Blackboard Course View Transition


Beginning Fall 2024, all Blackboard courses will be delivered in Ultra Course View, but you can start using it now. Please visit Answers for more information about Ultra Course View

Blackboard is the supported Learning Management System at Syracuse University.  From this page you can choose which version of Blackboard you would like information for.

ITS and Online Learning Services (OLS) are offering instructors to begin teaching their credit-bearing courses in the Ultra Course View.  Syracuse University will complete the transition from original courses to ultra courses during the summer of 2024.  For the Fall 2024 term, all newly-created courses will be in the Ultra course view.  Instructors will retain access to their previously-offered original courses to copy content into ultra courses and for record keeping purposes.

Instructors are encouraged to evaluate the Ultra Course View and make the move to an ultra course when they are ready by submitting a request for an ultra course; they can do so as early as Spring 2023. By default, Blackboard courses will continue to be created in the original view until Spring 2024 or an instructor requests the change. An instructor can request the change in any one course — they do not have to transition all of their courses to ultra at the same time until Fall 2024.

Original Course View


You are using the original course view if the course menu appears on the left side of your window.  This menu is the cornerstone for all course content.  Select an item to open it and the content appears in the main window to the right of the course menu. Content modules and folders open in a new tab/window.

Screenshot of a course homepage in original course view

Ultra Course View


You are using the Ultra Course View if your instructor's name and picture appear in the content area. At the top of the page are navigation links to your course tools. Ultra courses have one course content page where all course materials are organized using modules and folders.  Content modules and folders open as layers within the same window.

Screenshot of a course homepage in Ultra course view

Upcoming OLS Events


Event Time and DateAdditional Information, Registration, or Location
Orientation Office Hours — OnlineRecurring, Wednesdays from 11am-12pm ET

The Zoom link to join office hours is posted in the 

Ultra Course View Orientation
in Blackboard. Join the orientation access and to learn more about ultra courses

Workshop: Creating and Copying ContentMonday, December 4, 2023 from 4-5pm.

This workshop focuses on getting started with content creation and covers the following topics: interface overview, content types, copying from original courses, progress tracking and student preview. Participants should have previously enrolled in the Ultra Orientation so that they have access to an ultra course and arrive with content they plan to use in their teaching to build with it during the meeting.

Register now.

Workshop: Creating and Copying ContentFriday, December 8, 2023 from 10-11am.

This workshop focuses on getting started with content creation and covers the following topics: interface overview, content types, copying from original courses, progress tracking and student preview. Participants should have previously enrolled in the Ultra Orientation so that they have access to an ultra course and arrive with content they plan to use in their teaching to build with it during the meeting.

Register now.

Workshop: Creating Assessments and Gradebook OverviewTuesday, December 12, 2023 from 12-1pm.

This workshop covers the settings on assignments and tests and the flexible grading interface. It also provides an overview of the new Gradebook and covers setting up the Overall Grade, categories, rubrics, student performance, automatic zeros, accommodations, exemptions, and exceptions. 

Register now.

Workshop: Creating and Copying ContentWednesday, January 3, 2024 from 2-3pm.

This workshop focuses on getting started with content creation and covers the following topics: interface overview, content types, copying from original courses, progress tracking and student preview. Participants should have previously enrolled in the Ultra Orientation so that they have access to an ultra course and arrive with content they plan to use in their teaching to build with it during the meeting.

Register now.

Workshop: Creating and Copying ContentFriday, January 5, 2024 from 10-11am.

This workshop focuses on getting started with content creation and covers the following topics: interface overview, content types, copying from original courses, progress tracking and student preview. Participants should have previously enrolled in the Ultra Orientation so that they have access to an ultra course and arrive with content they plan to use in their teaching to build with it during the meeting.

Register now.

Workshop: Creating and Copying ContentMonday, January 8, 2024 from 2-3pm.

This workshop focuses on getting started with content creation and covers the following topics: interface overview, content types, copying from original courses, progress tracking and student preview. Participants should have previously enrolled in the Ultra Orientation so that they have access to an ultra course and arrive with content they plan to use in their teaching to build with it during the meeting.

Register now.

Workshop: Creating Assessments and Gradebook OverviewTuesday, January 9, 2024 from 2-3pm.

This workshop covers the settings on assignments and tests and the flexible grading interface. It also provides an overview of the new Gradebook and covers setting up the Overall Grade, categories, rubrics, student performance, automatic zeros, accommodations, exemptions, and exceptions. 

Register now.

Workshop: Creating Assessments and Gradebook OverviewTuesday, January 16, 2024 from 12-1pm.

This workshop covers the settings on assignments and tests and the flexible grading interface. It also provides an overview of the new Gradebook and covers setting up the Overall Grade, categories, rubrics, student performance, automatic zeros, accommodations, exemptions, and exceptions. 

Register now.

Workshop: Creating Assessments and Gradebook OverviewThursday, January 18, 2024 from 3-4pm.

This workshop covers the settings on assignments and tests and the flexible grading interface. It also provides an overview of the new Gradebook and covers setting up the Overall Grade, categories, rubrics, student performance, automatic zeros, accommodations, exemptions, and exceptions.

Register now.

Workshop: Groups and Releasing ContentWednesday, January 24, 2024 from 1-2pm.

This workshop demonstrates how to create, manage, and communicate with groups. It also covers settings for releasing content based on group, date, or student performance and discusses Accommodation settings. 

Register now.

Workshop: Communication - Announcements, Messages, and DiscussionsFriday, January 26, 2024 from 10-11am.

This workshop is focused on how to use your ultra course to communicate with students using announcements, messages, discussions, and class conversations. Special attention is given to the differences between messages and email, and profile settings to ensure you receive student communication in the method you prefer. 

Register now.