Blackboard Ultra Navigation

On July 17th, SU Blackboard will update from Blackboard Learn to Ultra Base Navigation. The change will provide users with a modernized landing page that includes a new notification system that provides a consolidated view of activity across their courses and provides more direct methods for navigating to course content. 

This update will not change how you login to Blackboard or change the way that individual courses function once you have entered them. All of the course tools (items, announcements, assignments, test, discussion boards, etc.) will function just as before once you are inside a course. The change will not effect content already built in courses (and organizations) and instructors will still be able to course copy as before. Third party integrations with textbooks, Kaltura, Zoom, Collaborate, Turnitin, and others will work much as before. 

This change is being scheduled to take place between the Summer I and Summer II terms to impact as few users as possible in on-going courses. We hope that the timing will also provide ample time for Fall 2021 instructors to grow accustomed to the change and seek technical support  before the term begins. 

Blackboard has created separate brochures with a summary of the changes for instructors and changes for learners. 

Benefits

There are a number of benefits of making a change to the system navigation:

• Greatly improved accessibility
• Dramatic improvements for navigating the site on mobile devices
• Reduced clicking to navigate directly to relevant areas of courses
• Notifications that can be customized by each user 
• Consolidated views of activity across all courses 
• Architecture improvements that make it possible to create Blackboard Ultra Courses in the future

Sneak Preview

Global Navigation & Institution Page

Blackboard Ultra Navigation includes navigation panel to replace the current system of modules. This panel is simple and consistent for navigating your courses, accessing your activity stream, and seeing your grading or grades. In the screenshot below, you'll see the navigation panel next to the "Institution Page" where users will find system information and links to support resources. 

Course List

With the new navigation it will be easy to filter, search, favorite, and hide the Blackboard courses you are enrolled in. This will allow you to customize what courses appear first and help you get into them quickly.

Activity Stream

The activity stream provides a view of activity in your courses including newly posted information, due dates, and activity in discussion boards, and grades among other things. Clicking on the items displayed will taking you directly to the relevant area in the course for a complete view of the material. The stream is customizable by each users to display just the information you want to see.

Grades

Clicking grades will show students scores and feedback recently posted in their courses. Instructors will see a summary of submissions including their grading status. 

Courses

As stated above, the change in navigation will not change the content or functionality of the courses. The screenshot below demonstrates how the course is displayed in the new navigation.