BB Ultra Course

UofL is transitioning to Blackboard Ultra Course View, or “Blackboard Ultra,” in a phased approach with the full transition by fall 2024. All fall 2024 course shells will be created in Blackboard Ultra.

Now is the time to adjust your course in Ultra, prior to fall. We encourage you to attend a virtual training to learn the basics. Then, attend a pop-in session virtually or in person if you need additional support, whether you have questions or would like personalized step-by-step assistance in adjusting your course.

• Training: There are many options for the 45-minute virtual trainings. Asynchronous training is also available.
• Pop-In Session: Choose a date to attend virtually or in-person in the TILL Classroom. Delphi's Blackboard and Instructional Design teams are able to assist.

Training supports a seamless transition to Blackboard Ultra by preparing educators to confidently navigate this new user interface and ensuring uninterrupted teaching and learning this fall. Educators’ proactive engagement is greatly appreciated as it is essential to the university’s commitment to student success.

Why Do Instructors Need Training for Ultra?

The primary reason to attend training is to ensure a smooth implementation for yourself, students and the university in the fall. 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.

FAQs

• Why did UofL choose Blackboard Ultra?

  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.

• Why are we transitioning now?

  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 is offering training sessions for instructors to prepare for Blackboard Ultra. Learn more here to sign up for a session. We also recommend self-enrolling in the Blackboard Ultra training resource for step-by-step guides.

• What is the implementation timeline?
  

For further questions, please contact UofL’s Blackboard Support.