Category: Blackboard

What’s new in Blackboard – January 2025

WordPress User [brr26] Blackboard, Uncategorised Leave a comment

Tags: Blackboard, Monthly updates, Ultra, AI Design Assistant, Documents

In the January update, Blackboard has improved the AI Design Assistant by adding more languages and enhancing the Auto-generation features. Additionally, there are new features for Creating Documents and Release Conditions.

AI Design Assistant Outputs

Blackboard have improved the auto-generation features within the AI Design Assistant to have faster and more complex outputs. When auto-generating Learning Modules for example, all you need is a few sentences to describe the Modules, and the AI Design Assistant creates longer descriptions and deeper focus on the topic:

Image 1: Auto-generated Learning modules with latest improvements (see right) for comparison.

As well as learning modules, they include improvements for auto-generating: Assignments, Discussions, Journals, Test questions and AI Conversation avatars. See our webpages for further information on the AI Design Assistant and training sessions are also available to book here.

More languages in AI Design Assistant

The AI Design Assistant now includes expanded language outputs. AI workflows now work in Greek, Catalan, Croatian, Irish, and Slovenian. For a complete list of languages available for AI outputs, see Blackboard’s AI Design Assistant for Instructors page. See below for how to change the language:

Image 2. Changing the output language is available as an advanced option in the AI Design Assistant.

Direct grade entry from the Grid view

Instructors can now enter assignment grades directly in the Grid view (selected by choosing the Marks tab in the Gradebook) with improved accuracy and consistency.

Image 3: Screenshot of the Marks tab in the Gradebook.

Previously, grades entered in these views were stored at the override level, which caused confusion as underlying attempts remained ungraded and continued to display the Needs Grading and New Submission flags. This latest update ensures that grades entered this way are properly mapped to the underlying attempt or submission when applicable.

NOTE: This feature is only applicable in the Marks view, grades continue to be shown as override if you are in the Markable Items view. Also, grades entered via file upload continue to be stored as override grades.

Content blocks for designing Documents

Blackboard have improved the content designer when creating documents which makes it much easier to use. When instructors create or edit a document, the content block no longer closes when you collapse the menu in the editor. Also, the editor no longer closes when editing table setting

For more information on documents see: Blackboard Learn Ultra: Enhancements to Documents.

File uploads for Documents

This latest update has updated the default file option when instructors upload files to documents. The default file option is now View and Download file. Also, it is now possible to use the Undo and Redo functions for file uploads. This is very useful if you’ve uploaded an incorrect file to your document, you can just click the ‘undo’ feature.

Image 4: New ‘Undo’ and ‘Redo’ functions highlighted below.

Submission attempts for Release Conditions

You can now use item submission status for a release condition. For example, an instructor who wants students to access a document only after submitting a quiz would use a release condition. Students can access content items without needing to wait for a grade to be posted.

Image 5: The new Attempt submitted option is in the dropdown menu for a gradable item in the Release Conditions panel.

Mini Conference: Blackboard Exemplary Practice: Materials Available

WordPress User [jbw] Blackboard, Conference, Exemplary Course Award, Generative AI, Mini Conference 2024 Blackboard Exemplary Practice, Ultra Leave a comment
Accessibility icons showing 3 images: a checklist, a computer workstation, an image

Happy New Year!

On Wednesday 18 December, the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit hosted an online mini conference taking a look at Blackboard Exemplary Practice. With over 40 attendees, and 5 sessions, it was one of our biggest mini conferences.

The materials from the event are now available on our webpages.

We were delighted to welcome Carol Chatten from Edge Hill University and Robert Farmer from Northampton University to showcase their award-winning courses.

Carol’s course is designed for medical professionals completing their placements. Robert’s course introduced undergraduates to critical thinking skills. Both courses have been awarded Blackboard’s Exemplary Course Programme Award.

We were then joined by Dom Gore and Richard Gibbons from Anthology (Blackboard). They gave an overview of the new developments that are coming in Blackboard, as well as introducing attendees to the new AI Conversations tool. We have enabled AI Conversations and have updated our Blackboard AI Design Assistant training. Take a look at our blogpost for further information.

Finally, Law and Criminology’s Lauren Harvey, and School of Education’s Panna Karlinger gave tours of their exemplary courses. Both submitted applications to last year’s Exemplary Course Award. The deadline for 2025 is Friday 31 January 2025. Further information is available on our blogpost.

What’s New in Blackboard December 2024

WordPress User [rsf09] Blackboard, Blackboard Discussion Boards, Monthly Update, Ultra Leave a comment

This December Blackboard has made it easier to see new posts in Discussions and late submissions in Blackboard Assignments (not Turnitin). Additionally, we highlight the release of AI Conversations in Blackboard and the Online Mini Conference on 18 December.  

Discussion Enhancement: New Post Indicator 

Related Blackboard Topic: Discussions  

Blackboard have added a “New” indicator that displays next to posts and replies that a user has not yet accessed. This helps direct engagement by making new discussion activity easier to find and access.  

Image 1. The “New” indicator alongside a post and a reply 

The "New" indicator alongside a post and a reply 

Please also see the section on the Ability to ‘Follow’ Discussions for Enhanced Engagement from the August 2024 Update 

Improvements for late submissions 

Related Blackboard Topic: Grade Assignments with Flexible Grading 

To help instructors quickly identify late submissions in the attempt banner, late submissions now have a Late indicator. Blackboard also updated the wording from Submitted late <date> to Submitted <date>. 

Also of note this month: 

  • We released the AI Conversations in Blackboard which is a chat bot for students to interact with and test their knowledge as part of a learning activity which Instructors can give a persona. It uses both Socratic questioning and role play. 

NEW: AI Conversations in Blackboard

WordPress User [jbw] Blackboard, Generative AI, Technical Updates, Training and Support, Ultra, Ultra Leave a comment

The latest AI Design Assistant feature has been enabled in Blackboard.

AI Conversations provides a chat bot for students to interact with as part of a learning activity.

There are two AI Conversation options:

  • Socratic questioning
    • This encourages students to think critically through continuous questioning prompts
  • Role play
    • This allows students to play out a scenario with the AI persona designed and created by the instructor

Once set up, students can engage in these activities to further their knowledge and understanding of the topic.

Students type a response to the questions posed by the AI chat bot. At the end of the activity, students respond to a reflective question to outline how the conversation helped with their understanding of the topic.

We will be showcasing AI Conversations at our online Mini Conference on Wednesday 18 December. Further information is available on our blogpost.

Our E-learning Enhanced: Introduction to the AI Design Assistant training has also been updated to include AI Conversations. You can book your place on the course on the Events and Training booking system.

For further information, see Blackboard’s AI Conversation guidance.

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Blackboard Original Practice Organisations to be removed

WordPress User [jbw] Blackboard, Technical Updates, Ultra Leave a comment

Blackboard Original Practice Organisations will be removed on Thursday 9 January 2025.

These Practice Organisations are in Original, the old version of Blackboard.

All staff have an Ultra practice organisations with the naming convention First Name, Last Name Ymarfer Ultra / Ultra Practice Course (Ultra_username) which can be accessed from the Organisation tab on the lefthand menu.

Content from the Original Practice Organisation can be copied over to the Ultra Practice Organisation. See our FAQ for further information.

Further information on the move of Organisations from Original to Ultra is available on this blogpost.

Please contact  elearning@aber.ac.uk if you have got any questions regarding this process.

Online Mini Conference: Exemplary Blackboard Presence

WordPress User [jbw] Blackboard, Conference, Events and Networks, Exemplary Course Award, Mini Conference 2024 Blackboard Exemplary Practice Leave a comment
Distance Learner Banner

The Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit is pleased to announce its final event of the year.

On Wednesday 18 December (10:00-14:30), we will be hosting an online Mini Conference looking at Exemplary Blackboard Presence.

We’re delighted to be joined by two external presenters.

  • Carol Chatten is from the University of Edge Hill and will be showcasing their Medical and Education Course. This course recently won Blackboard’s ECP.
  • Robert Farmer from the University Northampton will be sharing their course on Critical Thinking which also won Blackboard’s ECP.

Also joining us to share their winning courses are School of Education’s Panna Karlinger and Law and Criminology’s Lauren Harvey. Both entered our internal Exemplary Course Award last year.

We’re hoping that this event will inspire attendees and give colleagues ideas as to how they can develop their courses ahead of Semester 2.

We’re also using this event as a springboard to start thinking about an enhanced Blackboard presence.

And finally, we’ll be sharing the latest AI Design Assistant tool that we’re looking to enable in January: AI Conversations. This builds on the other AI Design Assistant tools that we already have enabled in Blackboard.

Colleagues can book for this half day event via the online booking system and a Teams invitation will be sent out.

We hope that you can join us.

Do let us know if you have any questions (elearning@aber.ac.uk).

Ally AI Alt Text Assistant

WordPress User [kaw] Accessibility, Blackboard, Virtual Learning Environment(VLE) Leave a comment

If you are stuck for ideas for the alternative text on your images, the Ally AI Alt Text Assistant can give you suggestions.

Screenshot of the ALT Text screen with Auto-generate description highlighted

You should always check the suggestion provided by the AI Assistant as it may not always provide an accurate description of the image. You can edit any the AI generated suggestions.

Have a look at the accessible learning material guidance to find out why Alt Text is important. The Poet training tool provides guidance on how and when to use Alt Text as well as online tools to practice creating useful Alt text for images (please note that the Poet web site is an external site and is not available in Welsh).

What’s New in Blackboard November 2024 

WordPress User [rsf09] Blackboard, Ultra, Ultra Leave a comment

The November Blackboard Update includes improvements to printing Tests, Documents and Batch Editing. 

Print Tests with questions from Question Pools 

Related Blackboard Help topic: Question Pools 

Instructors can now print tests that include questions from Question Pools. An answer key will also be printed with the corresponding test. This ensures that Instructors always have an answer key that matches the test. Blackboard generates the answer key and prints it ahead of the test. The answer key is also clearly labelled to ensure awareness.   

The system generates a different version of the answer key and test each time a test is printed when the test: 

  • Randomizes questions or answer options   
  • Includes Question Pools 
  • Instructors can use the print option to save the answer key and test as a PDF.   

Image 1. Printing a test 

Printing a test 

Improvement to Resizing Blocks in Documents 

Related Blackboard Help Topic: Create Documents   

To help with resizing blocks that are vertically tall, Blackboard have modified the resize handle. Now, instructors can resize a block by selecting the vertical edge of a block. It is not necessary to place the mouse directly over the handle.  

Image 1. Resize handle in a Document 

Resize handle in a Document 

For more information on Blackboard Documents see our previous blogpost on Enhancements to Blackboard Documents. 

Batch Edit: Usability Improvement  

Related Blackboard Help Topic: Batch Edit  

“Change dates to a specific date and/or time” is the most popular option used in Batch Edit to change dates in a batch, so it is now the default option. This change simplifies the process for users and helps instructors to prepare courses for teaching and learning even faster.  

Image 1. Edit Dates option in Batch Edit 

Edit Dates option in Batch Edit 

Exemplary Course Award 2024-25

WordPress User [jbw] Blackboard, Exemplary Course Award Leave a comment
ECA logo: Exemplary Course Award with the four criteria showing in a circle: Course design Interaction and Collaboration Assessment Learner Support

We are delighted to announce that the Exemplary Course Award for 2024-25 is now open.

The ECA is judged across 4 categories:

  • Course Design
  • Interaction and Collaboration
  • Assessment
  • Learner Support

Applicants are asked to introduce 3 standout practices for their Course to help frame their application before self-assessing their course – this can be a 1,000 word narrative or an 8-minute Panopto recording.

Following the self-assessment, the courses are assessed by a panel of experts.

The changes to this year’s form include:

  1. The addition of 1.13 criteria: a Blackboard Ally score of 85% or more.
  2. The ability to request reports on your course (Student Engagement and Course Summary). These reports can be requested from the Digital Education Group (elearning@aber.ac.uk).

To help prepare for applications, two workshops are being run by the Digital Education Group on:

  • 14 January 2025, 14:10-15:30
  • 20 January 2025, 10:10-11:30

Places can be booked via the online booking page.

Application forms can be downloaded from the Digital Education Group’s webpages.

Completed applications need to be emailed to elearning@aber.ac.uk before 12 noon on Friday 31 January 2025.

If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Digital Education Group (elearning@aber.ac.uk).