Update to client Production environments (Published May 29, 2025):
An updated release of 3900.116.0 (full release number: 3900.116.0-rel.25+a96979c) is being applied to client Production servers on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
We have fixed this issue:
- Data Table Exports To S3 And Illuminate For Single Tenant Clients Stalled- Article #90594
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Update to client Production environments (Published May 22, 2025):
An updated release of 3900.116.0 (full release number: 3900.116.0-rel.23+c0c80bc) is being applied to client Production servers on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
We have fixed these issues:
-
Banner integration grade extract issues in Grades Journey V2 have been solved.
-
General slowness may be observed in sites affected by the fix of the 'Next' button functionality in Learning Modules (Article #78750).
- Tests can now be taken with Respondus-Lockdown Browser and configured as “One time view” tests.
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Update to client Production environments (Published May 15, 2025):
An updated release of 3900.116.0 (full release number: 3900.116.0-rel.19+9270952) is being applied to client Production servers on Thursday, May 15, 2025.
We have fixed these issues:
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Update to client Production environments (Published May 8, 2025):
An updated release of 3900.116.0 (full release number: 3900.116.0-rel.17+42cb77b) is being applied to client Production servers on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
We have fixed these issues:
-
When Students Use the NVDA Screen Reader to Answer Tests if the Answer is Only a Numerical Value the Options are not ProperlyDistinguished- Article #90587
-
Long URL does not wrap in 'Location' field of Course Schedule.
- Students are Unable to Submit a Document for an Assignment on the Blackboard Mobile App Using iOS Devices- Article #90676
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Update to client Production environments (Published May 1, 2025):
An updated release of 3900.116.0 (full release number: 3900.116.0-rel.17+42cb77b) is being applied to client Production servers on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
We have fixed these issues:
- When Accessing Activity Stream's Activity it is not Announced to Which Course the Activity Belongs to Even Though it is Visible on the Screen- Article #90575
- Screen Reader Fails to Properly Distinguish Prompt Text in Matching Questions- Article #90586
- The burger menu to access the base navigation has been removed from Student Preview users on smaller screens. This is because Student Preview users cannot access the base navigation. Regular users of the system will see no change.
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Update to client Test/Stage environments (Published April 29, 2025):
An updated release of 3900.116.0 (full release number: 3900.116.0-rel.17+42cb77b) is being applied to client Test servers on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
We have fixed these issues:
- Learning Object Repository Insert Object Button Active With No Selection- Article #90641
- Users Do Not Receive Assignment Available/New Gradable Items Email Notification After 3900.114 Update- Article #90647
- When a user with a Custom System Role (instead of a standard administrator role) performs a bulk copy and convert operation from an Original course to an Ultra course, some files become inaccessible or appear broken in the target course after the source (original) course is deleted.
- Panopto Test Grades Not Populating into the Blackboard Gradebook - Article #90665
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Update to client Test/Stage environments (Published April 22, 2025):
An updated release of 3900.116.0 (full release number: 3900.116.0-rel.11+fa5b68d) is being applied to client Test servers on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
We have fixed these issues:
- 'Invalid aggregation model' Error is Displayed When an Instructor Changes a Discussion's Due Date - Article #90642
- Incorrect Answer Key When Printing Test With Randomize Questions and Randomize Answers - Article #90556
- Original Course Full Grade Center Report Shows Junk HTML Formatting - Article #90591
- Exam Feedback Will Show Other Answers as Marked When the Option 'Randomize Answers' is Selected - Article #90625
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Update to client Test/Stage environments (Published April 15, 2025):
An updated release of 3900.116.0 (full release number: 3900.116.0-rel.5+a359e3c) is being applied to client Test servers on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
We have fixed these issues:
- Attachment Links in Announcements are Sent to Recipients With a Changed URL That Does Not Function- Article #78870
- Discussion Boards Get Deleted When Instructors Attempt to Grade Them- Article #90419
- Multiple Choice Questions Show Incorrect Answer When They're Worth 0 Points and Are Set to Show Correct Answers- Article #90590
- Users with Safari browser versions 16.1 to 16.4 are seeing continuous load spinner when logining into the Blackboard Learn Mobile App in 3900.114 version.
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Initial Release to client Test/Stage environments (Published April 8, 2025):
The initial release of 3900.116.0 (full release number: 3900.116.0-rel.3+0a3fccc) is being applied to client Test servers on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
The May 2025 - 3900.116 release is robust with features in 7 areas:
- Instructional design
- Mastery learning and learning pathways
- Communication and collaboration
- Tests & Assignments
- Gradebook
- Learn Core & Security; and
- Premium
These improvements impact instructors, students, and administrators. Some features do require administrative action.
Instructors:
- AI Design Assistant: Auto-generate AI Conversations
- Achievements show current recipients without browser refresh
- Qualitative rubrics with no-points option
- Gradebook accessibility enhancements
- Grade Export v2: Pagination added to the approval workflow
- Grade Export v2: Select items across pages added to the approval workflow
- Grade Export v2: Buttons that are not enabled no longer appear in the approval workflow
- Grade Export v2: Columns renamed on Grades Approval and Transfer screen
- Video Studio - Analytics for student engagement
- Video Studio - Automatically detect different speakers in a recording
- Course Catalog: Copy discussions from course template
Instructors and Students:
- Enhancements to discussions
- “View submission one time” test results setting
- Text-based columns in Gradebook
- Video Studio - 360° Video: easy link from desktop to Virtual Reality Headset
Instructors and Administrators:
- Learning Object Repository: New search function for inserting objects
- Learning Object Repository: Notification emails
- IP Restriction for Ultra Courses - Multiple Test Rooms – Hide Profiles
Students:
- Course Catalog: Pagination added to Achievements tab on learner dashboard
Administrators:
- Learning Object Repository: Enhancements to privileges
- Learning Object Repository: Sorting for Associations column
- Grade Export v2: Approval History available to administrators
- Grade Export v2: Choose course roles in Platform Extensions Manager
Instructional Design
AI Design Assistant: Auto-generate AI Conversations
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: AI Conversation
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
The AI Design Assistant can now auto-generate AI Conversations. AI Conversations are conversations between students and an AI persona.
- Socratic Questioning: Conversations that encourage students to think critically through continuous questioning.
- Role-play: Conversations that allow students to play out scenarios with the AI persona, enhancing their learning experience.
Creating personas and topics for an AI Conversation can take a lot of time. To streamline this process, the AI Design Assistant can generate three suggestions at once. You can select what the AI Design Assistant generates. You can choose to generate: - AI Conversation title
- AI persona
- Reflection question
These suggestions provide inspiration for an AI Conversation. Instructors can refine the AI Design Assistant’s suggestions in several ways:
- Provide additional context
- Adjust the complexity of the question
- Select context from the course
- Manually revise the question
The time saved by auto-generating AI Conversations allows instructors to focus more on embedding AI Conversations into their courses.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learning Object Repository: Enhancements to privileges
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Page: Learning Object Repository
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Based on feedback, Learning Object Repository privileges are renamed to align with the naming conventions for other privileges. This provides a more consistent and streamlined experience for administrators using the Learning Object Repository.
The previous privilege labels and their new labels are as follows:
Viewing Learning Object Repository from Tools page
Previous labels:
- Individuals with this privilege can view the Learning Object Repository from the Tools page.
Updated labels:
- Base Navigation > Tools > Learning Object Repository
- Base Navigation > Tools > Learning Object Repository > Search
Creating, editing, and deleting objects in the Learning Object Repository:
Previous label:
- Individuals with this privilege can create, edit, and delete objects in the Learning Object Repository.
Updated labels:
- Base Navigation > Tools > Learning Object Repository > Create
- Base Navigation > Tools > Learning Object Repository > Edit
- Base Navigation > Tools > Learning Object Repository > Delete
- Base Navigation > Tools > Learning Object Repository > ... > Copy Items
- Base Navigation > Tools > Learning Object Repository > ... > Tasks and Logs
Inserting objects from the Learning Object Repository into courses and organizations:
Previous label:
- Individuals with this privilege can insert objects from the Learning Object Repository into courses and organizations.
Updated label:
- Course/Organization > Content > + > Learning Object Repository
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learning Object Repository: New search function for inserting objects
Impact: Instructors and administrators
Updated Help Page: Learning Object Repository
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We added a search function to the insert object workflow for the Learning Object Repository.
- Search by Name: Users can now search for objects by name, making it easier to find specific items.
- Pagination: The list of items supports retrieving more than 1,000 objects at once, giving users a wide variety of options.
- Automatic Sorting: The list is automatically sorted in alphabetical order for a more organized view.
This update enhances the workflow to make inserting objects easier and more efficient.
Users must have permission to insert objects into courses. This permission is turned on by default for instructors and course builders.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learning Object Repository: Sorting for Associations column
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Page: Learning Object Repository
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Users can now sort items in the Learning Object Repository by association, in addition to sorting by name. Users can easily identify objects with the highest or lowest number of associations. This workflow enhancement streamlines the process of finding the most relevant objects.
Users must have access to view the Learning Object Repository from the Tools page. This permission is turned on by default for the System Administrator (Z) role.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learning Object Repository: Notification emails
Impact: Instructors and administrators
Updated Help Page: Learning Object Repository
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Based on your feedback, we updated the Learning Object Repository to remove confirmation email notifications when inserting an object from the Learning Object Repository into a course or organization. This update aligns Learning Object Repository functionality with how copies are handled in Ultra courses. Additionally, the update reduces unnecessary emails ensuring that users’ inboxes receive only essential communications.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Mastery Learning and Learning Pathways
Achievements show current recipients without browser refresh
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Achievements
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Achievements now show their current recipients automatically without a browser refresh. Previously, an Achievement needed to be refreshed in the browser to show which students had earned an Achievement after grade changes. This improvement means that instructors can be confident that students’ Achievement statuses are always accurate and up to date.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Tests & Assignments
"View submission one time" test results setting
Impact: Instructors and Students
Updated Help Page: Assessment Settings
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-355
We added a new test result setting option, View submission one time. When a student completes the test, they can review their answers and detailed feedback, such as which questions were answered correctly. The View submission one time option lets instructors provide students with immediate feedback, while maintaining test security.
Instructors
To access this setting option, select Available after submission in the Assessment results section of the Assessment Settings, then select View submission one time from the Customize when the submission content is visible to students dropdown. This dropdown is available only if Allow students to view their submission is selected.
Students
Students benefit from immediate feedback on their test performance in a secure and limited timeframe. Restricting access after the review session balances the need for meaningful insights with the importance of maintaining academic integrity.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Qualitative rubrics with no-points options
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Create Rubrics
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-382
Instructors can now create and use no-points rubrics for qualitative evaluation. This rubric type allows instructors to assess student work based on criteria and feedback, rather than numerical values. In addition, the AI generation option now supports no-points rubrics, providing a streamlined method to create detailed evaluation criteria.
Instructors can select No Points as a rubric type when creating or generating a rubric. This option is available alongside existing percentage and points-based rubrics. Instructors can also edit rubrics to switch between different rubric types, including percentage, points range, and no points.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Communication & Collaboration
Enhancements to discussions
Impact: Instructors and students
Updated Help Page: Discussions (for instructors), Discussions (for students)
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-5098
We made several enhancements to discussions to improve the user experience and make discussions more engaging and efficient.
- Improved response field text: The text within the discussion response field now reads, "Post a response to the discussion" instead of "Type a response."
- Updated wording: Users now select Post instead of Respond to submit a discussion response.
- Streamlined response entry: The text field for entering a response is now directly below the discussion topic for a more intuitive experience.
- Instructor indicator: When an instructor posts in a discussion thread, an indicator beside their name now identifies them as an instructor.
- Aligned draft indicator: The Draft indicator is now aligned with the user's name, enhancing clarity.
- Enhanced search field: The search field for participant names now includes a magnifying glass icon for better visibility.
- Simplified group discussions: The large banner beneath group discussion posts has been removed. Users can now directly select their group without distraction.
Administrators
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Gradebook
Gradebook accessibility enhancements
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
The Gradable Items tab in the Gradebook now features a redesigned interface to improve accessibility and navigation for keyboard-only and screen reader users. This enhancement supports an accessible experience for instructors grading student work, reducing the time and effort required to manage student grades.
With this update, the Gradable Items tab uses a table-based layout to enhance usability:
- Screen reader users can now hear both header and row announcements, allowing for smoother navigation through student submissions.
- Keyboard users can now move efficiently across rows or down columns using arrow keys.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Text-based columns in Gradebook
Impact: Instructors and students
Updated Help Page: Ultra Gradebook
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-1566
Instructors can now create custom text-based columns in the Gradebook, giving them the ability to record information for an assessment, such as performance code, group membership, and tutoring information.
Text-based columns in the Gradable Items view are accessible through a properly marked-up table layout. Screen reader users can navigate and hear headers and rows accurately. Sorting and assistive technology features ensure an inclusive experience for all users.
Instructors can now create text-based columns in the Gradebook. These columns allow instructors to record up to 32 characters. The column is not restricted to text input.
Instructors can:
- Create text-based columns via the Add workflow in both the grid view and Gradable Items page;
- Name the column, control student visibility, and add a description;
- Add and edit text information for a specific student using an inline eidt workflow.
Text-based columns exclude the following:
- Points values (automatically set to 0 points)
- Due dates
- Categories
- Gradebook calculations and related calculation UIs
Content in text-based columns auto-posts and supports sorting functionality within the Gradebook grid view. Instructors can also download and upload text-based columns using the Gradebook's upload/download function.
Students can access text-based columns and associated information in their Gradebook when the column is set to Visible to students.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Grade Export v2: Approval History available to administrators
Test/Stage: week of March 24th; Production: week of March 24th
Impact: Administrators
Updated Help Page: Admin Tools
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Administrators now can use Show History in course level approval workflow. Selecting Show History provides administrators with a detailed history of all submission, approval, and extraction actions taken in a course, as well as determining the user who took each action. This history gives administrators the ability to follow up on any questions about actions taken during the approval process.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Grade Export v2: Pagination added to the approval workflow
Test/Stage: week of March 24th; Production: week of March 24th
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
The approval workflow pages are now paginated, limiting each page to ten items. This eliminates the need for scrolling through a long list to find the desired item. This improvement provides a more efficient experience for instructors.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Grade Export v2: Select items across pages added to the approval workflow
Test/Stage: week of March 24th; Production: week of March 24th
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors now can select items across pages in the approval workflow. If an instructor checks the box to select all items, all items on the page are selected. Instructors can also select all items across pages. This feature increases instructor efficiency by allowing them to perform actions on all items returned in a search.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Grade Export v2: Buttons that are not enabled no longer appear in the approval workflow
Test/Stage: week of March 24th; Production: week of March 24th
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Now, buttons that are not enabled in the Grade Export v2 administrator settings do not appear in the approval workflow. Previously, these buttons still showed in the UI as grayed-out options that were not actionable. This change provides a cleaner interface and prevents confusion for instructors.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Grade Export v2: Choose course roles in Platform Extensions Manager
Test/Stage: week of March 24th; Production: week of March 24th
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
In addition to institution and system roles, administrators can now choose course roles for Grade Approver User access in the Platform Extensions Manager tool. This option gives administrators more granular control over what course roles can launch the Grade Approval and Transfer tool.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Grade Export v2: Columns renamed on Grades Approval and Transfer screen
Test/Stage: week of March 24th; Production: week of March 24th
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We renamed two columns on the grade-level Approval and Transfer screen. Now, instructors can find the student's current grade in the Current Grade column. The Previously Approved Grade column provides the last grade that was approved for the student. Instructors can clearly identify how a student’s grade has changed since the last time grades were approved.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra and Original courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Learn Core & Security
IP Restriction for Ultra Courses - Multiple Test Rooms – Hide Profiles
Impact: Instructors, Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Assessment IP Address Filtering (admin), Restrict Location (Instructor)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Administrators can now hide or unhide profiles used for proctoring tests. This security feature ensures that only available profiles are used for proctoring tests, which enhances security. The feature also improves change management by allowing administrators to control profile visibility without impacting existing configurations.
IP filters permit test access only on computers that are specified. Administrators can create more than one profiles associated with one or more ranges of IP addresses. Instructors assign the proctoring lab or location to students from the available profiles configured by the administrator.
Administrators can hide a profile in the Administrator Panel by selecting Course Settings, then Grading Security Settings. Open the menu for the profile to be hidden, then select Make Unavailable.
Once hidden, that profile is displayed on the Grade Security Settings page with a red dot with an X icon.
For new test configurations, a hidden profile doesn't appear as an option for instructors selecting Location Restriction in Test Settings. However, the profile still appears if it was available in existing test configurations. In this case, when an instructor selects the unavailable profile, they get a message requiring them to choose another profile.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed. The option Make Unavailable applies exclusively to Ultra courses. In Original courses, all profiles remain available for configuration at all times.
Video Studio - Automatically detect different speakers in a recording
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Video Studio (Instructors)
Exchange ID: Not applicable
Video Studio can now automatically identify different speakers in a recording and individually segment them within the recording transcript. The feature can identify up to 30 speakers. Instructors can manually edit the speaker labels to better identify each individual for users.
The ability to automatically detect speakers and edit speaker labels enhances the accuracy and clarity of a recording transcript, making it more valuable to instructors and students alike.
When instructors access a recording transcript, they will see that Video Studio automatically generates transcriptions segmented by speaker. The default label for each speaker is Speaker 0, Speaker 1, up to 30 speakers. Instructors can edit speaker labels the same way they can edit recording transcripts.
Administrators:
Availability: Video Studio is a premium solution.
Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025. This trial provides access to the full version of Video Studio. Video Studio is set to OFF as a default in test/stage and production environments. If you want to enable it in your institution’s environment, you can do that for free until the end of June 2025.
Configuration: To configure Video Studio: select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond June 30, 2025, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it.
Video Studio - 360° Video: easy link from desktop to Virtual Reality Headset
Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated Help Page: Video Studio (Instructors), Video Studio (Students)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Please consult your VR headset operating instructions prior to use. Some users may experience motion sickness, dizziness, or mild discomfort when using VR headsets. In rare cases, individuals sensitive to flashing lights may be at risk of seizures. Taking regular breaks and following safety guidelines can help ensure a comfortable experience.
With Video Studio, users can now turn 360° videos into immersive experiences with an easy Virtual Reality (VR) headset handoff workflow.
VR experiences can sometimes require specific equipment and software that can be challenging to maintain. Video Studio introduces a straightforward process that links any VR device to 360° videos in Blackboard.
Immersive virtual experiences are particularly beneficial for educational scenarios where physical presence is not feasible. For example, construction students can explore a highway construction environment to identify risks; students can tour the international space station; or new faculty can familiarize themselves with classroom layouts using 360° walkthroughs.
This straightforward VR headset handoff workflow makes it easy for users to experience immersive VR learning. Students can gain a deeper understanding of their course material in an accessible manner. The product agnostic nature of this Video Studio feature means that institutions can use existing VR equipment or purchase equipment to fit their budget and needs.
Once an instructor records a 360° video, they can upload it like any other Video Studio recording. Detailed instructions for linking to a VR headset can be found in the Video Studio (instructors) topic.
Administrators:
Availability: Video Studio is a premium solution.
Activation: We are offering customers a free trial until June 30, 2025. This trial provides access to the full version of Video Studio. Video Studio is set to OFF as a default in test/stage and production environments. If you want to enable it in your institution’s environment, you can do that for free until the end of June 2025.
Configuration: This feature requires installing a new building block. In the Administrator Panel, select Building Blocks in the Integrations module. Then, select Installed Tools. In the list of building blocks, select Device Authentication. To configure Video Studio: select Configure in The Ultra Experience is Here! module. Select Enable creating/uploading videos using Video Studio. Beyond June 30, 2025, your institution will have to purchase Video Studio to continue using it.
Course Catalog: Copy discussions from course template – 2.16
Test/Stage: Thursday, 10 April 2025; Production: Thursday, 10 April 2025
Impact: Managers
Updated Help Topic: Create an Offering
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
If managers create an offering with a template, discussions from that template are now copied by default unless the option chosen is Blank Course Ultra View. Previously, discussions were not copied. This change prevents managers from having to repetitively create discussions in their Course Catalog courses.
The template option Blank Course Ultra View does not copy any content. Discussions are not copied and no toggle switch appears.
A Copy Template Discussions toggle appears when managers choose a template that is not blank. They can turn off the option to copy discussions.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Course Catalog: Pagination added to Achievements tab on learner dashboard – 2.16
Test/Stage: Thursday, 10 April 2025; Production: Thursday, 10 April 2025
Impact: Students
Updated Help Topic: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
The Achievements tab on the learner dashboard is now paginated, limiting each page to ten items. This eliminates the need for scrolling through a long list to find the desired item. This improvement provides a more efficient experience for students.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Course Catalog courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
