Getting started with online learning

Ulster University uses Blackboard Learn Ultra to host their online learning materials. Each module in your course will have an online version in Blackboard. Follow the steps below to get up and running with your online modules.

Get your device

You can use your smartphone, tablet or PC/Mac to view and interact on Blackboard.

For the best learning experience, Digital Services recommends you use a desktop PC or laptop with the minimum specification:

• Windows 11 operating system

• Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 Chipset

• Minimum of 16GB RAM

• Minimum of 512GB Solid State Drive

• Internet connection with at least 4Mbps download and upload speed

Complete online enrolment

You need to be enrolled onto your module before you can access the online resources in Blackboard Ultra.

• Student guide to online enrolment

• Online enrolment

• UU Student information on enrolment

Sign into Blackboard

Ulster University uses Blackboard Learn Ultra to host its online learning materials. You’ll need to sign into Blackboard using your ulster email account and network password.

• New student: logging in for the first time?

• Returning user/student: follow these instructions to login to Blackboard

• Having problems logging in to Blackboard?

Explore the Blackboard Ultra learning environment

The Blackboard learning environment contains the online learning materials and assignments for all your courses. The learning environment consists of an interface and left-hand navigation which links to your Courses, Activity Stream, Marks, Messages and Calendar.

Each course links to a self-contained Blackboard Ultra module area (see below)

Open

Explore your Blackboard Ultra module

Each or your modules will have have it’s own self-contained course area in Blackboard Ultra. This area will contain your learning materials, assignments, timetable, curriculum, discussions and messages relating to your module.

Open

Help! troubleshooting your online learning

If you are having issues with assignments or learning materials etc. within the Blackboard learning environment.

• Check out our Blackboard trouble shooting guide for common issues

• Contacting the Blackboard Helpdesk

Getting support from Digital Services

If you are having problems logging into Blackboard or the portal contact Digital Services, they support the technical infrastructure of online learning and can provide technical support and training.

• Check out Digital Services getting started student guide

• Online Servicedesk

• Phone: 028 9536 7776

• Email: servicedesk@ulster.ac.uk