Release Notes for Learn SaaS

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

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:

• Convert activity-level groups to course-level groups during course restores
• Anthology Adopt: Create embedded user guides
• Anthology Adopt: Track user interaction with Guides in Path reports 

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.

Return to June 2025 – 3900.118.0 Release description

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.

Return to June 2025 – 3900.118.0 Release description

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.

Return to June 2025 – 3900.118.0 Release description

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.

Return to June 2025 – 3900.118.0 Release description

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.

Return to June 2025 – 3900.118.0 Release description

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.

Return to June 2025 – 3900.118.0 Release description

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.

Return to June 2025 – 3900.118.0 Release description

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 

1. Use the Tab key to go to the Gradable Items tab.
2. Tab to the Gradable Items table header to enter the table.
3. Use the arrow keys to navigate the table.
4. 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

1. Once in the table, screen reader users can use table navigation (Control + Alt + arrow keys) to navigate the table.
2. 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 

1. JAWS users can move left or right in any row by using table navigation keys.
2. 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.

Return to June 2025 – 3900.118.0 Release description

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 two new features to the Student Activity Log to enhance tracking and reviewing student engagement. These updates streamline the evaluation process and provide more comprehensive data for instructors. 

• Content Access Filter: The Student Activity Log now includes a filter for content access, recording information not available elsewhere, such as Kaltura content. This allows instructors to easily review students' access without needing to download and manually filter CSV files, saving time and simplifying the process.
• Enhanced LTI Access Filter: The LTI access filter now 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 Content Access and LTI Access filters are in the Event menu.

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to June 2025 – 3900.118.0 Release description

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

Return to June 2025 – 3900.118.0 Release description

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. 

Return to June 2025 – 3900.118.0 Release description

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. 

Return to June 2025 – 3900.118.0 Release description

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. 

Return to June 2025 – 3900.118.0 Release description

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. 

Return to June 2025 – 3900.118.0 Release description

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:

• Course Catalog: Pagination added to Achievements tab on learner dashboard

Administrators: 

• Learning Object Repository: Enhancements to privileges
• Learning Object Repository: Sorting for Associations column
• Grade Export v2: Approval History available to administrators
• Grade Export v2: Choose course roles in Platform Extensions Manager 

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.

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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.

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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.

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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.

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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.

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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.

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

"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.

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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.

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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.

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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.

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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.

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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.

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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.

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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.

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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. 

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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.

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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.

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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.

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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. 

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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. 

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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. 

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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.  

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description

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.

Return to May 2025 – 3900.116.0 Release description