In this episode of What’s New in Ultra: TILT’ed, Thomas and Dani celebrate a major milestone with the Blackboard Ultra 4000.1 release. This update focuses on practical, time-saving improvements that make teaching and grading more efficient. Highlights include the long-awaited ability to bulk edit question points in tests, simplified gradebook navigation with consistent “View Submissions” options, the option to include hidden items when downloading the gradebook, and new automated student messaging that helps instructors encourage or support students without extra effort. Each feature addresses real challenges instructors face daily, making Ultra even more intuitive and impactful for teaching and learning.

In this month’s episode of What’s New in Ultra: TILT’ed, Thomas and Dani dive into the October Blackboard Ultra release (3902.1), packed with thoughtful refinements that make teaching smoother and communication clearer. From the sleek new Course Messages redesign—with chat bubbles and avatars—to consistent Save and Cancel buttons, smarter question tagging, and improved fill-in-the-blank formatting, this update is all about polish and usability. Tune in to hear how these updates enhance both instructor workflow and the student experience.

The September 2025 Blackboard Ultra release (3900.125) is one of the most significant updates yet, with improvements spanning instructional design, grading, assessments, communication, and accessibility. In this episode, Thomas Mathews Horne and Danielle Reilley break down the highlights, including:

• New block styling options for Documents

• AI-powered feedback features (Summarize & Rewrite)

• Question management updates and QTI v2.1 export

• Enhancements for group work and rubrics

• Accessibility and gradebook improvements

Most features are live now in Ultra courses, with AI tools available at no cost until June 2026. Tune in to learn how these updates can streamline your teaching and improve the student experience.