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Original vs Ultra - what's different - Staff Guide

An overview of the key tools and functions available in Original (modules 2021/22 and earlier) versus Ultra Course View. This guide is aimed at staff who have experience of creating content in Original modules who did not teach in 2022/23 or the module hasn't run since 2021/22 or earlier.  The table below includes information about tools and functions that are:

  • new in Ultra Course View
  • no longer available in Ultra Course View
  • have new names in Ultra Course View
Original vs Ultra - What's the difference:
In Original In Ultra Course View Availability in Ultra Course View Notes
Adaptive Release New name: Conditional Release Available Content can be made available based on date and time; specific users and groups; and assessment completion.
Announcements Announcements Available Announcements can be added and emailed to everyone enrolled on the module.
Assignment (Blackboard) Assignment (Blackboard) Available The Assignment tool can be used for the upload of student assessment. There are significant changes. See our guidance on the Blackboard Assignment tool.
Blank Page Document Functionality available in an equivalent tool Blank pages no longer exist in Ultra, the nearest equivalent is Document. Documents can include text, HTML, images, files and the ability to easily embed videos from the web.
Blogs Blogs are not currently available. Planned Not currently available in Ultra Module View, planned for a future release.
Cloud Storage Cloud Storage Available Add files directly from your University OneDrive account.
Control Panel Refactored Functionality available in new menus The majority of functionality previously located in the Control Panel can now be accessed via the Navigation bar at the top of the screen, or the Details & Actions area on the left of the page.
Data Management Batch Edit Available Edit availability dates, visibility and bulk delete content.
Discussions Discussions Available There are significant changes. See our guidance on Creating Discussions.
Edit Mode n/a No longer required In Ultra Course View you are always in edit mode as an Instructor/Assistant unless you are using Student Preview.
Email Messages Available Staff can email students using the Messages tool. At present this is only a one way communication and students can't reply.
Files Upload Available The Upload option can be used to add files.
Folders Folders Available Organise and create structure within the module content area. They can be expanded or collapsed within the page. Note: Depth is limited to 2 folder levels in Ultra Course View.
Glossary n/a Discontinued The Glossary tool has been discontinued.
Grade Centre New name: Gradebook Available Grade Centre is now called Gradebook in Ultra Course View modules. There are significant changes. See our guidance on the Gradebook tool.
Gradescope Gradescope Available The same functionality available in Original modules will exist in Ultra Course View. There are some differences in how Gradescope and other third party tools interact with the Gradebook. See our guidance on the Gradebook tool.
Groups Groups Available with reduced functionality Groups are available in Ultra Course View modules for Assignments, Tests, and Discussions. Manual, random, and self enrolment options are available. Self contained group tools like file exchange are not available. Further enhancements are planned. See our guidance on creating and managing Groups.
Item New name: Document Available Items are called Documents in Ultra. They can include text, HTML, images, files and the ability to easily embed videos from the web.
Journal Journal Available Journals are available in Ultra Course View. There are significant changes. See our guidance on Creating Minerva Journals.
Learning Module Learning Module Available Learning Modules are available in Ultra Course View. There are significant changes. See our guidance Creating Learning Modules.
Module Catalogue See notes Available The Module Catalogue link can be found in the Details & Actions area of a module, see Minerva Module Catalogue link for more information.
Module Link Module Link Available Module links can be added to the Module Content area.
Module Menu n/a Discontinued The module menu no longer exists in Ultra Course View. It has been replaced by a single page (Module Content). This should make it easier for students to navigate. You can organise content using folders or learning modules which can be expanded and collapsed by clicking on them. See Navigating inside a module for a more detailed guide.
Module Reports n/a Similar functionality planned Overall module access reports which were available in Original Course View don't currently exist. Further enhancements are planned. Enabling Progress Tracking will provide some data on usage of module items.
n/a Conversations Available Class conversations can be enabled for individual content items, they allow students to discuss the content with each other. When someone has responded to a conversation an activity icon will appear next to the item name in the Module Content area. Conversations are separate from discussions and can't be graded. You can enable conversations for the following content types:

  • Documents
  • Assignments
  • Group assignments
  • Tests
  • Group tests
  • Links to teaching tools.
n/a Discussion Analysis Available Discussion analytics provide insights on forum participants and activity, to help staff identify students who are participating or may need help and encouragement. See Discussion Analysis, on Blackboard's website.
n/a Drag and Drop upload Available Files and folders can be added quickly by dragging them into module content.
n/a Module Schedule Available Add meeting schedules and locations for in person events, links can also be added if the session is taking place online. They will also appear in the modules and global calendar.
n/a Test/Assignments - Accommodations Available Options are available to give students extra time at the module level across Blackboard assessments. Exceptions can also be given for individual Blackboard Tests and Assignments. Further improvements are expected in this area.
MathJax Insert Maths option via the text editor Discontinued, functionality available in an alternative tool The Mathjax integration is not compatible with Ultra Course View. Instead, staff can use the content editor to input Latex.
Performance Dashboard n/a Similar functionality planned Performance Dashboard has been discontinued. Further enhancements are planned. Enabling Progress Tracking will provide some data on usage of module items with options to contact students.
Reading Lists Reading Lists Available The Library has launched a new Reading List tool for Ultra Course View.
Retention Centre n/a Similar functionality planned The Retention Centre has been discontinued. Further enhancements are planned. Enabling Progress Tracking will provide some data on usage of module items with options to contact students.
Review Status New Name: Progress Tracking Available Progress Tracking is enabled by default in all modules and organisations so that students can easily mark and track their progress as they study a module. Instructors can check student progress.
SCORM SCORM Available SCORM packages can be added.
Student Preview Student Preview Available View content and access assessments as a student would. This may not be compatible with all our integrated tools.
Surveys Surveys are not currently available. Planned Surveys are planned for inclusion in Ultra Course View modules. Blue Explorance Module Surveys are currently being piloted for Module Surveys. Online surveys/Microsoft Forms can also be used for Surveys.
Tasks n/a Discontinued The Tasks tool has been discontinued.
Tests and Pools Blackboard Tests and Question Banks Available The following question types are currently available in tests:

  • Multiple Choice
  • True/False
  • Calculated Formula
  • Essay
  • Fill-in-the-blank
  • Calculated Numeric
  • Matching
  • Hot Spot

The following question types are currently not available in tests:

  • Either/Or - an alternative is True/False or Multiple Choice
  • File Response - an alternative is Assignment
  • Opinion Scale/Likert - an alternative is Multiple Choice
  • Ordering - an alternative is Matching
  • Short Answer - an alternative is Essay
  • Jumbled Sentence
  • Quiz Bowl

See the Blackboard Test guides.
Turnitin Turnitin Available The same functionality available in Original modules will exist in Ultra Course View. There are some differences in how Turnitin and other third-party tools interact with the Gradebook. See our guidance on the Gradebook tool.
Wikis n/a Discontinued Not planned for Ultra Course View.