Introduction
In August of 2022, Blackboard Learn will begin to use the Ultra Base Navigation (UBN). This will update the appearance of Blackboard Learn. This update is a steppingstone towards the eventual move to Blackboard Learn Ultra.
If you are a returning student, your module content will not have changed. Module menus, module content and tool links will continue operate in the same way.
Table of contents
What is the Blackboard Learn Ultra Base Navigation?
The UBN is an overhaul of the layout and appearance of Blackboard Learn, designed to improve the virtual learning environment’s accessibility and mobility.
The new UBN benefits students in the following ways:
- Modern, intuitive experience
- Responsive on mobile devices
- Consolidated cross-course information that allows you to quickly get an overview of key course information in a single place.
- The new activity stream and cross-course calendar helps you to better manage your time.
- Assessment and assignment details can be found in one location and the combined courses calendar can be linked to an external calendar of your choice.
- Quick access to the most critical information by opening modules and tools in layers, reducing the number of clicks needed to take an action.
Note: You can longer use the Personalise Page feature to customise the course menu colour.
What’s new?
The Navigation Panel
Instead of displaying tabs across the top of Blackboard Learn, there is a persistent left-hand navigation menu that provides users with access to their modules and Blackboard Learn tools.
Note: You can longer use the Personalise Page feature to customise the course menu colour.
What’s new?
The Navigation Panel
Instead of displaying tabs across the top of Blackboard Learn, there is now a persistent left-hand navigation menu that provides users with access to their modules and course tools:
Layers
The UBN will open module contents and tools in stacked layers to reduce the number of steps to move between courses and tasks.
In the example shown below, the content for the module has been opened in a layer above the persistent navigation menu:
Selecting the close icon:
Will close the module content layer and return you to the homepage.
Personal Profile
The new profile page will allow you to select pronouns and clarify the pronunciation of your name through phonetic spelling and an audio recording.
To access your profile, select the profile button (shown below):
This will open the Profile page which contains your contact details.
The Profile page can also be used to edit your Global Notification Settings (the e-mails and updates you receive from Blackboard Learn).
Activity Stream
The Activity Stream will notify you of upcoming events, recent activity, or the release of new content, or assignments in your modules. The Activity Stream is the default landing page when you first login to Blackboard Learn.
The activity stream also highlights key events for the day and events in the near future. It will also notify you of due dates, marks, and submissions - all in single location.
Note: For important notifications and communications, it is advisable to continue to check your student email and Blackboard Learn modules.
To access your activity stream, select the Activity Stream button (shown below):
The Activity Stream page will open:
Marks
Important: As Turnitin is a third-party tool, Turnitin Assignment marks are not currently displayed in the Activity Stream, however, they are available via the Marks tool (see below).
Where there are marks available within the Activity Stream, select the View my mark button:
to show the mark on-screen:
Courses
The Courses page helps you organise and personalise your courses list. Use it to access the modules or programme support areas you have been enrolled on.
To access the courses list, select the Courses button (shown below):