In the October update, we want to draw your attention to a new feature with the Learning Object Repository. There is also an important and highly requested update to Fill in the Blank style question, and tagging questions in question banks to help colleagues with question organisation.
Updates to the Learning Object Repository
We were very excited about the launch of the Learning Object Repository. We have already made use of it for the Blackboard standardised template and for Generative AI statements.
This month’s update sees the ability for us to upload files to the Learning Object Repository which colleagues can then copy into their courses.
We can stipulate the availability of the content, so that it can be available or unavailable to students.
Updates to the Fill in the Blank Question for Students
The way that Fill in the Blank Questions displays has been updated. This is an enhancement that colleagues have requested so we are pleased to this available.
Fill in the blank questions now display the blanks inline with the surrounding text, whether the question is presented as a sentence, paragraph, or table. We also added hidden ARIA labels to blanks to improve screen reader accessibility.
Image 1: Before this update, the blanks appeared below the question.
Image 2: After this update, the blanks appear in-line with the question.
Tag questions with metadata in tests and question banks
Instructors can now tag questions with metadata when creating or editing questions in tests, forms, and banks.
Instructors
Questions can have multiple tags of the same type. Metadata is visible during question creation/editing and can be used to filter questions when reusing or adding to pools. Metadata is not visible to students during test-taking or review.
Supported metadata types include:
Category
Topics
Levels of Difficulty
Keywords
Image 1: Instructors can create and apply a tag to questions.
Image 2: Tags appear as filters in the question bank.
If you have any enhancements to request from Blackboard, please get in touch with us via elearning@aber.ac.uk.
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.
In the June update, we are particularly excited about a new question type: jumbled sentence.
There are enhancements to Discussions, Knowledge Checks (Documents), and Student Activity Logs that we would like to draw your attention to.
New: Question type: Jumbled Sentence
This question type has been highly requested since our move to Blackboard Ultra, so we are pleased to see it available.
Jumbled Sentence is now an option in the Question Type dropdown. This question type is also available for the AI Design Assistant as well.
To create a jumbled sentence question:
Select Add Jumbled Sentence question in the question creation canvas:
Enter your question text putting the gap and correct answer in square brackets:
Enter distractors which also appear in the dropdown for students to complete the question:
Save your question and deploy your test as usual.
The above question will display to students like this:
With students clicking on the dropdown to select the correct work which includes all correct answers and any distractors you might have added:
Enhance student engagement with unread discussion activity indicator
Blackboard improved the discussion experience by adding another indicator of activity. This addition encourages student engagement and makes it easier for instructors to track student activity.
Unread Discussion Posts: The Discussions page now shows the number of unread discussion posts from anywhere in a course.
Image 1. From the Course Content page, the link to the Discussions page now has a number beside it that indicates the number of new discussion posts.
Enhanced overall appearance and usability of Knowledge Checks in Documents
These are a great way to assess students’ knowledge and understanding, whilst also acting as a way to maintain engagement with their Virtual Learning Environment.
The changes include:
Instructors and students
Answer Choices: The letters of answer choices now display at the top of each answer option, rather than in the middle.
Answer Labels: Correct and incorrect answer labels have been moved from the side of an answer option to the top.
Question Text Padding: Padding on the right side of question text that extended past the answer text has been removed.
Small Screen Adjustments: On very small screens, the “Correct answer” label is now shortened to “Correct.”
Instructors
Answer Metrics: Answer metrics now appear at the top of answer text alongside the correct and incorrect answer labels.
Visual Indicators: Instead of highlighting questions with red and green to indicate the correctness of the answer, a bar now appears at the top of a question.
Result Labels: Result labels are now displayed in lowercase instead of all capital letters.
Small Screen Padding: Padding to the left and right of the Knowledge Check results has been removed for smaller screens.
Participation Count: The number of students who participated is no longer shown as a fraction. Instead, students are described as part of a number. For example, “2 of 8 students participated.”
Image 1. The instructor view of Knowledge Check results in 3900.116.
Image 2. The instructor view of Knowledge Check results in 3900.118.
Students
We made several changes to enhance the mobile and small screen experience for students.
Submit Button: The Submit button now occupies the entire space at the bottom of a question, rather than just partial space on the right.
Feedback Layout: For correct answers, the checkmark indicator, correct answer feedback, and Reset button now stack vertically instead of being on a single row. This change also applies to incorrect answer feedback and the Try again button.
Answer Selection Indicator: On all screens, the answer a student selects now has a purple line to indicate it has been chosen.
Image 3. The student view of an incorrect answer in a Knowledge Check in 3900.116.
Image 4. The student view of an incorrect answer in a Knowledge Check in 3900.118.
Student Activity Log
Blackboard added two new features to the Student Activity Log to enhance tracking and reviewing student engagement. These updates streamline the evaluation process and provide more comprehensive data for instructors.
Content Access Filter: The Student Activity Log now includes a filter for content access, recording information not available elsewhere, such as Kaltura content. This allows instructors to easily review students’ access without needing to download and manually filter CSV files, saving time and simplifying the process.
Enhanced LTI Access Filter: The LTI access filter now includes all types of LTI items, including LTI placeholders. This provides instructors with more detailed insights into how students interact with LTI elements in their courses.
Image 1. The Content Access and LTI Access filters are in the Event menu.
If you have any enhancements to request from Blackboard, please get in touch with us via elearning@aber.ac.uk.
