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UQ Extend to Learn.UQ (Blackboard) conversion process (Ultra)

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Overview

This guide outlines the recommended process for converting a UQ Extend course to Learn.UQ (Blackboard).

Note: There is no automated import path between these two platforms, therefore some parts of the conversion require a manual rebuild. 

Tip: This guide uses the terms 'conversion' and 'rebuild' deliberately. Content is reconstructed in Learn.UQ (Blackboard) using the UQ Extend course as a reference source, not transferred via a file export/import. 

  1. Course structure
  2. Navigational and structural elements
  3. Platform feature comparison
  4. Conversion phase 1 – Scope & sort
  1. Conversion phase 2 – Rebuild the structure
  2. Conversion phase 3 - Rebuild the content
  3. Conversion phase 4 – Verify & validate
  4. Share access to resources

3. Platform feature comparison

This section provides a broader comparison of platform capabilities relevant to course design and delivery. 

Assessement and Grading

Note: It is not recommended to have summative assessment in UQ Extend as it is not centrally supported. 

Feature Area 

UQ Extend 

Learn.UQ (Blackboard) 

Assessment types 

  • Problems (MCQ, checkbox, short answer, numerical, drag-and-drop, custom Python-graded) 

  • ORA (peer + self) 

Question randomisation 

Supported at the problem level (randomised variables, shuffled answer options) 

Supported — randomise question order and answer options; draw from Question pools/banks 

Grading / grade weighting 

Section-level grading policy. Percentage-based weights set in the course Grading settings. 

Item-level points with an overall Gradebook. Grade categories and weighting configured in the Gradebook settings. More flexible item-level control.

Attempts / retakes 

Configurable per-problem. Unlimited or capped attempts. 

Configurable per-test. Multiple attempts with options for how final grade is calculated (highest, average, last). 

Enrolment and Access

Feature Area UQ Extend Learn.UQ (Blackboard) 

Enrolment modes 

Students Access UQ Extend through a link in their Learn.UQ course site.  

Students are automatically enrolled in their Learn.UQ courses, so there is no extra enrolment process required.  

Self-paced vs instructor-paced 

Course-level setting. Self-paced: learner works at own pace, no cohort.  

Instructor-paced: fixed release dates per section. 

While no course-level settings, staff can control availability dates on individual content items with Release conditions. Can be set per item or per module — more granular but requires more configuration. 

Content gating / prerequisites 

 

UQ Extend supports prerequisite gating — a learner must complete/pass one subsection before the next is unlocked. 

 

Learn.UQ (Blackboard) supports release rules on content items. Configure release conditions based on grade thresholds for Blackboard Tests or by date. 

For Learning Modules, staff can also enable Force Completion which won’t allow students to continue to the next section without viewing the content beforehand. 

Learner Engagement

Feature Area UQ ExtendLearn.UQ (Blackboard)

Discussion forums 

Built-in threaded discussions integrated within course units. Can be placed inline in content. Separate Discussion tab. 

Discussion boards are created as content items. Can be placed inline within Learning Modules. Discussions in Learn.UQ support threads, replies and reactions. They can be course-wide or item-specific. 

Cohorts 

Learner cohorts control access to specific content and discussion channels. Used for personalised pathways. 

Groups can be created manually or using a self-enrol option. Group-specific content visibility is supported via release conditions rules. 

Analytics and Reporting

Feature AreaUQ ExtendLearn.UQ (Blackboard)

Learner analytics 

Instructor dashboard: enrolment trends, problem attempts, video watch stats. Insights available via UQ Extend Insights (separate tool) or exported reports. 

Activity & performance reports are available in the Gradebook settings. Blackboard features a dedicated Course activity report, with detailed insights of student progress, such as tracking assessment results, and if students have viewed announcements or opened content. Learn.UQ (Blackboard) provides Course insights, which identifies if students have not accessed online materials. Learn.UQ (Blackboard) is less granular on video engagement. Reports in H5P and embedded Echo360 contain Lecture Recordings analytics. 

Accessibility 

WCAG 2.1 AA targeted. Accessibility checker in Studio for HTML content. Auto-generated transcript support for video. 

WCAG 2.1 AA targeted. Built-in Blackboard Ally accessibility checker which scans all uploaded files and HTML content and provides guidance for remediation. 

No direct equivalent

The following UQ Extend features have no direct equivalent in Learn.UQ (Blackboard) and require a deliberate design decision. 

UQ Extend Feature 

Description 

Recommended Approach 

Python-graded problems 

UQ Extend supports custom Python graders for complex, algorithm-assessed problems. Learn.UQ (Blackboard) has no code-execution grading engine. 

An alternative is Gradescope, which is a tool for submitting and auto-marking/marking code-based assignments. 

Timed exams 

UQ Extend supports time-limited exams with countdown timers and special proctoring integrations. 

Learn.UQ (Blackboard) Tests support time limits. For more information, refer to the Tests overview page. For proctored exams, refer to the digital examinations page.  

Drag-and-drop / custom XBlock problems 

Custom XBlock problem types such as drag-and-drop and  virtual labs are UQ Extend-specific and have no universal equivalent. 

Review each custom XBlock case-by-case.  

Options include:  H5P Drag and Drop and H5P virtual tool are available alternatives, which can be Embeded in a document within Learn.UQ.