We, at CIT, are proud to be a part of the UA family. As we step into the heart of summer, we’re excited to share the latest updates, innovations, and stories with you. July is a season of reflection, growth, and preparation—and this month’s newsletter is filled with insights to inspire and inform. Whether you’re on campus, working remotely, or enjoying a well-deserved break, we hope this edition keeps you connected, energized, and engaged with all that’s happening at CIT.
Friendly Reminders!
Blackboard Course Retirement
At the end of the Summer 2025 term, we will archive several academic terms’ courses: Summer 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, as well as any non-integrated courses (not official UA courses that are listed in Banner) that have not had activity in the past two years.
- LMS Course Retention Policy
- LMS Course Retirement Overview
- When are Blackboard courses retired?
- How to Save Blackboard Content as an Instructor
- How to Save Blackboard Content as a Student
Panopto Videos Retention Policy
At the end of Summer 2025, CIT will archive Panopto videos not accessed in 2 years. Recordings will be archived 2 years after their last viewed date. Recordings will be permanently deleted 2 years after they are archived. Note: UA Online courses are subject to a separate policy.
What’s New with CIT
Accessibility Training Opportunities
At CIT, we’re committed to fostering inclusive learning environments. This summer, we’re excited to offer a new series of accessibility trainings designed to help instructors create digital content that’s usable by all learners. Whether you’re new to accessibility or looking to deepen your knowledge, our sessions will provide practical strategies, tools, and resources to support your teaching. Let’s make learning accessible for everyone!Introduction to Digital AccessibilityThis session will cover best practices for making digital content accessible for all users, including web content, documents, presentations, and media.
Introduction to Digital Accessibility
This session will cover best practices for making digital content accessible for all users, including web content, documents, presentations, and media.
- In-Person Session, A232 Gordon Palmer Hall, July 14, 2-3 pm
- Virtual Session, July 17, 11am-12pm
Teach with Ultra: The Simpler, More Modern Blackboard
Blackboard Ultra Course View (“Ultra”) offers a simple, modern, intuitive, and consistent interface across devices and a more streamlined experience for instructors and students. All Blackboard courses will be designed and delivered in Ultra by Spring 2026.
Over 2600 sections are already using Ultra for the Fall 2025 semester.
UA Faculty Teaching with Ultra
Jennie Northam
Clinical Instructor, Info Systems/Statistics/Mgt Science“Blackboard Ultra has truly transformed how I am able to efficiently collect data and gather statistics to ensure that my course is successful while supporting high academic integrity. When transitioning from Blackboard Original to Blackboard Ultra, it at first seemed overwhelming, however, the CIT Blackbord Cafe Days played a substantial role in the ease of this transition. I find the platform to be much more instructor friendly, allowing me to easily customize the experience each student has while enrolled in my course.”
Ultra Café Day – Friday, July 11th
Ultra Café is a day of snacks, coffee, and course building. Blackboard experts offer guidance in an in-person interactive workshop (Part 1) and an in-person open workspace (Part 2). The workshop and workspace are offered concurrently in separate rooms in both the morning and afternoon. If you aren’t able to attend both parts on the same day, feel free to register for one on another date.
Location: Gordon Palmer Hall
Time: 9am-11am, 1pm-3pm
CIT also offers Ultra Workshops and Webinars and group training and individual consultations by request. Explore opportunities to learn: How can I learn to teach with Blackboard Ultra?
Ultra Office Hours – Monday, July 21st
Hosted by CIT’s Blackboard team, Ultra Office Hours offer brief updates and how-to’s, questions and answers, and discussion. Bring your questions or just come for a quick overview of new features and other Ultra good topics. Ultra Office Hours are open to all who teach with Blackboard or support others in their teaching. They are held via Teams on the 2nd or 3rd Monday of the month.
This month’s topic: Customizing your Ultra course
Time: 1pm-2pm
Ultra Good Features
We’re excited about these updates coming to Ultra in July! Check out this Anthology blog post for more information and a complete list: What’s New in Blackboard – July 2025
Expanded Activity page
Previously, the Activity page featured only the activity stream, provided a chronological overview of course activity and upcoming events. The latest update makes course management easier and more efficient, particularly for instructors managing a large number of courses.
New features on the Activity page
- Course Section: This section outlines new activity in current, open courses since an instructor last logged into Blackboard.
- Shortcuts: New shortcuts have been added to enhance instructor efficiency.
- Go to items that need grading
- Find courses with new messages
- Access the Course Activity report directly to review students with alerts
- Announcements: Read important institutional announcements.
Blackboard Instructor Help: Activity
Enhance instructor efficiency with expanded Activity page – 3900.121
Additional July updates:
- Add captions to images in Documents
- Review student engagement with announcements
- Support QTI question import in banks
- Apply the No Category option to Gradebook Items
- Enhanced pop-out rubric
- Navigate with previous and next functionality in Group Submissions
- Access Progress Tracking tool via Course Settings
- Retroactively assign achievements to students
Learn with us! CIT regularly hosts workshops and webinars on UA instructional technologies and technology accessibility. Find the full list on our website – cit.ua.edu. We are also pleased to offer individual consultations and group instruction by request.
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About This Message
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