Ultra vs Original explained

This page gives an overview of the main differences between Blackboard Ultra and Blackboard Original. It explains the enhanced features and updated terminology, with direct links to the Blackboard website for more information.

Creating Content

Original	Ultra	What's New?
Blank Page	Ultra Document	Documents are created with a variety of block types. There are many options for content design, and you have control over a variety of visual elements. You can build documents with the rich content editor, upload files, or advanced users can make use of the HTML editor. Instructors can easily embed third-party integrations, including Panopto and Turnitin. Progress Tracking can be enabled on documents so that you can easily see which students have viewed them.
Content Folder	Folder	An Ultra modules has a nested folder depth of two levels. Also, use Ultra Documents to present and organise material together.
Files	Files	Files can be configured to be view only, download only, or view and download. Progress Tracking can be enabled on Files.
Learning Module	Learning Topic	In Blackboard Ultra, Learning Topics are used as a building block for organised collections of content. Learning Topics allow students to easily navigate to the next or previous item, and they can see the number of items they need to complete and the items they have completed so far. Instructors can personalise Learning Topics by uploading or selecting a custom image thumbnail and enforce sequential learning, ensuring that students are working through items in the correct order.
Content Editor	Content Editor	The editor appears in most places in an Ultra Module where you can add text.
Embed HTML	HTML Block	You can use the HTML Block to embed HTML code with the Ultra Document.
Links	Links	A *Web Link* is a shortcut to an external source that is outside of Blackboard. A Module Link is a shortcut to an existing area, tool, or item in a module.

Assessment Types

Original	Ultra	What's New?
Assignments	Assignments	Assignments are available in Ultra.
Blogs	None	Blogs are *not* available in Ultra
Journals	Journals	Journals are available in Ultra.
Question Pools	Question Banks	A Question Bank is a collection of questions that are stored for repeated use and can be shared between multiple assessments.
Surveys	Forms	Forms can be used in a variety of situations to get feedback from your students.
Tests	Tests	Tests are available in Ultra with the following question types — Multiple-Choice Questions Calculated Formula Questions Multiple Choice Questions Calculated Numeric Questions Likert Questions Essay Questions True/False Questions Fill in Multiple Blanks Questions Hotspot Questions Fill in the Blank Questions Jumbled Sentence Questions Matching Questions
Wikis	None	Wikis are *not* available in Ultra

Communication Types

Original	Ultra	What's New?
Announcements	Announcements	In Ultra, Announcements are a top-level navigation item that displays as a pop-up immediately upon entry to a course.
Discussion Boards	Discussions	Discussions (graded and non-graded) are available in Ultra as a top-level navigation item.
Email	Message	In Ultra, Messages serve as an alternative to email for communicating with your students. Instructors and students will see an unread Message indicator when they enter a module if they have unread Messages.

Tools

Original	Ultra	What's New?
Adaptive Release	Release Conditions	Instructors can easily adjust Release Conditions without having to leave the course content page.
Third Party Tools	Third Party Tools	Contains all 3rd party tools, including Panopto, Turnitin, Grades Journey and Talis Aspire MyReading list. (Blackboard Help Pages refers to Third Party Tools as Content Market)
Course Reports	Progress Tracking/ Analytics	Progress Tracking provides your students with an easy way to keep track of what they've done in their modules. As students navigate through the course content, Ultra will mark what items have been started, completed, or still need attention. Instructors will have access to Student Progress Reports, which provide an in-depth view of students' movements throughout the module, including the date and time an action occurred.
Date Management	Batch Edit	Instructors can quickly edit dates, adjust the visibility of items, or delete items.
Grades Centre	Gradebook	You can manage items and post grades from four views: Overview, Markable Items, Marks, and Students.
Users	Class Register	Use the Class Register link to view your module list and connect with your students through the use of messages. You can enrol staff members as Instructors or any of the roles you have used in Original.