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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Learn SaaS release 3900.112.0

Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.112.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 11 February 2025 | Release to Production: Thursday, 6 March 2025
Original Course View, Ultra Course View

For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Blackboard 3900.112.0 version included below on this page. Details can be found on Anthology Global Support.

Latest release to Test/Stage servers to take place on 11 February 2025.

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


The March 2025 - 3900.112 release is robust with features in 10 areas:  

  • Instructional design;
  • Mastery learning and learning pathways;
  • Tests and assignments;
  • Communication and collaboration;
  • Gradebook;
  • Learner Progression & Personalized Experience;
  • Integrations;
  • Learn core and security;
  • Upgrade to Ultra; and
  • Premium features

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

Instructors:

Instructors and Students:

Students

Instructors and Administrators

Administrators:

All users:


Instructional Design 

AI Design Assistant: Energy-saving image generation improvements – 3900.112 

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Help Page: Add Files, Images, Audio, and Video 
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-5580

Instructors

We changed how the AI Design Assistant presents generated images. Instead of presenting four at a time, the AI Design Assistant now generates only one. Each time another image is generated, it is saved so that instructors can select previously generated images. When an instructor selects an image or exits image generation, all images are cleared. This new method saves processing power and is more environmentally friendly. 

Image 1. The AI Design Assistant generates one image at a time and saves previously generated images.

The Insert image window, with two images small images saved and one large image in the foreground

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


AI Design Assistant: Learning module generation improvements – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Help Page: Create Learning Modules 
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-2763

Instructors 

We made two enhancements to the user experience when generating learning modules. If an image isn't generated with a learning module, the title and description will no longer shift to the left. A placeholder image is now used to ensure a consistent reading experience. 

Image 1. Learning modules generated in 3900.110 lacked a placeholder image.

The Auto-Generate Learning Modules screen, with 4 learning modules generated. One module lacks an image and the description is indented further to the left than the modules with generated images.

Image 2. The new placeholder image in 3900.112 appears beside the title.

The Auto-Generate Learning Modules screen, with 3 learning modules generated. The topmost module lacks an image and has a placeholder that prompts the user to retry image generation.

We also added a refresh button to learning module images so instructors can easily generate a new image. This feature is particularly useful for modules where images were not created or for regenerating images that the instructor doesn’t want to use. 

Image 3. The new refresh button displays on the lower right corner of the image.

A generated learning module with an image to the left, with a refresh icon showing in the bottom right

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Mastery Learning and Learning Pathways 

Analytics: New Course Goals reports – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Help Page: Course Reports 
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-1388, LEARNU-I-4464

Instructors 

We added two goals reports to the Analytics page in Blackboard. 

Course Goal Coverage Report 

  • Provides a comprehensive view of goal coverage for a single course.
  • Displays both covered and gap values for all associated curricular areas.
  • Includes a detailed breakdown of course items aligned with goals. 

Course Goal Performance Report 

  • Evaluates how a course meets selected goals.
  • Includes overall averages and detailed breakdowns for individual students and goals. 

Instructors can gain deeper insights into how course content aligns with institutional goals. They can also assess student progress more effectively. 

If a course has no goals, instructors will receive a report with no data. 

Image 1. The new Goal Reports are located in the Course Reports tab of the Analytics page. 

The Course Reports tab, with the two Goals Reports available

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Release conditions panel: due dates now included – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Help Page: Content Release Conditions 
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-1886

Instructors 

When instructors customize release conditions for a content item, the due date for the item is now included with the date and time fields. Instructors are no longer required to go back to the item to check the due date, which saves time and reduces errors. 

Image 1. The due date of a content item now displays after the date and time fields.

Release condition rules, with the date/time section highlighted to show the red warning text about dates

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Usability improvements to Mastery tab in Gradebook – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Help Topic: Mastery Tab in Gradebook 
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-5385, LEARNU-I-6071

Instructors 

We made several improvements to the appearance of the Mastery tab in Gradebook. Goal titles were crowded by icons and longer goal titles were cut off. To address this, we adjusted how goal titles are displayed above columns: 

  • Icons were removed.
  • There are now two lines for goal names.
  • There’s now hover text above goals that displays the full name of the goal. 

These changes ensure that instructors can easily read all goal titles, improving their overall experience with the Mastery tab in Gradebook. 

Image 1. Hover text appears over a goal title to display the full name.

The Mastery tab in Gradebook, with two-line titles, no icons, and hover text with the full name of the goal

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Tests & Assignments

Improved student experience when test or assignment is changed to Hidden from Students - 3900.112

Impact: Students
Updated Topic: "Control what students can access" section on Create Content
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-3193

Note: This feature will not be available initially in the test/stage environment. We will backport this feature and include it as part of the 3900.112 release in production, which is tentatively scheduled for 6 March 2025.

We've enhanced the assessment workflow for students when an instructor sets a test or assignment to Hidden from students. If an instructor sets a test or assignment to Hidden from students while the students are actively taking the assessment, students who have the assessment open can continue working on it without interruption. This ensures that students can finish their work without disruption.

Previously, if an instructor set an assessment to Hidden from students while students were actively taking the assessment, the students were abruptly kicked out of the assessment and redirected to the course content page.

Instructors

Instructors can continue using the Hidden from students setting for tests and assignments without worrying about disrupting students who are actively working on the assessment.

Students

Students are not disrupted when working on an assessment, even if the instructor hides the assessment from students. If students save and close the assessment, they cannot access that assessment again because of the hidden status.

Administrators

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed.

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Anonymous discussions: New privilege to reveal author – 3900.112 

Impact: All users 
Updated Help Topic: Create Discussions (Instructor), Discussions (Student)
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-4139 

All users 

System administrators or other users with the assigned system role privilege can now reveal the identity of the author of an anonymous discussion post or reply. This enhancement addresses instances where the anonymous feature is misused, such as bullying or other inappropriate behavior. Instructors can create anonymous discussions with confidence that any misuse can be quickly resolved. 

Instructors and students 

There’s now a warning that informs users that their identity can be revealed by an authorized user. 

Image 1. The new warning is associated with the Post anonymously option.

A discussion post, with a warning below the Post anonymously option that says, "To ensure safety and compliance, authorized users have the ability to identify anonymous authors."

Administrators 

System administrators or other users with the assigned system role privilege can reveal the author of an anonymous discussion post or reply. Select the More options menu for a post, then select Reveal author. Administrators or other users with the assigned system role privilege must provide a reason for the anonymous reveal. There’s no indication for other readers of the discussion that the administrator revealed the author's user details. 

Due to the sensitive nature of this action, the administrator’s user details are recorded in the system log with the reason. The information in the system log includes: 

  • Date of reveal
  • Time of reveal
  • Username of user requesting
  • Course Name of revealed post/posts
  • Discussion Name of revealed post/posts
  • Reason given 

If the administrator refreshes the page, the user is once again anonymous. 

Image 2. From the administrator’s view, the user’s name is included with text that reads “Revealed.”

A discussion post, with "Revealed" beside a student's user name

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: System Administrators are the only users who can reveal anonymous authors by default. The privilege can be assigned to other system roles if more extensive use is required. To access this privilege, go to the Administrator Panel. Select System Roles. Go to the Course/Organization Outline section. In Discussions, select the privilege for Reveal Anonymous Author

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Usability improvements for discussions – 3900.112 

Impact: Instructors, Students 
Updated Help Topic: Discussions (Instructor), Discussions (Student)
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-3567

We made several improvements to enhance the overall usability and efficiency of discussions, benefiting both instructors and students. 

Instructors and students 

  • Improved visibility: Posts now have a gray background to stand out better against the page.
  • Full post display: Long discussion posts are now fully visible without the need for scrolling, enhancing readability. 

Image 1. A long discussion post displayed in its entirety with a gray background.

A long discussion post displayed in its entirety with a gray background. There's no option to scroll.

Instructors 

We made several optimizations to enhance the accessibility of key features on the discussion home page. 

  • Participation metrics: The number of posts and replies is now listed directly on the discussion home page, replacing the total response counter. This change makes important information more immediately available.
  • Direct edit option: The Edit button is now directly accessible from the post, saving instructors time. 

Image 2. The changes made to the discussion home page included the addition of an Edit button and a count of posts and replies.

The main page of a discussion, with the edit button for the topic highlighted, as well as the Participation section on the right

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Gradebook

Pop-out rubric when evaluating an attempt – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors
Updated Topic: Grade with Rubrics
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-745

To enhance grading efficiency, instructors can now pop out the grading rubric into a separate window when grading an assignment submission. The pop-out rubric is a separate, moveable window and formatted in a grid view. Previously, the rubric was only available in a side panel and formatted in a stack.

This update makes it easier to navigate and grade student submissions by providing a clearer, more comprehensive view of the rubric. Popping out the rubric lets instructors view the student submission and the rubric side-by-side for a more efficient grading experience. Instructors can quickly select performance levels and provide feedback in the rubric while viewing the student submission.

Image 1: Instructors can pop out the rubric by selecting the expand icon in the rubric panel.

Submission view with rubric panel in one window, and the pop-out rubric in a separate window

Instructors

Instructors can access the pop-out rubric when reviewing a submission.

  • Bulk Performance Level Selection: Instructors select a performance level heading to apply it across al relevant criteria, streamlining the grading process.
  • Cell Selection and Syncing: Selected rubric cells are highlighted, and the associated grade pill updates to reflect the chosen score. When the instructor selects Save, performance levels and feedback appear in the gradebook, as it has prior to this update.
  • Feedback Section Focus: Once a rubric cell is selected, the criterion feedback section automatically focuses on the textbox for immediate feedback entry.
  • Navigation Warning: A warning appears if instructors have unsaved changes in the pop-out rubric and they attempt to navigate to another student or attempt.
  • Grade Override Warning: If the grade is overridden, the rubric popout is inactive. A banner appears, showing that the grade was overridden, with an option to regrade using the rubric.
  • Printing: Instructors can print a blank or completed rubric using the browser's print function.

When the pop-out rubric is open, the ability to add Overall Feedback and grade with the rubric in the main grading interface is inactive. This prevents an instructor from editing the same information in two separate places simultaneously.

Administrators

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed.

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


New student submission review page for tests – 3900.112

Impact: Students
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-1415

We are introducing a new and enhanced student-facing submission review page for tests. This review page is similar to the review page for assignments, which we introduced in the 3900.100 September 2024 release.

The new review page for tests ensures that all feedback is clearly laid out and easy for students to identify.

Image 1: The student view of the graded test submission includes a submission timestamp, submission receipt, and feedback for individual questions.

Student view of the graded submission for a test, with submission timestamp, submission receipt, and feedback for individual questions

Students

Students can access the new test submission review page from these locations:

  • The gradebook feedback button for the test
  • The small panel that displays when students access a test from the Course Content page

If a student submits multiple attempts, they can review each attempt on the submission review page. The instructor defines which attempt to grade in the test's final grade calculation setting.

The new test submission review page displays the following information and feedback formats:

  • Test content
  • Student submission with question-level grades and feedback
  • Submission timestamp
  • Submission receipt
  • Final grade and calculation model
  • Attempt grade and feedback
  • Override grade and feedback (if applicable)

Students can access all feedback on their submission, even if the assignment is hidden by a release condition.

Administrators

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed.

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Enhancements to hiding students with unavailable membership records – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-5556

Instructors can now hide or show students with unavailable user or membership records in the Mastery Gradebook tab in the gradebook.

Image 1: The Hides students in the gradebook who no longer have access to the course option in Gradebook Settings is not selected, and the avatar for unavailable students has a strikethrough.

Avatar for students with unavailable membership has a strikethrough

Image 2: Avatars for students appear in the Students list of the gradebook.

Unavailable student appears in the Students List in the gradebook

Instructors

  • Mastery Gradebook: The Hide students in the gradebook who no longer have access to the course option in Gradebook Settings now hides students with unavailable membership records in the Mastery Gradebook tab.
  • Student Avatars: Avatars for students with unavailable membership records now display a strikethrough in the gradebook.
  • Students List in Gradebook: Avatars are now added to the Students list in the gradebook, and students with unavailable membership records display a strikethrough on their avatars.

Administrators

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed.

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Show/hide calculation columns in the gradebook – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors

Instructors can now configure visibility for calculated columns from Items Management.

This enhancement streamlines the grading process and creates a cleaner, more organized grading workspace. To ensure that essential grading information is always available, the Overall Grade column cannot be hidden.

Administrators

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed.

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Grade Export v2 - Choose a default function type for calculated columns – 3900.112

Impact: Administrators 
Updated Help Page: Incoming Settings

When setting up a calculated grade column for Ultra courses through Grade Export v2, administrators now have the option to choose the default function type. Previously, the function type was always set to Average.

Choosing a default function type prevents unnecessary work and streamlines the grade column setup. Administrators can choose the correct function when they set up the grade column rather than requiring them to change the function after the grade column has been created.

To configure Incoming Settings, an administrator goes to Platform Extensions in the Administrator Panel, then selects Grade Export v2, Edit Settings. From the Default Calculation Function menu, they can choose between these available functions:  

  • Average
  • Minimum
  • Maximum
  • Total
  • Variable

Image 1: The Default Calculation Function in the Edit Settings page for Grade Export v2 now has several default options: Average, Minimum, Maximum, Total, and Variable.  

The Default Calculation Function menu on the Incoming Settings section of the Grade Export Settings page

Administrators

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Learner Progression & Personalized Experience 

Course Activity improvements: 3000 student limit removed – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Help Page: Course Activity Report 

Instructors 

We removed the limit to how many students were included in the Course Activity report. Courses with over 3000 students now correctly include all students in the report. Previously, courses with over 3000 students would only include the first 3000 students in the Course Activity report. Managing larger courses is now more accurate and user-friendly for instructors. 

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Enhanced Turnitin Report parameters – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors 

Turnitin is a third-party tool that integrates with Blackboard to improve student writing by providing instructors with originality reports on student writing. Turnitin now receives groups, user names, and roles data from Blackboard to enhance the Turnitin Report for instructors.

By receiving a user’s name and role as well as group data, the Turnitin Report provides more detailed information about course and assignment matches within an institution. In addition, implementation groups, name and role claims ensure that instructors receive necessary and accurate data.

Instructors

Instructors can now access the specific courses where the student previously submitted the assignment. This enhancement provides better match information to instructors when the option of name, roles, or groups is included in the matching analysis. There are no changes to the instructor interface in Blackboard.

Administrator

Availability: The Turnitin Integration is available for all Ultra courses.  

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed. Instructions for Turnitin LTI set up can be found on the Turnitin page for administrators. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Progress Tracking REST API – Read/Update student status for non-gradable items – 3900.112

Impact: Administrators 
Updated Help Page: Blackboard APIs

The new Progress Tracking public API allows third-party applications and integration platforms to efficiently retrieve and update student progress statuses for non-gradable activities.  

The progress tracking function allows instructors to track student course progress related to course content. This is automated for gradable content, such as Tests and Assignments, but doesn’t include non-gradable activities. Students must manually update the status for non-gradable items. Non-gradable items include Documents, links, or uploaded files displayed on the Course Content page or within Folders or Learning Modules. If students don’t manually update these non-gradable items, it makes the automated progress tracking system less accurate and complete.  

If students fail to manually update the status of their non-gradable activities, an automation using the API can correct those issues. The API simplifies progress tracking, making it easier for educational institutions to maintain accurate data and improve overall student engagement monitoring.  

The progress tracking API includes methods to retrieve data from single content entities (such as links and uploaded files) and parent entities parent content entities (such as Learning Modules and folders). The data is retrieved by GET by ID:  

GET by ID (single content):  

          /learn/api/public/v1/courses/{courseId}/contents/{contentId}/states/{userId}  

GET by ID (parent content):  

          /learn/api/public/v1/courses/{courseId}/contents/{contentId}/children/states/{userId}

The API also allows for updating content entities through PATCH:  

PATCH:  

          /learn/api/public/v1/courses/{courseId}/contents/{contentId}/states  

Administrator

Availability: This feature is available for all Ultra courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed.

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Pagination added to the Grading Security Settings page – 3900.112

Impact: Administrators
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-5103

The Grading Security Settings page on the Administrator Panel now includes pagination to improve the user experience. Now a longer list of profiles is displayed across multiple pages. This eliminates the need for page scrolling to find the desired profiles. This improvement provides a more efficient experience for administrators and makes the Grading Security Settings page more consistent with other Administrator Panel pages.

Image 1: The Grading Security Settings page within the Administrator Panel is now paginated to eliminate excessive scrolling through longer lists of profiles. 

Grading Security Settings page in the Administrator Panel with the pagination at the bottom highlighted in blue.

Administrator  

Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original Blackboard Courses

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Upgrade to Ultra 

Copy Banners Between Courses – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Help Page: Copy Content from Courses 
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-3481

Instructors 

Instructors now have the option to copy banners between courses. This is ideal for instructors who prefer to copy course content in parts rather than performing a full course copy. This saves instructors time during course setup and rollover. Banners can be copied from Ultra or Original courses. 

Image 1. The Copy Items page now has the option to select the course banner under Settings.

The Copy Items page, with Banner selected to copy from a course

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Canvas conversion: File upload improvements – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Help Page: Migrate from Canvas 

Instructors 

We resolved issues related to file conversions from Canvas to Blackboard. Previously, files with special characters in their names and files referenced multiple times within the same course were not converting correctly. These issues have now been addressed, ensuring accurate file preservation during conversion. 

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Premium

Video Studio - Upload 360° videos – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors and Students 
Updated Help Page: Video Studio (Instructor), Video Studio (Student)

Instructors 

Instructors can now upload 360° videos to Video Studio. 360° videos can pan to the left or right, providing a real to life experience. These immersive videos can introduce students to situations that would otherwise be out of reach. For example, a student could view a distant location or a scenario that might be dangerous. 

Students 

Students can view 360° videos in both full screen and windowed modes. To add accessibility for keyboard users, students can also use keyboard navigation using the W, A, S, D keys. There’s also a navigation aid on the video for mouse users. 

Image 1. The instructor upload screen for a 360° video.

The upload screen for a 360 video, with a field for title to the right and an uploading progress bar beside the video

Image 2. A student’s view of a 360° video. The navigation aid is a circle.

A student's view of a city skyline in a 360 video

We’re working to enhance the video playback quality to support higher resolution videos. This update will be part of the next release. 

Administrators 

Availability: Video Studio is a premium solution. 

Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025. This trial provides access to the full version of Video Studio. Video Studio is set to OFF as a default in test/stage and production environments. If you want to turn it on in your institution’s environment, you can do that for free until the end of June 2025. 

Configuration: In the Administrator Panel, select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond June 30, 2025, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it.

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Video Studio - Choose a recording device – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Help Page: Video Studio (Instructors)

Instructors can now select the recording device from any available connected device on their computer for video and audio recordings. Selecting the preferred device for recording to Video Studio makes recording teaching materials easier and faster for instructors.  

Instructors

When making a new recording in Video Studio, instructors choose the type of recording they want to create. Once selected, the camera and microphone buttons have multiple options available as a dropdown menu. The options depend on the type of recording an instructor wants to make, as well as the types of options connected or installed in their device.

Image 1: After selecting the type of recording an instructor wants to record, they can access new dropdown options for camera and/or microphone, depending on the type of recording they are creating.  

Audio recording with menu dropdown to choose recording device open. The dropdown menu is highlighted in blue.

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 March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Video Studio – Access transcript in one-quarter size video block – 3900.112

Impact: Instructors, Students 
Updated Help Page: Video Studio (Instructors), Video Studio (Students)

Video Studio now allows users to access transcripts for recordings that are displayed in one-quarter size in Documents. When an instructor resizes a recording to one quarter size, a user accesses the transcript via a modal window that is displayed when they access a recording transcript. This improvement ensures that instructors and students can use a transcript at all display sizes.

Resizing the display of Video Studio recordings to one quarter size of the default full width display is possible when creating recordings within Documents. On the Course Content page, Video Studio recordings are displayed at full width.  If a user reduces the size of the browser window, the recording can be reduced to a minimum of half width of the full size.

Instructors and Students

A user isn’t able to skip forward or backward in a Video Studio recording that is sized at one-quarter size.

The user interface and functionality for accessing a transcript from a recording at one-quarter size is identical for instructors and students, except that the instructor view includes the Edit Content button.  

When user opens a Video Studio recording that is one-quarter size, a button that says View Transcript is displayed below the recording.  

Image 1: For a Video Studio recording that is sized to one-column in a Document, the user displays the transcript by selecting View Transcript, which is located below the recording.

Video Studio recording displayed at one-quarter size. The View Transcript button is below the recording. The button is highlighted in blue.

Selecting View Transcript opens a modal window containing the recording transcript in read-only mode. The transcript editing functionality is unchanged for a recording displayed at one-quarter size of the default full width.

Image 2: The transcript for a recording sized to one column displays after selecting View Transcript.  

Video Studio recording displayed at one-quarter size. The View Transcript button has been selected, so a modal window overlays the main page containing the recording transcript.

Administrator

Availability: Video Studio is a premium solution.

Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025. This trial provides access to the full version of Video Studio. Video Studio is set to OFF as a default in test/stage and production environments. If you want to enable it in your institution’s environment, you can do that for free until the end of June 2025.

Configuration: In the Administrator Panel, select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond June 30, 2025, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Course Catalog – New student dashboard configuration – 2.14

Test/Stage: week of February 3rd; Production: week of February 24th 
Impact: Students 
Updated Help Page: Dashboard

The student dashboard displays courses and achievements in their own tabs. Each tab now has filters that students can use to control the status or type of course or achievement that is displayed.

Each dashboard tile has an indicator of the item’s status. Previously, the courses and achievements tabs were broken into nested tabs to show different statuses and types of each. The student couldn’t control the view and needed to individually select each course and achievement to learn the status of each.  

The new dashboard reduces confusion, allows more student control over the user experience, and is more responsive and accessible.

Image 1: The dashboard now has a single tab for Achievements with filters for Status and Type. 

The Achievements tab of the student dashboard with status and type filter

Students

Students use the Status filter on the Courses tab to choose which courses to display on screen. They use the Status and Type filters on the Achievements tab to choose which achievements to display.

Administrator

Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Course Catalog – Student achievement notifications – 2.14 

Test/Stage: week of February 3rd; Production: week of February 24th 
Impact: Students
Updated Help Page: Dashboard 
Idea Exchange ID: LEXT-I-14

Students now receive an in-app notification when they earn a new certificate. The notification congratulates them and prompts them to view their achievement in the student dashboard.

Previously, the only way students could determine whether they had earned a certificate was to navigate to the Achieved tab within the Certificates tab of the student dashboard. The new notification alerts the student, provides a sense of achievement, and makes it quick and easy for them to access the details of their certification. 

Image 1: An in-app notification appears when students achieve a new certificate. 

Achievement notification for learner

Students

The notification appears the next time the student logs into the Course Catalog after completing the certification. On the notification, they select the View Achievement button to access the Achievements tab on the student dashboard.

Administrator

Availability: Available in all Course Catalog courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Course Catalog – Default language selection on single-language sites – 2.14

Test/Stage: week of February 3rd; Production: week of February 3rd 
Impact: Managers and Administrators 
Idea Exchange ID: CC-I-3

Multiple Course Catalog menus now default to the configured language on single-language sites.

Managers and administrators no longer must choose the language from many of the language drop-down menus on single-language sites. These menus include those for creating catalog items and administrative catalog settings. This change saves time for managers and administrators performing multiple tasks, such as creating offerings, configuring catalog settings, and setting up notification emails.

Managers

If a site has only one language configured, many of the language menus are always set to that language.  

Administrator  

Availability: All Course Catalog courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Course Catalog – New Skip to Content buttons – 2.14

Test/Stage: week of February 3rd; Production: week of February 3rd  
Impact: All Users

We added a Skip to Content button to all pages in the Course Catalog to make content more accessible. Multiple links appear before featured content on each page, which previously caused keyboard and screen reader users to navigate through repetitive and irrelevant links. Skip to Content provides a way for these users to quickly access the main content and avoid frustration.

Students and Managers

When users navigate the site using the keyboard or a screen reader, Skip to Content displays at the beginning of each page. Users of screen readers or keyboard navigation can select Skip to Content to move past links and quickly access page content.

Image 1: A Skip to Content button appears for keyboard and screen reader users. 

The Course Catalog homepage with the Skip to Content button highlighted

Administrator  

Availability: All Course Catalog courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Course Catalog – Accessibility improvements to carousel – 2.14

Test/Stage: week of February 3rd; Production: week of February 3rd  
Impact: All Users

Users can now navigate through the carousel of featured course tiles on the homepage in the correct order using a keyboard or screen reader. Previously, the focus order of the items in the carousel was not the same as the visual order. This discrepancy caused confusion for users who access the site with assistive technologies. The corrected focus order improves the site’s accessibility.

Administrator

Availability: All Course Catalog courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Course Catalog – Correct header levels applied – 2.14

Test/Stage: week of February 3rd; Production: week of February 3rd  
Impact: Students

Heading levels are now correctly applied based on the content hierarchy. Previously, many pages used inappropriate heading levels that disrupted semantic structure and navigation for assistive technologies. The corrected heading structure improves the user experience and complies with WCAG standards.  

Students

Students will find it easier to navigate the site with assistive technologies.

Administrator

Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed. 

Return to March 2025 – 3900.112.0 Release description


Learn SaaS release 3900.110.0

Blackboard Learn SaaS Continuous Delivery v3900.110.0
Release to Test/Stage: Tuesday, 14 January 2025 | Release to Production: Thursday, 6 February 2025
Original Course View, Ultra Course View

For full feature details, please review the corresponding notes for the Blackboard 3900.110.0 version included below on this page. Details can be found on Anthology Global Support.

Latest release to Test/Stage servers to take place on 14 January 2025.

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


The February 2025 - 3900.110 release is robust with features in 8 areas:  

  • Instructional design;
  • Tests and assignments;
  • Communication and collaboration;
  • Gradebook;
  • Learner Progression & Personalized Experience;
  • Learn core and security; and
  • Premium features

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

Instructors:  

Instructors and Students:

Instructors and Administrators

Students

Students and Administrators

Administrators:


Instructional Design

Exclude descriptions from learning modules generated by AI Design Assistant – 3900.110

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Topic: AI Design Assistant 

Instructors 

We added the option to exclude descriptions from learning modules generated by the AI Design Assistant. Instructors who want to write their own descriptions no longer have to manually remove them from auto-generated learning modules. 

Image 1. The Auto-Generate Learning Modules page has a new option to include or exclude descriptions.

The Auto-Generate Modules page, with the checkbox for Include descriptions selected

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Change folders to learning modules or learning modules to folders – 3900.110

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Topic: Create Containers for Content 

Instructors 

Instructors can now change a folder to a learning module or a learning module to a folder. Benefits of changing a folder to a learning module include: 

  • Thumbnail images: Learning modules come with thumbnail images, which provide a visually appealing course experience. 
  • Forced sequencing: Instructors can force students to navigate learning modules in linear paths. 
  • Progress bar: Learning modules have a progress bar for students that highlights the number of items that they need to complete and their progression on those items. 
  • Previous and next navigation: Students can quickly navigate to the next or previous item in a learning module. 

Image 1. The new option to change a folder to a learning module in the dropdown menu.

Course Content page, with the More options menu open and Change to Learning Module highlighted beside a folder

To give instructors more control over their courses, they can also change learning modules to folders. Instructors are warned that all learning module functions are removed when converting a learning module to a folder. 

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: Administrators can turn the feature on or off by going to Ultra Experience Management and selecting Change Folder to Learning Module or Learning Module to Folder.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Improvement to rendering of uploaded files - 3900.110

Impact: Instructors, Students 

Instructors and students

Files uploaded by instructors to Blackboard now retain their original formatting and characteristics wherever instructors can upload files. Previously, formatting changes may have displayed with uploaded files, such as PowerPoints or Excel worksheets. With improved rendering, students can view files in their original format, leading to a better overall user experience.

This improvement is now available in both test/stage and production environments for Ultra and Original courses.

Image 1. A student's view of a Document, where an embedded PowerPoint slide displays next to a text block.

A student's view of a Document, with a PowerPoint slide displayed beside a greeting to the class

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


AI Design Assistant -- Set a larger maximum number of generated questions and learning modules – 3900.110

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Topic: AI Design Assistant 

Instructors 

When using the AI Design Assistant, instructors can now set the number of questions generated for tests and question banks to a maximum of 20. The maximum number of learning modules that the AI Design Assistant generates also increased to 20. Generating more questions at once reduces the chance that similar questions will be generated. The default number of questions and learning modules generated remains 4. 

Image 1. The Auto-Generate Questions page displays a new maximum number of questions of 20.

The Auto-Generate Questions page, with the Complexity and Number of questions options highlighted on the left

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Upload images to Documents using the new image block – 3900.110 

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Topic: Create Documents 

Instructors 

We added an image block to Documents. Instructors can use image blocks to upload their own images, use the AI Design Assistant to generate images, or select images from Unsplash. Image blocks can be moved throughout a Document, just like other block types. Instructors have the option to resize images, set height, and maintain aspect ratios in image blocks. A dedicated image block makes adding images more apparent. Adding images via the image block also reduces white space around images and provides greater control over content design. 

Image 1. The new image block option in Documents.

The menu for adding blocks to Documents, with Image highlighted

Image 2. The preview of an image within a Document.

A Document with an image block beside a content block, with a knowledge check below

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Tests & Assignments

Mask access code for an assessment – 3900.110

Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated topic: Access Codes section of Assessment Settings

Instructors and Students

When an instructor or exam proctor enters an access code for an assessment on a student's computer, the code is masked (*******) to ensure enhanced security. Previously, the code was visible when entered on a student's screen, compromising the secure testing environment. An option to view the code is available but the default state keeps it hidden, providing better privacy and protection during testing.

Image 1: Masked access code

Numbers in the Access Code field in the test panel for students is masked with asterisks

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Improved performance for assignment file submissions – 3900.110

Impact: Students
Updated Topic: Submit an Assignment section of Submit Assignments

Students

The latest updates bring significant improvements to assignment submission uploads, ensuring a smoother experience for students:

  • Timed assessments: When a student uploads a file just before the timer runs out, the upload will complete before the attempt is auto-submitted.
  • Re-upload workflow: If a student's file doesn't upload correctly, they can easily re-upload it using the new workflow.

Students can now be confident that their files are successfully attached, received, and stored. They will be notified immediately if there are any issues with their file submissions.

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Communication & Collaboration 

Improvements to avatar size and time stamp positioning for discussion replies – 3900.110

Impact: Instructors, Students 
Updated Topic: Discussions 

Instructors and Students 

We adjusted the size of avatars and the position of time stamps to improve the user experience. Replies to posts are now easier to identify and avatar sizes are consistent. 

Image 1. The new standard indentation and avatar sizes for discussions.

A discussion post, with a reply below. The avatars and timestamps are both highlighted.

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Enhancements to course groups – 3900.110

Impact: Instructors, Administrators
Updated Topic: Create and Manage Groups

Instructors

To simplify group management and enhance usability for instructors, we made several improvements to course groups: 

  • Activity-level groups are now course-level: All new groups are now course-level. Instructors can create course-level groups directly from a content item, eliminating the need to manage groups at the activity level. 
  • More warnings and restrictions: To prevent the creation of empty group sets during group assignments, we added restrictions and additional warning messages. This helps instructors make informed decisions and avoid disruptions in group management. 

Image 1. The new warning for when an instructor creates a group assignment with an empty group.

A popup warning message saying "No Groups Found: This group set has no groups. Add groups to assign content."
  • Simplified group creation: The option to reuse activity-level groups was removed. This change encourages instructors to focus on course-level groups and reduces confusion. 

Existing activity-level groups in a course will remain activity-level. 

Administrators 

When copying course materials to a new course from the Administrator Panel: 

  • Group assignments with activity-level groups associated with a copied content item will not be duplicated. 
  • Copied content will indicate that it previously had groups with a “No groups” label, helping instructors understand the history of the content and encouraging the use of the new group management system. 

For more details, visit Methods to Copy a Course. 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Gradebook

Excluded attempts removed from Needs Grading count – 3900.110

Impact: Instructors 

Instructors

Instructors can choose to exclude attempts that they do not intend to grade. Excluded attempts are removed from the Needs Grading workflow and any gradebook calculations.

With this release, we have ensured that excluded attempts are removed from the Needs Grading count in all gradebook views. This provides instructors with a more accurate overview of their outstanding grading workload.

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Conversion of existing assignments to the new assignment workflow released in 3900.98 – 3900.110

Impact: Instructors 

In the 3900.98 release in August 2024, we separated the workflows for creating a test and creating an assignment. Prior to the 3900.98 release, the Create Assignment and Create Test workflows shared the same content and settings. The 3900.98 enhancement made each workflow distinct, where the Create Assignment workflow now contains only assignment-specific content and settings, while the Create Test workflow remained unchanged. The new assignment workflow enhancements included:

  • A new Instructions box with a full content editor for detailed assignment instructions.
  • A streamlined Settings panel with only options relevant to assignments.
  • No option to add questions, as assignments cannot contain questions.
  • Attempts are only created when students interact with the assignment, such as submitting a file or adding content to the editor.

As part of this release, we are performing a one-time, automatic bulk conversion of assignments created created prior to the new assignment workflow released in the 3900.98 release. After the bulk conversion, all assessments will follow either the assignment workflow released in the 3900.98 release or the test workflow. This will ensure that converted assignments benefit from the new assignment workflow's features. 

Assignments will be converted in a one-time, bulk process following these definitions:

  • Assignment: Any existing assessment without questions (such as MCQ, Essay, Hotspot) is classified as an "assignment.". Assignments will be converted.
  • Test: Any existing assessment with questions (such as MCQ, Essay, Hotspot) is classified as a "test." Tests will not be converted.

The conversion will not affect the following items:

  • Existing student assignment attempts and grades
  • Existing gradebook calculations
  • Assignment Settings and Category designation
  • Tests

To ensure a successful, consistent conversion to the new assignment workflow, we updated the following processes:

  • Converting courses
    • Assignments will convert to the new assignment workflow.
    • Tests without questions will be set to Hidden from students.
  • Copying items
    • Assignments copied from Original courses will convert to the new assignment workflow.
    • Tests without questions copied from Original and Ultra courses will be set to Hidden from students.
  • Restoring Original archive/export packages
    • Assignments will convert to the new assignment workflow.
    • Tests without questions will be set to Hidden from students.
  • Restoring Ultra archive/export packages
    • Assessments without questions will convert to the new assignment workflow.
    • Tests without questions will be set to Hidden from students.

Administrators 

During the conversion, assessments that are being converted will have an entry of Assignment added to the BBMD_ASSESSMENT_SUBTYPE column in the QTI_ASI_DATA table.

The bulk conversion will occur during the release upgrade. The release upgrade might take longer than normal.

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Test Settings usability improvements – 3900.110

Impact: Instructors 

Instructors

To enhance usability and improve the test-building experience, we streamlined the Settings panel for tests by removing the following assignment-specific options:

  • Collect submissions offline
  • Use grading rubric
  • Maximum points
  • 2 grades per student
  • Peer review

By simplifying the Settings panel, we reduce complexity and save instructors time, allowing them to focus more on creating effective assessments rather than navigating through numerous options.

Additionally, we updated the functionality for student visibility options and release conditions for tests. Now, instructors must add one or more questions to their test to make it visible to students or to add release conditions. This ensures that students only see assessments that they can actively engage with.

Image 1: Settings panel with assignment-specific options removed

Test-specific settings removed from the assessment settings panel

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Improvements to grading interface – 3900.110

Impact: Instructors 

Instructors

To optimize the use of screen space and to give graders a larger view of the student submission, we redesigned the grading interface for assignments and tests.

We implemented the following design changes:

  • Relocated the Previous Student and Next Student navigation controls next to the attempt grade pill and removed the gray bar that these buttons were on.
  • Replaced the Previous Student and Next Student buttons with <> arrows.
  • Moved the avatar, student name, and submission information to the existing black bar and removed the white bar where the information was previously listed.

Image 1: Grading interface prior to design changes

Grading interface prior to design changes

Image 2: Newly designed grading interface

Grading interface after design changes

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Improved accuracy when uploading grades and feedback – 3900.110

 Impact: Instructors 

Instructors

Instructors can now upload grades and feedback for assignments, journals, and discussions with improved accuracy. Previously, when instructors uploaded grades, they were always stored at the override level, which left the underlying attempts or submissions ungraded. This caused the Needs Grading and New Submission flags to remain visible, even when grading had been completed offline.

Uploaded grades and feedback are now correctly mapped to the corresponding attempt or submission whenever possible. This reduces confusion and provides better clarity for instructors.

Assignments with Single Attempts

  • Ungraded Attempts. When an ungraded attempt is found, the grade is stored at the attempt level, the Needs Grading and New Submission flags are cleared, and any auto-zero is removed.
  • Graded Attempts. If the attempt is already graded, the existing grade is updated accordingly.
  • Existing Overrides. If an override already exists, only the override is updated. No changes are made to the attempt grade.
  • No Submission. If a student has not submitted an attempt, the grade is stored as an override.

Assignments with Multiple Attempts

  • Ungraded Attempts. If all attempts are ungraded, the grade is assigned to the appropriate attempt based on the aggregation model:
    • First: The grade is assigned to the first attempt.
    • Last: The grade is assigned to the last attempt.
    • All (Min, Max, & Average): The grade is assigned to the last attempt. All other attempts are excluded.
  • Single Graded Attempt. For a single graded attempt, the existing grade is updated.
  • Multiple Graded Attempts. If more than one attempt is graded, the grade is stored as an override. The Needs Grading and New Submission labels remain unchanged.
  • Existing Overrides. If an override already exists, the override grade is updated.
  • No Submission. For students with no submission, the grade is stored as an override.

Discussions and Journals

  • Ungraded Submissions. For ungraded submissions, the grade and feedback are added to the submission, and the Needs Grading and New Submission flags are cleared.
  • Graded Submissions. If the submission is already graded, the grade and feedback are updated.
  • Overrides. If a student has an override grade, the override grade and feedback are updated.

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Improvement to rendering in Bb Annotate - 3900.110

Impact: Instructors, Students 

Instructors and students

We enhanced how files submitted by students are rendered in Bb Annotate. Previously, formatting changes during the rendering process made grading more challenging for instructors. Now, files display with the exact same formatting as when they were submitted, ensuring a smoother grading experience. This feature was well-received by customers in a tech preview! 

Supported file types include: 

  • PowerPoints
  • Excel worksheets
  • PDFs
  • Other common formats 

Additionally, the warning about potential formatting changes during the conversion process has been removed.

This improvement is now available in both test/stage and production environments for Ultra and Original courses.

A PowerPoint file rendered by Bb Annotate now displays in the original format, ready to be annotated.

A PowerPoint slide in Bb Annotate, with a colored chart to the left and bullet points to the right

Administrators 

Availability: Available for Ultra courses. This feature is not available to GovCloud.

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Improvements to grade entry for discussions and journals from the Grid view or Grades & Participation page – 3900.110

Impact: Instructors 

Instructors

Instructors can now enter discussion and journal grades directly in the Grid view or Grades & Participation page with improved accuracy and consistency. Previously, grades entered in these views were stored at the override level. This caused confusion as underlying attempts remained ungraded and continued to display the Needs Grading and New Submission flags. This update ensures that grades entered this way are properly mapped to the underlying attempt or submission when applicable.

Grade Entry Requirements

  • Ungraded Submissions. For ungraded submissions, the grade and feedback are added to the submission, and the Needs Grading and New Submission flags are cleared.
  • Graded Submissions. If the submission is already graded, the grade and feedback are updated.
  • Overrides. If a student has an override grade, the override grade and feedback are updated.

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Learner Progression & Personalized Experience

Include IP addresses in student activity log – 3900.110

Impact: Instructors and Administrators 
Updated Topic: Student Activity Log 

Instructors and administrators 

IP addresses are now in the student activity log for assessment submissions and drafts. This new information can help with comparing data while reviewing a student’s test taking behavior 

Image 1. The new IP address column that’s included in the student activity log.

The columns of the Student Activity Log, which includes IP addresses

Administrators 

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses. 

Activation: None needed. 

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Learn Core & Security

Create multiple profiles for IP address restrictions on assessments – 3900.110

Impact: Instructors, Administrators 
Updated Help page: Assessment IP Address Filtering (admin), Restrict Location (Instructor, Ultra), Restrict Location (Instructor, Original)

Administrators can now create more than one profile associated with one or more ranges of IP addresses. Each profile supports different IP filter rule configurations. These filters help secure testing environments. Instructors can select the desired testing location from available profiles.

Within Grading Security Settings in the Administrator Panel, administrators can now select Add Profile to define another profile with specific IP filter rules. You can now also select Edit on an existing profile to make changes to that profile.  

Image 1: On the Grading Security Settings page, select the new Add Profile option to create a new profile. Each profile has an edit option in the drop-down menu.

The Grading Security Settings page in the Administrator Panel. The Add Profile button is highlighted with a blue box around it. A list of IP filters below the button, and the cursor is selecting the edit option on one IP filter item.

For more information on Assessment restrictions, go to Assessment IP Address Filtering.  

Instructors

Instructors administering assessments in both Ultra and Original courses can now select the location of their choice from available profiles configured by the administrator.  

In the Assessment Settings panel, instructors can apply a location restriction by selecting a location from available profiles.  

Image 2: Instructors can now select from multiple locations in the Location restriction field in Assessment Settings.

The Assessment Settings panel open for a test. The Restrict Location option is highlighted with a blue box.

Administrators

Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original Blackboard Courses

Activation:  None needed.

Configuration: In the Administrator Panel, select Course Settings, then Grading Security Settings. If an existing course with IP restrictions is copied for a new course, IP restrictions need to be configured again. 
 

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Improved student email notifications in multi-brand environments – 3900.110

Impact: Students, Administrators 
Updated Help page: SIS Framework Overview

We have updated the Blackboard SIS Integration Framework to support multi-brand environments. It now includes a field that stores the login URL for each user. This update improves the accuracy of email notifications to students.  

A multi-brand environment is a single Blackboard environment that supports multiple institutions, such as an instance shared by several different universities within a regional system. If a student or instructor has not previously logged into a Blackboard environment that supports multiple institutions, an automated email notification could potentially direct them to an incorrect login URL.  

If your institution doesn’t use a multi-brand Blackboard environment, there is no action you need to take.

Students and instructors

Email notifications will be more accurate and support requests will be reduced with this update. There are no user interface changes.    

Administrator

Availability: Available for all Blackboard courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: Ensure that correct login URL data is entered when creating or updating student records within your SIS.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Privilege label change for two privileges introduced in 3900.108 release - 3900.110 

Impact: Administrators 
Updated Help page: Course Settings (Instructors)

In Blackboard release 3900.108, we introduced two new privileges to enhance course access management. To better reflect their functionality, the label names for these privileges were changed for in the 3900.110 release. 

Privilege descriptions and updated labels  

A new privilege introduced in 3900.108 called Partial Change Completion Status (on) allows a user to mark a course as complete and to revert this change.  

  • New privilege label: Make Course/Organization complete  

A new privilege introduced in 3900.108 called Change Completion Status (on/off) allows a user to mark a course as complete and to revert this change.  

  • New privilege label: Make Course/Organization complete and revert to not complete   

Administrator

Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.

Activation: None needed.

Configuration: None needed.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Premium features

Video Studio – Add video content within the Course Content page – 3900.110

Impact: Instructors, Students 
Updated Help pages: Video Studio (administrator), Video Studio (instructor), Video Studio (student)

Instructors and course builders can now add video content to the Course Content page with Video Studio. While video can be incorporated within the announcements, feedback, and Documents, this new functionality enhances the ability to show compelling instructional content on the main course page.

Instructors

To add video content to the Course Content page, select + and then Record Audio/Video. To record the video, follow directions for using Video Studio.  

Image 1: Record Audio/Video now appears among menu options when adding content to the Course Content page.

On the Course Content page, the cursor selects the drop-down menu to add an item. The option Record Audio/Video is highlighted in a blue box.

Students

Students can now view video content directly from the Course Content page. Video content appears with a camera icon. Select the video content, and a panel opens to display the recorded content.

Image 2: For students, video content on the Course Content page is designated by a camera icon next to the title of the content.

A student view of the course content page. A new recording created with Video Studio is displayed on the page and is highlighted with a blue box.

Administrator

Availability: Video Studio is a premium solution.

Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025. This trial provides access to the full version of Video Studio. Video Studio is set to OFF as a default in test/stage environments. If you want to enable it in your institution’s production environment, you can do that for free until the end of June 2025.

Configuration: In the Administrator Panel, select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond June 30, 2025, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Video Studio - Edit captions and transcripts 3900.110

Impact: Instructors 
Updated Help pages: Video Studio (administrator), Video Studio (instructor)

Instructors can now edit video captions and transcripts for content created using Video Studio. This functionality allows instructors to correct minor errors and add clarity to the captions and transcripts that are automatically generated during a recording.

Instructors

To edit captions and transcripts of a recording, select Edit Content.

Image 1: To edit captions or transcripts within Video Studio, first select Edit content.

Top portion of a Video Studio recording with the Edit Content button on top right corner highlighted with a blue box.

Next, hover your cursor over the video to display the option to edit (the button labeled with a pencil icon). If navigating with your keyboard, you can also select tab until you focus on the screen, which then displays the editing options. Select the button labeled with a pencil.  

Image 2: Select the pencil button to reach the new caption/transcript editing capability within Video Studio.

Top portion of a Video Studio recording with the button with a pencil icon for editing recordings highlighted in a blue box.

Next, select Transcript, which displays the transcript. Select the pencil next to the text you want to edit within the transcript. Once you make your edits, select the checkmark to save the edit or select X to discard changes. Once you finish making all your edits, select Save Video. The changes now appear in both the captions and the transcript.

Image 3: The new Transcript button appears when you are editing a recording. After editing your text, select either the check button to save your change or X to discard it.

Panel for editing Video Studio transcripts is open. A line of transcript text has been selected. The transcript tab is highlighted in a blue box and the options to discard or save an edit have been highlighted with a blue box.

Administrator

Availability: Video Studio is a premium solution.

Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025. This trial provides access to the full version of Video Studio. Video Studio is set to OFF as a default in test/stage environments. If you want to enable it in your institution’s production environment, you can do that for free until the end of June 2025.

Configuration: In the Administrator Panel, select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond June 30, 2025, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it. 

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Video Studio - Download recording transcripts – 3900.110

Impact: Instructors, Students 
Updated Help pages: Video Studio (instructor), Video Studio (student)

Users can now download transcripts for content created using Video Studio. Video and audio recordings make for compelling teaching material, but if users don’t have ready access to text, it can pose a challenge for study and instruction. Giving users access to transcripts for recordings to print or highlight allows recorded content to be a powerful study tool.

Instructors and students

Once you’ve selected your recording and press play, select the transcript button at the bottom corner of the video screen. This opens the transcript panel displaying the text of the transcript. Select the download button at the top of transcript column. The transcript is downloaded as a VTT file that includes time stamps and speaker narration.

Image 1: A download button now appears in the Transcript panel of a Video Studio recording.

A video studio recording with the transcript panel displaying the transcript. At the top of the transcript panel is the button to download transcripts, which is highlighted in a blue box.

Administrator

Availability: Video Studio is a premium solution.

Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025. This trial provides access to the full version of Video Studio. Video Studio is set to OFF as a default in test/stage environments. If you want to enable it in your institution’s production environment, you can do that for free until the end of June 2025.

Configuration: In the Administrator Panel, select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond June 30, 2025, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Change Badge size in Anthology Adopt

Impact: Administrators 
Updated pages: Anthology Adopt Accessibility Page

A badge is one of the ways users can activate an Anthology Adopt guide in Blackboard. To enhance accessibility, you can now increase the size of badges. To change badge size, select Activation to open Activation Settings. Under Badges, select Edit Settings.

Image 1: When creating an Anthology Adopt guide, administrators can now adjust the badge size in Activation Settings.

The Visual Design Studio open in Anthology Adopt. The Activation drop-down menu is open and the Edit Badge option is highlighted with a blue box.

In the Styling tab, there is a new size field that allows you to adjust the badge pixel size within a range of 8px to 300px. The default size is 14 pixels. The minimum target size for WCAG 2.2 AA is 24 pixels.  

Image 2: In Badge Settings, under Styling, there is now a field to adjust the size of the badge.

The Badge editing panel is open. The Styling tab is selected and the option to change badge size is highlighted with a blue box.

Instructors and Students

When badge size is adjusted, the change appears automatically in Blackboard for all users.

Administrator

Availability: Anthology Adopt Powered by Pendo is a premium offering from Anthology.

Activation:  None needed.

Configuration: No configurations required.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description


Anthology Adopt – Task List building block

Impact: Administrators 
Updated pages: Anthology Adopt building blocks

Anthology Adopt now features a Task List building block to create onboarding workflows and in-app experiences to guide Blackboard users through specified workflows.

An administrator may want to create Adopt guides within Blackboard that align with the order of a user’s workflow. The Task List building block makes it easy to design logical, customizable guides to align with the look and functionality of an institution’s Blackboard instance.

The Task List building blocks provides:  

  • Sequential progression. Organize guides in a logical order to create structured learning or task completion.
  • Progress tracking. Indicate completed guides to give users a sense of accomplishment and encourage them to continue.
  • Customizable appearance. Align a task list to match your app's design and user experience.
Panel for editing Anthology Adopt Task List

For more information on creating guides using the Task List building block, go to Anthology Adopt building blocks

Administrator

Availability: Anthology Adopt Powered by Pendo is a premium offering from Anthology.

Activation:  None needed.

Configuration: No configurations required.

Return to February 2025 – 3900.110.0 Release description



Looking for older release notes?

Check out the Blackboard Learn Release Notes Archive for more information on past releases.

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