Ultra Meeting Notes:

12-17-24

December release notes – 3900.106 – December 5th

• AI Design Assistant – rubric generation improvements
• Grading Assignments
• AI Conversations – Role Play & Socratic
• Saving Groups – 80-90% quicker
• AI Rubric creation – more complex outputs
• Communication & Collaboration – added “New” indicator that displays nest to posts and replies user has not yet accessed
• Link to Attempt Log – users may go to attempt log for any test or assignment by selecting Attempt Log
• Flexible Grading – updated wording from – “submitted late <date>” to “Submitted <date>”
• Grade Override – added Override indicator in Grades & Participation screen for Discussions

January release notes – 3900.108 – January 9th

• AI Design assistant – faster and more complex
• AI Generated images – more realistic
• Content Blocks – block no longer closes when collapsing menu in editor
• File Uploads – default is View and Download, also Undo and Redo available
• Release Conditions – added Attempt Submitted in Performance
• Achievements tab – available for instructors
• Mastery tab – instructors can change availability
• Show/Hide Gradebook columns – Items Management page in Gradebook settings, configure for one or all
• Automatic Zeros – default is off in New Courses. Note: Change Template?
• Direct Gradebook entry from Grid view or Submissions – previously these were stored as overrides, now mapped to attempt or submission
• Course Access from Course Settings – Open, Close, Complete – no longer in Details & Actions

The following changes will be implemented on Tuesday, 10 December 2024. While these changes are designed to enhance the overall experience, we understand that adjustments may be necessary as we all get accustomed to the new interface and features.
 
Key Updates to Be Aware Of:

1. Availability of Achievements Tab in Courses:
   • The Achievements tab is now available within courses, allowing instructors and learners to track milestones and achievements directly. This addition helps to enhance student engagement and motivation. Learn more about this feature at AI Design Assistant: rubric generation improvements.
     
     
2. Improvements to AI Design Assistant Outputs: 
   • The AI Design Assistant now produces higher-quality outputs for assignments and assessments, ensuring improved alignment with educational goals and increased usability for instructors.. Learn more about this feature at Moodle conversion improvement: images in question text.
     
     
3. Improvements to grading assignments: New labels for late submissions:
   
   • Instructors now have clear labels for assignments that are submitted late. This improvement helps with better tracking and organization of student submissions, making it easier to identify and grade late work. Learn more about this feature at Improvements to grading assignments: New labels for late submissions.
     
     
4. Grade override improvements:
   
   • Grade override functionality has been enhanced. Instructors can now more easily adjust grades when necessary, with streamlined options for manual grade adjustments, offering greater flexibility in grading.  Learn more about this feature at Grade override improvements.
     
     
5. Group management: performance improvements
   
   • The performance of group management tools has been optimized. Instructors can now manage student groups more efficiently, with faster load times and smoother navigation when organizing group assignments and activities. Learn more about this feature at Group management: performance improvements.

For a complete overview of previous and upcoming changes, please refer to the official Blackboard Update release notes.