{"id":10374,"date":"2025-05-16T22:14:47","date_gmt":"2025-05-17T02:14:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/?page_id=10374"},"modified":"2025-08-28T14:14:21","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T18:14:21","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/programs-services\/academic-technology\/ultra\/starter-kit\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"Ultra FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span><div class=\"intro-text intro-text--shortcode intro-text--lg\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p>Here are a few frequently asked questions by faculty interested in using Ultra:<\/p>\n<p><span<\/div><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_2618061597-636x430.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"430\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-10955 alignright\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_2618061597-636x430.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_2618061597-1024x693.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_2618061597-768x520.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_2618061597-1536x1039.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_2618061597-2048x1386.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Course Management<\/h2>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How do I access Blackboard Ultra?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/learn.bu.edu\/ultra\/course\">https:\/\/learn.bu.edu\/ultra\/course<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How do I prepare to use Blackboard Ultra for the first time?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Take the time to log in frequently during your course setup period to become familiar with the interface. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/programs-services\/academic-technology\/ultra\/starter-kit\/\">Take advantage of BU\u2019s training resources<\/a> \u2013 there are a variety of workshops, office hour sessions, and trainings available to faculty who need assistance.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">What are the main sections of my course?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Blackboard Learn Ultra organizes courses into four key sections, each designed to help you manage your content and engage with students effectively:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Content:<\/strong> This is where your course materials live. You can add, organize, and manage files, assignments, tests, and multimedia content.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/Content.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/Content-636x484.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"484\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-11083 size-medium\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/Content-636x484.png 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/Content-768x585.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/Content.png 846w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Gradebook:<\/strong> Your hub for grading and providing feedback. Track student progress, view submissions, and enter grades all in one place.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/Gradebook.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/Gradebook-636x310.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"310\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-11084 size-medium\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/Gradebook-636x310.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/Gradebook-768x374.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/Gradebook.jpg 936w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Announcements:<\/strong> Use announcements to share important updates with all users in the course. Announcements appear prominently on students\u2019 dashboards, ensuring they don\u2019t miss critical information. They are ideal for course-wide updates, reminders, or motivational messages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/Announcements.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/Announcements-636x204.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"204\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-11082 size-medium\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/Announcements-636x204.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/Announcements-768x246.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/Announcements.jpg 936w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Messages:<\/strong> Messages allow you to communicate privately with individual students or groups directly within the course. Messages should be tailored to the recipients based on your course\u2019s group or section setup.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/messages-1536x491-1.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/messages-1536x491-1-636x203.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"203\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-11085 size-medium\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/messages-1536x491-1-636x203.png 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/messages-1536x491-1-1024x327.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/messages-1536x491-1-768x246.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/messages-1536x491-1.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<hr \/>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2479369379-636x424.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"424\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11160\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2479369379-636x424.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2479369379-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2479369379-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2479369379-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2479369379-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/>Course Design<\/h2>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">What's the best approach to organizing my course?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Start by organizing the course structure using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/programs-services\/academic-technology\/ultra\/starter-kit\/course-layouts\/\">one of the course layouts that are available<\/a>. Once the structure is in place, you can work on creating or adding content.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">What's the best way to present course content?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Sort content into manageable sections rather than uploading lengthy documents. Use the built-in document feature, when possible, instead of uploading Word documents.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">What should I include in my Course Information Folder?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Create a welcome message with course navigation instructions and add your contact information prominently. Consider including a brief course overview, syllabus, important dates, and links to frequently accessed content.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How can I make navigation easy for my students?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Keep navigation simple &#8211; students should find important content in 3 clicks or fewer. Use consistent naming conventions for files and folders (e.g., &#8220;Week 1 Lecture Slides&#8221; rather than just &#8220;Lecture Slides&#8221;).<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How do I ensure students can see all the course materials I\u2019ve added to the course?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Preview your course as a student to ensure all content is visible and accessible. Take advantage of the announcement feature if you add new content to your course. Upload files in standard formats (PDF, DOCX, PPTX, MP4) for best compatibility and include alternative text for images to improve accessibility.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<hr \/>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2499992865-1-636x332.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"332\" class=\"wp-image-11169 size-medium alignright\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2499992865-1-636x332.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2499992865-1-1024x534.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2499992865-1-768x401.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2499992865-1-1536x801.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2499992865-1-2048x1069.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Communications<\/h2>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">When should I use an announcement vs. a message?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Announcements: \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Use announcements to communicate important updates to the entire class. Announcements are ideal for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Course-wide reminders (e.g., assignment deadlines, schedule changes).<\/li>\n<li>Highlighting resources or sharing motivational messages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Key Features:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Announcements appear prominently on students\u2019 dashboards.<\/li>\n<li>They can be saved as drafts or scheduled to send at a specific time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Messages:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Use messages for direct communication with individual students or groups. This feature is best for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Providing personalized feedback or assistance to a student.<\/li>\n<li>Addressing a specific group of students (e.g., a project team or section).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Key Features:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Messages are private and remain within the Blackboard platform.<\/li>\n<li>Unlike announcements, messages cannot be saved as drafts or scheduled to send.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How can I encourage student participation outside of class?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Create Discussions in Blackboard for class participation and Q&amp;A. Consider grading participation to incentivize engagement and organize groups for further collaboration.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<hr \/>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_2253573763-636x424.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"424\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10956\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_2253573763-636x424.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_2253573763-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_2253573763-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_2253573763-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_2253573763-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2>Grading<\/h2>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">What views are available in the Gradebook?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>The Gradebook offers four views to help you manage your grading tasks efficiently:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Overview:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Lists tasks requiring action, such as submissions that need grading, grades that need posting, or items for reconciliation.<\/li>\n<li>Use this view to prioritize and manage your workload quickly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Gradable Items: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Displays all assignments, tests, and other graded activities.<\/li>\n<li>View due dates, grading status, and categories. Missing submissions are flagged in red.<\/li>\n<li>Select an item\u2019s name to grade submissions or adjust settings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Grades: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A grid view showing each student\u2019s grades for all assignments in columns and rows.<\/li>\n<li>Color codes help you quickly identify statuses:\n<ul>\n<li>Green: Posted grades<\/li>\n<li>Red: Automatic zeros for missing work<\/li>\n<li>Purple: New submissions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Students: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Displays a list of all students, their overall grades, and their last course access date.<\/li>\n<li>Add accommodations or message students directly from this view.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><div style=\"width: 1920px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><!--[if lt IE 9]><script>document.createElement('video');<\/script><![endif]-->\n<video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-10374-1\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/Gradebook-Views.mp4?_=1\" \/><a href=\"\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/Gradebook-Views.mp4\">\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/Gradebook-Views.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">What Gradebook tools can help me stay organized?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Reminders:<\/strong> Notify students of missing assignments directly from the Gradebook.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Results Downloads:<\/strong> Save student grades or submissions as Excel or ZIP files for offline review.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Learning Analytics:<\/strong> Analyze assignment performance with key metrics like averages, ranges, and medians.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rubrics:<\/strong> If a rubric is associated with the assignment, click on the Rubric button to grade each criterion and provide detailed, structured feedback.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How can I streamline grading?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Grade anonymously:<\/strong> Enable anonymous grading to focus on the quality of work without knowing the student\u2019s identity.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Grade one question at a time:<\/strong> For quizzes and tests, switch to question-level grading to focus on one question across all submissions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use the Mobile App:<\/strong> Grade submissions and provide feedback directly from your mobile device for added flexibility.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use the &#8220;Needs Grading&#8221; feature<\/strong> to quickly find new submissions and use batch download for assignments instead of opening each one individually.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use rubrics<\/strong> for consistent grading of subjective assignments.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Set up automatic grade release<\/strong> for objective assessments.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Set assignment due dates<\/strong> that appear on the calendar automatically.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Provide audio or video feedback<\/strong> for complex assignments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">What is delegated grading and why use it?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Delegated grading allows you to assign specific users, such as instructors, teaching assistants, or graders, to grade particular sets of student submissions. This feature distributes grading responsibilities, ensuring a more efficient and collaborative grading process.<\/p>\n<p><strong>For Graders:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Graders can only view submissions and assign grades for the students in their assigned group(s).<\/li>\n<li>Graders cannot access submissions outside their assigned group.<\/li>\n<li>Graders can post grades, but only for students in their group.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>For Unassigned Instructors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Instructors not assigned to a group retain full grading privileges and can view and post grades for all students in the course.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><div style=\"width: 1920px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-10374-2\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/Delegated-Grading.mp4?_=2\" \/><a href=\"\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/Delegated-Grading.mp4\">\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/Delegated-Grading.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How do I change the visibility of an assessment until I\u2019m done grading?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Keep the visibility set to \u201cHidden from students\u201d. Only make it available when you&#8217;ve adjusted all settings and questions.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<hr \/>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_2396728977-636x410.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"410\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-10957 alignright\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_2396728977-636x410.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_2396728977-1024x660.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_2396728977-768x495.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_2396728977-1536x990.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_2396728977-2048x1320.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2>Accessibility<\/h2>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How can I ensure uploaded files meet accessibility standards?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>To make your course inclusive for all students and compliant with institutional guidelines, follow these steps:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Use library reserves for readings first:<\/strong> Whenever possible, place course readings on reserve with the BU Library. This ensures compliance with copyright laws and guarantees that materials are accessible, with high-quality scans or digital formats available to all students.<\/li>\n<li><strong>If uploading your own files, ensure accessibility:<\/strong> If you need to upload files directly to Blackboard and they comply with copyright laws, ensure they meet accessibility standards:\n<ul>\n<li>PDFs should have selectable text, not just scanned images of text.<\/li>\n<li>Images should include alternative text (alt text) that describes the content.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Check accessibility before publishing:<\/strong> Blackboard Ultra\u2019s Ally tool scans your files and provides accessibility scores, along with step-by-step guidance to improve them. Use Ally to ensure new content aligns with accessibility standards before making it visible to students.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Follow accessibility best practices:<\/strong> Use simple language, large enough fonts, and proper color contrasts to make your materials easy to read.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Avoid deleting critical content:<\/strong> Be cautious when removing or replacing files, as students or linked activities might rely on that content.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Test changes in student view:<\/strong> Use the student preview feature to see how changes will appear from a student\u2019s perspective. This ensures the course remains navigable and functional for all users.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">What are accommodations and why are they important?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Accommodations are adjustments made to support students with documented disabilities, ensuring equitable access to course materials and assessments. These may include extended deadlines, additional time for quizzes and exams, or alternative formats for assignments. Providing accommodations aligns with institutional policies and accessibility standards, such as Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).<\/p>\n<p>Additional BU resources:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Disability and Access Services (DAS): For institutional policies and additional guidance, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/disability\/\">the DAS website<\/a> or contact your accessibility office.<\/li>\n<li>WCAG Guidelines: <a href=\"http:\/\/w3.org\/\">Learn more about creating accessible content at w3.org<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">What are additional tips for maintaining accessibility in Blackboard Learn Ultra?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Provide captions for videos:<\/strong> Ensure any new or replacement video content you use has captions or a transcript available.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Provide transcripts for audio files:<\/strong> Ensure any new or replacement audio content you use has transcripts available.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Encourage students to use accessibility features:<\/strong> Blackboard Ultra includes tools like High Contrast Mode and adjustable font sizes to support diverse learning needs. Let students know these features exist.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Enable progress tracking:<\/strong> Activating this feature helps students stay organized and monitor their progress, particularly those with learning challenges.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Double-check external resources:<\/strong> Verify that all linked articles, websites, and videos meet accessibility standards or provide alternatives if they don\u2019t.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<hr \/>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2443921915-636x412.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"412\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11162 size-medium\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2443921915-636x412.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2443921915-1024x663.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2443921915-768x497.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2443921915-1536x994.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_2443921915-2048x1326.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Student Success<\/h2>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How can I identify struggling students early?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Use the Performance Dashboard to monitor student engagement and progress. Look for patterns of missed assignments or limited logins.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">What can I add to my course to help students succeed with technology?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Create &#8220;Getting Started&#8221; modules with technology requirements and navigation guidance. Provide sample assignments so students understand expectations and consider creating a brief tutorial video showing how to navigate your specific course.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">What tools can I use to check for plagiarism in Blackboard Learn Ultra?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Blackboard Learn Ultra supports two popular tools for academic integrity: SafeAssign and Turnitin. These tools help faculty detect plagiarism and ensure originality in student submissions. Note that if you use one of these tools, it should be set up before the course launches and students submit work.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">What are SafeAssign and Turnitin and which tool should I use?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>SafeAssign is a built-in tool that checks student submissions against a database of academic papers and web content. It identifies potential matches to ensure the originality of submitted work.<\/p>\n<p>Turnitin offers advanced plagiarism detection and additional features like rubrics, inline feedback, and detailed originality reports.<\/p>\n<p>Your choice may depend on program requirements or specific course needs:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>SafeAssign:<\/strong> Seamlessly integrated into Blackboard, ideal for quick plagiarism checks.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Turnitin:<\/strong> Offers more advanced features for feedback and detailed originality analysis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<hr \/>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_1721657587-636x358.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"358\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11163 alignright\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_1721657587-636x358.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_1721657587-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_1721657587-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_1721657587-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_1721657587-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_1721657587-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_1721657587-992x558.jpg 992w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_1721657587-1500x844.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_1721657587-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_1721657587-1984x1116.jpg 1984w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/>Time-Saving Features<\/h2>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Can I reuse content from previous courses?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Yes, you can carry over content from past semesters. To copy from Original to Ultra, use the Blackboard Course Copy Tool. To copy from Ultra to Ultra, use the Copying Content in Ultra feature within your Ultra course interface.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How can I automate content release throughout the semester?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Set release conditions for content to automatically appear to students based on dates or completion of prerequisites. This allows you to build the entire course upfront but reveal content progressively.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<hr \/>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_1082418173-1-636x272.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"272\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11176 size-medium\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_1082418173-1-636x272.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_1082418173-1-1024x437.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_1082418173-1-768x328.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_1082418173-1-1536x656.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/files\/2025\/07\/shutterstock_1082418173-1-2048x875.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Troubleshooting<\/h2>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">What should I do if Blackboard Ultra isn't displaying correctly?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Clear your browser cache if you are experiencing display issues and use Chrome or Firefox for best compatibility. If problems persist, contact IS&amp;T support early and document the steps that led to any errors.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Should I keep backups of my course materials?<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Yes, keep copies of important content on your local computer as backup. Occasionally export your gradebook as well to have a secondary record of student progress.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<hr \/>\n<p><span><div class=\"intro-text intro-text--shortcode intro-text--lg\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Found the answer to your question? Let&#8217;s continue building the rest of your course!<\/p>\n<div class=\"actions actions--shortcode\" data-actions-align=\"center\">\n\n\t<a\n\t\tclass=\"button button--shortcode theme--orangutan button--has-icon\"\n\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/ultra\/starter-kit\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"button__text\">Learn More<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"button__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg\n\tclass=\"icon icon--icon-arrow  icon--md\"\n\theight=\"18\"\n\twidth=\"18\"\n\tstyle=\"--icon-ratio: var(--icon-arrow-ratio, auto);\"\n>\n\t<use href=\"#icon-arrow\" \/>\n<\/svg>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n<p><span<\/div> <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Course Management Course Design Communications Grading Accessibility Student Success Time-Saving Features Troubleshooting<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22504,"featured_media":0,"parent":10344,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/no-sidebars.php","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10374"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22504"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10374"}],"version-history":[{"count":49,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10374\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11346,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10374\/revisions\/11346"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10344"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/excellence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}