Blackboard Ultra Resources For Faculty

Effective Course Setup in Blackboard Ultra

Make Your Syllabus Instantly Accessible

Ensure your students can find your syllabus in under 10 seconds! This guide introduces a simple Blackboard Ultra standard: place your syllabus or a direct link at the top of your Start Here module with no extra clicks. Clear, accessible, and easy-to-find syllabi help students stay engaged from day one. Learn tips for LMS-friendly formatting, screen reader compatibility, and quick access strategies.

Start Your Course with Clarity

First impressions matter! This guide explains how to welcome students effectively in Blackboard Ultra by posting a warm announcement and creating a “Start Here” module with a visible syllabus and performance tracking info. Clear, organized course entry points reduce anxiety, guide students through expectations, and set a positive tone for the term. Tips include concise section titles, bullet points, and easy navigation for maximum clarity.

Keep Students Informed About Their Progress

Students’ top question is often, “How am I doing?” This guide shows how to provide transparent, timely feedback in Blackboard Ultra. Post clear instructions on tracking grades, give ongoing updates before key deadlines, and ensure final grades appear in the overall grade column. Transparent performance tracking helps students make informed decisions, reduces surprises, and supports their success throughout the course.

Have questions or need guidance? Connect with your DE instructional support for a one-on-one consultation.

Enhance Your Course with VoiceThread

VoiceThread is a collaborative tool that allows users to create, share, and comment on images, websites, documents, and videos. In this workshop, you will learn how to create VoiceThreads and then add them to your Blackboard Ultra course as lessons, discussions, or assessments.

This will be a hand-on workshop where you can follow along with the activities and add VoiceThreads into your course modules.