Categories
Uncategorised

Move to Ultra

Move to Ultra

After a successful pilot of the new version of Blackboard called Ultra for our Course Sites on Weblearn, London Met is now moving to Ultra for Level 3,4 and 7 Weblearn modules for 2023/24.

The Ultra Course View provides a wealth of new features and improved workflows to create a better online experience for staff and students.

Some of the best new or improved features of Ultra include

  • Progress tracking and Learner Analytics
  • ‘Document’ content type for complex and rich content
  • Making content interactive with ‘Conversations’
  • Improved assessment tools and workflows

Working with Ultra requires a different approach to content design and module management compared to the Original Course View.

Support and training will be provided to facilitate a successful transition from Original to Ultra. Ultra modules for Level 3, 4 and 7 will be made available from May onwards to allow for plenty of time to rebuild content over the summer.

Timeline

Explore Ultra (Mar – Jun)

Build your Ultra module (Jun – Sep)

  • Join Ultra sessions including ‘Designing Content’, ‘Teaching with Ultra’ and ‘Ultra Assessments’
  • Attend workshops for good practice
  • Start building your Ultra module
Feb / Mar explore ultra and focus groups, Apr Module template review, May modules ready for staff, June to October training programme, SOY modules live to students

What is Ultra?

Blackboard Learn Ultra is a powerful new version of Blackboard that includes Ultra Base Navigation and the Ultra Course View for modules and organisations.

Blackboard Learn Ultra features simplified navigation and data-driven learning analytics, all contained within an intuitive mobile-friendly experience. Created in collaboration with real-life instructors and students, Blackboard Learn Ultra is designed to support teaching workflows, making it easier for instructors to teach and improving student outcomes.

Weblearn switched to using the Ultra Base Navigation in 2021.

The Ultra Course View defines what a module looks like and offers a user experience that features a simple, modern, intuitive, and consistent interface on any device.

The accessible and responsive design ensures that users have a great experience accessing Blackboard Learn on any mobile device they use.

Ultra Highlights

Progress Tracking

Use a simple toggle button to switch on Progress Tracking for all content.

Students can see what content they have accessed and mark items as completed.

progress tracking in students view, showing one folder completed and one folder started

Staff can view a student’s progress from the Ultra Gradebook.

progress tracking in staff view showing item accessed by one selected student

Managing Ultra Content

Ultra enables users to easily add content where they want it to appear.

Add content in any location

Simply point to where you want to add content and a plus sign appears to add your content where you want it to appear. No more moving up content from the bottom of the page.

using the plus button to add content at the top of the Ultra content panel

Drag and drop

Move content to different folders or re-order content on a page with drag and drop.

a folder being moved to a new location using drag and drop

Copy Content from other modules

Ultra puts you in full control of copying content. Copy the exact content you want and add it exactly where you want it.

copy item page with content from different modules selected for copy

Batch Edit

Edit visibility or delete content in one go using batch edit instead of managing each file individually.

changing the visibility of 3 out of 4 folders in one go

Documents

Easily combine text, images, videos, files and more to present module content to students.

Make your document interactive by adding a ‘Conversation’, a contextual discussion thread that staff and students can access directly from the document.

document content type including an image, text, document link and embedded Mentimeter presentation

More information

For more information about Ultra

  • Check the Ultra Help pages
  • Join a Weblearn Office Hour to ask questions or contact Weblearn Support