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Trinity College Dublin's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is comprised of Blackboard (LMS) and related learning technologies. Lecturers can use Blackboard Ultra to distribute learning material, communicate with their students, create online assessments and use integrated technologies such as Turnitin, Panopto & Class Collaborate, all from within their Blackboard Ultra modules.
All modules will be hosted on Blackboard Ultra for the academic year 2025/26.
We are currently preparing our content for the 2025/2026 academic year.
If you have yet to complete your Blackboard Ultra training or need to access the Blackboard rollover guide for the new academic year 2025/26, please click on the links below.
Guides & General Module advice
Trinity College Dublin has upgraded its Learning Management System (LMS) from Blackboard Original to Blackboard Learn Ultra. This upgrade offers improved usability and accessibility, enhanced features and functionality, improved analytics and reporting, enhanced collaboration and communication, and a modern mobile-friendly design. Please refer to the Ultra vs. Original page to understand the Ultra terminology, including features that are carried forward and those that are no longer supported.
Additional Resources & Support
Blackboard Original vs. Ultra: Key Differences and Terminology
This section provides an overview of the key differences between Blackboard Ultra and Blackboard Original, highlighting the enhanced features and updated terminology.
Creating Content
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Original |
Ultra |
What's New? |
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Blank Page |
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. |
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Content Folder |
An Ultra modules has a nested folder depth of two levels. Also, use Ultra Documents to present and organise material together. |
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Files |
Files can be configured to be view only, download only, or view and download. Progress Tracking can be enabled on Files. |
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Learning Module |
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. |
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Content Editor |
The editor appears in most places in an Ultra Module where you can add text. |
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Embed HTML |
You can use the HTML Block to embed HTML code with the Ultra Document. |
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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
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Original |
Ultra |
What's New? |
|---|---|---|
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Assignments |
Assignments are available in Ultra. |
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Blogs |
None |
Blogs are not available in Ultra |
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Journals |
Journals are available in Ultra. |
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Question Pools |
A Question Bank is a collection of questions that are stored for repeated use and can be shared between multiple assessments. |
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Surveys |
Forms can be used in a variety of situations to get feedback from your students. |
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Tests |
Tests are available in Ultra with the following question types —
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Wikis |
None |
Wikis are not available in Ultra |
Communication Types
| Original | Ultra | What's New? |
|---|---|---|
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Announcements |
In Ultra, Announcements are a top-level navigation item that displays as a pop-up immediately upon entry to a course. |
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Discussion Boards |
Discussions (graded and non-graded) are available in Ultra as a top-level navigation item. |
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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
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Original |
Ultra |
What's New? |
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Adaptive Release |
Instructors can easily adjust Release Conditions without having to leave the course content page. |
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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) |
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Course Reports |
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. |
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Date Management |
Instructors can quickly edit dates, adjust the visibility of items, or delete items. |
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Grades Centre |
You can manage items and post grades from four views: Overview, Markable Items, Marks, and Students. |
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Users |
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. |
Blackboard External Support Links
Guides are also available on Blackboard's official help website.
Please note: Modules are referred to as Courses on the website.
Click on any of the topics below for Blackboard guides and videos.
Supported Browsers
IT Services recommends Google Chrome or Firefox for accessing Blackboard.
For Blackboard Learn, Anthology supports Google Chrome™, Mozilla® Firefox®, Apple® Safari®, and Microsoft® Edge® desktop and mobile browsers. Most users can apply updates automatically for these browsers. Anthology makes every effort to support the most recent version upon release. For these supported browsers, these are the supported versions:
- Google Chrome™, most recent version and two preceding versions.
- Mozilla® Firefox®, most recent version and two preceding versions.
- Apple® Safari® for MacOS and iOS, two most recent major versions.
- Microsoft® Edge®1 most recent version and two preceding versions
Introduction
The introduction of Blackboard Ally is a collaborative partnership between the Trinity disAbility Service and IT Services, aimed at improving the accessibility of online content available to our student community.
Blackboard Ally analyses the academic content uploaded into the Trinity Blackboard VLE against accessibility standards and provides step-by-step guidance to academics on how to improve the accessibility of the content if needed. Blackboard Ally also provides alternative accessibility formats for any files you upload, which are accessible by your students for their convenience.
Blackboard Ally is an additional service that automatically runs all your course files through an accessibility checklist, looking for common issues. Each file is compared to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 standards. Ally integrates with all Ultra Learn Modules.
Blackboard Ally is a tool that enables you to read material in a way that aligns with your learning style and preferences, making it accessible to all students.
Alternative formats you can download using Ally include:
- Audio versions of reading materials
- HTML format for easy reading on your mobile phone
- Tagged PDF for use with assistive technology
To download an alternative file format, select the capital A icon with a downward arrow. Select your preferred format and press download.
You can download an alternative format for individual files (e.g. a converted PowerPoint file) or an entire page of content from Blackboard.
Downloading original documents
You can also download the original document by selecting the ellipses (three dots).
Staff
For module instructors, Blackboard Ally identifies inaccessible content and guides on making the content you upload to Blackboard accessible to all students. While it is not mandatory, we encourage you to regularly improve the accessibility of your content, as it will benefit the student community.
The accessibility icons available in instructor view are not visible to the students in their Blackboard view. If you are presenting to your students within Blackboard, it is recommended that you switch to the student preview mode within your module so the students don’t see the accessibility icons in your content.
Blackboard Ally will automatically provide a range of alternative accessibility formats for the files you upload to Blackboard. This gives students the flexibility to use a format that suits their needs.
The Blackboard Help website provides a range of guides on enhancing the accessibility of your module content. When you upload new files or replace existing files in Blackboard, it may take a few minutes for Blackboard to process and add the accessibility score and alternative formats icons beside your files. You can also use the module accessibility reports to review how your module meets accessibility standards overall.
Students
For students enrolled in Blackboard modules, Blackboard Ally automatically provides a range of alternative formats that are easy to use by all students. Ally works within your modules in Blackboard, so it is available right when you need it. Alternative files include:
- Readable text for screen readers
- Pictures with captions
- Content that is easy to navigate
Blackboard Ally creates multiple formats from the original documents in your module. You can download these alternative formats anywhere.
For further information on Blackboard Ally for students, visit the Blackboard Help pages
Blackboard App for Phones and Tablets
The Blackboard App allows students to use their mobile device to view:
- Module content
- Announcements
- Grades
- Forum posts
- Collaborate Ultra sessions
Important Notice Regarding the Blackboard App
The Blackboard App is primarily designed for viewing content, not for tasks such as submitting assignments. To access the majority of Blackboard features, you will need to log in using a web browser. The app can be used to complete tests and submit assignments from a mobile device, but we strongly recommend against using it for these purposes. When uploading content or completing assessments, students should use a web browser on a computer to ensure the process works as intended and minimise the risk of data loss.
Getting the Blackboard App
The app is free to use but requires an active TCD account and a compatible mobile device. Students should uninstall any other Blackboard apps on their devices as they are no longer updated or supported by Blackboard.
Further Information & Support
Blackboard Student Timetable
The Blackboard Student Timetable provides students with a timetable calendar within Blackboard. Students can view the time, location, and lecturer for each of their classes.
The Blackboard timetable is updated only once a day. If students are unsure if the information is accurate, they should double-check it against their timetable, which is available in SITS (https://my.tcd.ie). Please note that student timetables are subject to regular updates. Further details about student timetables can be obtained from each School or Course Office. If you are in doubt about the accuracy of your student timetable, please check it on SITS (https://my.tcd.ie).
Blackboard Student Timetable - Frequently Asked Questions
How often is the Blackboard student timetable updated?
The timetable is updated daily. This update occurs overnight.
Who can view the timetabled classes?
Every student with timetabled classes and access to Blackboard will be able to view their classes. Students should not use each other’s timetables, as they may have different classes.
What if the information in the Blackboard student timetable doesn’t match the SITS timetable?
If the information in your Blackboard timetable doesn’t match with your SITS timetable, use the information in the SITS timetable. After the next overnight refresh, the two timetables should be in sync with each other.
Can I use the Blackboard timetable calendar for personal use?
You can use the Blackboard student timetable calendar for personal use; however, this is not recommended, as we cannot guarantee that events you have entered will be retained when the timetable is updated.
Why can I edit and delete timetabled classes?
The Blackboard student timetable uses the Blackboard personal calendar as a base for storing timetabled classes. As a result, students can edit and delete these classes on the timetable. This will only impact the student’s own Blackboard student timetable, and these deleted or edited classes will be restored to their original form after the timetable updates overnight.
Why are there duplicate classes on my Blackboard student timetable?
This has occurred due to an error. If this happens, please contact the IT Service Desk.
Blackboard VLE - iCal Timetable Link
This functionality enables students to synchronise their student timetable with their MyZone Calendar or any other external calendar service.
This timetable may take up to 24 hours to receive updates regarding changes to timetabled events. If you are ever in doubt, double-check on my.tcd.ie and use the information that is available there.
Instructions on how to sync your timetable
- Log in to Blackboard (http://mymodule.tcd.ie)
- On the menu on the left-hand side of the page, select Calendar
- Select Calendar Settings on the top right of your screen
- Open the menu (...) next to the Calendar Settings heading and select Share Calendar
- Click on the Copy button next to the URL.
- Log in to your MyZone email account and then navigate to your Google Calendar.
- Click on the + symbol on the left-hand side of the page (beside “Add a colleague’s calendar”) and then click "From URL".
- Paste your timetable link into the box and then click "Add Calendar". It may take a few minutes for your timetable to appear.
- If you have your MyZone email account linked to your mobile device, you should now be able to view your timetable on your device's calendar app.
We are currently preparing our content for the 2025/2026 academic year.
Grades Journey allows staff to transfer assessment marks and grades directly from Blackboard into SITS.
Module Assessment Pattern (MAP) information flows into Blackboard, creating weighted columns for each Module Assessment Body (MAB).
Marks and grades from Blackboard assignments can be mapped in a one-to-one method (one assignment to one column) or a many-to-one method (more than one assignment to one column). Once the marks have been finalised, they can be transferred to SITS.
Information for getting started with Grades Journey is detailed below.
Please note: All Grades Journey participants are required to attend training. There will be a training schedule available in September.
Support for Teaching Staff
If you require support with using Blackboard for teaching and learning, instructional design and development of modules, professional development, and any activities associated with the discipline of teaching, please contact the Teaching & Learning IT team via the IT Service Desk by one of the following methods.
You can email the service desk at itservicedesk@tcd.ie. Please ensure you fill in the 'Subject' field with Ultra: when emailing.
Service desk opening hours are:
Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00