Instructional technologies provide many opportunities to support assessment and track student performance in Blackboard.
The following articles provide details describing the best practices we regularly publish to support our pedagogical community of practice.
Simplified Course Navigation and Supercharged Test Setup with the January Ultra Release
Redesigned course layout and time-saving test tools
In January, UMBC faculty and students will experience a redesigned course navigation in Ultra that makes key areas easier to access and understand. The updated layout brings a full-width header...
Posted: January 6, 2026, 9:50 AM
Fix Point Values on Tests, Automate Encouragement, and Customize Achievements in November Ultra Update
Speed up grading and celebrate student success
Imagine if you could adjust test points in seconds without regrading everything manually? What if your course could automatically cheer students on when they succeed -- or nudge them when they...
Posted: November 6, 2025, 11:28 AM
Add metadata to tests & question banks in the October Ultra Release
Improved student experience for fill-in-the-blank tests
The October Ultra release is a lightweight update featuring a valuable feature for faculty assessment management, allowing easier reuse of test questions and question banks. Instructors can...
Posted: October 2, 2025, 10:51 AM
Explore Jumbled Sentences and Gradebook Tools in Ultra’s June Release
Track unread discussions & student activity
The June 2025 update to Blackboard Ultra brings a fresh set of enhancements designed to support instructional efficiency, student engagement, and accessible course design. From new question types...
Posted: June 3, 2025, 12:56 PM
More gradebook updates, test access logs coming in January
Grade visibility, batch edit, authentic assessment prompts
Expanding the functionality for the gradebook and assessments has been a central theme for the past year of Ultra development. When the winter term starts in 2024, Ultra courses will feature...
Posted: December 21, 2023, 8:01 AM
UMBC Scans Akindi's 9 Millionth Bubble Sheet
DoIT began the transition to Akindi bubble sheets in FA2021
At the end of Spring 2021, DoIT announced a pilot of Akindi, a tool that serves as a Scantron alternative that allows instructors to print and score bubble sheets from any local printer/scanner....
Posted: April 7, 2022, 8:19 AM
Four Biology Faculty Give 1st Exam In-class AND Online
WiFi & student laptops turn UC into a "testing center"
Before the Spring 22 semester started, four Biological Sciences professors -- David Eisenmann, Hua Lu, Jeffrey Leips, and Kevin Omland -- reached out to DoIT to see if they could (and should) try...
Posted: March 3, 2022, 4:16 PM
Prevent late assessments after due date in Feb Ultra update
Copy Original content into Ultra, name pronunciation support
Robust assessment settings are necessary to support a range of different scenarios. Assessment settings are also important for academic integrity and honesty in courses. Ultra courses currently...
Posted: January 24, 2022, 9:40 AM
VoiceThread Assignments for Media Projects and Peer Critique
One Instructor’s Use Case and Lessons Learned
Shifting to teaching in online and hybrid formats has created opportunities to identify how students can share multimedia projects and receive feedback through peer critique. While various tools...
Posted: September 17, 2021, 12:18 PM
12 Effective Practices for Delivering Blackboard Tests
Get ready for final exams with these test prep tips
Online tests and assignments are an effective and convenient way to assess students in the virtual environment. Throughout the semester, faculty can leverage many different options and settings...
Posted: April 26, 2021, 12:38 PM
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