News and Updates (5/6/25)

IT News and Updates:


Posted 5/6/2025

Learning Object Repository (LOR) in Blackboard Ultra

The Learning Object Repository (LOR) in Blackboard Ultra is a centralized storage system where institutional content can be created and updated in a central location. In its first iteration, the feature allows administrators to create and edit Blackboard documents. These documents can then be added to courses by instructors. When changes are made to the master document in the LOR, the course document is automatically updated as well!

The first resource in development for the LOR is the syllabus extension. The Center for Teaching and Learning & Academic Technology are collaborating to build a new centralized syllabus component that will automatically populate university student support information into your Blackboard course. No more updating resource links on your syllabus! Interested in piloting in your Late Spring or Summer 2025 course? Complete this syllabus extension pilot interest form.

New Blackboard Features for May 2025

On May 1st, Anthology released new features and updates for Blackboard Ultra. These updates amplify Test & Assignments, Communication & Collaboration, and the Gradebook. 

"View submission one time" test results setting

Anthology has added a new test result setting option, view submission one time. When a student completes the test, they can review their answers and detailed feedback, such as which questions were answered correctly. The view submission one time option lets instructors provide students with immediate feedback, while maintaining test security.

Qualitative rubrics with no-points options 

Instructors can now create and use no-points rubrics for qualitative evaluation. This rubric type allows instructors to assess student work based on criteria and feedback, rather than numerical values. In addition, the AI generation option now supports no-points rubrics, providing a streamlined method to create detailed evaluation criteria. Instructors can select No Points as a rubric type when creating or generating a rubric. This option is available alongside existing percentage and points-based rubrics. Instructors can also edit rubrics to switch between different rubric types, including percentage, points range, and no points.​​​​​​​

Text-based columns in Gradebook

Instructors can now create custom text-based columns in the Gradebook, giving them the ability to record information for an assessment, such as performance code, group membership, and tutoring information.

Text-based columns in the Gradable Items view are accessible through a properly marked-up table layout. Screen reader users can navigate and hear headers and rows accurately. Sorting and assistive technology features ensure an inclusive experience for all users. These columns allow instructors to record up to 32 characters. The column is not restricted to text input.

Auto-generate AI Conversations

AI Conversations are conversations between students and an AI persona. 

  • Socratic Questioning: Conversations that encourage students to think critically through continuous questioning.
  • Role-play: Conversations that allow students to play out scenarios with the AI persona, enhancing their learning experience.

Creating personas and topics for an AI Conversation can take a lot of time. To streamline this process, the AI Design Assistant can generate three suggestions at once. You can select what the AI Design Assistant generates. You can choose to generate: 

  • AI Conversation title
  • AI persona
  • Reflection question 

These suggestions provide inspiration for an AI Conversation. Instructors can refine the AI Design Assistant’s suggestions in several ways:

  • Provide additional context
  • Adjust the complexity of the question
  • Select context from the course
  • Manually revise the question 

Unlock New Skills with LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning is an award-winning industry leader in online training, with a digital library of over 16,000 courses covering a wide range of technical, business, software, and creative topics. Providing LinkedIn Learning is a strong commitment to provide e-learning opportunities for our faculty, staff, and students. All members of the Sacred Heart University community are welcome to a LinkedIn Learning account. Activate your LinkedIn Learning account today!
 
As you think through supplemental content for your courses, keep LinkedIn Learning in mind! The LinkedIn Learning integration with Blackboard Ultra available. You can embed LinkedIn Learning content (videos and courses) into Blackboard Ultra to provide students with additional resources. Viewing completion automatically syncs to the gradebook for instructor review. Add a LinkedIn Learning course to Blackboard Ultra!

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