In early January, the Ultra updates features improvements to course settings, content management, grading, and the AI Course Design Assistant, providing increased flexibility for faculty in managing their courses.

Course availability moves away from the Details and Actions side menu to the Course Settings, in the top right corner. Available course statuses include 

• Open: Content is available to students.
• Closed: Content is not available. Students can see the course listed, but they cannot access it. (previously called Private)
• Complete: Read-only content. No changes can be made by students OR instructors. Use with caution.

At the top of a course, there is now an indicator that displays whether a course is Open, Closed, or Complete. Instructors can access Course Settings from the Courses page. 

Image 1: Example of course availability indicator at the top right of an Ultra course.

Learning pathways are structured, personalized sequences of activities or content that guide students through a course based on their progress, performance, or choices. For example, an instructor might release resources only after a student completes specific assignments, or offer different content tracks based on quiz results to address varying levels of mastery. Ultra can now support releasing content based on submission attempt in addition to date/time, grade, and user/group membership.

Image 2: The new Attempt submitted option is in the dropdown menu for a gradable item in the Release condition panel.

• Direct Grade Entry: When grades are entered directly from the Grid view or Submissions page, Ultra will no longer display "Needs Grading" to instructors when grades were already completed.
• Show/Hide Gradebook Columns: Instructors now have the ability to show or hide columns in the gradebook. While hidden columns offer a more organized workspace, these do not apply to the student view since that visibility is controlled by the assessment settings.
• Automatic Zero Defaults: The default setting for automatic zeros is now set to off, giving instructors the flexibility to decide whether or not to enable this feature based on their grading policies. (This applies to newly created courses in the system after Jan 10.)

Additional improvements in January include:

• The AI Course Design Assistant will work faster and generate more complex outputs for assignments, discussions, test questions, learning modules, and AI Conversation avatars.
• Instructors can generate more realistic images faster with the AI Course Design Assistant and the resulting image files require less storage space. 
• The output languages available for AI workflows now include Greek, Catalan, Croatian, Irish, and Slovenian. For a list of all languages available for AI outputs, refer to AI Design Assistant for Instructors. 
• The Achievements tab is now hidden from students until the instructor creates and posts Achievements for students to earn. 
• With the new Mastery Gradebook, instructors can align goals to assessments and view how learners are performing in the course. Moreover, they can also control whether they want students to see their own performance.

Faculty should see the latest updates in their Ultra courses around January 9-10, 2025. The next update to our Ultra test environment will take place on January 14, 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 SP2025 webinar on January 17, 2025.

'Tis the season that you try to be jolly as you shop 'til you drop, gather with friends, travel to see family members, and host or attend holiday celebrations - all while maintaining your daily duties. What's often missing during this holiday hustle and bustle is your self-care. Learn how to incorporate holiday habits that will help keep you and your family members healthy and happy this holiday season.

Mindful Mondays: Embrace the Good!

Monday, 12/2, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: Holiday Anxiety - Ease Your Mind with Mindfulness

Holiday anxiety can easily turn this most joyful time of year into a stressful time. Manage holiday anxiety with practical mindfulness tips presented in this webinar.

Register for 12/2 Holiday Anxiety - Ease Your Mind with Mindfulness

Monday, 12/9, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: Holiday Mental Health Checklist

This checklist will provide you with the opportunity to identify your holiday stressors, learn easy-to-incorporate holiday stress relievers, and invite more joy into your life during the holidays and beyond.

Register for 12/9 Holiday Mental Health Checklist

Monday, 12/16, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: Holiday Sleep and Your Heart

Did you know that "Holiday Heart Syndrome" is a real thing? This term was coined in 1978 as a result of studies that identified various holiday stressors and their impacts on heart health. While good sleep (at least 7.5 hours) is critical for good heart health all year long, sleep disruption during the holidays creates additional heart health risks. Hear heart-specific stress relief strategies that will help you sleep like a baby during the holidays and beyond..

Register for 12/16 Holiday Sleep and Your Heart

Tuesday Wellness from the Kitchen with Chef Sandra Lewis:

Tuesday, 11/12, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Warm Cranberry Feta Spread

This elegant yet easy oven-baked appetizer is a delicious combination of creamy baked feta that perfectly balances with the sweet-tart flavor of cranberries. This is ideal for cozy gatherings and entertaining during the holidays!

Register for 11/12 Warm Cranberry Feta Spread

Tuesday, 12/3, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Holiday Meatloaf

Chef Sandra invites you to make her favorite meatloaf dish inspired by the movie "A Christmas Story." Her secret twist on this tasty, healthy, and easy to prepare dish makes it perfect for the fast-paced holiday hosting season. It's so good that your family will want seconds and your guests will ask for the recipe!

Register for 12/3 Holiday Meatloaf

Tuesday, 12/10, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Sweet and Sour Green Beans 

It’s that time again! Holiday banquets and dinners are on the agenda at every turn. If you're looking for a new recipe to add to your yearly festive feasts, borrow this favorite from Chef Sandra's family for your holiday table.

Register for 12/10 Sweet and Sour Green Beans

Tuesday, 12/17, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Bruléed Bananas

Transform humble bananas into a show-stopping treat as you brulée your way to holiday dessert perfection! With caramelized bananas, a crunchy hazelnut-oat topping, and an optional splash of luscious Frangelico liqueur, it's holiday heaven!
Register for 12/17 Bruléed Bananas

Healthy U Wednesdays: Women's Health Latest Updates:Healthy Habits and Coaching for Success!

Wednesday, 12/4, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Holiday Happiness

The most wonderful time of the year can quickly turn into the most stressful time of the year without proper preparation for the onslaught of stressors. In this presentation, you'll understand how to identify stress and recognize triggers to create a peaceful environment for yourself amidst holiday chaos.

Register for 12/4 Holiday Happiness

Wednesday, 12/11, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Slow Your Holiday Scroll - The Benefits of a Social Media Break

Social media can be a great way to stay in touch with friends and family during the holidays, yet there is a growing body of data about how social media use during the holidays affects your mood. Learn strategies to moderate social media use during the holidays - try it as an experiment to see if your overall emotional well being increases!

Register for 12/11 Slow Your Holiday Scroll

Wednesday, 12/18, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Dealing with Holiday Emotional Eating

You may find yourself reaching for food when you experience negative emotions and stress as a way of coping. This time of year the combination of holiday stress and the availability of holiday treats may increase emotional eating. Join this webinar to learn strategies to help manage holiday emotional eating.

Register for 12/18 Dealing with Holiday Emotional Eating

Thursday Health Focus: Get "InStep" with Diabetes

Thursday, 12/5, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Taking Care of Your S.E.L.F. (Sleep, Exercise, Love, and Food)

During the holidays it can be challenging to maintain the four areas of good sleep, exercise, loving relationships, and healthy eating. Join this webinar to learn simple strategies to help these areas survive the holidays!

Register for 12/5 Taking Care of Your S.E.L.F.

Thursday, 12/12, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Taking Care of Your Sleep 

With holiday parties, holiday shopping, and holiday "everything" your sleep may be disrupted because of the increased activity. Join this webinar to review the importance of sleep for your physical and mental health and learn simple tips to consistently get a good night's sleep.

Register for 12/12 Taking Care of Your Sleep

Thursday, 12/19, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Taking Care of Your Gratitude

Here's a holiday present to give yourself - gratitude! When you practice gratitude, you increase your happiness and positive emotions, improve your physical and mental health, and improve your relationships with others. It's a gift you and others will enjoy every day of the year! .

Register for 12/19 Taking Care of Your Gratitude

Unwind Time Fridays: The Gratitude Experience!

Friday, 12/6, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: The Power of Acceptance

Acceptance is simply recognizing reality as it is. Practicing acceptance gives you the power to release memories of unpleasant experiences and reframe them as lessons worth learning. Experience the power of acceptance in this guided meditation.

Register for 12/6 The Power of Acceptance

Friday, 12/13, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: Drop the Suitcase of Worries and Regrets

While the past cannot be changed it can be learned from. By dropping the baggage of trying to rewrite the past, you'll free yourself to move on enlightened in this guided meditation

Register for 12/13 Drop the Suitcase of Worries and Regrets

Friday, 12/20, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: Connections Reflection

December is the perfect time to reflect on connections made during the year. Consider how you were impacted and how you impacted others in this guided meditation.

Register for 12/20 Connections Reflection

Healthier by the Minute

Friday, 12/6, 11:30 am - 11:45 am: Understanding Colds and Flu

With winter here, every sniffle might make you wonder if it's a cold or flu. In this session learn how to protect yourself from colds and flu during the winter months.

Register for 12/6 Healthier by the Minute: Understanding Colds and Flu

Friday, 12/13, 11:30 am - 11:45 am: Healthier Ways for the Holidays

The Holiday Season is here! This time of year can be both joyful and stressful. Learn strategies to help you sail through the season.

Register for 12/13 Healthier by the Minute: Healthier Ways for the Holidays

Friday, 12/20, 11:30 am - 11:45 am: Laughter is Medicine

Laughter warms us in winter months and helps keep our stress low. Join this session and chuckle about the benefits of having a good laugh!

Register for 12/20 Healthier by the Minute: Laughter is Medicine

Please see the information below about the upcoming retirement webinars from Maryland Supplemental Retirement Plans (MSRP).

Featured Webinars Registration HERE 

(webinars are approximately 45 minutes in length)

Registration closes 2 hours prior to the Webinar

Get Your Financial House in Order for 2025!

Why not use the arrival of a new year to review the steps to become financially stable and confident! Learn how to get your financial house in order, save time, and gain peace of mind.

December 4th at 11am

December 12th at 9am

December 17th at 11am

December 18th at 1pm

Putting It All Together for Retirement

Whether you’re saving for a dream vacation, a down payment on a home, your children’s education, or retirement, having a clear purpose can make all the difference in reaching your goals. Attend this webinar to learn how to set clear goals, create achievable timelines, and understand the types of accounts designated to help you reach each goal.

December 4th at 1pm

December 12th at 11am

"Walk Me Through" Online Enrollment Tutorial

This webinar will assist you with enrolling in a Maryland Supplemental Retirement Plan 457(b), 401(k), or 403(b). A Nationwide Representative will walk you through, step by step, explaining how you can easily enroll in approximately 10 minutes.

Please note: you must have your 6-digit payroll code (360231) and payroll type (Central Payroll Bureau) available at the time of enrollment.

Enroll as we go or enroll quickly after the webinar!

December 3rd at 11am

December 3rd at 1pm

December 10th at 11am

December 10th at 1pm

Take Control Series Register HERE 

(webinars are approximately 45 minutes in length)

Registration closes 2 hours prior to the Webinar

Success in Planning: Understanding Your MSRP Plans

Are you a NEW employee, a Contractual employee, or just looking for a review? This webinar is for YOU! Learn the features and benefits of the MSRP 457(b), 401(k), 403(b) plans.

December 5th at 9 AM

Financial Knowledge: Understanding Investing and Your MSRP Options

Successful investors build their "nest egg" over time with discipline, patience, and regular, systematic deferrals/contributions. Learn the basics of investing and gain the confidence needed to help you with your savings goals!

December 5th at 11 AM

Countdown to Retirement: Understanding Retirement Readiness

Whether the day you stop working is a decade away or just around the corner, attend this webinar and learn the financial planning steps to take that are relevant to help you retire on YOUR terms.

December 5 at 1 PM

This month's update to Ultra provides new and updates indicators for core functionality in Ultra courses including discussions, grading, and reports. 

Two improvements to Ultra focus on the AI Course Design Assistant and the Blackboard mobile app:

• The AI Course Design Assistant is optimized for complex rubric outputs. Instructors can expect better rubrics, even for complicated assessments. The AI Course Design Assistant should also work faster.
• UMBC can define the maximum length of time a user can access the Blackboard mobile app before they are required to login again, which will be about 2 weeks if the session hasn't expired. This should address a student concern that the mobile app was frequently logging students out.

Additional improvements in December include:

• A "new" indicator will display next to discussion posts and replies that a user has not accessed yet, making it easier to find.
• Late submissions will have a "late" indicator within the Flexible Grading interface.
• Instructors will see "Override" for discussion grades that meet this criteria with a new Undo Override workflow.
• Instructors can go directly to an attempt log for any test or assignment from the activity log for any student in an Ultra course.
• Blackboard improved performance so saving groups is now 80%-90% quicker.
• For easier navigation, students can now select arrows to the left and right of LTI or SCORM items to move through learning modules. 

Faculty should see the latest updates in their Ultra courses around December 5-6, 2024. The next update to our Ultra test environment will take place on December 10, 2024; 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.