Blackboard goes Ultra at Ulster University
The big move from Blackboard Learn Original to Blackboard Learn Ultra
Welcome to our first ‘Blackboard goes Ultra’ blog post! This series, by the Centre for Digital Learning Enhancement (CDLE), focuses on the roll out of Blackboard Learn Ultra, the new Ulster University virtual learning environment (VLE).
To help you prepare and keep updated with all that is changing, our regular posts will provide tips and advice for migrating your modules, with staff and student perspectives from those who have used Ultra in the pilot phase. It will highlight some of the best features and opportunities for learning and teaching of this new VLE.
So, what is happening?
Maybe you have heard that Blackboard is changing – you might be a lecturer or a student who is taking part in the Ultra pilot in the academic year 2023-2024. You may have already set up your own development area (see Try Ultra Yourself below for how to do this).
Or you might be asking yourself what Ultra is and what it means to you as a student or lecturer at Ulster University.
Blackboard Learn Ultra, the new look VLE, boasts a modern student interface that adjusts to fit whatever computer, tablet, or smartphone is being used.
With an upgraded layout it offers a faster, more responsive mobile experience, it is intuitive for students to use, with essential functionality for staff and students presented in a user-friendly way.
A more streamlined module area, with simple folder structure, makes it easier to organise and manage your modules.
All staff, will need to rebuild their modules by the end of summer 2024.
Why Ultra? Why now?
As early as 2014, Helen Beetham, researcher, lecturer and coordinator of JISC Building Digital Capabilities project, recognised the importance of a consistent digital experience for students (Beetham & White, 2014). The JISC 2023 report, ‘Beyond Blended’, highlights how digital technologies are now thoroughly embedded into learning and teaching in Higher Education (Beetham & MacNeill, 2023).
The virtual learning environment is no longer an optional extra or an add-on to learning, teaching and assessment in higher education. It is now an integral part of a much wider combination of digital technologies that facilitate learners and educators wherever they are, at whatever time learning and teaching is taking place.
Professor Alex Owen, Dean of Learning Enhancement, Ulster University
'The launch of Blackboard Ultra for all Ulster University courses in September 2024 will lead to a significantly enhanced student digital experience. This opportunity will involve the refresh of all module areas so that student learning is further supported. The launch of this new platform will be one of our key drivers to further deliver a transformative educational experience for our students.'
To align with our digital assessment strategy, all student assessments, marking and communication of grades and feedback is done via Blackboard Learn. In 2023, the Ulster University Digital Experience Insights report revealed that 77% of our students regularly access digital learning resources via a smartphone. It makes sense therefore, that we have a modern, mobile responsive virtual learning environment to support both staff and students in their ways of working.
Andy Jaffrey, Head of the Office for Digital Learning, Ulster University
‘Our annual digital experience survey highlights the fact that nearly 80% of our students are regularly accessing Blackboard on a mobile device and we know that the current experience is not as good as it should be. A key feature of the new Ultra experience is a responsive design that natively works on any device without the need to download dedicated mobile applications.
Ultra will provide a more intuitive, streamlined interface and workflows, enhancing the student experience and reducing some of the complex workflows that staff experience.’
Try Ultra yourself
Whether you are keen to get building or you would just like to dip your toe into the water a little before diving straight in at the deep end, give it a go and set your development area up now!
All staff can now request their own Ultra development area to familiarise themselves with the new interface.
Follow the two steps below to get set up:
Login to Module Manager. Then, select Ultra > Setup
Enter a title for your Ultra area > Set it up! https://dl01.ulster.ac.uk/modulemanager/
You will see a new module available in your Blackboard modules list when you next Login to Blackboard
Develop your skills
There will be ongoing training and support for the move to Blackboard Ultra, with Anthology certified courses, as well as bespoke CDLE staff training and events. For all our 2024 digital learning support and events, check out the CDLE homepage at:
Learn more about the move to Ultra
Keep an eye out for our upcoming blog posts, featuring tips and advice for migrating your modules, with staff and student perspectives from those who have used Ultra in the pilot phase.
If you’d like to get thinking about the opportunities for learning and teaching that the new VLE has to offer, watch the videos below:
Blackboard Ultra module demo, Fiona McCloy, February 2024
Blackboard Ultra Preview, Andy Jaffrey, May 2023
Author
Aideen Gibson is a Learning Technologist in the Centre for Digital Learning Enhancement at Ulster University.
Related articles
Useful links
Digital Experience Insights Reports (Ulster University)
References
Beetham, H., & White, D., (2014) Students' expectations and experiences of the digital environment. Available from: https://repository.jisc.ac.uk/5573/ [accessed 16 January 2024]
Beetham, H. & MacNeill, S., (2023). Beyond blended: Post-pandemic curriculum and learning design: lessons from the higher education (HE) sector. Available from: https://repository.jisc.ac.uk/9227/1/beyond-blended-post-pandemic-curriculum-and-learning-design-report.pdf [accessed 16 January 2024]
Centre for Digital Learning Enhancement
ulster.ac.uk/learningengancement/cdle