The upcoming release to Blackboard has many exciting updates! The most significant changes are coming to the Groups tab, the Gradebook, the Course Content page, and old Original courses.
Blackboard Groups
The Groups tab has an updated layout and navigation. Groups management has been redesigned to improve usability, performance, and consistency, making it faster and easier for instructors to create, organize, and manage groups—especially in large courses. The new experience reduces manual effort with clearer enrollment options, better sorting, and better visibility.
→ Visit our knowledge base for a side-by-side comparison of the current and upcoming groups interface.
→ View our YouTube playlist for an overview of the new Groups interface.
Blackboard Gradebook
The Gradebook has an updated layout and navigation. There are two main views of the Gradebook: List View and Grid View. This is simplified from the previous version that has four views in the Gradebook. The search function and filters have been moved to the left side.
The new To Do feature shows the Needs Grading and Needs Posting items. Additionally, there is a new Gradebook Help button to direct instructors to help resources specifically about the Gradebook update.
→ View our YouTube videos for an overview of all changes in the Blackboard Gradebook.
Blackboard Course Content Page
Instructors can now duplicate any item on the Course Content page, except LTI items, with the copy retaining all content and settings from the original. LTI items are third-party tools including Turnitin, Panopto, publisher content, etc. A new Duplicate option appears in the More options menu for every item. This makes it faster to build consistent, repeating course structures.
Original Courses Warning Banner
Blackboard now displays a warning banner in Original courses for all non-student roles (instructor, course builder, etc.). The banner notifies instructors, administrators, and other staff that Original Course View support ends after December 31, 2026. It will not be available for new courses as of January 1, 2027.
UA moved all academic courses to Blackboard Ultra Course View and CIT will ensure that all Original course content is appropriately saved.
CIT is here to help
We’re always happy to help! If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Center for Instructional Technology.