Drake has migrated to Blackboard Learn Ultra LMS and all upcoming courses will be in Blackboard Learn Ultra. The following information provides training resources available.
Drake Sponsored Blackboard Learn Ultra Opportunities
Ultra Hours
Bring your computer and questions about course design for hands-on practice with the instructional design team from Drake Online and Continuing Education. An instructional technologist will also be available to discuss specific questions virtually using Collaborate Ultra. Please sign up for your preferred time so we are adequately staffed. Additionally, please share any particular tools you hope to learn more about or specific questions you have.
During the semester, join us on the first Friday of the month in Cowles Library Room 201 from 10:00-11:30 am.
- Friday, March 3
- Friday, April 7
- Friday, May 5
An instructional technologist will be available to meet virtually for the first hour of each session. Join this Course Room to connect.
Ultra Course Layout
A Blackboard Learn Ultra course layout has been designed to support clear organization and communication in the course. You can add, modify, or arrange content within your course after the layout is applied. Content that is already in the course will not be erased or changed with the addition of the layout. Request a Course Layout.
Sandbox Courses
Ultra sandbox courses are a great way to test new features before you build them into your live courses with students. If you would like to request a sandbox course or need additional sandbox courses, please submit a Blackboard Learn Ultra Request and select the "Site Creation" option. The sandbox courses:
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provide a risk-free environment for hands-on practice in an Ultra course (this is also where you will practice skills learned from instructor orientation)
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allow you to build or prepare a new course in Ultra (which can later be copied into a live course, if desired)
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allow you to copy a previously offered Blackboard Learn Original course into an Ultra course (which can later be copied into a live course, if desired)
"Blackboard Learn Ultra Instructor Orientation" course
The "Blackboard Learn Ultra Instructor Orientation" course is available in Blackboard Learn. Every Drake instructor has been enrolled in the course as a student. If you cannot find this course or do not have this course, please submit a Blackboard Learn Ultra Request and select the "Add/Change/Remove User" option. It is strongly encouraged to complete the instructor orientation so you can develop quality course resources on Blackboard Learn Ultra.
Faculty Guide for Ultra Course Layout
This guide offers a step-by-step outline for developing a new online course using our course layout in Blackboard Learn Ultra with easy instructions and clear direction. Note: Since the Faculty Guide will be updated frequently for the foreseeable future, we do not recommend printing it at this time. Open/Download the Faculty Guide.
Online Course Quality Checklist
This checklist allows you to review your class to ensure it meets basic standards and creates an engaging and supportive online classroom for students. Open/Download the Checklist.
Blackboard Sponsored Training Opportunities
There are several opportunities available through the Anthology Community site. (Anthology is now the parent company of Blackboard products.) A one-time registration is required to sign up for webinars.
From the Home Page, select Programs and Groups from the top of the page. The following two categories each include helpful resources for the transition to Learn Ultra.
Academic Engagement Programs
- Instructor Webinar Series group – For any Learn Ultra webinar that sounds of interest, register for the webinar or access the recording.
- If you prefer to scroll quickly through the presentation deck for any topic, search under Resources header on the right and open the “Instructor Webinar Series 2021 - Decks” landing page.
Exploring Ultra Programs
- Exploring Ultra Webinar Series group – This series includes four webinars, recorded each month to reflect updates to the software:
- Ultra Base Navigation
- Ultra Course Design
- Ultra Course Communication and 3rd Party Tools
- Grading and Managing the Gradebook in Ultra
- If you prefer to scroll quickly through the presentation deck for any topic, search under Resources header on the right and open the “Slide Decks” landing page.
Blackboard YouTube Playlist
Follow the Blackboard YouTube playlist for quick access to the 50+ video tutorials on the Ultra Course Experience. Note: This option may cover tools to which Drake does not subscribe and may not give you rationale for decision making.
More Information
To learn more about the Blackboard Ultra upgrade at Drake, visit https://www.drake.edu/its/learnultra