Release Notes for Learn SaaS
This page contains features and updates currently on Learn SaaS Test/Stage and Production environments. Visit Archived SaaS Release Notes to see features and updates in older versions. Visit In-Product Updates to learn more about in-product updates.
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Blackboard SaaS release 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:
- Enhance instructor efficiency with expanded Activity page
- 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
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.
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: Activated by default via feature flag.
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.
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.
Looking for older release notes?
Check out the Blackboard Learn Release Notes Archive for more information on past releases.
