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  4. Blackboard Ultra Updates – January 2026
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Blackboard Ultra Updates – January 2026

Contents

Staff news: This article will contain a summary of useful updates you may see in your Blackboard Ultra courses from Friday 9th January 2026.

View-Only roles

Blackboard now supports genuine view-only roles for marks and feedback. Updated roles:

  • External Examiners
    • Can view all marks and feedback for Blackboard Assessment and Grade Centre.
    • Cannot edit marks or feedback in Blackboard.
    • Note: They can still edit marks for Turnitin LTI and other third-party LTI assessments.
  • Auditing Instructors
    • Can view all marks and feedback for Blackboard Assessment and Grade Centre.
    • Cannot edit marks or feedback.
    • Cannot view or edit marks for Turnitin LTI and other third-party LTI assessments.

System Navigation Changes

Course Banner

  • Course name now appears over the banner image on a darker background.
  • Banners resize automatically, but check your courses for appearance.
  • If your banner includes text, consider replacing it with a stock image.
  • If no banner is set, a placeholder image will appear.

Banners should resize automatically but you may wish to check your courses to ensure you are happy with the new appearance. As the course name appears over the top of images, you may wish to change existing banners with text to a stock image.

Quickly change your course banner to a stock or uploaded image.

Course Switcher

  • Access your four most recent courses via the Courses button in the top menu.
  • Use View All to see all courses.
Screenshot of the course switcher menu. The person has selected the courses button and a drop down menu has appeared. It shows 4 courses with an image tile for each. There is also a "view all" button towards the top right along with an X to close the menu,
  • Your profile now appears at the top of the navigation, alongside your profile picture.

Update your profile picture.

Courses become full-screen

  • Courses now open in full-screen mode to maximise horizontal space.

Home button

  • The previous “X” exit icon is replaced with a Home button, returning you to the Institution Page.

Expanded question options for true/false

True/false questions now include additional display options:

  • True/False
  • Yes/No
  • Right/Wrong
  • Agree/Disagree
A screenshot of Blackboard Ultra test creation page. The answer options for True/False questions now includes a drop-down menu to change to Yes/No, Right/Wrong, Agree/Disagree

Enhanced multiple choice and multiple answer workflow

  • Default number of answer options increased from 3 to 4.
  • Instructors can set how many answers students may select.
  • Students see:
    • A note indicating selection limits (e.g., “Select up to 2 options”).
    • Radio buttons for single-answer questions.
    • Checkboxes for multiple-answer questions.
Screenshot of instructor view creating a Blackboard test with a a multiple choice question. The instructor has selected two right answers out of 4 possible answers.
Instructors can define the number of answer selections for each multiple choice question.
Student view of the same test. The student is presented with the 4 options and can select these with check boxes. Towards the bottom of the question it is stated "Select up to 2 options".
The student’s selection mechanism of checkbox or radio button is determined by how many answers they can select.

Did you know?

  • Your course description automatically displays information from Worktribe, including campus, duration, and delivery mode.

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