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As a completely redesigned Blackboard platform, the Ultra Experience is continuously enhanced with monthly releases. Tools listed here do not represent the full roadmap under development by the vendor.
This list focuses on core Blackboard tools. Please review these FAQs for other functionality:
- What third-party tools can I use in my Ultra course?
- What can I customize in my Ultra course?
- What can I manage in my Ultra course?
- What Original content types will not convert to Ultra?
Tools may appear in Ultra under another name or form and with different functionality and customizations. These will be noted under comments. Please review linked documentation for additional information.
Don't see a tool listed? Please open an RT ticket to inquire or post your question to the Blackboard Community (registration required).
A simplified list appears on Blackboard's support site. View the granular spreadsheet comparison. This list was last updated on February 1, 2023.
| Original Tool | Ultra Tool | Status | Anticipated Release & Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achievements | Badgr | DEPLOYED | Available now. | |
| Adaptive Release | Release Conditions | DEPLOYED | Date/time, performance-based, and group/member release available now. | |
| Anonymous Grading | Anonymous Grading | DEPLOYED | Available now. | |
| Announcements | Course Announcements | DEPLOYED | Available now. Formatting and send as email now supported. | |
| Attendance | Attendance | DEPLOYED | Native attendance in Blackboard. Qwickly Attendance is also available for Ultra courses. | |
| Blogs | Journals | IN DEVELOPMENT | Coming to Ultra. No timeline yet. Consider Google's Blogger as an alternative. | |
| Calendar | Calendar | DEPLOYED | Available now. Additional calendar options are planned. | |
| Contacts | --- | DISCONTINUED IN ULTRA | ||
| Content Collection | Content Collection | DEPLOYED | Available now. Additional capabilities are planned for Learn Ultra. | |
| Content Editor | Content Editor | DEPLOYED | Available now. Additional capabilities are planned for Learn Ultra. | |
Course Analytics / Reports | Course Reports / Student Activity | N/A | Available now. Some analytics are embedded. Might not be visible until student data is generated. Exact details of reports vary between Original & Ultra courses. | |
| Course Link | Course Link | DEPLOYED | Available now. | |
| Course Messages | Messages | DEPLOYED | Available now. Messages may be sent as email. | |
| Course Surveys | TBD | IN DEVELOPMENT | Coming to Ultra. No timeline yet. | |
| Date Management | Batch Edit -> Dates | DEPLOYED | Available now: Edit due dates & visibility. | |
| Delegated Grading | Parallel / Delegated Grading | DEPLOYED | Available now. Enhancements expected. | |
| Discussions | Discussions | DEPLOYED | Available now. Additional capabilities are planned for Learn Ultra. | |
| Files | Files | DEPLOYED | Available now. Upload files from desktop or cloud storage. | |
| Folders | Folders | DEPLOYED | Available now. Limited to two folders deep. | |
| Glossary | --- | DISCONTINUED IN ULTRA | ||
| Goals | Goals | DEPLOYED | Available now. Goal Reporting is planned for Ultra Courses. | |
| Grade Center | Gradebook | AVAILABLE | Available now with limitations. Supports weighted & points-based schemas, filters (smart-views), running total, download submissions and assessment results. In development: Send reminder. | |
| Groups | Course Groups | DEPLOYED | Available with limitations for Assignments, Tests & Discussions. Fully supported with import and export via CSV for group creation and membership enrollment. | |
| Items & BlankPages | Documents | DEPLOYED | Available now. Additional capabilities are planned for Ultra Courses. | |
| Journals | TBD | DEPLOYED | Available now, but with limited functionality for grading. Consider OneNote Class Notebook as an alternative. | |
| Learning Modules | Learning Modules | DEPLOYED | Available now. Additional capabilities are planned for Ultra Courses. | |
| Performance Dashboard | TBD | DISCONTINUED IN ULTRA - However, embedded analytics and progress tracking reports provide extensive data about learner performance. | ||
| Publisher Integrations | Content Market | DEPLOYED | Available now for most vendors in Ultra Courses. Some publisher integrations are supported as Teaching Tools via LTI Connection. Please check with your publisher or open an RT ticket to inquire about the status of your preferred tool. | |
| Retention Center | Progress Tracker | DEPLOYED | Information repurposed through Activity Stream. | |
| Roster | Roster | DEPLOYED | Available now | |
| Rubrics | Rubrics | DEPLOYED | Available now. Rubric reports are not yet available. Use EAC. | |
| SafeAssign | SafeAssign | DEPLOYED | SafeAssign is available for Assignments & Test Essay questions in Ultra Courses. Please use Original course shell for Direct Submit. | |
| Self & Peer Assessments | Assignments with Peer Evaluation enabled | DEPLOYED | Available now. | |
| Send Email | Messages | DEPLOYED | Functioning as designed. Messages are automatically emailed. | |
| Student Preview | Student Preview | DEPLOYED | Available now. | |
| Tasks | TBD | DISCONTINUED IN ULTRA | ||
| Tests & Test Pools | Tests, Reuse Questions, Question Banks | DEPLOYED | Available now. Some question types are not available. Additional capabilities are planned. | |
| User Profile | User Profile | DEPLOYED | Available now. Additional capabilities are planned. | |
| Web Link | Web Link | DEPLOYED | Available now. Some tools & links are supported as Teaching Tools via LTI Connection. | |
| Wikis | TBD | DISCONTINUED IN ULTRA → Consider OneNote Class Notebook or Google Sites | ||
Overview
Content Tools