Following the May 2020 upgrade to the Ultra Base Navigation, faculty now have the option to adopt the Ultra Course View. Individual courses can either be presented in the Original format or the new Ultra format. This page is dedicated to providing an overview of the differences between the two formats so that instructors may choose which format they would like to utilize for the online resources of their course.

 

Original Courses Overview

The Original Course View includes all of the traditional workflows and depth of functions Blackboard Learn is known for.

The course menu appears on the left side of your window and is the cornerstone for the organization and navigation of your course. You create links on the course menu to present tools and materials to students.

The area after the course menu is the Control Panel. You can access the Grade Center and your file repository, and choose which course tools are available to your students. Students don’t see the Control Panel.

Your content appears in the main window to the right of the course menu. You use the functions above the main window to add content, such as Build Content and Assessments. Throughout your course, most items and tools have menus.

Blackboard Window showcases the Course View for Introduction to Oceanography. The interface highlights the course menu on the left, the function tools bar on top, and dropdown menu for Video Assignments in the center.

The course menu options include Course Updates, Getting Started, Lesson Topics, Discussions, Blogs, Groups, My Grades, Tools, and Help. The function tools bar includes Build Content, Assessments, Tools, Partner Content, and Discover Content.

Ultra Courses Overview

In the Ultra Course View, you have simplified workflows, a modern look and feel, and a fully responsive interface on all devices.

On the Course Content page, select the plus sign wherever you want to create content. In a new, blank course, use the functions to add content, such as Create and Upload. Select the icons on the navigation bar to open frequently used tools, such as discussions.

All of your course content appears in the main part of the page. You can always see the left navigation area that peeks from behind layers.

Most content items, such as folders and assignments, have a menu with options. When you open a piece of content, it slides out in a layer on top of the Course Content page. Close layers to go back to a previous spot in your course.

The Ultra Course View showcases the Course Content. It includes such tabs like Posts, Lessons, Assignments, and Submissions.

 

Blackboard Learn Original vs Ultra Feature Comparison

Basic Features

Feature Name In
Original
Course?		 In Ultra
Course?		 More Planned for
the Ultra
Course?		 Notes
Adaptive Release (‘Conditional Release’ in Ultra) Yes Yes Yes
  • Date and time, force sequence (within Learning Modules) and performance based release are available now in Ultra Courses
  • Conditional release by users and groups now available in Ultra Courses
Add a blank page Yes Yes Yes
  • Blank pages are called Documents in Ultra.
Add item or page Yes Yes Yes
  • Additional capabilities are planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses
Announcements (Course Level) Yes Yes Yes
  • Text editor added to course announcements.
  • Announcements can now be sent by email.
  • Audio video content can now be added to announcements.
  • Additional capabilities are planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses.
Assignments Yes Yes Yes
  • Assignments are available in Ultra Courses
Attendance Yes Yes Yes
  • Learn Ultra currently supports the attendance feature
Calendar Yes Yes Yes
  • Calendar is available now in Learn Ultra
  • Links added to calendar
  • Calendar – export is available now in Learn Ultra and will synch with the Learn calendar 8 times a day
  • Calendar – import is not yet available in Learn Ultra
Content Editor Yes Yes Yes
  • The Content Editor is available now in Learn Ultra
  • Additional capabilities are planned for inclusion in Learn Ultra
Course Messages Yes Yes Yes
  • Course Messages are available now in Learn Ultra
  • More capabilities are planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses
Discussions Yes Yes Yes
  • Discussions are available now in Learn Ultra
  • Additional capabilities are planned for inclusion in Learn Ultra
Email Yes Yes Yes
  • Instructors may send Messages to students via Email (SMTP)
  • Receiving notifications via Email (SMTP) is available in Ultra now.
Files Yes Yes No
  • Files are available now in Ultra Courses
Folders Yes Yes No
  • Folders are available now in Ultra Courses
Grade Center Yes Yes Yes
  • Grade Center (“Gradebook” in Ultra Courses) is available now in Ultra Courses
  • Student list view of the Gradebook is available now in Ultra Courses
Groups Yes Yes Yes
  • Groups are available now in Ultra Courses for Assignments, Tests, and Discussions.
  • Additional capabilities are planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses
Items Yes Yes Yes
  • Items (“Documents” in Ultra Courses) are available now in Ultra Courses
Journals Yes Yes Yes
  • Journals (graded and non-graded) are available now in Ultra Courses
Rubrics Yes Yes Yes
  • Rubrics are available now in Ultra Courses
  • Additional capabilities are planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses
Student Preview Yes Yes Yes
  • Student Preview in Ultra allows for a reset of the room to test multiple variables easily.
Tests Yes Yes Yes
  • Tests are currently available in Ultra Courses. Types available are:
    • Essay
    • Fill in the Blank
    • Matching
    • Multiple choice (single and multiple correct)
    • True/False
    • Calculated Formula
  • Additional capabilities are planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses

Advanced Features

Feature Name In
Original
Course?		 In Ultra
Course?		 More Planned for
the Ultra
Course?		 Notes
Achievements Yes No Yes
  • Achievements are planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses.
Additional Attempts to students in specific Assessments Yes Yes Yes
  • This is included in Ultra Courses
  • Due date exceptions will be covered in a later release
Anonymous Grading Yes Yes Yes
  • Anonymous Grading is available in Learn Ultra
  • Additional capabilities are planned for inclusion in Learn Ultra
Audio/Video Feedback Yes Yes Yes
  • Audio/Video feedback is available for assessments and announcements
  • More areas are planned for inclusion in the future.
Batch (Bulk) Edit No Yes Yes
  • Available now in Ultra with a more streamlined workflow
Blackboard Mobile App Yes Yes N/A
  • Available now for Learn Ultra (formerly called Bb Student)
Blogs Yes No Yes
  • Blogs are planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses.
Bulk Download Yes Yes Yes
  • Bulk download of assessments is now available in Ultra
Calculated Formula Yes Yes No
  • Calculated Formula test type is now available in Ultra
Calculated Numeric Yes No Yes
  • Calculated Numeric test type is being considered for inclusion in Ultra
Contacts Yes No No
  • Contacts are not currently planned for inclusion in Learn Ultra
Content Collection Yes Yes Yes
  • Content Collection is available now in Learn Ultra
  • Additional capabilities are planned for inclusion in Learn Ultra
Course Builder Role Yes No Yes
  • Course Builder role is planned for inclusion in Learn Ultra
Course Link Yes No Yes
  • Course links are planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses
Course Reports Yes Yes Yes
  • Course Reports (“Student Activity” in Ultra Courses) are available now in Learn Ultra
  • The exact details of the reports vary between Learn Original and Ultra courses
Course Structures Yes No No
  • Course Structures are not currently planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses
Course Surveys Yes No Yes
  • Course Surveys are planned for inclusion in Learn Ultra
Course Themes Yes No Yes
  • Course Themes are planned for inclusion in Learn Ultra
Date Management Yes Yes Yes
  • Date Management (known as “Batch edit due dates” is available now in Learn Ultra
  • Additional capabilities are planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses
Decimal Points in Tests Yes Yes No
  • Decimal points in tests is now supported in Ultra
Delegated Grading Yes Yes Yes
  • Delegated Grading is available now in Learn Ultra
  • Additional capabilities are planned for inclusion in Learn Ultra
Discussion Analysis No Yes Yes
  • Discussion Analysis is available in Ultra Courses
Dropping Grades Yes Yes Yes
  • Now in Ultra Courses, users will be able to drop X grades within a category when using the overall grade calculation by categories.
Embedded Insights No Yes Yes
  • Embedded Insights are part of the Ultra Course View
Glossary Yes No No
  • Glossary is not currently planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses
Goals Yes Yes Yes
  • Goals are available now in Ultra Courses
  • Goal Reporting is planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses
Grade Center Filter and Search No Yes Yes
  • Ultra Course view allows for quick searches and rapid filter options.
  • Advanced filters are now included in Ultra Courses.
Groups – Manual Enrollment Yes Yes No
  • Manual group enrollment is available in Ultra
Groups – Random Enrollment Yes Yes No
  • Random group enrollment is available in Ultra
Groups – Self-Enrollment Yes Yes Yes
  • Self-enrollment is available in Ultra
Guest Access Yes No Yes
  • Guest role is planned for inclusion in Learn Ultra
Insert Item from Web No Yes Yes
  • Ultra Courses natively embed videos from multiple websites including:
    VidGrid
    Panotpto
    FlipGrid
    SlideShare
    Prezi
    VoiceThread
    KhanAcademy
    Kaltura
    soundcloud
    spotify
    Genial.ly
    NearPod
    Quizlet
    Vimeo
    YouTube
    EdPuzzle
    H5P
Item Analysis Yes Yes Yes
  • Called Question analysis in Ultra and is more accessible in Ultra Courses
Learning Modules Yes Yes Yes
  • Learning Modules are available now in Ultra Courses
Lesson Plans Yes No No
  • Lesson Plans are not currently planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses
Observer Access Yes No Yes
  • The Observer role is planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses
Organizations Yes Yes Yes
  • Organizations are available now in Learn Ultra
Office 365/G Suite Integration Yes Yes Yes
  • Plan to continue to deepen the Office 365/ G Suite integration over time
Parallel Grading Yes Yes Yes
  • Ultra parallel grading offers improved workflows
  • Additional capabilities are planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses
Password Protected Assessments Yes Yes Yes
  • Access code functionality is now available on Ultra Courses.
Performance Dashboard Yes No No
  • Performance Dashboard is not currently planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses, many of the use cases provided by the Performance Dashboard are accommodated via Embedded Analytics.
Portfolio Yes No Yes
  • Portfolios are available now in Learn Ultra Base Navigation
  • Additional capabilities are planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses
Progress Tracking Yes Yes Yes
  • Called Review status in Original
  • Students able to mark their progress inside Ultra Courses.
  • Additional capabilities are planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses
Rich Text Editor (RTE) Yes Yes Yes
  • Ultra Course View does have a RTE. We do have plans to increase the functionality of this tool to include items such as: Emoji, Tables, and more.
  • Font, size and color options are now available.
Question Banks Yes Yes Yes
  • Question banks can be created/imported in Ultra.
Question Pools Yes Yes Yes
  • This is the replacement to Original’s Random Blocks and Question Sets.
Question Regrading Yes Yes Yes
  • Question regrading is available in Ultra Courses
SafeAssign Yes Yes Yes
  • SafeAssign is available for Assignments and Essay questions in Tests in Ultra Courses
SafeAssign Direct Submit Yes Yes Yes
  • SafeAssign Direct Submit is planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses
Score per Question Yes Yes No
  • Score per question is available now in Ultra Courses
SCORM Yes Yes Yes
  • SCORM is available now in Ultra Courses
Self and Peer Assessment Yes No Yes
  • Qualitative peer assessment is now available in Ultra Courses.
  • More capabilities planned in the future.
Tasks Yes No No
  • Tasks are not currently planned for inclusion in Learn Ultra
Tests – Additional Time No Yes Yes
  • Available in Ultra with options of 50%, 100%, and Unlimited
Video Everywhere / Browse My YouTube Videos Yes Yes Yes
  • Video Everywhere, or Browse My YouTube Videos, is called Insert YouTube Video in Ultra Courses
Web Link Yes Yes No
  • Web Links (HTTP/HTTPS/LTI) are currently available in Ultra Courses
Wikis Yes No No
  • Wikis are not planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses
Unsubmitted Work Counts as Zero No Yes Yes
  • Unsubmitted work counts as zero is an Ultra only feature and is currently available
  • Additional capabilities are planned for inclusion in Ultra Courses