How do I get support transitioning to Blackboard Ultra

In Fall 2024 your course will appear in Ultra course view. Academic Technology Services (ATS), with support from our Blackboard Ultra Faculty Liaison, Cathy Mills, and the Douglas Educational Support Community (DESC), have developed different strategies and resources to help support the transition to Blackboard Ultra.

Early adopters began making the move to Blackboard Ultra for the start of the Fall 2022 semester.

• Fall 2022 semester: 7.5% of the Blackboard courses used Ultra

• Winter 2023 semester:  8.04% of the Blackboard courses used Ultra

• Summer 2023: 11% of the Blackboard courses used Ultra

• Fall 2023 semester: 30% of the Blackboard courses used Ultra

• Winter 2024 semester: 43% of Blackboard courses used Ultra.

Initial feedback on the system has been very positive and, with the ongoing development of this Learning Management System, the benefits of transitioning continue to grow (e.g. ease of accessing content on phones/tablets, efficiencies in posting course content, ease of collecting & grading assessments, and ease of interacting with students via announcements, discussion forums, etc.)

Wondering where and when to get started?

1. Contact us to arrange a short meeting and discuss your needs or have us come out to talk to your department (online or in person).

• CEIT Service Desk: servicedesk@douglascollege.ca​

• Cathy Mills: Blackboard Ultra Faculty Liaison: millsc1@douglascollege.ca

• Tim Paul, Manager, Academic Technology Service: pault@douglascollege.ca
  

2. Check out our Video Guide to Ultra Course View

Looking for a quick overview of Blackboard Ultra? Would you like to see how Ultra Course View looks and functions? Check out our Blackboard Ultra Video guide comprised of short videos showing both instructor and student perspectives.

• Getting to Know Blackboard Ultra (Video Guide)

• Getting started with Ultra - Sandbox/Master (Video Guide)

• Building Content in Blackboard Ultra (Video Guide)

• Creating Assessments in Blackboard Ultra (Video Guide)

• Getting to know gradebook in Blackboard Ultra (Video Guide)

3. Explore resources on the ATS Knowledge Base

Looking for a ‘How to...’ resource? Wondering how a specific tool works within Ultra? Check out our searchable data base.

• Getting started with Blackboard Ultra

• Communicating with Students in Blackboard Ultra

• Building Content in Blackboard Ultra

• Creating and Grading Assessments in Blackboard Ultra

• Managing your Gradebook in Blackboard Ultra

• Adding Media in Blackboard Ultra

• Managing Your Course in Blackboard Ultra

4. Request an Ultra Course Master to explore and build a specific course in UCV.  Request an Ultra Sandbox for general exploration.

5. Join the Blackboard Ultra Faculty Support course/community

Would you like to experience Ultra from a student perspective (e.g. take quizzes, submit assignments, etc). Are you looking for a community to share ideas and questions with? Email Cathy (millsc1@douglascollege.ca) to be added to the Blackboard Ultra Support community.

Highlights of the Ultra Course View

• Mobile-friendly. UCV adapts to the size of users' screens whether they view courses on a phone, tablet, or desktop computer. Users can access their courses on the go and on their schedule.
  

• Simplified workflows. Ready to add course content? On the Course Content page, select the plus sign to add content. The system walks you through the process to add assignments, discussions, links, and external content. Content can be easily moved around the content page (and in and out of folders) with a simple drag and drop. Other common tasks, such as grading and sending messages, are simplified in UCV as well.
  

• Improved navigation. At the top and left side of every Ultra course, you will find toolbars to easily find what you are looking for. For example, from the gradebook, located on the top, you can access, edit, and grade assessments. Students can also find and submit assessments directly from the gradebook – saving time & confusion!