TU’s Blackboard Learn environment is automatically updated monthly through our Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) deployment. This means you’ll always have the latest version of Blackboard and immediate system patches without major service interruptions.
Using Blackboard
This service and vendor documentation are cloud hosted. Updates are not controlled by Towson University.
Course View
Blackboard's Ultra Course View is available now. However, you must opt in as TU courses are currently in Original Course View by default. Participation recommended but optional until Blackboard moves all courses to Ultra for the fall 2024 semester. Here are some features of Ultra Course View:
- Get automatic monthly updates, with no downtime or actions required.
- See one streaming content area with a modern look.
- Hold conversations between you and your students for items in your course.
- Access Gradebook enhancements including the ability to post grades. Plus you can assign automatic "zero" grading features.
- Set accommodations per student that apply to all assessments.
- Use Progress Tracking to allow students to mark and track their progress.
Questions? Contact TU's Blackboard team.
FAQs
How do I start converting my course, get help or find out more about Ultra Course View?
TU Blackboard Administrators are here to help and have launched an Ultra Course Organization support forum and enrolled all current Instructors. Enter the Ultra Course Organization site to attend demos, TU-specific workshops, one-on-one consultations, and access support materials to assist with the conversion process. And you can always ask a TU Blackboard Administrator your specific questions.
Do I convert an old course or do I start with a fresh course?
That’s up to you. We recommend using the preview option on an old Blackboard course. You can convert an old course or request a shell course, and/or new Blackboard course with no content.
Note: The conversion process is one-way. Instructors can convert an Original course to Ultra, but cannot go back to the Original experience. Since the course must be made unavailable and all student data is erased, we recommend that this conversion process occurs in a course that is not active with learners.
What's the deadline for converting my courses?
Beginning in fall of 2024, all courses will be in the Ultra Course View. You can convert your courses before the fall of 2024 or they will automatically be converted for you at that time.
tU's Blackboard Roadmap
Timeline
- December 2020: Move to SaaS
- October 2021 - August 2024: Ultra Communications
- December 2021: Roll out Ultra Base Navigation
- January 2022 - May 2022: Ultra Demos IITC & Departments
- January 2022: Bb Champions Formed
- April 2022: Bb Champions Training Complete
- April 2022: Bb Ultra Faculty Support Organization Live
- April 2022 - August 2024: Demos, Workshops & One-on-one support
Blackboard Champions
Our Blackboard Champions are the early adopters of the transition from Original Course View to Ultra Course View. Please reach out to your champion for guidance.
| Champion Name | College | |
| Aru Rao | arao AT_TOWSON | CBE |
| Briana Snyder | blsnyder AT_TOWSON | CHP |
| Paul Evitts | pevitts AT_TOWSON | CHP |
| Sel Hwahng | shwahng AT_TOWSON | CLA |
| Kimberly Katz | kkatz AT_TOWSON | CLA |
| Kandace Hoppin | khoppin AT_TOWSON | COE |
| Mahnaz Moallem | mmoallem AT_TOWSON | COE |
| Robert Caples | rcaples AT_TOWSON | COE |
| Rachel Billman | rbillman AT_TOWSON | COE |
| Blake Abbott | cabbott AT_TOWSON | COFAC |
| Kanika Jackson | knjackson AT_TOWSON | COFAC |
| Angela Cox | amcox AT_TOWSON | CSM |
| Vanesa Beauchamp | vbeauchamp AT_TOWSON | CSM |
| Raj Mohan | rmohan AT_TOWSON | FACET |
| Carrie Price | carrieprice AT_TOWSON | Library |
| Bria Sinnott | bsinnott AT_TOWSON | Libary |
| Lisa Sweeney | ssweeney AT_TOWSON | Library |
| Brittni Ballard | bballard AT_TOWSON | Library |
