Blackboard Ultra – Updates to Documents (August 2024)

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Introduction

Anthology releases monthly incremental updates to its Blackboard software. The August update brings a larger-than-normal set of new features and improvements. Due to the large number and impact of this month’s Blackboard updates, we have decided to split the regular blog post into two parts.

This is the first of two blog posts this month due to the number of major updates to Blackboard Ultra. These updates focus on new and improved document features within the Content Designer and the new workflows that staff need to know to get the most out of these improvements.

Content Designer: Enhanced Documents Feature Update.

Content design is key to creating an engaging course that supports learner needs. The Document feature is a useful option for creating and presenting a variety of visual elements.

The document feature in Blackboard Ultra has received significant updates to improve content design and engagement.

The following screenshot shows an example of how a document in Blackboard can now look.

Image showing an example of how a new Blackboard Ultra document can be presented following the August SaaS update. The image shows a document split into two columns that includes images.Enhanced Document with diverse content laid out in rows and columns

Key Enhancements:

1. Diverse Content Blocks: Similar to the previous workflow, module leaders can design ‘Documents’ with various block types however the user interface to access and add this content has become easier to access.Image shows an empty Document with block options,Empty Document with block options

The following content types can be added:

  • Content Block: Add content via the content editor.
  • HTML Block: Insert content using HTML or CSS.
  • File Upload Block: Upload files from your local machine.
  • Cloud Upload Block: Add files directly from cloud services.
  • Content Collection Block: Select files from the Content Collection.
  • Convert a File Block: Convert and insert files (PDF, PowerPoint, Word) into the Document.

2. Enhanced Document Layout: The left panel can now be opened by selecting the “+” icon to select and add the desired block.

The image shows the new “+” button to access the Blocks menu.The new “+” button that is used to access the Blocks menu.

The image shows a Blackboard document with the blocks panel opened.Document with the Blocks menu opened.

3. Persistent Document Menu Bar: A new menu bar improves efficiency, staying in view as you scroll. Selecting the Edit option to modify the document.

Image shows the new persistent Document Menu BarThis top menu stays viewable as you scroll through the document

After selecting Edit the menu will update to display the following additional options

  • Edit
  • Add Blocks
  • Undo/Redo
  • Cancel
  • Save

Image shows the additional editable options that are available once the Edit button has been selected on a Blackboard Document including Edit, Add Blocks, Undo/Redo, Cancel & Save options.The edit options become viewable once the Edit button is clicked

4. Resizing and Moving Blocks: Create appealing layouts by resizing, dragging, and dropping blocks into rows and columns. Each row and block has menus for moving, resizing, editing, or deleting.

Image shows the move, expand, and shrink options via keyboard controls.Move, expand, and shrink options via keyboard controls

These enhancements simplify the workflow for creating engaging and well-organised content, making it easier to design visually appealing modules that support learner needs.

*NOTE: If you prefer to continue utilising the previous method despite our inability to modify the interface, consider the following workaround.

1. Create a new Blackboard document
2. Select the type of content to add a block as ‘Content’

Image shows the standard Content Block menu and how adding just a 'Content' black allows the BBU document to be interacted with in a very similar way as to the 'old' operation of BBU documents prior to this update.
Open a new Document and select the Content option

3. Add all content to this content block as

Image showing how a BBU document can be setup to look and feel like prior to the recent SaaS update. All previously added content blocks have been added to a single content block that behaves like the previous Blackboard Ultra Documents.Using a single content block can function like the previous Blackboard Ultra Documents.

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