Blackboard Ultra Updates: March 2026

1. Generate Knowledge Checks with AI

Updated Help Topic: Documents

We expanded AI‑assisted authoring to support generating multiple choice Knowledge Checks within Documents. This enhancement allows instructors to create just‑in‑time formative assessments using AI‑generated questions based on the content of their Document and any selected course materials.

When inserting a Knowledge Check, instructors are now presented with two options: Enter my question or Auto generate question. Selecting Auto-generate question opens the Auto-Generate Question panel, which adapts the existing Question panel used in tests and question banks.

When using the Auto generate question option, instructors can define generation inputs with the following fields:

• A description text field

• A selector to choose course items to inform generation

• A complexity level slider with a range from Low to High

• Advanced options including an output language selector

• An informational banner that states: “This is auto-generated content and needs to be checked for accuracy and bias.”

The system generates four multiple choice questions at a time. Each generated question displays with a radio button so that the instructor can select one question to add to the Document. The instructor can then modify the question, answer options, and feedback after insertion. If the instructor opens the Knowledge Check option but does not add a question, the placeholder block remains empty and behaves as other empty content blocks do.

All questions are generated using only text content from the Document. Consideration of additional media or files will be handled as part of a future release.

Image 1: Instructors can select Enter my question or Auto-generate question when creating a knowledge check.

Image 2: After the system generates questions, the instructor selects which question to add to the Document. After adding a question, instructors can edit the question, question options, and question settings.

2. Enhanced threading experience in Course Messages

Updated Help Topic: Messages (Instructor)

When users send new messages, the system now attributes the message to an existing conversation. If no conversation exists, the system creates one. Any future messages between those users return to that same conversation. This update brings dispersed messages together and improves communication in courses.

The option to block replies is removed because it conflicts with the simplified threading experience.

Additionally, the rich text editor (RTE) and Send button now stay onscreen on smaller devices to improve usability.

Instructors and students

Users create and send messages as before. If messages already exist between users, the system attributes new messages to those conversations.

• In conversations that include all course members, all instructors, or all students, adding and removing members remains on one thread.

• In group conversations, changes to group membership can start a new conversation.

• When users add new members to a previous one‑on‑one conversation, the system starts a new, separate conversation.

• Deleting a message doesn’t delete the entire conversation.

• When instructors send a reminder from Gradebook, the system attributes the message to an existing conversation. Anonymous grading reminders go to email.

Image 1: The Messages feature now attributes a new message to an existing conversation between participants.

3. Add a second participation requirement and due date in Discussions

Updated Help Topic: Create Discussions (Instructor)

Instructors can now add a second due date with participation requirements for Discussions. This update builds on recent enhancements for discussion participation requirements and gives instructors clearer ways to set expectations for discussion activity. Students get transparent guidance for discussion expectations and progress indicators for their participation.

Instructors can set how many posts and replies that students must complete across two due dates.

The option Grade discussion must be selected to add a due dates and participation requirements. Enter a time and date under Due Date and specify participation requirements. Selecting Second Due Date adds another due date with its own requirements.

Instructors can disallow student posts or replies after the final due date by selecting Stop discussion activity after last due date.

Image 1: Instructors can now add a second due date for Discussions. They can also specify the number and type of posts or replies that a student is required to make.

When students open a discussion, they find two clear participation requirements with separate due dates. As they post and reply, progress indicators update in real time.

Students can complete requirements in any order, but contributions after a due date won’t count toward that requirement. Once all requirements are met, the discussion is marked complete and Progress Tracking updates.

Image 2: In a Discussion, a student can find due dates in the Details & Information section in the discussion assignment.

4. Question Title field relocated

To reduce confusion identified through user feedback, we moved the Question Title field from the beginning of the question authoring workflow to the bottom, underneath the Question metadata field. Moving this field ensures that titles remain an optional metadata element and reduces cognitive load during question creation.

Image 1: Before this enhancement, the Question Title field was at the top of the question authoring workflow.

Image 2: Now, the Question Title field is at the bottom of the question authoring workflow, underneath the Question Metadata field.

5. Partial credit limits removed for Multiple Choice and Multiple Answer

Updated Help Topic: Multiple Answer Questions

We updated the partial credit system for Multiple Choice and Multiple Answer questions to allow instructors to assign credit values without the requirement that all designated values sum to 100%. This change supports more flexible grading strategies and enables instructors to represent varying levels of conceptual understanding without adjusting values to meet a fixed total.

The system now allows instructors to enter any partial credit value for each option within a range of –100% to +100%. Validation continues to warn instructors if total values exceed 100%, but it no longer blocks question setup. Instructors may now also enter positive credit values for options that are not marked as the correct answer The total partial credit value for correct answers should be at least 100%, and it may exceed 100%. Negative marking continues to operate when enabled. Instructors can adjust credit values during regrading as well.

Image 1: Instructors can have answer options that do not sum to 100%.

6. Anonymous grading by question

We extended support for anonymous grading of tests in Flexible Grading. Instructors can now grade anonymous by question in addition to grading anonymously by student.

When grading anonymous test submissions in Question View, the interface replaces the student name, avatar, and ID with an anonymous identifier and a blank avatar. All functionality available when grading non‑anonymous submissions by question is also available when grading anonymously. When anonymous grading is enabled, related APIs no longer return identifying information.

Image 1: Instructors can grade anonymously by question.

7. Increased file size limit to 25 MB for assignments and tests

Updated Help Topic: SafeAssign Supported File Types (Administrators, Instructors, and Students)

We increased the maximum supported SafeAssign file size from 10 MB to 25 MB. This enhancement supports modern academic workflows in which students frequently submit large documents. The increased file size applies to assignments and tests. Direct Submit will be included in a later release.

8. Metadata analysis layer in Originality Report

Updated Help Topic: SafeAssign Originality Report

SafeAssign now includes a new metadata analysis layer within the Originality Report. In addition to traditional text matching, instructors can access contextual insights in the new Document Properties section in the report summary.

The Document Properties section lists metadata such as:

• Author/Created by

• File creation date/time

• Last modified by

• Last modified date/time

• Total ending time

• Document revision count

• Software used

These metadata signals complement existing detection methods, providing richer context and supporting more informed academic integrity reviews. Metadata insights respect anonymized grading settings and will only display identifying information when anonymization is not enabled. When specific metadata is unavailable, it will not be shown.

Image 1: The Document Properties section of the report summary lists metadata.