In this episode of What’s New in Ultra: TILT’Ed, Dani and Thomas break down the April 2026 Blackboard Ultra updates, highlighting improvements designed to simplify workflows and enhance usability. From clearer discussion due date visibility and AI conversation message limits to streamlined assignment submission options and more flexible group grading, this release focuses on real instructor and student needs. They also explore accessibility-focused updates like video playback controls, improved discussion analysis labeling, and better announcement email previews. Tune in to see how these thoughtful enhancements can improve your course design and teaching experience.

In this episode of What’s New in Ultra: TILT’Ed, we highlight the March 2026 Blackboard Ultra release (version 4000.10). Learn about improved Course Message threading, larger SafeAssign file uploads, flexible discussion participation requirements, and updates to assessment tools like partial credit and anonymous grading. We also explore new AI-generated Knowledge Checks that help embed comprehension checks directly into course documents.

In this special edition of What’s New in Ultra: TILT’Ed, we begin a two-part conversation about digital accessibility and the upcoming April 24, 2026 compliance deadline. In Part 1, we discuss what the WCAG 2.1 Level AA standard is, why the difference between accessibility and accommodations matters, and what the new Department of Justice regulations under Title II of the ADA mean for course content delivered online. This episode focuses on understanding the expectations, the legal context, and how FHSU is approaching accessibility in a strategic and manageable way. Part 2 will explore how to use Blackboard Ally to review course accessibility and prioritize improvements.

In Part 2 of this special accessibility series of What’s New in Ultra: TILT’Ed, we focus on practical steps faculty can take to improve course accessibility before the upcoming course-copy cycle. This episode explores how to use Blackboard Ally to review your Course Accessibility Report, prioritize fixes, and address common issues such as missing alt text, inaccessible documents, and video captions. We also discuss realistic strategies for remediation and highlight resources and workshops available through TILT to support faculty as they work toward WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance.

In this episode, we break down the February 2026 Blackboard Ultra release (version 4000.8), featuring two thoughtful updates designed to reduce friction for instructors. We explore smarter automations that can automatically remind students to review unread feedback—helping close the feedback loop without extra manual follow-up—and new Document layout enhancements that allow blocks to be stacked vertically for cleaner, more flexible, and mobile-friendly course content. We also share updates on the launch of the new TigerLearn.FHSU.edu resource hub and where to find continued support, ideas, and community inspiration. Whether you’re focused on efficiency, design, or student engagement, this release brings practical improvements you can use right away.

In this episode, Dani Reilley and Thomas Mathews Horne kick off 2026 with a deep dive into Blackboard Ultra’s 4000.6 release, featuring a completely refreshed user interface. Learn how the new full-screen course experience, redesigned navigation, and improved accessibility aim to reduce friction and make everyday workflows more intuitive for instructors, students, and administrators. The episode also covers document layout improvements, enhanced test and assignment options, gradebook refinements, and new automation activity logs. Tune in for a practical overview of how these updates focus on polish, usability, and a smoother teaching and learning experience in Ultra.

In this month’s episode, Thomas and Dani walk through Blackboard Ultra’s December 2025 release—version 4000.4—which brings clearer workflows, more instructor control, and thoughtful quality-of-life updates. Highlights include setting release conditions on any content item, adjusting group memberships mid-project, seeing accurate submission counts in the Gradebook, enjoying a consistent tabbed grading interface, setting participation requirements for discussions, managing AI originality reports, improved audio/video feedback playback, an instructor view of the Learning Module table of contents, and enhanced MathJax support. Thomas and Dani agree: this release focuses on flexibility, consistency, and helping instructors guide students through courses more smoothly than ever.

In this episode of What’s New in Ultra: TILT’Ed, Thomas and Dani celebrate a major milestone with the Blackboard Ultra 4000.1 release. This update focuses on practical, time-saving improvements that make teaching and grading more efficient. Highlights include the long-awaited ability to bulk edit question points in tests, simplified gradebook navigation with consistent “View Submissions” options, the option to include hidden items when downloading the gradebook, and new automated student messaging that helps instructors encourage or support students without extra effort. Each feature addresses real challenges instructors face daily, making Ultra even more intuitive and impactful for teaching and learning.