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?

What do I need to convert my own course?

To build your course from scratch in Ultra you will need:

17. Make your course available

From your list or tiles of Blackboard courses, click on the three dots, and choose Open course.

This will make your course available to students and change the setting in the right-hand panel from Course is private to Course is open with the open lock icon showing.

  

To make the course private and therefore unavailable for students, in the same way choose Hide course.

This will make your course unavailable for students and change the setting in the right-hand panel from Course is open to Course is private.