{"id":7527,"date":"2024-03-21T10:21:33","date_gmt":"2024-03-21T10:21:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/?p=7527"},"modified":"2024-03-21T10:21:34","modified_gmt":"2024-03-21T10:21:34","slug":"whats-new-in-blackboard-learn-ultra-march-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/2024\/03\/21\/whats-new-in-blackboard-learn-ultra-march-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"What&#8217;s New in Blackboard Learn Ultra &#8211; March 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>This month Blackboard brings us the ability to see Gradebook item statistics, being able to set assessments with no due date and some tweaks to message notifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gradebook item statistics&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Item statistics give insight to course members&#8217; overall performance on a graded content. Now, instructors can select a column in the gradebook to access summary statistics for any graded item. The statistics page displays key metrics such as:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Minimum and maximum value&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Range&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Median&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Standard deviation&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Variance&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The number of submissions requiring grading and the distribution of grades also displays.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Image below: Access to item statistics from the Grid view.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"468\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_AccessFromGridView-1024x468.png\" alt=\"Access to item statistics from the grid view\" class=\"wp-image-7528\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_AccessFromGridView-1024x468.png 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_AccessFromGridView-300x137.png 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_AccessFromGridView-768x351.png 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_AccessFromGridView-1536x703.png 1536w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_AccessFromGridView-2048x937.png 2048w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_AccessFromGridView-712x326.png 712w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Image below:&nbsp; Access to item statistics from the Gradeable Items view<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"509\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_AccessFromGradableItemsView-1024x509.png\" alt=\"Access to item statistics from the Gradable Items view\" class=\"wp-image-7529\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_AccessFromGradableItemsView-1024x509.png 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_AccessFromGradableItemsView-300x149.png 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_AccessFromGradableItemsView-768x382.png 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_AccessFromGradableItemsView-1536x763.png 1536w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_AccessFromGradableItemsView-2048x1018.png 2048w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_AccessFromGradableItemsView-712x354.png 712w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Image below: Item Statistics page<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"509\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_ItemStatisticsPage-1024x509.png\" alt=\"Item statistics page\" class=\"wp-image-7530\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_ItemStatisticsPage-1024x509.png 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_ItemStatisticsPage-300x149.png 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_ItemStatisticsPage-768x382.png 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_ItemStatisticsPage-1536x763.png 1536w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_ItemStatisticsPage-2048x1018.png 2048w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructors_GradebookItemStatistics_ItemStatisticsPage-712x354.png 712w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">No Due Date assessment option<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Due dates are an important aspect of the teaching and learning process. In some scenarios, such as self-paced learning, an instructor may not want to apply a due date. To make the option for not having a due date more evident, we&#8217;ve added a &#8220;No due date&#8221; option for Tests and Assignments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Image below: Test Settings panel showing the new \u201cNo due date\u201d option.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"548\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_Assessments_NoDueDateOption-1024x548.png\" alt=\"Test Settings panel showing the new \u201cNo due date\u201d option\" class=\"wp-image-7531\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_Assessments_NoDueDateOption-1024x548.png 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_Assessments_NoDueDateOption-300x160.png 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_Assessments_NoDueDateOption-768x411.png 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_Assessments_NoDueDateOption-1536x822.png 1536w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_Assessments_NoDueDateOption-2048x1096.png 2048w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_Assessments_NoDueDateOption-712x381.png 712w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We also updated the default due date and time to tomorrow\u2019s date at 11:59 pm.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Image below: Test Settings panel displaying the new default due date and time.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"556\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_Assessments_NoDueDateOption_PanelDisplayOfNewDefaultDueDateAndTime-1024x556.png\" alt=\"Test Settings panel displaying the new default due date and time \" class=\"wp-image-7533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_Assessments_NoDueDateOption_PanelDisplayOfNewDefaultDueDateAndTime-1024x556.png 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_Assessments_NoDueDateOption_PanelDisplayOfNewDefaultDueDateAndTime-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_Assessments_NoDueDateOption_PanelDisplayOfNewDefaultDueDateAndTime-768x417.png 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_Assessments_NoDueDateOption_PanelDisplayOfNewDefaultDueDateAndTime-1536x834.png 1536w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_Assessments_NoDueDateOption_PanelDisplayOfNewDefaultDueDateAndTime-2048x1112.png 2048w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_Assessments_NoDueDateOption_PanelDisplayOfNewDefaultDueDateAndTime-712x387.png 712w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There may be cases when the \u201cNo due date\u201d selection conflicts with the Assessment Results settings. When this occurs, the instructor is prompted to review the settings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Image below: A warning banner appears when the &#8220;No due date&#8221; selection conflicts with Assessment Results settings.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"361\" height=\"279\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/Screenshot-2024-03-07-091519.png\" alt=\"A warning banner appears when the \u201cNo due date\u201d selection conflicts with Assessment Results settings\" class=\"wp-image-7534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/Screenshot-2024-03-07-091519.png 361w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/Screenshot-2024-03-07-091519-300x232.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 361px) 100vw, 361px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Instructors can navigate to the Assessment Results section in the Settings via the link in the banner.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Image below: Assessment results timing options when there is no due date.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_Assessments_NoDueDateOption_PanelTimingOptionsWhenTheresNoDueDate-629x1024.png\" alt=\"Assessment results timing options when there is no due date\" class=\"wp-image-7535\" width=\"375\" height=\"611\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_Assessments_NoDueDateOption_PanelTimingOptionsWhenTheresNoDueDate-629x1024.png 629w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_Assessments_NoDueDateOption_PanelTimingOptionsWhenTheresNoDueDate-184x300.png 184w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_Assessments_NoDueDateOption_PanelTimingOptionsWhenTheresNoDueDate-768x1251.png 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_Assessments_NoDueDateOption_PanelTimingOptionsWhenTheresNoDueDate-712x1160.png 712w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_Assessments_NoDueDateOption_PanelTimingOptionsWhenTheresNoDueDate.png 868w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Please note that for summative and high stakes assessment, we still advise having a due date and time. To discuss your requirements for test settings, please contact the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit (<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"mailto:elearning@aber.ac.uk\" target=\"_blank\">elearning@aber.ac.uk<\/a><\/strong>). &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Announcement indicators and mark announcements as read\/unread<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Announcements are an important communications channel within a course. It is important to help create awareness of new announcements and read\/unread controls.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, there is a number indicator next to the announcement tab in the course. The indicator signals the number of unread announcements available.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, students&nbsp;can now mark announcements as read or unread. On the New Course Announcement pop-up, users have the option to mark the read state. Students&nbsp;can also mark announcements as read or unread from the Announcement page.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Image below: Number of unread Announcements next to the Announcement tab<\/em>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"621\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-7-1024x621.png\" alt=\"Number of unread Announcements next to the Announcement tab\" class=\"wp-image-7536\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-7-1024x621.png 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-7-300x182.png 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-7-768x466.png 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-7-1536x932.png 1536w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-7-2048x1242.png 2048w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-7-712x432.png 712w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Image below: Announcements pop-up with the option to mark as read\/unread<\/em>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"628\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-8-1024x628.png\" alt=\"Announcements pop-up with the option to mark as read\/unread\" class=\"wp-image-7537\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-8-1024x628.png 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-8-300x184.png 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-8-768x471.png 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-8-1536x941.png 1536w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-8-2048x1255.png 2048w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-8-712x436.png 712w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Image below: Announcements page with the option to mark as read\/unread.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"627\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-9-1024x627.png\" alt=\"Announcements page with the option to mark as read\/unread\" class=\"wp-image-7538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-9-1024x627.png 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-9-300x184.png 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-9-768x471.png 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-9-1536x941.png 1536w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-9-2048x1255.png 2048w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-9-712x436.png 712w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Image below: Matching announcement and messages indicators for consistency<\/em>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"618\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-10-1024x618.png\" alt=\"Matching announcement and messages indicators for consistency\" class=\"wp-image-7539\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-10-1024x618.png 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-10-300x181.png 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-10-768x464.png 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-10-1536x928.png 1536w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-10-2048x1237.png 2048w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn-february-2024-10-712x430.png 712w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reminder: Access the Course Activity Report and message students from within it.&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;Course Activity&nbsp;report helps you understand how well your students are performing and how much they are interacting with your course. The Course Activity Report enables Instructors to:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Message students who are falling behind and encourage them to increase their course activity&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identify struggling students based on their overall grade, missed due dates, the number of hours they spend in your course, and the number of days since their last access&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Congratulate students performing well in your course and ask them to be mentors&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Customize your course alerts to identify struggling students when their overall grade drops below a specific value, they&#8217;ve missed due dates, or they haven&#8217;t accessed the course for a certain number of days&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Download the table view to a CSV (comma-separated values) file to analyse the data with other tools&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Download the scatter plot as a PDF or image to share information with other instructors or mentors of the course&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>To access the Course Activity Report select Course Activity in your course\u2019s Analytics tab.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Image below: Accessing the Course Activity Report from the Analytics tab<\/em>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"673\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_CourseActivity_AccessTab_3-1024x673.png\" alt=\"The table view of the Course Activity report on the Analytics tab, with a blue box around Analytics and Course Activity.\" class=\"wp-image-7540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_CourseActivity_AccessTab_3-1024x673.png 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_CourseActivity_AccessTab_3-300x197.png 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_CourseActivity_AccessTab_3-768x505.png 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_CourseActivity_AccessTab_3-712x468.png 712w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_CourseActivity_AccessTab_3.png 1029w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sending Messages&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Instructors can select students and send them messages from Course Activity by selecting the&nbsp;Send message&nbsp;button. When you send a message to multiple students, each student will receive an individual message and will not know which other students were included.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Image below: A student selected to be contacted and the Send message button highlighted<\/em>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"722\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_CourseActivity_TableView_0.png\" alt=\"The table view of the Course Activity report on the Analytics tab, with a blue box around a student selection and Send message.\" class=\"wp-image-7541\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_CourseActivity_TableView_0.png 1016w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_CourseActivity_TableView_0-300x213.png 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_CourseActivity_TableView_0-768x546.png 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/files\/2024\/03\/learn_ultra_instructor_CourseActivity_TableView_0-712x506.png 712w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information on the Course Activity Report see the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Ultra\/Performance\/Course_Reports\/Course_Activity_Related_to_Grades\" target=\"_blank\">Blackboard Help Page on the Course Activity Report.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reminder: Grading Tests with Flexible Grading&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is possible to grade tests either by student or by question \u2014making it easy to compare answers across the course and ensure fairness and consistency in grading.&nbsp;Marking by student is currently limited to non-anonymous submissions. Marking anonymous submissions will be included in a future update&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information on Flexible Grading see the <a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Ultra\/Tests\/FlexGradingTests\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blackboard Help Page on Flexible Grading.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This month Blackboard brings us the ability to see Gradebook item statistics, being able to set assessments with no due date and some tweaks to message notifications. Gradebook item statistics&nbsp; Item statistics give insight to course members&#8217; overall performance on a graded content. Now, instructors can select a column in the gradebook to access summary [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12811,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[94,924],"tags":[59,1118],"class_list":["post-7527","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blackboard","category-ultra-blackboard","tag-blackboard","tag-blackboard-ultra"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9XLJV-1Xp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7527","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12811"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7527"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7527\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7623,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7527\/revisions\/7623"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7527"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7527"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/e-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7527"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}