Update to client Production environments (Published June 19, 2025):
An updated release of 3900.118.0 (full release number: 3900.118.0-rel.36+1fb0f5a) is being applied to client Production servers on Thursday, June 19, 2025.
We have fixed these issues:
- HTML Tags Displayed Instead of Formatted Text in Jumble Sentence Under the Add Distractor- Article #90884
- We have fixed an issue relating to courses not getting deleted on a timely manner
- Jumbled Sentence Question Fails to Proceed When Display One Question at a Time and Prohibit Backtracking Are Enabled- Article #90912
- Macmillan Migration Tool Does not Migrate Content Properly if it has Two (2) Placements Configured- Article #90868
- We improved the migration tool that converts Macmillan links from using the Partner Cloud integration to the newer LTI 1.3 integration. Now when running the conversion tool, links in more course tool locations will convert as expected.
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Update to client Production environments (Published June 12, 2025):
An updated release of 3900.118.0 (full release number: 3900.118.0-rel.33+56ee567) is being applied to client Production servers on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
We have fixed these issues:
- A minor issue causing the display of incorrect grade level record statuses within the Grade Exportextension UI, specifically for the Legacy Banner Integration implementation was fixed.
- The contents of a text box on the Institution Page cannot be scrolled by using the keyboard, specifically the arrow keys do not scroll the content up and down.
- Annoucement Viewers Count is not Visible on Announcements Page- Article #90893
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Update to client Production environments (Published June 5, 2025):
An updated release of 3900.118.0 (full release number: 3900.118.0-rel.31+a8bf943) is being applied to client Production servers on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
No client facing fixes.
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Update to client Test/Stage environments (Published June 3, 2025):
An updated release of 3900.118.0 (full release number: 3900.118.0-rel.31+a8bf943) is being applied to client Test servers on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
We had fixed these issues:
- Data Table Exports To S3 And Illuminate For Single Tenant Clients Stalled- Article #90594
- Assignment Submission URL Contains Hard-Coded Course ID When Exported- Article #90633
- Instructor Role Cannot Access Learning Object Repository in Ultra- Article #90846
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Update to client Test/Stage environments (Published May 27, 2025):
An updated release of 3900.118.0 (full release number: 3900.118.0-rel.26+58a2265) is being applied to client Test servers on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
We had fixed these issues:
- Extractor name is missing in the Grade Extract File
- Complete/Incomplete Grading Schema Not Applicable for Assessments with Zero Maximum Points- Article #90799
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Update to client Test/Stage environments (Published May 20, 2025):
An updated release of 3900.118.0 (full release number: 3900.118.0-rel.22+7bf5d97) is being applied to client Test servers on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
We have fixed these issues:
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Update to client Test/Stage environments (Published May 13, 2025):
An updated release of 3900.118.0 (full release number: 3900.118.0-rel.9+a736976) is being applied to client Test servers on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
We have fixed these issues:
- Collaborate link being cut off and not wrapping text in Mobile App
- Images Uploaded to Documents in the Learning Object Repository are Broken for Non-System Admin Users- Article #90696
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Initial Release to client Test/Stage environments (Published May 6, 2025):
The initial release of 3900.118.0 (full release number: 3900.118.0-rel.6+71093f0) is being applied to client Test servers on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
The June 2025 - 3900.118 release is robust with features in eight areas:
- Instructional design;
- Tests and assignments;
- Communication and collaboration;
- Gradebook;
- Learner progression and personalized experience;
- Blackboard core;
- Security and Accreditation; and
- Premium
These improvements impact instructors, students, and administrators. Some features do require administrative action.
Instructors:
- Add resizable dividers to Documents
- Student Activity Log: Simplify review of student content access
- Create Jumbled Sentence Questions
- Generate AI Jumbled Sentence Questions
- Perform Bulk Category Changes in Item Management
- Navigate the Gradable Items tab in the Gradebook
Instructors and Students:
- Enhance student engagement with discussion activity indicator
- Enhanced overall appearance and usability of Knowledge Checks
- Video Studio: Create and share recordings in Discussions
Instructors and Administrators:
- Assign new Viewer system role and entitlement to manage system access
- Select IP Restriction Profiles with new search function
Administrators:
- Convert activity-level groups to course-level groups during course restores
- Anthology Adopt: Create embedded user guides
- Anthology Adopt: Track user interaction with Guides in Path reports
Instructional Design
Add resizable dividers to Documents
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Create Documents
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-5102
We added a divider block to Documents. Dividers can be used to help students easily identify related and unrelated sections. This new feature will greatly improve the readability and structure of educational materials.
Key Features:
- Flexible: Dividers can be used in various ways to suit different instructional needs.
- Resizable: Dividers can be resized across up to four columns, providing flexible options.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Enhanced overall appearance and usability of Knowledge Checks
Impact: Instructors and students
Updated Help Page: Create Documents
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We made several adjustments to the appearance and responsive behavior of Knowledge Checks. These changes enhance the visual effects and usability for both instructors and students:
- Answer Choices: The letters of answer choices now display at the top of each answer option, rather than in the middle.
- Answer Labels: Correct and incorrect answer labels have been moved from the side of an answer option to the top.
- Question Text Padding: Padding on the right side of question text that extended past the answer text has been removed.
- Small Screen Adjustments: On very small screens, the “Correct answer” label is now shortened to “Correct.”
Instructors:
- Answer Metrics: Answer metrics now appear at the top of answer text alongside the correct and incorrect answer labels.
- Visual Indicators: Instead of highlighting questions with red and green to indicate the correctness of the answer, a colored bar now appears at the top of a question.
- Result Labels: Result labels are now displayed in lowercase instead of all capital letters.
- Small Screen Padding: Padding to the left and right of the Knowledge Check results has been removed for smaller screens.
- Participation Count: The number of students who participated is no longer shown as a fraction. Instead, students are described as part of a number. For example, "2 of 8 students participated."
Students:
We made several changes to enhance the mobile and small screen experience for students:
-
- Submit Button: The Submit button now occupies the entire space at the bottom of a question, rather than just partial space on the right.
- Feedback Layout: For correct answers, the checkmark indicator, correct answer feedback, and Reset button now stack vertically instead of being on a single row. This change also applies to incorrect answer feedback and the Try again button.
- Answer Selection Indicator: On all screens, the answer a student selects now has a purple line to indicate it has been chosen.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Tests & Assignments
Create Jumbled Sentence Questions
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Jumbled Sentence Questions
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-1677
Instructors can now create jumbled sentence questions for online exams. This feature lets instructors define one or more paragraphs with blanks for students to complete. Additionally, instructors can:
- Define distractors to challenge students
- Add automated feedback for correct and incorrect answers
- Designate questions as extra credit
- Use accessibility tools, such as keyboard-only workflows, to create this question type
To create a variable, insert the variable in square brackets within the paragraph. Each variable is automatically recognized as the correct answer. Instructors can enable partial credit to award points for partially correct responses. For example, if half of the answers are correct, half of the max points are awarded.
Variables can include the following characters:
- Letters
- Digits (0-9)
- Periods (.)
- Underscores (_)
- Hyphens (-)
The question text and variable input are validated for syntax correctness, notifying instructors of any errors, such as a missing bracket.
Example paragraph with variables:
Single water molecules are held together by [covalent] bonds and multiple water molecules are held together by [hydrogen] bonds. The kind of bond where atoms are sharing electrons but are not sharing them equally is [polar covalent bond].
Saved questions display variables in bold and underlined in purple for clarity. Instructors can also manually add feedback to student responses and use the Edit/Regrade workflow during grading.
Students:
Answer options are displayed in a random order, ensuring fairness in the assessment experience.
Students can:
- Identify if a question is marked as extra credit
- Answer questions using assistive technology
- Auto-save their responses as they work
- Reset the question to clear all selections
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Generate AI Jumbled Sentence Questions
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Jumbled Sentence Questions
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
With the release of the new jumbled sentence question type, instructors can use AI to generate jumbled sentence questions.
Jumbled Sentence is now an option in the Question Type dropdown. When creating the question in a test or a question bank, instructors can select Generate to produce the question content. Instructors can add the AI-generated jumbled sentence question to question pools or tests. Instructors can edit the AI-generated question, including points, distractors, automated feedback, extra credit, and partial credit settings.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Communication & Collaboration
Enhance student engagement with discussion activity indicator
Impact: Instructors and students
Updated Help Page: Discussions (for instructors), Discussions (for students)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We improved the discussion experience by adding another indicator of activity. This addition encourages student engagement and makes it easier for instructors to track student activity.
- Unread Discussion Posts: The Discussions page now shows the number of unread discussion posts from anywhere in a course.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Gradebook
Perform Bulk Category Changes in Item Management
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-311
Building on the new Item Management Gradebook view, instructors can now perform bulk category changes for Gradebook items.
Instructors can select one or more gradebook columns on the Item Management page and assign them to an existing category.
This feature allows instructors to efficiently organize and manage gradebook items. Changing the category of a gradebook item updates the category label for display purposes without altering the item itself. The process follows the familiar Bulk Edit interface pattern, where instructors can select items, select Change Category, and use the modal to view and select available categories.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Navigate the Gradable Items tab in the Gradebook
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Accessibility Overview
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
We have an ongoing commitment to the usability and accessibility of the Gradebook. The Gradable Items tab uses a table-based layout to improve navigation and interaction for instructors who use keyboards and screen readers. This makes the Gradebook more accessible for all instructors.
Navigate the Gradable Items tab by keyboard:
- Use the Tab key to go to the Gradable Items tab.
- Tab to the Gradable Items table header to enter the table.
- Use the arrow keys to navigate the table.
- The Tab key will take you out of the table and to the Close button. Shift + Tab returns you to the Settings button.
Navigate the Gradable Items tab with screen readers:
Screen reader users can navigate to the Gradable Items tab using the keyboard instructions. You can also use the specialized keyboard combination for your screen reader to go directly to the table.
- JAWS: Use Insert + Control + T
- NVDA: Use T
- VoiceOver: Use Control + Option + Command + Right arrow key to choose the table option
- Once in the table, screen reader users can use table navigation (Control + Alt + arrow keys) to navigate the table.
- If you want to add content, use the down arrow to go to the More options button at the end of the row. The next down arrow will be the Add content button.
Note for JAWS users:
- JAWS users can move left or right in any row by using table navigation keys.
- To move up and down between assignment rows, navigate to the Item column first.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Student Activity Log: Simplify review of student content access
Impact: Instructors
Updated Help Page: Student Activity Log
Idea Exchange ID: LEARNU-I-6169
We added two new features to the Student Activity Log to enhance tracking and reviewing student engagement. These updates streamline the evaluation process and provide more comprehensive data for instructors:
- Content Access Filter: The Student Activity Log now includes a filter for content access, recording information not available elsewhere, such as Kaltura content. This allows instructors to easily review students' access without needing to download and manually filter CSV files, saving time and simplifying the process.
- Enhanced LTI Access Filter: The LTI access filter now includes all types of LTI items, including LTI placeholders. This provides instructors with more detailed insights into how students interact with LTI elements in their courses.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Blackboard Core
Assign new Viewer system role and entitlement to manage system access
Impact: Instructors, Administrators
Updated Help page: Roles and Privileges (Administrator); System Roles (Administrator)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Administrators can now assign an entitlement and role that provides access to all course materials, grades, and user information without editing capabilities by default. Administrators can also customize this role to give it specific capabilities as needed. This role is ideal for academic deans, department chairs, and external auditors who need comprehensive access to review academic content and performance within Blackboard.
More about the Viewer role:
- System role. This is a system-level role that can be flexibly implemented based on institutional needs. By default, users with this role can enter the Administrator Panel to search for courses.
- Comprehensive viewing access. Users with this role can view all course materials, grades, attempts, feedback, discussions, and unavailable content, as well as user information.
- No editing capabilities. By default, this role is strictly read-only, ensuring users can’t make any changes to the content, grades, user information, or system configurations. Administrators can customize the role and add specific editing privileges as needed.
- Customizable privileges. While the default settings provide broad viewing access, institutions can customize the privileges to restrict access to specific areas if needed. In addition, it can be customized to allow the role to edit specific information as needed.
Use cases:
- Academic deans reviewing student coursework and academic standards;
- Department chairs monitoring faculty adherence to course requirements and instructional design standards for both available and unavailable courses within their department; and
- External auditors conducting reviews for accreditation purposes.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed. Entitlements included in Viewer role:
user.only.VIEW
course.gradebook-grades.execute.only.VIEW
course.gradebook.only.VIEW
course.groups.admin.only.VIEW
course.pool.VIEW
system.admin.only.VIEW
course.announcements.VIEW
course.adaptiverelease.VIEW
course.assessment.results.VIEW
course.calendar.VIEW
course.content.VIEW
course.content.designer.VIEW
course.assessment.exceptions.VIEW
course.gradebook-item.exceptions.VIEW
course.gradebook-grades.VIEW
course.gradebook-metadata.VIEW
course.gradebook.attempts.VIEW
course.groups.VIEW
course.progress.information.VIEW
course.rubrics.VIEW
course.tools.VIEW
system.administration.top.VIEW
system.course.VIEW
system.org.VIEW
system.user.VIEW
system.user.course.enrollment.VIEW
system.user.org.enrollment.VIEW
course.assessment.VIEW
course.learningstandards.alignment.VIEW
Course.ultra.discussion.groups.VIEW
Security and Accreditation
Select IP Restriction Profiles with new search function
Impact: Instructors, Administrators
Updated Help Topic: Restrict Location (Instructor), Assessment IP Address Filtering (Administrator)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors and administrators can now use a search function to select IP restriction profiles for defining test-taking locations when creating tests. This search functionality enhances the user experience by simplifying the process of identifying and managing profiles.
Administrators can access this search functionality in the Administrator Panel. Select Course Settings, then Grading Security Settings. After entering letters in the search bar and selecting Go, the list of profiles is filtered to display profiles that match the entered letters.
Instructors:
When creating or revising a test, instructors can restrict the test-taking location by selecting an available profile in the Location Restriction field of the Assessment Settings.
Instead of scrolling through a long dropdown menu containing many profiles, instructors can simply perform a search. This new search functionality allows instructors to enter letters in the search bar, filtering the available profiles to those that match the entered letters. This improves the user experience by reducing the need to scroll.
Administrators:
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Premium
Video Studio: Create and share recordings in Discussions
Impact: Instructors, Students
Updated Help Page: Video Studio (Instructors), Video Studio (Students)
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Instructors and students can now record, upload, and view Video Studio recordings in Discussions. Previously, students could only view Video Studio content. Now, they can create Video Studio recordings in Discussions. These improvements enhance the course experience by allowing both instructors and students to create dynamic discussions with engaging video and audio recordings.
Instructors
When creating a discussion topic, instructors can access Video Studio by selecting the camera button on the Rich Text Editor (RTE) panel. They can upload or create a recording using the existing Video Studio workflow, which embeds the recording in the Rich Text Editor. Instructors can also add descriptive text along with the embedded recording.
Instructors can also add Video Studio content in discussion responses by selecting the camera button in the RTE panel.
Instructors can also view Video Studio content within Discussions, both their own and that of their students.
Students
Students have the same ability as instructors to respond to discussion topics with responses with Video Studio recordings. When creating a response, students select the camera button in the RTE panel to create or upload a recording.
All video and audio content created or uploaded within a discussion thread can be viewed by students.
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.
Anthology Adopt: Create embedded user guides
Impact: Administrators
Updated pages: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Administrators can now create embedded guides, which provide guidance directly embedded into Blackboard. Unlike overlay guides, embedded guides are placed inline within Blackboard content areas, ensuring a seamless user experience.
Embedded Guide capability:
- Embed guides. Surface guidance directly within Blackboard, without needing to launch a guide.
- Enhance usability. Create a non-disruptive experience by having guidance embedded in the page.
- Customizable appearance. Align an embedded guide to match the design and user experience of your Blackboard instance.
Administrators:
Availability: Anthology Adopt Powered by Pendo is a premium offering from Anthology.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
Anthology Adopt: Track user interaction with Guides in Path reports
Impact: Administrators
Updated pages: Not applicable
Idea Exchange ID: Not applicable
Administrators can now see how users interact with Guides in Path reports. This feature provides insights into how users reach and continue their journey after experiencing a guide. This update improves path analysis by offering visibility into guide views within user paths.
Guide Activity in Paths feature:
- Improved visibility. Create a deeper understanding into user behavior based on interactions with guides within their journey.
- Enhance guide optimization. Pinpoint where users drop off or continue after interacting with guides.
Administrators:
Availability: Anthology Adopt Powered by Pendo is a premium offering from Anthology.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.
