"Scanning the bubble sheets in the department [is] easy and very convenient. Akindi always gives very detailed statistics related to student performance."
~ Math & Stats Faculty Member

Since Fall 2018, the default Blackboard course template has had the Ultra Course Preview setting enabled, which allows faculty to convert a new Original course to see what it looks like in Ultra and adopt Ultra. During the Fall 2021 semester, 735 courses adopted the Ultra Course View, the largest adoption of Ultra courses to date. 

A significant increase in adoption of Ultra has come from individual faculty converting their courses. Though, there are a growing number of departments and program coordinators that are intentionally creating Ultra courses templates which has also increased Ultra adoption. These templates allow instructors to receive a copy of content, materials, and assessments natively designed in Ultra for their specific courses. All sections are created from one template that is updated and maintained by a course coordinator to ensure consistency in curriculum, program outcomes, and course design.

Customized Ultra Templates

English 100:

Beginning in Spring 2022, ENGL 100 courses will utilize an Ultra template that has materials and assessments pre-populated by program coordinators, following an opt-in pilot of the Ultra template that began in Fall 2020. Content includes library resources, grammar tutorials, self-check quizzes, and resources to improve scholarly writing.

IHU:

Since Fall 2020, IHU courses have employed a Blackboard Ultra template that includes 19 weeks worth of content, including CourseArc modules co-created by campus offices and faculty partners. The shell allows for part-time instructors to choose content that is suitable for their course and utilize pre-made assessments that align with course learning objectives. 

Spanish:

Leveraging open educational resources, the first year of Spanish language courses (101-102-103) uses an Ultra template that integrates content and assessments across several learning modules for students to complete. Likewise, the second year of Spanish language courses (201-202) also uses an Ultra template with content and assessments from the McGraw-Hill Connect platform. 

Department Adoption of Ultra

Even if customized templates may not be of interest, departments can request to receive a default UMBC Ultra template. The Ultra template means that faculty receive Ultra course shells natively, and are not required to complete the steps to convert new Original shells. FREN 101 is utilizing the UMBC Ultra template, and the Theatre Department is the first department to make the switch from Original to the new Ultra template. 

Next Steps

If your department is interested in a customized template or receiving the UMBC Ultra template, please place an RT ticket to get in touch with an Instructional Technology Specialist. Our staff will work with you to determine the next steps and design an appropriate timeline for your department to make the transition. 

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

• PIVOT | Academic Continuity | Keep On Teaching | Student Technology Resources

• 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

  
  

~ by Mariann Hawken & Collin Sullivan

A wide range of technologies and resources are available to faculty at UMBC to support teaching and learning in various online or hybrid modes within Blackboard. Trends and tools evolve quickly, and DoIT recognizes faculty interest in exploring or using these newer technologies. Before implementing a new instructional technology tool for your course, there are a few key factors faculty should be take into consideration:

1. DoIT supports a robust catalog of approved LTI tools 

Blackboard supports third-party tools primarily through Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) integrations. These integrations allow single-sign to content and services and improve instructor/student efficiency by streamlining usage and synchronizing grades.

Faculty can review the current list of our integrations here. 

2. Choosing an instructional technology tool doesn’t have to be overwhelming! 

Based on faculty and student feedback, DoIT recognizes a degree of "tool fatigue," and we want to be mindful of the total number of tools that students use across all of their courses. In turn, we recommend faculty leverage LTI tools already approved for use that fit a given pedagogical need rather than adopting non-approved tools, or attempting to find an instructional purpose for tools because they appear interesting. 

Unsure which tool is best to use and how to use it? Review this chart to compare your options, or request a consultation with an Instructional Technology Specialist. 

3. Be weary of cold emails or cold calls from vendors

DoIT staff has noticed a rise in cold calls and emails from vendors attempting to entice members of the community to adopt their tools. Sometimes vendors claim that the tool is already installed on our system, or that contacting central IT is not necessary. These messages can be misleading, spam, or potentially security threats. Also, all software must go through a security review to be considered for a site license. Please be sure to consult with Instructional Technology staff before implementing a new, third party tool through your Blackboard course.  

4. Faculty can request a new Blackboard tool integration

If there is a new or unique application for instruction that addresses a use case our existing tool suite does not, DoIT staff will work with faculty members and departments to install the tool appropriately. Requestors will need to review all of the information outlined in this FAQ to submit a ticket to prepare for installation of the tool as a Blackboard integration.  

Please note that DoIT reserves the right to reject the installation of a new tool based on a number of criteria including, but not limited to, the installation of the requested tool would be duplicative of existing tools, security and/or privacy concerns, cost, potential degradation of overall platform performance, and requirements for long-term support and maintenance.

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