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?
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.
12. Work on a document
The Original course may contain lots of different separate items containing content. Some general guidelines are:
- Where possible, group these together within a single document webpage if they belong to the same topic and chunk content as much as possible.
- Where the items of content are tabled for aesthetic purposes only, consider how to use the columns functionality in the Ultra document or copy content directly onto the document using sub-headings to organise the content
Choose from the blocks available on a document to create content on a document.
Content block
Add text, images and so much more using the rich content editor. Also use this for embedding videos.
Refer to the Work with Text guide by Anthology.
Refer to the Add links section on the above guide.
Refer to the Insert Content Market files on the above guide to learn how to link to third party tools that are centrally supported at UQ. These include:
- EchoVideo
- H5P
- Padlet
Refer to the Insert or generate Images section on the above guide to learn how to add and adjust images.
HTML block
Add content contained in an <iFrame> from an external source.
Note: The use of HTML at UQ is only supported for learning objects held in an <iFrame>. Any other use is an accessibility and a support issue.
Knowledge check block
Add a short multiple choice or multiple answer quiz to your document. Knowledge checks include:
- feedback: you can pre-populate correct and incorrect answer feedback
- student interaction: students can receive immediate feedback; students can have unlimited attempts
- metrics: you have access to detailed metrics about how students are engaging with the knowledge check.
File upload block
Add files to your document from your device. In most cases, select View and download from the Insert file options.
Cloud upload block
Add files from OneDrive to your document.
Note: UQ does not support the use of Google Drive or other cloud based storage platforms aside from Microsoft OneDrive.
Convert a file
Add a file from your device which is automatically converted into formatted text on your document page. Supported file types include ppt, pptx, pps, doc, docx and odt.