Category: Blackboard

What’s new in Blackboard Ally

WordPress User [kaw] Accessibility, Blackboard, Technical Updates, Virtual Learning Environment(VLE) Leave a comment
Inclusivity and Accessibility banner

Over the summer there have been some updates to Blackboard Ally which colleagues will find help them to fix issues with images and PDFs in Blackboard.

AI Auto-generate description

The AI auto-generate description tool has been improved to write better alternative text for charts, text in images, STEM content, and handwriting in images. Like all the AI tools in Blackboard staff can edit any aspect of the AI output and adapt it if needed. The AI tool also provides a good starting point for learning more about writing alternative text.  And if you use Blackboard in Welsh, the AI tool will create Welsh alternative text.

To use the AI tool:

  • Click on the Ally indicator for your image (or access it via Books and Tools > Ally Adroddiad Hygyrchedd / Accessibility Report > Content)
  • Under Edit image description, click Auto-generate description
  • You can then click Save to use the description or edit the description before clicking Save.
  • If you don’t want to use the description, click Remove from image, and type your own description. 

OCR layer on scanned documents

Around 15% of PDFs in 2024-25 courses were non-OCR documents. This causes a problem for anyone who needs to change the size of the text or use a screen reader because the text appears as an image rather than readable text. Ally now provides tools to add a readable OCR layer on top of a non-OCR document. The quality of this layer will depend on the nature of the content (typewritten documents work better than images or handwriting) as well as the quality of the scan.

We suggest that you try the OCR layer tool and see whether it may help you to provide more accessible PDFs. Remember that you can also use the Library Digitisation service which provides OCR readable scans of journal articles and book chapters.

To use the OCR layer:

  • Click on the Ally indicator for your image (or access it via Books and Tools [Llyfrau ac Offer] > Ally Adroddiad Hygyrchedd / Accessibility Report > Content)
  • Click on the Preview and Apply button to add the layer
  • A preview will appear – use your mouse to highlight the text on the preview. This will show you what text will be add to the file.
  • If you are happy to use it, click Apply. If not, choose Cancel
  • If you don’t use the OCR layer, the Learn how to fix PDFs button will give you options for adding a library reference.

PDF Language and Title

PDFs without language or title set can now be fixed directly in Ally:

  • Click on the Ally indicator for your PDF (or access it via Books and Tools > Ally Adroddiad Hygyrchedd / Accessibility Report > Content)
  • Under Add PDF Language, select the language of the document and click Apply fix
  • Type the title of your document in the Set PDF Title box and then click Apply fix.

Guidance for students

To help you encourage your students to use the Ally Alternative Formats, we have a Learning Object Repository (LOR) item on Ally that you can use in your course. See our FAQ on adding an item from the LOR to your course.

More changes are planned for Ally over the next three months, and we’ll keep colleagues updated via the blog. For more information on Ally, have a look at the Ally help pages

What’s new in Blackboard September 2025

WordPress User [ksg2] Blackboard, Monthly Update, Ultra Leave a comment
Blog Banner

In the September update, we want to draw your attention to a number of test and question updates, including the ability to add question titles.  

In addition to this, there are enhancements to group tests, time consistency, and enhancing documents with block styling options.

New: Add and manage question titles in tests, forms, and banks

This feature has been requested by colleagues so it’s great to see this live in Blackboard. It’s ideal for colleagues managing large numbers of questions for online exams.

Instructors can now add, view, edit, and delete question titles when working on questions in tests, forms, and banks. Titles are optional and non-unique. Titles are recommended, as they enhance searchability and reuse workflows.

Image 1: Instructors can enter or edit the question title.

In the keyword search in the Reuse question panel, instructors can now search for questions on the question text or the question title.

Titles appear when:

  • Creating or editing questions in tests, forms and banks
  • Viewing or selecting questions via the Reuse questions workflow in tests, forms and banks
  • Adding questions to pools (Add Question Pool workflow)
  • Viewing questions in a pool (View Questions workflow)

Titles do not appear when the instructor views or grades the test and form submissions. Students do not see the question titles when they take a test or review their submission.

Use see-more functionality in Add Question Pool

In the Add Question Pool screen, the filter panel now includes See more functionality for Sources, Question Types, and Tags when the number of values in that filter section exceeds 10. Selecting See more expands the list, revealing the full list of values.

Image 1: Selecting See more expands the list, revealing the full list of values.

Display per question feedback to students on group test submissions

Blackboard tests include the option for students to take part in a group submission – answering questions together. This is great for an in person formative style activity, or might offer colleagues other opportunities for group assessment solutions. Group tests use the same options that are available for Group Assignments. Take a look at Blackboard’s support page and contact elearning@aber.ac.uk if you have any questions about this feature.

In this month’s update, Blackboard has improved how feedback is displayed to students with group test submissions.

Students can now view per-question feedback on group test submissions. Instructors have been able to provide per-question feedback, but it was not visible to students until now.

With this update:

  • Students reviewing a graded group test can see feedback for each question.
  • Feedback supports all formats: text, file attachments, and video recordings.
  • Per-question feedback appears alongside overall feedback and rubric scores.

This enhancement ensures that group submissions benefit from the same detailed feedback experience as individual submissions. It also supports:

  • Originality reports (when enabled via SafeAssign).
  • Attempt-level score overrides for individual group members.
  • AI Rewrite for both overall and per question feedback.
  • Navigation between group submissions using Previous/Next controls.  

Display time limits and extra time consistently across roles

Blackboard has improved how time limits and extra time are communicated in Assessments. This change ensures that all users understand exactly how much time is available, including any accommodations or overrides.

Now, all users have the time limits and extra time presented in a consistent format:

Example:

“Time limit: 20 minutes + 10 minutes extra time”

This format appears:

  • When instructors configure or review assessment settings.
  • When students begin or review an assessment.
  • In the preview mode for instructors. 

Enhance Documents with block styling options

Last month we highlighted the new block styling available in Documents. This month, this feature has been developed further with highlight options appearing alongside each text box.

The highlight option gives you the opportunity to clearly indicate whether your content is:

  • Question: Use for prompts or reflective questions. Keep questions concise and open-ended to encourage critical thinking.
  • Tip: Use for tips, insights, or helpful suggestions. Ensure tips are actionable and relevant to the content.
  • Key points: Use to highlight key points or essential facts. Keep these blocks brief and focused to reinforce retention.
  • Next steps: Use for next steps or instructions. Present steps in a clear, logical order and consider using numbered lists for clarity. 

If you’re looking  to make your Blackboard Documents more appealing, we’re running a special 30 minute masterclass on becoming a Document Pro. You can book your place online.

If you have any enhancements to request from Blackboard, please get in touch with us via elearning@aber.ac.uk.

Welcome to the Academic Year 2025-26: Updates to Blackboard for returning students

WordPress User [jbw] Blackboard, Information for Students Leave a comment

A warm welcome to new students joining us and those who are returning to study at Aberystwyth University.

In this blogpost, we will outline the changes that have been made to your digital learning environment, Blackboard, ready for the start of the academic year 2025-26

If you need help using Blackboard, see our Student Guide which contains all kinds of useful information.

We’ve also got FAQs available for the other tools that we support, including Turnitin for e-submission and Panopto for lecture capture.

Updated Template

All courses have been created this year using a slightly different template.

Module Information

  • Item about Lecture Capture (Panopto) under Module Information
  • AberSkills

Assessment and Feedback

  • Submission Guidance has been updated to include information on academic integrity and unacceptable practice and using Generative AI in your assessments.

Availability of Content

The Blackboard Required Minimum Presence, which is the policy that outlines to staff and students the minimum amount of content on a course, has been updated to request that teaching materials are uploaded at least one day before the session.

Automatic Captions in Panopto

Captions will now be added to all lecture recordings automatically in 2025-26 making them even more accessible. The quality and reliability of automatic captioning varies due to the language and subject matter of the recording.

Students should be aware that the captioning is not 100% accurate. For clarification on captions, students should speak to their lecturer.

Transcripts of ASR captions can be downloaded (see FAQ: How do I view Panopto captions?)

Name pronunciation and pronouns available in Blackboard

You can now add your name pronunciation and pronouns to your Blackboard profile. For further information, see our FAQ.

Accessible content

We are working to improve the accessibility of content in your Blackboard courses. This year the Required Minimum Presence has stipulated a requirement for a minimum accessibility score. This means that content is as compatible with Blackboard Ally as possible.

Blackboard Organisations

Organisations are like Courses in Blackboard but they are not modules that students take. Things like training and departmental information can be found in Organisations. For the first time, we have a Required Minimum Presence for Organisations which outlines to staff and students what they can expect to find as a minimum.

If you have any questions about using Blackboard, please contact us on elearning@aber.ac.uk.

Welcome new staff joining Aberystwyth University, 2025-26

WordPress User [jbw] Academy Forum, Blackboard, Conference, E-submission, Events and Networks, External Speakers, Panopto, Polling Software, Training and Support, Ultra, Vevox, Virtual Learning Environment(VLE) Leave a comment

A warm welcome to new staff joining Aberystwyth University.

In this blogpost we aim to provide you with information related to technology in learning and teaching, our training provision, support channels, and events that we run.

All the information that you need is on our webpages.

We write a blog full of the latest updates, details on events and training sessions, and resources.

If you need to get in touch with us, you can do so using elearning@aber.ac.uk.

Introduction to E-learning Tools

Virtual Learning Environment: Blackboard

Each module has its own dedicated course in Blackboard. Students can expect to find information about the module, learning materials, and e-submission guidance, as well as links to reading lists and lecture capture.

The University has a Blackboard Required Minimum Presence policy for all modules.

Please see our staff guide for further information.

Lecture Capture: Panopto

When teaching in person, be aware that all lectures (that is, teaching where the focus is on information being transmitted from staff to students) should be recorded using Panopto, our Lecture Capture software.

See details of our Lecture Capture Policy.

E-submission: Turnitin and Blackboard Assignment

At Aberystwyth University, students must submit all text-based and word-processed work electronically as outlined in the University’s E-submission policy.

 For this, we use our e-submission tools: Turnitin and Blackboard Assignment. Turnitin provides an automatic text matching functionality. We use Blackboard Tests to run online exams.

Polling tool: Vevox

Vevox is Aberystwyth University’s polling tool.

Polling can be used in learning and teaching activities as well as meetings to make the session interactive and collaborative with many different possibilities for use.

Resources and further help

We have a number of Guides and FAQs to help you use our software.

Training Provision

To support all staff with their teaching, we run a series of training sessions across the following strands:

  • E-learning Essentials: designed for colleagues new to the university, teaching, or who would like to get a refresher. The aim of these sessions is to ensure that colleagues can meet the university’s digital learning and teaching policies.
  • E-learning Enhanced: designed to build on the skills gained in our e-learning essentials series, colleagues will create an activity or assessment unique to their learning and teaching contexts.
  • E-learning Excellence: designed to offer colleagues the opportunity to create exemplary learning and teaching opportunities – often unique and sector leading.

You can find details of our annual CPD programme and book your place to attend via Book a Course page.

Events

We run a range of events, including the Annual Learning and Teaching Conference and Mini-Conferences

All of these are great opportunities to meet people from across the university and discuss Learning and Teaching issues and developments.

We look forward to seeing you at a forthcoming event. In the meantime, feel free to get in touch with us via elearning@aber.ac.uk if you have any questions.

Blackboard Ally

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

Blackboard Ally continues to be a popular part of Blackboard with more staff and students making use of it during academic year 2024-25.

The number of downloads into alternative format more than doubled last year –over 62,000 documents were downloaded into alternative formats.  And over 4000 users used this option.

Staff also made more use of the tools to fix accessibility issues in their courses – over 800 files were fixed last year (compared to 295 in 2024-25).

For the first time this year, the Blackboard Required Minimum Presence states that all Blackboard courses should have an Ally score of 70%. If you want to check your Ally score have a look at our blog post. You can also a book a place on one of the E-learning Essentials: Introduction to Blackboard Ally training courses in September.

What’s new in Blackboard August 2025

WordPress User [ksg2] Blackboard, Diweddariadau Misol, Monthly Update, Ultra Leave a comment
Blog Banner
Blog Banner

In the August update, we want to draw your attention to the table of contents feature being added to Learning Modules.  

In addition to this, there are enhancements to documents with block styling options, and increased accessibility across student gradebook and student overview pages.

New: Adding Table of Contents to Learning Modules for students

We’ve redesigned the Learning Module experience for students by adding a collapsible Table of Contents. This update improves navigation, orientation, and progress tracking. 

As part of this improvement, assessments now open in a full panel instead of a smaller panel.

Students now have a simplified way to navigate and track progress in Learning Modules. Updates include:

  • A table of contents for the items in a Learning Module. Select Contents to open and collapse the table of contents

Image 1: Learning Modules now contain a Table of Contents panel to orient students within Learning Modules for their courses. The panel can be collapsed with the arrow button at the top of the Table of Contents.

Screenshot of Table of Contents within Learning Modules
  • Easy navigation between items  
  • Manual or automatic item completion tracking from within the Learning Module
  • Next and Previous buttons moved closer together at the top of the page for an improved experience.

Image 2: The navigation buttons Previous and Next now appear closer to each other in the user interface within Learning Modules to give an improved user experience.

Screenshot of the User interface

Assessments within Learning Modules. Assessments now open in a full panel, providing a consistent and distraction-free experience.

Image 3: The Assessments pages within Learning Modules now appear as a full-sized panel.

Screenshot of the Assessments page

Forced sequence in Learning Modules. When sequencing is enforced, students must use the Next and Previous buttons to move through content in order. Students can’t jump ahead using the table of contents unless they have already completed the item they are navigating to. Skipping ahead without completing a Learning Module item is disabled in this mode. 

Enhance Documents with block styling options 

We added block styling to Documents, giving instructors new ways to enhance visual appeal and guide student attention. The styling options feature both color and icons. The style options include:

  • Question
  • Tip
  • Key points
  • Next steps
  • Highlight

Image 1. Instructors can select styling options from a dropdown menu that appears in Edit mode on all block types.

Screenshot of styling menu.

Our forthcoming training session E-learning Enhanced: Become a Document Pro will explore this and other document functionality to help colleagues create dynamic content. You can book your place online.

Increased accessibility in the student gradebook

To improve accessibility, we updated the student Gradebook to use a semantic HTML table structure. This change replaces the previous layout, which relied on stacked <div> elements. The new structure improves screen reader support and keyboard navigation.

Increased accessibility in the student overview page

To improve accessibility, we updated the student Overview page to use a semantic HTML table structure. This change replaces the previous layout, which relied on stacked <div> elements. The new structure improves screen reader support and keyboard navigation.

If you have any enhancements to request from Blackboard, please get in touch with us via elearning@aber.ac.uk.

What’s new in Blackboard July 2025

WordPress User [ksg2] Blackboard, Monthly Update Leave a comment
Blog Banner

In the July update, we are particularly excited about an improvement to mathematical notation with MathJax and a way to measure student engagement with Blackboard Announcements.

There are enhancements to navigation in Group Assignments, adding captions to images in documents, and enhancing instructor efficiency in the activity page.

Update: Render mathematical formulas with MathJax

We are delighted to see this enhancement, which is something that we have been asking for since our move to Blackboard Ultra.

Blackboard have enhanced the formula rendering experience in the Content Editor by implementing MathJax, a tool for displaying mathematical notation:

This update improves the visual accuracy and consistency of LaTeX-based formulas, aligning them more closely with scientific and academic standards.

MathJax offers a more precise rendering style preferred by many STEM instructors. When activated, MathJax will automatically render LaTeX code entered directly in the Content Editor across supported areas of Blackboard. Wiris is still available as the default to render formulas for the Content Editor. If MathJax is not activated, Wiris will render formulas.

Further information is available on the updated help page: Math Editor.

Enhancement to monitoring announcements

Instructors can now verify which students have marked an announcement as viewed. By selecting the viewer count on the main Announcements page, instructors can open a list showing who has and hasn’t acknowledged the message. From this list, instructors can send a message to follow up with students who haven’t viewed the announcement or confirm that key information was received. This helps instructors understand how effectively their announcements are reaching students. 

Image 1. Each announcement comes with a Viewers column on the Announcements page.

Image 2. The list of viewers for an announcement shows that two students have read the announcement and one hasn’t.

Navigate with previous and next functionality in Group Submissions

Blackboard Assignment offers a Group Submission function. This allows for one member of the group to submit on behalf of the students in their group. For markers, this means marking one submission, with marks and feedback allocated to all members of the group.

In this month’s update, Blackboard have made reviewing and grading group submissions more efficient with the addition of Previous and Next navigation controls. Instructors can efficiently move between group submissions using header bar controls, creating a smoother grading experience with fewer clicks.

Instructors can now navigate between group submissions without needing to return to the submission list. The Previous and Next buttons appear in the header bar: Picture

Add captions to images uploaded to Documents

Instructors can now add captions above or below image blocks in Documents.

Image 1. Instructors can go to Edit File Options to add image captions and set positions.Edit File Options page offers fields for Display Name, Image caption, and choices for Caption position

Image 2. The image caption appears above the image and provides more context.

Note that to use this feature, you need to upload the content as an image in the document editor.

Change to Activity Stream for Instructors

The Activity Stream for instructors has changed to include courses, announcements, and activity updates in one place.

New features on the Activity page:

  • Course Section: The updated Activity page now includes a course section that outlines new activity in current, open courses since an instructor last logged into Blackboard.

Shortcuts: New shortcuts have been added to enhance instructor efficiency.

  • Go to items that need grading
  • Find courses with new messages
  • Access the Course Activity report directly to review students with alerts

Announcements: Read important institutional announcements.

Image 1. The new Activity page has sections for announcements, courses, and the activity stream.

If you have any enhancements to request from Blackboard, please get in touch with us via elearning@aber.ac.uk.

E-learning Training Series: Semester 1, 2025-26

WordPress User [jbw] Blackboard, Blackboard Discussion Boards, Blackboard Journals, Blackboard Tests, E-submission, Exemplary Course Award, Interactive Tools, Panopto, Training and Support, Turnitin, Vevox Leave a comment

We are delighted to announce our training series for the forthcoming semester.

All training can be booked online using your Aberystwyth username and password. Our training booking system is now automated, so you will receive your calendar invitation within an hour into your calendar. Please join these sessions from your Outlook calendar.

If you have any questions, please contact us: elearning@aber.ac.uk.

As usual, our training sessions are grouped into 3 series:

  • E-learning Essentials: designed for colleagues new to the university, teaching, or who would like to get a refresher. The aim of these sessions is to ensure that colleagues can meet the university’s digital learning and teaching policies.
  • E-learning Enhanced: designed to build on the skills gained in our e-learning essentials series, colleagues will create an activity or assessment unique to their learning and teaching contexts.
  • E-learning Excellence: designed to offer colleagues the opportunity to create exemplary learning and teaching opportunities – often unique and sector leading.

In addition to the usual offerings, we also wanted to highlight the new sessions that we have introduced for 2025-26:

New sessions for 2025

E-learning Essentials

Using Microsoft Co-pilot for Learning and Teaching Activities

This session will introduce colleagues to Generative AI and offer the opportunity to think about ways in which you can incorporate Generative AI into your learning and teaching practice.

You can book your place on all the other sessions in this E-learning Essentials series via this link.

A reminder that all Essentials sessions are strongly recommended for any new members of staff in your department.

E-learning Enhanced

Become a Blackboard Document Pro

Blackboard Documents have had a complete overhaul in Ultra. This 30-minute pro session gives an overview of the new features and allows you to give it a go in your course.  

Blackboard Interactive Tools

We’ve combined our Discussions and Journals session into one. We’ll go through activity design for our interactive tools to help maximise student engagement.

Measuring and Increasing student engagement using Blackboard Tools

We will look at the analytical tools available in your Blackboard course to help monitor student engagement. We’ll use this to tailor messaging as well as creating other activities such as knowledge checks and learning module progression to help keep your students engaged with their learning.

Peer Assessment with Turnitin

One of the features of Turnitin is PeerMark which allows you to create peer assessment opportunities for your students. This is great to allow students to provide formative feedback on each other’s work.

Using the advanced features of Panopto

Want to spruce up your recordings? This session will showcase different ways in which you can use Panopto: from inserting quizzes mid recording, to give students the opportunity to get creative and use Panopto themselves. This session is great for those adopting a flipped classroom approach or who want to make use of Panopto beyond Lecture Capture.

Other sessions include the Blackboard AI Design Assistant and Advanced Vevox polling software design.

You can book your place on all the other sessions in this E-learning Enhanced series via this link.

E-learning Excellence

We’ve designed 4 new workshops for colleagues based on the 4 areas of the Exemplary Course Award. Looking at each aspect, colleagues will reflect on how their own courses can be developed.

The 4 sessions are:

Exemplary Course Design

Exemplary Assessment Design

Exemplary Interaction and Collaboration

Exemplary Learner Support

You can book your place on all the other sessions in this E-learning Excellence series via this link. Other sessions include Submitting an Exemplary Course Award.

If there are any other training topics that you’d like us to consider for Semester 2, please contact us.

Learning Object Repository Policy

WordPress User [kaw] Blackboard Leave a comment
Policies and Information

In April, Blackboard introduced the Learning Object Repository [LOR] – we wrote about this in our monthly update blog. We also recently added Generative AI Assessment statements into the Repository for staff to use.

We have now written an LOR Policy for colleagues who are interested in adding content to the Repository for others to use.

The LOR allows us to create items centrally for colleagues to copy into their courses and organisations. LOR items can be updated, applying changes to content items across all courses and organisations. For more information, see the Blackboard help site.

The LOR is ideal for standardised content that is required across many courses. For example:

  • Standard items to be included in courses
  • Policies
  • Support information
  • Generative AI statements
  • Skills guidance and support

If you have any questions about the LOR or the new Policy, please contact us (elearning@aber.ac.uk).