Welcome to the Blackboard Mailbag, where we feature a commonly asked question that has been hitting our mailbox recently: blackboard@fordham.edu. You’ll find an archive of all of the previous questions and answers on our fordham.edu/blackboard website.

Note: Features may change with future updates.

Blackboard releases changes and new features to the Ultra platform each month based on feedback from real Blackboard users. Let’s check out a few updates to Blackboard Gradebook and Assessments coming on May 7th!

Accessibility enhancements to Gradebook

The Gradable Items tab in Gradebook has been redesigned with a table-based layout to allow for greater accessibility and to improve navigation. Instructors using screen readers can now hear both the header and row announcements, and those who require keyboard navigation can more easily move across rows and down columns. This change will help instructors reduce the time and effort required to manage student grades.

Text-based columns in Gradebook

Text-based information can now be stored in Gradebook. Instructors can create custom columns using the Add function under the Gradable Items tabs in both the list and grid views. Add a name and description, and update student visibility, if necessary, then add and edit text information using the inline edit workflow.

Instructors can select Add Text Item to create a text-based column.

“View submission one time” test results setting

Instructors worried about test security can allow their students to only view their test submission and feedback once immediately after they complete their tests. This setting can be enabled in the Assessment Results section of the Assessment Settings. Select “Available after submission,” then “Visible submission one time.”

Go to Assessment Settings, check Allow students to view their submission, select One time from the drop down and Save

Have an idea you want to share with Blackboard’s parent company, Anthology? Sign up for the Anthology Ideas Exchange!

Learn more about upcoming SaaS updates or see what changes have been made previously.

For additional FAQs and resources about Blackboard, visit fordham.edu/blackboard, attend one of our workshops, sign up to meet with us on our EdTech Consultation Calendar via Zoom, or reach out to us with your availability and we will work with you to accommodate small groups and one-on-one sessions.

Have feedback or suggestions on features? Blackboard’s parent company Anthology hosts The Idea Exchange. This is a place specifically for Blackboard to track and manage enhancement requests. It allows for things like upvoting ideas and sharing development plans and statuses. You will need to create an account to access the Idea Exchange.