Blackboard Ultra Instructor Resources

The primary reason to attend training is to ensure a smooth implementation for yourself, students and the university. Even users familiar with Blackboard Original require training for Blackboard Ultra, due to many key differences in the user experience and features.

In addition to a smooth transition for all, here are 5 reasons to sign up for Ultra training now:

1. New User Interface and Navigation. Blackboard Ultra fully redesigned its user interface and navigation. Training is essential to adapt to this new layout, find key tools and options, and navigate the system efficiently.
2. Modified Course Building and Accessibility. Focusing on accessibility and mobile-friendliness, Ultra altered its structure for content management and course building. Learn the new structure to organize courses effectively and how to create accessible content across all devices.
3. Updated Grading and Assessment Tools. Ultra streamlined its grading features, as well as enhanced many of the tools for assessing student performance and feedback. Training will help these features feel more intuitive and effective.
4. Improved Communication Features. Ultra improved communication and collaboration tools, such as integrated discussion boards and group work features. Learn what is available and how to best use these tools.
5. Adaptations to Teaching Strategies. Ultra’s workflow and new features may require adjustments in teaching strategies. Learn how to effectively shift teaching methods, especially for online or blended learning formats.

Ultra is Blackboard's more modern, accessible and mobile-friendly course experience. A few highlights as to why UofL chose Blackboard Ultra include:

• Learning analytics. Support student retention and drive student success with the course activity report progress tracking and discussion performance analytics.
• Mobile-friendly. Ultra adapts to the size of users' screens whether they view courses on a mobile phone, tablet or desktop computer. Users can access their courses from anywhere, on their time.
• Simplified workflows. The system walks you through the process of adding assignments discussions, links and external content. Other common tasks, such as grading and sending messages, are simplified in Ultra Course View.
• Improved navigation. No need to dig for course tools. At the top of your screen, you will find content, events, discussions, grades and messages, no matter where you are in the course.

Blackboard Ultra was introduced in 2016, and Delphi trialed Ultra in 2018 with 2 courses determining it was not ready. Delphi has been monitoring and evaluating Ultra’s evolution and feels confident the platform has reached a level of dependability and is now ready to be rolled out to fully support our students and instructors.

Instructors will retain access to past Original View Courses, per the University of Louisville Course Sites and Course Content Retention Procedure, as a source of material for copying into Ultra Courses and for record-keeping purposes.

The Delphi Center offers training and pop-in sessions for instructors to use Blackboard Ultra.

• Summer 2023: Pilot group of instructors transition to Blackboard Ultra Course View. Pilot group's feedback inform decisions for the upgrade.
• Fall 2023: Select instructors will transition their fall 2023/spring 2024 courses.
• Spring 2024: New instructors and a broader group of instructors transition to Ultra Course View.
• Fall 2024: Transition to Ultra Course View is complete, including all newly created courses.