Settings (instructors)
There are new and updated privileges to support the new Course Access section of the Course Settings page.
In this release, course access settings moved from the Details & Actions panel to the Course Settings page (refer to Manage Course Access from Course Settings – 3900.108). Course availability to students and course completion are clearly demarcated as separate states:
- Open/Closed. Course content is not available to students. Previously called Open/Private.
- Complete. No changes can be made by students or instructors.
This change makes course access management easier for instructors.
Administrators
Availability - Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation - The Course Access section is turned on by default but only available to users assigned the new privileges.
Configuration - The privilege allowing a user to change course availability and completion is now two separate settings. In the Administrator Panel, assign these new and updated privileges to users:
- Course/Organization Control Panel (Customization) > Properties, Availability (updated privilege). This privilege is now only used for opening/closing a course. Previously it gave a user access to opening/closing a course as well as completing/uncompleting a course.
- Change Completion Status (on/off) (new privilege). This privilege allows a user to mark a course as complete, and they can revert this change.
- Partial Change Completion Status (on) (new privilege). This privilege allows a user to mark a course as complete, but they can’t revert this change.
If users have already been given privileges to open/close and complete courses prior to this release with Course/Organization Control Panel (Customization) > Properties, Availability, you don’t need to change privileges to maintain their access to these functions. If a user has not previously been given these privileges, you need to set their privileges for opening/closing a course and for completing a course.
Review Manage course access from Course Settings – 3900.108 for instructor-facing changes to course access options.
Course Catalog 2.13 Release Features
Milestone Integration
Release date: Test/Stage: Week of December 16th; Production: week of January 13th
Impact: Learners, Managers, Administrators
Updated Topic: Certificate Manager v2 and Create an Offering and Dashboard
Integration with Anthology Milestone allows learners to earn badges in Learn courses taken through Course Catalog. This integration provides a means to increase learner engagement through skill recognition and showcasing.
Learners
If an offering has a badge associated with it, there will be an icon on the course tile in the catalog that identifies the badge. Learners will also see badges associated with offerings they are enrolled in on the achievements section of the dashboard.
Image 1: Badge appears on catalog offering.
Managers
Managers define the criteria required to earn a badge when creating or editing an offering, and the learner automatically receives the badge once they achieve the criteria.
Image 2: Manager adds a badge to an offering.
Administrators
Administrators will enable and configure the Milestone Integration in the Certificate Manager v2 application.
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: The integration is configured in the Certificate Manager v2 application (Admin Panel > Platform Extensions Manager > Certificate Manager v2 > Configuration > Anthology Milestone). It requires licensing of the Anthology Milestone product.
Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description
WPM Integration
Release date: Test/Stage: Week of December 16th; Production: week of January 13th
Impact: Learners, Managers, Administrators
Updated topic: Payment Gateway v2
Integration with WPM allows learners to use this payment service provider to process payments for courses. Offering managers can include a finance code when creating an offering that indicates where the funds from the offering should be distributed. This allows institutions to designate funds collected from each offering for the appropriate department.
Learners
Learners can choose WPM as a payment provider when purchasing an offering.
Managers
Managers can input a finance code when creating an offering.
Image 1: Manager inputs a finance code for the offering.
This feature will only be functional for WPM payments.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: The WPM integration is configured in the Payment Gateway v2 application (Admin Panel > Platform Extensions Manager > Payment Gateway v2 > Configuration > WPM).
Subscription Model
Release date: Test/Stage: Week of December 16th; Production: week of January 13th
Impact: Learners, Managers
Updated Help Topic: Configure Course Catalog for a Subscription Model
Course Catalog can be set up for learners to use on a subscription basis. In this use case, learners purchase access to a catalog of courses rather than purchase individual courses. This model allows institutions to customize Course Catalog for their needs.
Learners
Learners can search the catalog for the subscription membership. When they purchase that offering, they will see the catalog of courses that is available with that subscription and be able to enroll in any of those courses.
Managers
The offering manager configures one offering as the subscription course and sets up other offerings to be viewable only by those learners who have purchased the subscription course. This is accomplished by giving learners who purchase the subscription course a specific institutional role, and allowing only learners with that role to view and enroll in the courses included in the subscription.
Image 1: Manager sets the offering as the subscription offering and assigns the role to the learner.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: See Configure Course Catalog for a subscription model.
Graduation and Withdrawal Emails
Release date: Test/Stage: Week of December 16th; Production: week of January 13th
Impact: Administrators
Updated Topic: Notification Settings
Administrators can set up templates for Graduation and Withdrawal Emails to be sent to learners. Graduation emails are sent automatically based on a date configured in the system. Withdrawal emails are sent to learners you select from the database of Course Catalog users on demand. The withdrawal email also allows you to make learner accounts unavailable or disabled and to remove learners’ graduation dates from the system. These emails can be used to manage communication about learners’ Course Catalog accounts.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: These email templates are configured in Course Catalog at Administration > Settings > Notifications. The configuration for when the Graduation Email is sent will be done by Anthology Professional Services experts; you should submit a ticket for assistance with this configuration.
Accessibility Improvements
Test/Stage: Week of December 16th; Production: week of December 16th
Impact: Learners
Various accessibility improvements have been released, including improvements to the consistency of the language tags used for screen readers throughout the application. These improvements make the application more accessible to all learners.
Learners
Learners will see an improved experience with screen readers.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: No configuration is needed.
Course IDs column added to Payment Code list
Test/Stage: Week of December 16th; Production: week of December 16th
Impact: Administrators
A Course IDs column has been added to the Payment Code list display in the Settings area of Course Catalog. This column makes it easier for administrators to manage codes because they can see at a glance which courses the codes apply to.
Administrators
Image 1: The Payment Code list now has a Course IDs column.
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog Courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: No configuration is required.
Ally 2.11.0 and 2.11.1 Release Features
Download Original File is Now Available from the Alternative Formats Dialog
Release date: Production: Week of December 16th
Impact: Learners, Administrators
Updated Topic: Alternative Formats and Usage Report
Learners
Learners now have the option to download the original file version of a file uploaded by their instructor directly from the Alternative Formats download dialog without having to navigate back to the course. Selecting the download icon next to the file name downloads the file.
Image 1: Download alternative formats dialog
Administrators
Administrators can track the usage of this feature within the Usage Report Export, available in the Institutional Report. This counts in the total downloads and shows as Original File in the distribution as part of overall engagement. This data is useful for institutions that want to analyze how alternative formats are being used.
Image 2: Ally Usage Report
Availability: This feature is now available for file content in Blackboard but does not apply to WYSIWYG/Rich Content items.
Activation: Activated by default.
Configuration: No configuration is needed.
Return to January 2025 – 3900.108.0 Release description
Alternative Formats for Video Studio Videos within Blackboard Documents
Release date: Production: Week of January 20th
Impact: Learners, Administrators
Updated topic: Alternative Formats
Learners
Learners will have the ability to download Alternative Formats for Video Studio videos within Blackboard Documents when using the Ally Alternative Formats feature. When enabled by the administrator, students see the video as a valid file type to download a variety of Alternative Formats based on the transcript of the video when navigating through the Alternative Formats menu for Blackboard Documents.
Administrators
Administrators can configure this through the Ally Admin Configuration console to enable the ability to download alternative formats for Video Studio videos.
Availability: Available for Blackboard Video Studio videos only.
Activation: Not activated by default.
Configuration: Ally Admin Configuration console
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:
- AI Design Assistant: rubric generation improvements
- Moodle conversion improvement: images in question text
- Improvements to grading assignments: New labels for late submissions
- Grade override improvements
- Group management: performance improvements
Instructors and Students:
Students:
Instructors and Administrators
Administrators:
- Deploy Role Play separately from Socratic Questioning for AI Conversation
- Copy items from courses improvement
- Performance Goals Scale via Public REST API
- Additional Grader Information for Grade Export Tool
All users:
Instructional Design
Deploy Role Play Separately from Socratic Questioning for AI Conversation – 3900.106
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Administrators
Related Topic: AI Design Assistant and Unsplash Configuration
We listened to your feedback and adjusted the AI Conversation toggle in the administrator panel. Previously, Socratic Questioning had to be turned on so that Role Play could be selected. Administrators can now choose to deploy Role Play separately from Socratic Questioning.
Image 1. The AI Design Assistant and Unsplash configuration screen
For administrators: Turning AI Conversation off after deployment will stop AI Conversation services. Therefore, any AI Conversation activities visible to students won't operate as expected.
Video Studio: skip to a specific part of a recording - 3900.106
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors, Students
Related Topic: Video Studio (instructor page), Video Studio (student page), Video Studio (administrator page)
In Video Studio, users can skip to a specific part of a recording, giving them more control over viewing. By selecting a time stamp in the transcript, the recording plays from the time selected.
For example, a student who views a recorded lecture can skip forward to a specific portion of the video. They can also replay any part of the video by selecting the desired timestamp in the transcript.
Image 1: Select a timestamp on the transcript and the recording plays from that part of the video
For Administrators: Video Studio is a premium solution. We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025. This trial provides access to the full version of Video Studio. Video Studio is set to OFF as a default in test/stage environments. If you want to enable it in your institution’s production environment, you can do that for free until the end of June 2025. In the Administrator Panel, select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond this date, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it.
Group Management: Performance Improvements– 3900.106
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Related Topic: Create and Manage Groups
Groups are an important part of managing students in a course, especially in large courses. We improved performance so saving groups is now 80%-90% quicker. This gives instructors more time for other course activities.
For administrators: There are no configurations needed.
Navigation Added for LTI and SCORM Items within Learning Modules – 3900.106
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Students
Related Topic: Learning Modules
Instructors use learning modules to guide student progress through diverse types of course content. For easier navigation, students can now select arrows to the left and right of LTI or SCORM items to move through learning modules.
For administrators: There are no configurations needed.
AI Design Assistant: Rubric Generation Improvements – 3900.106
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Related Topic: AI Design Assistant
We optimized our AI Design Assistant rubric generation. Rubrics generated by the AI Design Assistant will now have more complex outputs. The AI Design Assistant will also work faster. Instructors can expect better rubrics, even for long, complicated assessments.
Image 1. Rubric generated by the AI Design Assistant in 3900.104
Image 2. Rubric generated by the AI Design Assistant in 3900.106
For administrators: There are no configurations needed.
Communication & Collaboration
Discussion Enhancement: New Post Indicator – 3900.106
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors and Students
Related Topic: Discussions
We added a "New" indicator that displays next to posts and replies that a user has not yet accessed. This helps direct engagement by making new discussion activity easier to find and access.
Image 1. The "New" indicator alongside a post and a reply
For administrators: There are no configurations needed.
Learner Progression and Personalized Experience
Link to Attempt Log Added to Activity Log – 3900.106
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors and Administrators
Related Topic: Student Activity Log
Users may now directly go to the attempt log for any test or assignment from the activity log by selecting the Attempt Log button associated with the item.
Image 1. The new Attempt Log button in the activity log.
For administrators: There are no configurations needed.
Flexible Grading
Improvements for late submissions – 3900.106
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Related Topic: Grade Assignments with Flexible Grading
To help instructors quickly identify late submissions in the attempt banner, late submissions now have a Late indicator. We also updated the wording from Submitted late <date> to Submitted <date>.
For administrators: There are no configurations needed.
Gradebook
Grade override improvements - 3900.106
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Related Topic: Override Grades
To increase transparency when overriding grades, we added an Override indicator to overridden grades on the Grades & Participation screen for Discussions.
We implemented the Undo Override workflow on the Discussion grading interface, mimicking the Undo Override workflow in the Journal grading interface.
For administrators: There are no configurations needed.
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.
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.
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
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.
Upgrade to Ultra
Copy Items from Courses Improvement – 3900.106
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Original Course View
Ultra Course View
Impact: Administrators
Related Topic: Copy Content from Other Courses
We updated the copy workflow in Blackboard to make copying easier. Now, users with the following privileges can copy from any course that they have access to, even if they’re not enrolled:
- Administrator Panel (Courses) > Courses > Copy Course
- Administrator Panel (Organizations) > Organizations > Copy Organization
For administrators: There are no configurations needed.
Moodle Conversion Improvement: Images in Question Text – 3900.106
Blackboard Learn SaaS
Original Course View
Ultra Course View
Impact: Instructors
Related Topic: Migrate from Moodle
Images in quiz questions are now preserved during conversion from Moodle to Blackboard. Previously, images were not retained during the conversion process
For administrators: There are no configurations needed.
Release notes for earlier versions
Release notes for earlier versions available in English only:
Return to top of the Archived Release Notes page
