Migrating to Blackboard Ultra

Blackboard Original and Blackboard Ultra

Currently, all courses use the familiar Blackboard Original format. Following the May 2023 upgrade to the Ultra Base Navigation, faculty now have the option to adopt the Ultra Course View. Individual courses can either be presented in the Original format or the new Ultra format. This page provides useful information on how to get started with Ultra, links to other institutions' overviews of the differences between the two formats and how processes work in Ultra.

If you are interested in trying out Ultra, please send a request (including the course you'd like to convert) to blackboard@hamilton.edu. You will be able to check out the new format before deciding to commit to the Ultra view; once committed, the course can't be reverted to the Original format.

Alternatively, you may request the creation of a dedicated sample 'Ultra Test Course' for your use. This course will be private, allowing you to explore the Ultra format without affecting your live courses. It provides an opportunity to familiarize yourself with Ultra’s features and functionality at your own pace.

BB Academy Training Course

This is a highly recommended course for anyone transitioning from the Original to the Ultra course experience. It is a self-paced free online course designed to help faculty, instructors, and course builders navigate Blackboard Ultra. Learn how to build content, create assessments, and manage content/discussions efficiently in the Ultra course view.
Since the course itself is built in Ultra, it also offers valuable insight into course design and provides a student’s perspective on navigating an Ultra course.

Blackboard Teaching Essentials

Guides for Blackboard Ultra

• Switch your course from Original to Ultra Version

Blackboard Help Useful Resources

• Copy Content from BB Original to BB Ultra
• Navigate Gradebook – BB Ultra

External Resources

• Boston University comparison of differences between Original and Ultra
• Northern Illinois University major new features of Ultra
• Western Kentucky University scroll down to see highlights of Ultra
• Lesley University faculty quick start guide to Ultra
• University of Maryland faculty quick start guides
• William Paterson University faculty guides to using Ultra features