Past Updates

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

• Student To-Do Panel: A new course panel populates upcoming deadlines automatically for students when assignments and tests have due dates assigned.

🎥Watch the Video

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).

• New Groups Management Experience – Faster, cleaner group creation and management with improved sorting, enrollment options, and performance in large courses.

• Discussion Second Due Dates in Gradebook – Secondary discussion deadlines now appear in Gradebook views for easier tracking and grading awareness.

• Group Filter Carries into Flexible Grading – Group filters now remain active when moving from Gradebook to Flexible Grading.

• Resized Accommodations Icon – Smaller, more consistent accommodations icon across Blackboard.

• White Space Improvements in Documents – Cleaner document layouts with better readability and reduced unnecessary spacing.

• Improved Course Switcher Search – Search courses by name or course ID directly from the Course Switcher for faster navigation.

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• Individual Grade Adjustments for Group Submissions: When grading group assignments, instructors can now adjust grades for individual students within the group submission. Visual indicators in the Gradebook help identify when group members receive different scores.

• Discussion Due Dates Across Blackboard: Discussion due dates and participation expectations now appear in multiple places across the course, including Course Content, the Discussions page, and the Gradebook. This helps both instructors and students keep track of participation requirements.

• AI Conversation Message Limits: Instructors can now set a maximum number of messages for AI Conversations. Students see a message counter during the activity, helping them track their progress and understand when the discussion is complete.

• Multiple Choice and Multiple Answer Improvements: Blackboard has restored alphabetical answer labels (A, B, C, D) for assessment questions. The default number of selectable answers is now one, and instructors can adjust the number of answers students are allowed to select.

• SafeAssign Direct Submit File Size Increase: SafeAssign now supports Direct Submit files up to 25 MB, allowing larger documents to be checked for originality.

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• Design & AI: Vertical block stacking for Ultra documents and AI-generated formative knowledge checks

• Assessments & Grading: Anonymous grading by question, removal of partial credit limits, and streamlined question titles

• Student Engagement: Automated feedback reminders, double-due dates for discussions, and enhanced badge indicators

• Communication & Security: Threaded course messages and 25MB file limits with advanced metadata for SafeAssign

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• Refreshed User Experience: New look with improved navigation and course management

• Assessments & Grading: Faster performance for large tests, expanded question options, and improved Gradebook downloads

• Automations: New activity log and improved placement on the Course Home Page

• Ultra Documents: Enhanced usability and improved document block layout

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• Discussion Participation Requirements: Set clear expectations for student engagement

• Ultra Documents (Instructor View): Table of Contents now available for easier navigation

• Achievements: Create and award custom badges to motivate students

• BETA – AVA: Automated responses to student messages (limited trial)

• Additional Enhancements:

  • Remove originality reporting from AI Conversations

  • Improved Automations experience

  • Enhanced flexible grading, including groups

  • Better audio and video feedback

  • Expanded MathJax support

Watch the Video

Faculty, take a quick look at the newest Blackboard features designed to make your teaching more efficient and engaging! The Office of Academic Technology & Digital Innovation has released a new “What’s New in Blackboard” video highlighting the latest enhancements available after November 6, 2025.

This update covers:

• Bulk Test Point Changes – Save time by adjusting points across multiple test questions at once.

• Gradebook Download Improvements – Enjoy a smoother, more flexible experience when exporting and managing grades.

• Blackboard Automations – Create personalized, automated messages to congratulate students or offer encouragement throughout the semester.

These new tools are designed to help you streamline your workflow and strengthen student engagement. Watch the video now to see how these features can enhance your teaching experience!

Watch the Video