Ultra Update – March 2025

Posted on by jamie.gilder

This release has new or updated features in the following areas: 

  • Instructional design;
  • Tests and assignments;
  • Communication and collaboration;
  • Gradebook;
  • Learner Progression & Personalised Experience;
  • Integrations;
  • Learn core and security.

These improvements impact instructors, students, and administrators. Below you’ll find our top highlights, and more detail on the most relevant updates. 

Top Highlights

Release conditions panel: due dates now included

When instructors set up release conditions for a content item, the item’s due date now displays below the date and time fields. Instructors no longer need to go back to the item to check the due date, saving time and reducing the potential for errors.

Screenshot showing the release conditions panel with the Date and time fields highlighted. Below the Access from field is some grey text: 'Select a date before Jan 24, 2025, 11:59:59pm due date', and some red text: 'Selected date cannot be after due date'.
Image 1. The due date of a content item now displays below the date and time fields.

Pop-out rubric when marking an assignment

When marking an assignment, instructors can now pop out the marking rubric into a separate, moveable window. The pop-out rubric is formatted in a grid view. Previously, the rubric was only available in a side panel and formatted in a stack. This update provides a clearer, more comprehensive view of the rubric during marking and lets instructors view the student submission and the rubric side-by-side. Instructors can quickly select performance levels and provide feedback in the rubric while viewing a submission.

Screenshot showing two browser windows side by side. The left window shows a submission being marked, the right window shows the pop-out rubric in grid format.
Image 1.  Instructors can pop out the rubric by selecting the expand icon in the rubric panel.

Please see the Release notes for further information.

Anonymous discussions: new privilege to reveal author

System administrators or other users with the assigned system role privilege can now reveal the identity of the author of an anonymous discussion post or reply. This enhancement addresses instances where the anonymous feature is misused, such as bullying or other inappropriate behaviour. Instructors can create anonymous discussions and feel confident that any misuse can be quickly resolved.

There’s now a warning that informs users that their identity can be revealed by an authorised user.

Screenshot of a Blackboard discussion with anonymous posts enabled. Next to the Post anonymously tick box, a warning is displayed: 'To ensure safety and compliance, authorised users have the ability to identify anonymous authors'.
Image 1. The new warning is associated with the Post anonymously option.

Please see the Release notes for further information.

Full details on other updates in this release can be found on these Blackboard pages.

Further help and support

For more guidance on using Blackboard Ultra please explore this site Ultra Essential Guidance via the site menu on the right. 

Students can view an Ultra orientation and advice on using Ultra from their Help for Students sections (or equivalent) in your Blackboard course.