University of Hartford Academic Technology & Digital Innovation Resource Hub

📌 NOTICE: The NEW Gradebook in Blackboard is live! Click to view what has changed!

Past Updates

Start the semester off right with our August Jumpstart workshop series! Whether you are new to Blackboard, looking to explore updated tools, or interested in enhancing your teaching with instructional technologies, we have workshops designed to help you prepare for a successful semester. Click to view the full August Jumpstart schedule.

Also, check out our RedInk Unlimited (Total Access Program) guides for step-by-step instructions on accessing your course textbooks and homework platforms in Blackboard. (Student Guide | Faculty Guide).

What’s New in Blackboard:

June, July, August 2026

Gradebook & Evaluation

New Gradebook Grid View: Features a cleaner, more compact design launching August 6th.
Third-Party Column Deletion: Easily delete unwanted publisher or LTI third-party columns directly from the column header.
Enhanced Rubric Usability: Pop out rubrics into a separate screen for side-by-side grading and select entire column criteria with a single click.
Rubric Evaluation Reports: Refreshing every 24 hours, these reports in the Gradebook list view track student performance against learning objectives.

Tests & Question Banks

Individual Choice Feedback: Provide specific automated feedback for individual options in multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions.
Fixed Answer Positions: Lock specific options (such as "All of the Above") in a fixed position while randomizing remaining answers.
Question Bank Export/Import: Export question banks as package files to easily transfer them into other Blackboard courses.

Discussions, Journals & Content

Custom Outline Descriptions: Add unique descriptions for discussions and journals on the course outline distinct from the internal prompt text.
Journal Release Conditions: Apply adaptive release conditions to journals.
Upgraded Text Editor: A brand new document text editor with improved formatting options rolling out in August.

Navigation & Class Management

Top Navigation & Breadcrumbs: Switch between courses using a top drop-down search menu and track your exact location using breadcrumb trails.
Bulk Group Setup & Drag-and-Drop: Generate multiple groups simultaneously (including CSV imports) and drag-and-drop students between groups.

Automations & AI Tools

Automated Feedback Reminders: Automatically notify students via email/course message if they haven't viewed assignment feedback after 1 to 14 days.
AI Conversation Constraints: Set specific overall time limits as well as message limits (e.g., maximum 20 messages or 15 minutes) on AI-powered role-play assignments.

Student Experience