Convert your course to Blackboard Ultra
What is Blackboard Ultra?
Blackboard Ultra is the new version of our learning management system. UQ is transitioning from the previous version of Blackboard Original from Semester 2, 2025 to Semester 1, 2027.
View the Ultra Courses Activation Project page for more information.
How long will it take me to convert my course to Blackboard Ultra?
Note: This guide assumes you have already requested your course on Learn.UQ. See the Order SI-net Courses and UQ Extend Courses (Ultra) guide.
The course conversion tidy-up could take between 10 to 20 hours, depending on its complexity. Note that when you access your course, you will need to copy in content from the Original course yourself. Factors are:
- how many videos you have that are not stored in Echo360
- how much content you have nested deeply in folders
- whether your main learning resources are in UQ Extend.
Is it possible for professional staff to convert my course?
Yes. But in this case, you will need to submit a course request again, asking for a copy of a previous course so they have the content to work with. Use the Learn.UQ Site Request form (or contact your school admin if they usually order your course for you).
Note: There will be a delay between ordering the course and having professional staff complete the Ultra conversion work.
Where can I get help?
- Refer to the Blackboard Learn Help for Instructors - Ultra Course View by Anthology.
- See advice from your faculty or school Learning Designer. Go to the Learning Designers list.
What do I need to convert my own course?
To build your course from scratch in Ultra you will need:
- Blackboard Ultra Example Course The purpose of this course is for staff to experience Blackboard's new look and functionality for course sites from a student perspective. You can self-enrol in the Ultra Example course.
- Ultra Resources - icons and banners
- your course profile
- Instructor access to both the Original and the Ultra courses
- learning materials on your device.
2. Ultra content types
A summary of the main content types in Ultra courses is listed below. For more information, see the Types of Course Content guide by Anthology.
Learning module
A learning module is an organised collection of content that exists at the top level. Modules allow students to navigate from one item to the next without distractions or extra clicks. You are welcome to give each module its own icon according to the time-based naming convention or the subject matter. Learning modules at UQ are the main organising mechanism to distinguish weeks or modules within a semester. They can contain folders, documents and links. Use a consistent naming convention for your learning modules to maximise student navigation.
Folder
A folder is an item containing other items. Folders can exist at the top level or within a learning module. There is no navigation forward and back in a folder. Give the folders in a module a title that starts with the same reference to the module, e.g. Week 6: Lecture material.
Document
A document in Blackboard Ultra is a webpage which can exist at the top level, within a module or a folder. Documents can contain blocks of rich content, file links or uploads. Documents are the best way to combine related items for students to avoid unnecessary scrolling, e.g. a selection of reading links, a lecture activity with its lecture slides and a post-lecture quiz (Knowledge Check).
Link
A weblink can exist at the top level, within a module or a folder. It can direct to an external webpage, a course link or a centrally supported tool. When you create a link, you choose from an external link or a course link.
Note: Name your items carefully and consistently so they can be found using the (title) Search course content function. This is available for staff and students. Start by clicking the magnifying glass icon at the top right of the content area.
For more information, see the Types of Course Content guide by Anthology.