Blackboard Ultra Project Information
Ultra Conversion Plan
The Instructional Design Center (IDC) will provide four 50-minute blocks of Zoom live sessions that combine course design and Ultra training. Each block may contain several departments depending on the department's size.
- Session 1: Introduction to Ultra, Accessibility and Course Design
- Session 2: Assessments: Tests & Assignments
- Session 3: Collaboration - Groups & Student Engagement
- Session 4: Gradebook Management Part 1 & 2
All blocks are based on individual department's commitment to a blocked time. To reserve a time block, submit a Request for Service and complete the form. Please try to sign up as soon as possible to help us coordinate scheduling. For time block availability view the Ultra Conversion Block Schedule.
2025 Conversion Schedule
| Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 |
| Spring Block 1 (1/6-1/27) - BLOCK FULL Spring Block 2 (2/3-2/24) Spring Block 3 (3/3-3/24) Spring Block 4 (3/31-4/21) - BLOCK FULL Spring Block 5 (4/28-5/19) |
Summer Block 1 (6/2-6/23) Summer Block 2 (6/30-7/21) |
Fall Block 1 (9/1-9/22) Fall Block 2 (9/29-10/20) Fall Block 3 (10/27-11/17) |
Ultra Departmental Training
Departments will identify a department contact who will assist in scheduling sessions and receive and disperse important training information and documentation to the faculty. This information will be sent to the department contact no later than 3 days before the training date. The IDC will provide to the department contact, recordings and online resources (KB articles, short videos, etc.) that can be shared. Office hours will be available for assistance each week.
Training sessions will be delivered synchronously over Zoom and will be approximately 50 minutes in length. Faculty will have a hands-on opportunity to work with Ultra in sandbox courses during the live session. At the start of each semester, sandboxes are created for faculty teaching that term. If a faculty member does not see a sandbox course have them reach out to the IDC one week before the first training session.
Additional Training Resources
Explore the Ultra Course View for Instructors KB page for helpful resources, including conversion best practices, a Moving from Original to Ultra Course Checklist, step-by-step guides in the Ultra How To collection, and a curated Ultra video playlist. We also encourage Ultra users to attend the various workshops offered by the IDC. To view the upcoming schedule, visit the IDC Professional Development Opportunities KB page.
Project Timeline
The project will be complete by Spring 2026. Information is subject to change as the project continues. See below for a rough estimation of the current progress.
