Fix Point Values on Tests, Automate Encouragement, and Customize Achievements in November Ultra Update

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 11:28:26 -0500
achievements, assessments, automations, blackboard, ultra-experience, ultra-update

Imagine if you could adjust test points in seconds without regrading everything manually? What if your course could automatically cheer students on when they succeed -- or nudge them when they need support? The November Ultra update introduces new tools to help you work smarter, not harder -- streamlining assessment edits, automating encouragement, and personalizing recognition. Whether you’re wrapping up the semester or refining your course for spring, these features are built to support both your grading workflow and your students’ motivation.

Instructors can now bulk edit question point values within tests, saving time during test setup or revisions. You can select all questions, filter by question type (e.g., all True/False), or select a combination of types and individual questions. This makes it easy to apply consistent scoring rules or adjust point values quickly across an entire assessment. Even after students have opened or submitted a test, you can still change point values, edit question text, give full credit, or revise correct answers -- and all grades will be recalculated automatically. However, certain structural edits (like adding or deleting questions, modifying matching options, or changing fill-in-the-blank structures) remain locked after student access to preserve assessment integrity. These changes offer instructors more flexibility in real-time without compromising fairness or accuracy.

Image 1: Instructors select Bulk edit points.

A new automation feature allows instructors to set up rule-based messages that send automatically when students reach defined performance thresholds. Whether offering encouragement to students who meet a goal or providing gentle support to those who fall short, these messages can be written in advance and delivered at just the right moment. This personalized automation helps instructors build student motivation and maintain a presence in the course without having to manually monitor and respond to every outcome -- especially helpful in large-enrollment or asynchronous courses. Subsequent releases of this feature will offer more customizations.

Image 2: In the Automation trigger, instructors set the conditions that will trigger the message to be sent.

Finally, Instructors can now customize Achievement badges using one of three new image options: upload a custom image, choose from a library of stock visuals via Unsplash, or generate an image using AI. These options give faculty more creative control and allow for more meaningful recognition of student progress. When badges are visually aligned with course themes, goals, or student interests, they can help foster a stronger sense of accomplishment and connection, turning a basic course mechanic into a personalized experience that resonates.

Image 3: Instructors can select or generate an image for the custom achievement.

Additional updates for November include:

Gradebook Navigation: The column header menu in the Grid View has been streamlined, giving instructors quicker access to submission pages for each item. This improves consistency across item types and simplifies navigation during grading.

Gradebook Downloads: Instructors now have the option to include or exclude hidden columns when exporting the Gradebook, offering more flexibility when working offline or sharing data with TAs or co-instructors.

When you can expect the update

Faculty should see the latest updates in their Ultra courses around November 6-7, 2025. The next update to our Ultra test environment will take place on November 11, 2025; release notes are posted to the What's New in Ultra that same week. Faculty who are interested in test driving new features before they are released to production should open an RT ticket to request early access. Please watch the FAQs, including the What's New with Ultra page, and myUMBC for additional information about Ultra.

Connect with Instructional Technology

As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:

Check our extensive FAQ collection

What's new in Ultra? | Known Issues

Open a ticket via RT

Follow the Instructional Technology & DoIT myUMBC groups

Request a consult with instructional technology staff

Thumbnail-image: New to Ultra [decorative]