Spring 2026 courses are going Ultra—get ready for a smoother, smarter teaching experience! This November, CIT brings you hands-on sessions, expert office hours, and spotlight events to help you make the most of Ultra’s powerful tools. Whether you’re a Blackboard pro or just getting started, we’re here to support your teaching journey.
Table of Contents
What’s New in Ultra
Keep an eye out for these updates coming to Ultra in November! You’ll find more information and a complete list in this Anthology blog post: What’s New in Blackboard – November 2025
- Bulk change question points in tests
- Improved navigation from Gradebook column headers
- Choose whether to include hidden items in Gradebook downloads
- Automations: Automatically send messages to students based on course-level rules
- Generate or upload custom Achievement badges
ULTRA CAFÉ- November 4th
Location: Gordon Palmer
Time: 9am-11am, 1pm-3pm
Open workspace will be available 9am- 11am & 1pm- 3pm.
Morning Café: Get to Know Blackboard Ultra
- Create a Learning Module, Folder, Document, Link, Test, Assignment, Discussion, and Journal. We will also add a course image, try out the student preview option, discuss test exceptions and more!
Afternoon Café: Tips and Tricks for Copying an Original Course to Ultra
- From Classic Roast to Ultra Blend! Explore best practices and key considerations to ensure a smooth transition. This session will cover strategies for copying content, managing course tools, and avoiding common pitfalls.
THIS MONTH’S ULTRA SESSIONS
Virtual (v) | Face-to-Face (F2F)
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Ultra
3rd, 11AM (V)
5th, 2PM (F2F)
18th, 11AM (V)
AI Design Assistant
18th, 1PM (F2F)
20th, 1PM (V)
Analytics, Performance and Activity
10th, 11AM (V)
Assessing Student Learning
7th 11AM (V)
Communication Features in Ultra
3rd, 11AM (V)
5th, 1PM (F2F)
18th, 9M (V)
Creating Dynamic Content
7th, 9:30PM (V)
12th, 3PM (V)
20th, 2PM (F2F)
Grading and Managing the Grade book
13th, 11:30AM (F2F)
Transitioning Original Courses to Ultra Courses
6th, 1PM (F2F)
21st, 9AM (F2F
Ultra Basics
11th, 1PM (V)
20th, 11AM (F2F)
Ultra Demo & Info
6th, 12PM (V)
14th, 11AM (F2F)
25th, 12PM (F2F)
Learn more about our sessions and register at cit.ua.edu. We also offer individual consultations and group instruction by request.
CIT ULTRA OFFICE HOURS
Have a question about instructional technology? Want to dive deeper into a specific topic like Blackboard Ultra, accessibility tools, or course design?
Join us during our topic-specific office hours or drop by an Ask Us Anything session—no appointment needed! Whether you’re troubleshooting a tech issue or exploring new teaching strategies, our team is here to help.
In-person: Fridays, 2–3:30 PM, A232 Gordon Palmer Hall
Virtual: Tuesdays, 2–3 PM via Teams
Topic-Specific: Setting Up Release Conditions: November 17, 1–2 PM via Teams
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