To address current and future Blackboard (Bb) system administration issues and opportunities, DoIT will be changing how all Bb courses are automatically created and enrolled. Specifically, the new process – auto-creating exact one-to-one (1:1) matches of all PeopleSoft (PS) section enrollments and Bb course shells – will be piloted in Summer 25 and (pending results) implemented in Fall 25.

When completed, the new process will improve Bb course roster accuracy, lay a foundation for faculty bulk final grade submission, and free up DoIT staff to help all users make the most of the tool at the hectic start of semesters. Short-term, multi-section Bb course shells will be merged "upon request" vs "by default" as they are now, but long-term, faculty will be able to merge or split any sections they teach within Bb itself.

"We recognize instructors of large courses will need to request merges of their multiple sections, rather than having them combined by default," says John Fritz, Associate Vice President of Instructional Technology. "However, mapping Bb and PS sections as part of the course creation process is an important part of our ongoing effort to streamline and enhance course management in Blackboard. It is an effective practice used at other Bb schools, even regardless of LMS including College Park, and will free up DoIT staff who have been averaging nearly 100 hours at the start of semester processing faculty requests to split sections we have merged by default. Long-term, re-engineering Bb’s integration with PS will benefit students and faculty, and DoIT staff who support them."

Summer courses will be created at the end of April.

For more information about these improvements, please see the following:

1. Presentation to Faculty Senate Computer Policy Committee (CPC) on March 4, 2025. 
2. Updated FAQs & demo video: How to request a merged course
3. Common question about the process (below, or use this Google Doc)

In addition, faculty are invited to attend an information session on May 1, 2025 about the new course creation process and why it matters. It will be a hybrid meeting ENGR 102 and recorded. 

• 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

Common Questions About the Revised Blackboard Course Creation & User Enrollment Process 

Why is the course creation process changing?

The course creation process is changing to ensure more accurate rosters in Blackboard that match what is in PeopleSoft. More importantly, the revised course creation and enrollment process lays a foundation for additional development by DoIT staff to support workflows for final grade extraction between Blackboard and Peoplesoft. 

How does the new course creation process work?

The course creation process will include all course types including Research, Independent Study, and Practicum. Additionally, courses without an instructor assigned in the Schedule of Classes will also be created in Blackboard, allowing departments more flexibility to request access when waiting for new hire paperwork to be processed.

What is the benefit of the new course creation process for faculty and students?

The improvements benefit faculty and students alike by ensuring that course rosters are accurate. Since rosters will be processed one at a time per section in Blackboard, students are connected more precisely to the official course record, including adds and drops. 

Since courses start in a separated state, students will not lose access to the course. Merging a course also ensures students will retain access without delay. All data is retained in a course if students drop, albeit in a disabled state that only system admins can see. The course information seen by students when they log into Blackboard will be more accurate, matching the registration information in PeopleSoft.

Faculty will also have new gradebook filters that easily identify which course section they are viewing. If they prefer to download the gradebook, a new column provides the course section information for easier sorting.

Image 1: Example of the new gradebook filter in an Ultra course.

How will my Blackboard course differ with the new process?

Your Blackboard course will function the same way except you will have separate course shells for each class you teach. If you prefer to combine your courses, please open a ticket to request a merge.

Merged courses will function exactly as before -- one course shell with all of your students enrolled. You’ll have those new gradebook filters available as an added perk. You can continue to use Copy Items, release conditions, and groups to manage your content and students.

How do I request a merged course shell in Blackboard?

Instructors who teach multiple sections of the same course will see a separate Blackboard course shell for each section or course component. Courses will no longer be merged by default. Instructors planning to use split shells will no longer need to submit an RT request.

Course shells may be merged upon request via RT ticket, which we recommend submitting at least one week before the semester starts, if not as soon as courses are created in Blackboard. NOTE: Courses should not be merged or split after student grade data and engagement activity is recorded since it will be purged as part of the separation process.

How do students access my course?

Student enrollment in Bb mirrors the official registration in SA and updates hourly. However, courses are not accessible to students by default until the instructor of record makes them available.

How do I add a non-enrolled student to my individual or merged course?

Only officially enrolled students can access your course. Faculty can add TAs, graders, course builders, and other support roles (e.g., SI-PASS, interpreter, etc.) to their courses. 

Image 2: Example of the enrollment screen in a Blackboard course.

How do I add a student to my course to fulfill an incomplete?

Please open a ticket and request a Course Availiability Override. This will extend that student’s access to the Blackboard course shell matching their official enrollment.

The State Wellness Program aims to motivate, inspire, and educate employees through monthly wellness webinars (live and on-demand), healthy challenges, guided meditations, wellness coaching, and much more. 

April invites you to Spring Into Health by making Spring Health Resolutions such as being more active, managing stress, and engaging in self-care activities. The State's Wellness program is here to support and encourage you as you "spring" into good health habits on your 2025 Thrive Journey!

Mindful Mondays: The Self-Care Series

Monday, 4/7, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: What is Self-Compassion

Self-compassionate people treat themselves with the same gentle kindness and love offered to a good friend when mistakes are made. Practicing self-compassion allows you to treat yourself the same way.  This is often not as easy as it sounds - luckily, it's a learnable skill!

Register for 4/7 What is Self-Compassion

Monday, 4/14, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: What is Self-Kindness

Self-kindness is the opposite of self-criticism - it's about speaking to yourself in a kind and supportive manner. It includes acknowledging imperfections without judgement and creating a safe mental space for growth and healing. Learn more about the importance of self-kindness for overall well-being in this elevating presentation. 

Register for 4/14 What is Self-Kindness

Monday, 4/21, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: What is Self-Awareness

You may go through your day thinking, feeling, and acting without consideration of the impact of being on auto-pilot. Self-awareness allows you to take control of your thoughts and actions, which leads to better outcomes. Learn ways to cultivate self-awareness in this important presentation. 

Register for 4/21 What is Self-Awareness

Monday, 4/28, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: What is Self-Appreciation

Self-appreciation is a state of love for yourself that isn't static - it grows from the actions you take that support your physical and mental health because you have a high regard for your own well-being and happiness. In short, it's being your own personal cheerleader. Join this presentation and get out your poms! 

Register for 4/28 What is Self-Appreciation

Join Chef Sandra for Egg-cellent Breakfast and Brunch Dishes!   

Tuesday, 4/8, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Egg-cellent Egg Bites

These mini egg bites, packed with flavor and good nutrition, are perfect for on-the-go breakfasts. Customize them with your favorite mix-ins such as cheese, veggies, and even bacon if you're feeling fancy!

Register for 4/8 Egg-cellent Egg Bites

 Tuesday, 4/15, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Crab Eggs Benedict

This dish takes Eggs Benedict up a notch with succulent crab, creamy hollandaise, and a perfectly poached egg. It's the brunch dish that will make you feel like a coastal chef - no seaside required!
Register for 4/15 Crab Eggs Benedict

 Tuesday, 4/29, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: French Toast Fiesta

Golden, custardy French toast gets dressed up with a lemon blueberry compote for a creative touch - or go classic with good 'ole maple syrup! This dish is delish either way.
Register for 4/29 French Toast Fiesta

 Tuesday, 4/8, 11:00 am - 11:45 am:

Smart Money Moves - 10 Tips for Financial Success

Spring into financial health with 10 key tips to set yourself up for long-term financial success! From having a tax strategy and keeping an eye on your credit score to allocating resources and maximizing your retirement plans, there is something for everyone to learn..
Register for 4/8 Smart Money Moves

Can't make the workshop? No problem, you're still eligible for a free educational consultation with a financial professional, just click here.

Healthy U Wednesdays: The Magic of Physical Activity

Wednesday, 4/9, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Physical Wellbeing and You

Learn how to care for your body so that you feel joy and contentment in your own skin. Industry experts will offer advice on connecting mind and body to benefit both.

Register for 4/9 Physical Wellbeing and You

 Wednesday, 4/16, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: The Magic of Walking

Key benefits of walking are preventing heart disease and diabetes, managing weight, keeping bones strong, and even reducing depression and dementia. Join this session to learn more about the magical impact of walking!

Register for 4/16 The Magic of Walking

 Wednesday, 4/23, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: The Magic of Stretching and Massage

Here is a short list of the benefits of stretching and massage: enhanced flexibility, improved posture, decreased pain, better circulation, and stress relief. Learn more about the magic of stretching and massage along with safe stretching and massage techniques that you can do at home.

Register for 4/23 The Magic of Stretching and Massage

 Wednesday, 4/30, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Move Better, Feel Better - Understanding Musculoskeletal Health

Back pain and joint discomfort can impact your daily life. Learn how your posture, patterns of movement, and body composition affect your muscles and joints and what you can do to move better and feel better.

Register for Move Better, Feel Better - Understanding Musculoskeletal Health

Thrive Thursdays Focus: Spring Into Health!

Thursday, 4/3, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: Chair Pilates - New Series!

We're excited to offer a monthly Chair Pilates class starting this month. In this 30-minute live class suitable for all fitness levels, your instructor will take you through seated Pilates moves to help improve posture, enhance core strength, increase flexibility, and reduce stress and anxiety.

Register for 4/3 Chair Pilates 

Thursday, 4/10, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: The Benefits of Moving in Nature

Time spent in nature has been shown to lower stress, improve mood, boost the immune system, and even help manage blood pressure. Learn more about the physical and mental benefits of moving in nature and engage in a conversation on ways to immerse yourself in nature.

Register for 4/10 the Benefits of Moving in Nature

Thursday, 4/17, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: Chair Yoga - New Series!

We're excited to offer a monthly Chair Yoga class starting this month. In this 30-minute live class suitable for all fitness levels, your instructor will take you through seated yoga moves and poses to help reduce stress, improve strength, and increase flexibility.

Register for 4/17 Chair Yoga

Thursday, 4/24, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: No Dumbbells? No Problem!

Learn how to get full body strength training without dumbbells by using common items such as books, food cans, towels, chairs, and more. You'll love the creativity and effectiveness of this workout! 

Register for 4/24 No Dumbbells? No Problem! 

Fridays: Guided Meditations for Spring Renewals

Friday, 4/4, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: Cultivating Self-Compassion

Cultivate self-compassion by focusing on all that you deserve - forgiveness, good health, a peaceful mind, and the courage to let your true nature shine through in this beautiful, guided meditation.

Register for 4/4 Cultivating Self-Compassion

Friday, 4/11, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: Cultivating Self-Care

Enjoy the warm sensations of self-care that will leave you feeling safe, cared for, and important. 

Register for 4/11 Cultivating Self-Care

Friday, 4/18, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: Recognizing What You Need

Difficulties and struggles are part of the human experience. In this guided meditation, you'll be invited to respond in a way that promotes your well-being and freedom and not in a way that perpetuates your pain and suffering.

Register for 4/18 Recognizing What You Need

Friday, 4/25, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: Gratitude for Your Body

This guided meditation allows you to connect with your body through a body scan, a powerful technique that results in a saturation of compassion, kindness, and gratitude for your body.

Register for 4/25 Gratitude for Your Body

Fridays: Tips for a Healthier you!

 Friday, 4/4, 11:30 am - 11:45 am: Understanding Alcohol Use and Misuse

While drinking alcohol in moderation may be a part of normal life, consuming too much alcohol can harm your health. Learn how alcohol impacts the body and how to ensure a healthy relationship with alcohol.

Register for 4/4 Understanding Alcohol Use and Misuse

Friday, 4/11, 11:30 am - 11:45 am: Soothing Stress

While small doses of stress are a normal response to daily living, experiencing too much stress has been shown to have negative effects on your health. Learn about your body's stress response and ways to soothe stress.

Register for 4/11 Soothing Stress

Friday, 4/18, 11:30 am - 11:45 am: Opioid Addiction and Drug Misuse

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 21 million Americans struggle with substance use disorder. While this can be a sensitive discussion to have, it's important to learn more about the issue and the support that is available.

Register for 4/18 Opioid Addiction and Drug Misuse

Friday, 4/25, 11:30 am - 11:45 am: Everyday Mindfulness

The practice of mindfulness is shown to help ease anxiety and stress. Learn easy ways to incorporate mindfulness in your everyday life.

Register for 4/25 Everyday Mindfulness

The April release introduce several new features aimed at improving content management, grading flexibility, and student feedback tracking. 

Instructors and students can now print Ultra Documents or save them as PDFs. This feature facilitates offline content review, sharing with peers, or creating physical copies. Note that if knowledge checks are included and already completed, they will display selected answers and instructor feedback when printed.

Image 1: Example of new print Ultra Document feature

A major addition this month is the Learning Object Repository (LOR), designed to centralize resources across courses and organizations. Instructors can copy objects from the LOR while maintaining control over settings such as availability. Updates made to objects in the LOR are automatically reflected across associated courses, making it easier to manage institutional content like policy documents.

Content Creation & Management

• When performing a whole course copy, achievements are now automatically included, allowing instructors to maintain consistent recognition across course iterations. However, achievements are not included in granular content copies.
• Instructors can now access Achievements through the Student Preview.

Assessments & Grading

• Flexible Grading is introduced for group assignments and tests. Though some features (like per-question feedback on group tests) are not yet available, this update is part of ongoing improvements to group grading.
• A new feedback indicator on the student Overview page now shows whether students have reviewed their feedback. The indicator updates from “Not reviewed” to “Reviewed” with a timestamp, giving instructors greater insight into student engagement with their feedback.
• A new “Results” column in the Gradebook replaces the “Feedback” column, making it more intuitive for students to view their grades and feedback.

Faculty should see the latest updates in their Ultra courses around April 4-5 2025. The next update to our Ultra test environment will take place on April 8, 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.

Curious about the all latest features in Ultra? Join our What's New in Ultra Courses for Teaching & Learning SU2025 webinar on May 12, 2025.

These financial webinars are open to all Faculty and Staff, regardless of your retirement plan or vendor. 

In March, Ultra's update includes two new course reports, an exciting rubric enhancement requested by faculty, and improvements to the AI Course Design Assistant.

Located on the Analytics page, the two new course reports focus on goals. The Course Goal Coverage Report provides a comprehensive view of goal coverage in the course, including a detailed breakdown of course items aligned with goals. The Course Goal Performance Report evaluates how a course meets selected goals, including a detailed breakdown for individual students and goals. These reports do not include third-party tools and uses snapshot data that is up to 24 hours old.

Instructors will be able to pop out the grading rubric into a separate window when grading an assignment. Formatted in a grid view, the pop-out rubric is a separate, movable window. Popping out a rubric allows an instructor to view a student's submission and the rubric side-by-side for a more efficient grading experience. However, the expand icon for popping out a rubric will only appear if the primary browser window is sufficiently large enough to display enough of the course page. Instructors will be able to print a blank or completed rubric using their browser's print function.

Image 1: Example of new pop-out rubric

Content Creation & Management

• When setting or updating release conditions, due dates for content items are now included with the release condition settings, reducing the need to navigate back to the item to check deadlines.
• Instructors can now copy banners between courses.

AI Course Design Assistant

• When using the AI Course Design Assistant, if no image is generated, a placeholder will maintain a consistent layout. A refresh button allows instructors to generate a new image easily.
• The AI Course Design Assistant now generates one image at a time instead of four, reducing energy and processing power. If an instructor regenerates an image, previous images are saved for comparison.

Assessments & Grading

• If an instructor hides an assessment while students are actively taking it, those with the test open can continue without disruption.
• Instructors can configure the visibility of calculated columns from Items Management, streamlining the gradebook view. (Note: The Overall Grade column remains visible at all times.)
• The layout for the Test Submission Page for students now mirrors the assignment submission page update from September 2024, ensuring feedback is clearly presented.

Faculty should see the latest updates in their Ultra courses around March 6-7, 2025. The next update to our Ultra test environment will take place on March 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.

The State Wellness Program's aim is to motivate, inspire, and educate employees through monthly wellness webinars (live and on-demand), healthy challenges, guided meditations, wellness coaching, and much more. 

March invites us to embrace Spring - and to also celebrate National Nutrition Month! This month is a fantastic opportunity to focus on eating habits and learn more about nutrition to help you make smart food choices for yourself and your family. Let the Wellness Program support you as you "march" toward healthier eating habits as part of your 2025 Thrive Journey!

Challenge! Spring Into Motion

It's time to Spring into Wellness with this challenge! Spring Into Motion will inspire you to move more and discover Spring things such as adorable baby animals, vibrant blossoms, gardening tips, healthy recipes, and more. Whether you're a beginner or a fitness enthusiast, Spring Into Motion will help boost your energy and overall well-being during this season of renewal and beyond.

 

  Watch this 1-minute Spring Into Motion video to learn more 

 

Registration opens 3/3 - Register here

Mindful Mondays: Mindful Eating

Monday, 3/10, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: Healthy Eating Made Easy
Do you want to make smart food choices but find it challenging to decipher health claims and nutritional information on food packaging? In this session, you'll learn just what to look for on labels and other tips to make food shopping easier. You'll also get ideas for meals and snacks and tips on meal prepping.
Register for 3/10 Healthy Eating Made Easy
 
Monday, 3/17, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: Mindful Eating Habits Made Easy
Think of the last meal you ate - how did you know you were done eating? Studies at Cornell University show that you may eat until there is a visual cue that influences how much you eat. For instance, if you ate chicken wings in that meal and the bones were left on your plate, they served as the visual cue to stop eating. However, if the bones were immediately discarded so that you could no longer see them, you may have continued to eat. Mindful eating incorporates strategies like the visual cue so that more attention is given to your eating habits! 
Register for 3/17 Mindful Eating Habits Made Easy
 
Monday, 3/24, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: Curbing Your Cravings Made Easy
Do you reach for a snack when you feel down or upset? If so, you're not alone! It's common to turn to food to help cope with big, difficult feelings. Eating activates the brain's reward system and makes you feel better - in the short term. Learn your personal common triggers and strategies to reduce emotional eating for the long term in this webinar.! 
Register for 3/24 Curbing Your Cravings Made Easy

Tuesday: It's Mardi Gras For All!

 Healthy U Wednesdays: A Dietitian Explains Series 

 Thursday Wellness Focus: Nutrition

Fridays: Guided Meditations for Spring Renewal