TABLE OF CONTENTS

• myLesley Course: Orientation to Blackboard Ultra
• Navigating an Ultra Course
• Participate in Discussions
• Submit an Assignment
• Take a Test
• Create Journal Entries
• Create and Share Video (Kaltura Media)
• View Grades and Feedback
  • View Your Course Gradebook
  • View Assignment Grades and Feedback
  • View Test Grades and Feedback
• Add and Format Content
  • About the Editor
  • Work with Text
  • Add Links
  • Add Images
  • Add Video Content
  • Upload Files and Attachments
• Help and Support
  • Student Office Hours
  • Put in a Support Ticket

myLesley Course: Orientation to Blackboard Ultra

The Orientation to Blackboard Ultra Course has been designed to prepare you to successfully use Blackboard Ultra. You may be new to online learning, new to Blackboard Ultra, or both. In this course, we will cover the basics of Blackboard Ultra so that you know what it is, how to navigate in it, how to use it to complete your course work, and how it will benefit you.

This course is self-paced and will take approximately 1-2 hours to complete. To complete this course, you should review all content within it and participate in the sample activities.

Enroll in the Orientation to Blackboard Ultra Course.

Navigating an Ultra Course

Navigating Overview

Ultra courses use the Course Tools as the main navigation. These tools are located just below the course title and are the main navigational tools to switch between course areas. This toolbar is sticky, providing you quick access to navigate to different areas of your course while still being able to access this key navigational menu. When you first enter an Ultra course, you will see the Content area of your course tools by default.

Use the links at the top of the page to jump between the Content, Calendar, Announcements, Discussions, Gradebook, Messages, and Groups features.

• Content: The Course Content area contains the majority of your course materials. As you navigate into various course tools, you can return to the course content by clicking Content. 
• Calendar: The Course Calendar shows only events, due dates, etc. specific to the course you are currently viewing. In order to view your other course calendars, you will need to access the course you wish to view or navigate to the global Calendar in the base navigation.
• Announcements: Your instructor may use the Announcements tool to share important information about your course, upcoming due dates, and more. New Announcements appear immediately when you enter a course, but you can navigate to the Announcements area at any time to view new or past Announcements.
• Discussions: Discussions is the central location for accessing and participating in all course discussions.
• Gradebook: Here you can access posted grades, view the activities in the course, and review your submissions, grades, and instructor feedback. Don't forget that grade information can also be viewed and updated through the base navigation from within Grades and Activity Stream.
• Messages: Use Messages to send messages your instructor or classmates.
• Groups: Your instructor may use groups for assignments, discussions, or projects. Click on the Groups link to access your groups.

The Course Content Page

The Content page is the default screen that you will see when you enter your course and is where you will access your course content. The design and appearance of your courses may differ based on the program, delivery method, and the individual instructor. Typically, instructors organize their courses in a way that best suits the material being taught. The most common methods for course organization include chronological arrangements (such as by week) and topical arrangements based on subject matter. It's important to anticipate variations in course structure, as each instructor has their own unique teaching style.

Courses are typically structured with folders and/or modules that contain a variety of course items. The content in a course can be static or require your interaction. You will learn more about these items in depth in the next module. Here is a brief overview to get you started.

Course Content Items and Instructional Materials

These items provide content to you but don't require you to submit anything. This may be instructional materials, resources, links, videos, and more.

• Folders and Learning Modules: Folders and Learning Modules are used to organize content and may contain any other item type.
• Ultra Document: Ultra Documents are pages on the site and may contain variety of content, including text, video, links, images, and files. This page is an example of an Ultra Document.
• Link: When you click on a link a new website open in a new browser tab/window.
• File: Files may include documents, presentations, PDFs, and more. Depending on the options your instructor chose, you can expand the file to view it directly within the window and/or download the file to view on your device.
• Additional Content: Your instructor may use integrations such as textbook content, Zoom meetings, or another tool provider.

Course Activities and Assessments

These items will require you to interact with the system to engage with others or assess your knowledge.

• Discussion: This is an online discussion that allows you to communicate with other students and your instructor.
• Journal: This self-reflective tool allows you to engage with the instructor in one-on-one conversations.
• Assignment: The assignment feature allows you to submit your work online for papers, reports, research, projects, etc.
• Test: This is an online quiz that may be graded.

Participate in Discussions

To participate in a discussion, click on the Discussion link from within your course module or click on the Discussions link in your course navigation bar at the top of the page.

Discussion link within course module:

Discussion link in course navigation bar:

Once you have entered your discussion, read the discussion topic carefully. If your Discussion is graded, you will find the due date, points, and grading rubric (if used) in the Details & Information section.

Type out your discussion response in the Responses area. Use the text/content editor to add and format text, upload images, add links and attachments, embed media, and more.

As your classmates respond, their content will appear in the Responses area. You may also click on a participant in the Participants panel to view their responses.

For more information go to the Discussions support page or watch the Participate in Discussions tutorial video.

Submit an Assignment

You may access your assignments in your Activity Stream, your Calendar, or from within your course. Click on the assignment link to open it.

Once you have entered the Assignment, read the instructions carefully. Check the Details & Information section for your assignment's due date, the number of attempts, points, and grading rubric (if used). If your assignment will be peer reviewed, the peer review information will be available as well.

Submit an Assignment

To submit your assignment, go to the Submission area, click on the Attachment icon and upload your assignment submission. Or drag and drop your file into the submission box.

In order for your instructor to provide inline feedback on your assignment, submit your file in one of the following formats:

• Document (.doc, .docx)
• Presentation (.ppt, .pptx)
• Spreadsheet (.xls, .xlsx)
• PDF

Once you have attached your assignment, click Submit to submit your assignment. 

Once you submit your assignment, a submission receipt displays with the option to download a text file for your records. You will also receive an email copy of your submission receipt.

For more information, go to the Submit Assignments support page or watch the Submit an Assignment tutorial video.

Submit a Peer Review Assignment

Your instructor may have set up your assignment for qualitative peer review. The following instructions will walk you through the process of submitting an assignment for peer review, reviewing other students' assignments, and reviewing feedback: Submit Assignments with Qualitative Peer Review.

Take a Test

Online tests, like paper-and-pencil tests, contain a variety of question types such as multiple choice, short answer, or matching. Taking online tests allows your instructor to use features such as automated grading, allowing multiple attempts, time limits, multimedia in questions, and time ranges.

Prepare for Your Test

Prepare for your test by doing the following:

• Accommodations: If you need accommodations, including extended time, reach out to your instructor in advance.
• Plan Ahead: Plan to take your test in one sitting. Before you begin, review the Details & Information to identify the due date, number of attempts, whether the test is timed, etc.
• Multiple Attempts: You may be able to take a test multiple times. Look in the Details & Information section for the test to see how many tries you will have for the test. If you have multiple attempts, your instructor will control how the grade is calculated.
• Internet Connection: Make sure you use a strong, reliable internet connection. As a best practice, do not take your test on a mobile device.
• Timer: If your test is timed, do not begin the test until you are ready. The timer will start as soon as you open it.

For more information, watch the Test Information and Preparation tutorial video.

Take Your Test

You may access your test in your Activity Stream, your Calendar, or from within your course. Click on the test link to open it.

Once you have entered the Test, read the instructions carefully. Check the Details & Information section for your test's due date, the number of attempts, points, timer, and grading rubric (if used). 

If your test is timed, do not begin the test until you are ready. The timer will start as soon as you open it. Once you begin the test, you can hide the timer to relieve pressure.

Once you begin your test do not refresh the page, close the browser window/tab, or click the back button. Doing so may cause an error in the system.

As you take your test, your answers will be auto saved two seconds after you’ve added your answer. Essay question responses are saved every 10 seconds while you’re typing and also again 2 seconds after you’ve stopped typing. Every time an answer has been auto saved, you will see a Last saved notification at the bottom of the test.

Once you have finished, click Submit.

If you try to submit a test with unanswered questions, an alert will appear showing the number of unanswered questions. You can decide whether to submit the test or keep working.

For more information, go to the Tests support page or watch the Test Taking and Submission tutorial video.

Create Journal Entries

A journal provides a personal space for you to communicate privately with your instructor. You can use a journal as a self-reflective tool to post your opinions, ideas, and concerns about your course. You can also discuss and analyze course-related materials. 

If your Journal is graded, you may access it in your Activity Stream, your Calendar, or from within your course. If your Journal is not graded, you will only be able to access it from within your course content. Click on the journal link to open it.

Once you have entered the Journal, read the prompt carefully. If your Journal is graded, check the Details & Information section for your journal's due date, grading information, and grading rubric (if used).

Type out your journal entry in the Entries area. Use the text/content editor to add and format text, upload images, add links and attachments, embed media, and more.

Click Post to post your entry.

For more information, go to the Journals support page or watch the Journals in Blackboard tutorial video.

Create and Share Video (Kaltura Media)

You may use Kaltura to upload media (video and audio) you have already created or use Kaltura Media to record a new video from your webcam or by recording your screen. Kaltura Media provides a lot of advantages, including:

• Compatibility: Kaltura will accept a large amount of video types and automatically convert it to versions your instructor and classmates can view, regardless of their device. 
• Accessibility: Kaltura will automatically caption your content. Accurate captioning of audio and video content ensures that people who are Deaf and hard of hearing can understand your content. Additionally, captions are very useful to non-native English speakers, viewers watching in a sound-sensitive environment such as a library, can help viewers with learning disabilities or neurodivergence maintain concentration, and can help all learners improve comprehension.
• File Size: Your instructor and classmates do not have to download large audio or video files. Instead, the video is hosted on Kaltura's servers and streams through myLesley.
• Privacy and Security: Kaltura videos cannot be downloaded by anyone who is not the owner, nor can they be shared on other websites. 

Do not download media from the internet or library databases and and upload it into myLesley or Kaltura as this may violate copyright.

Add Kaltura Media to Your Course

You may use Kaltura Media to add video or audio into a Discussion, Journal, or Assignment.

To begin, locate the place where you want to add your media and click the Insert Content (+) button in the content editor. This will open a menu. Select Content Market.

This will bring you into the Content Market. Locate and select Kaltura Media from the list.

This will take you to your Kaltura My Media area. The My Media area is where all of your Kaltura media is stored. From here, you may select previously added media, upload new media, or record new media.

Click the + Add New button to upload media or create new media using the Express Recorder or Kaltura Capture. Or select media you already uploaded to your Kaltura Media by clicking the </> Embed button.

Once you have selected your media, you will be brought back to the text/content editor and your embedded media will be displayed.

Additional instructions and resources may be found here:

• Upload and post a video in myLesley via Kaltura Media.
• Upload to Kaltura from a Mobile Device.
• Use Kaltura Capture to record any combination of your screen, camera, and audio.
• Kaltura Media: Captioning Video Content.

Media Created by Others

If you are not the creator of the media or do not have permissions from the publisher, you cannot upload the media into your course. This includes copies of DVDs that you have purchased. If the content exists on the web (ex YouTube, PBS, the library media databases), you may link to it.

Do not download media from the internet or library databases and and upload it into myLesley or Kaltura as this may violate copyright.

For detailed instructions on adding media from YouTube or elsewhere on the web, please refer to Add and Format Content: Add Video Content.

View Grades and Feedback

There are many places in the system that allow you to view your grades and instructor feedback. Get a heads-up about new grades in your Activity Stream, view grades for all of your courses in the Global Grades area, view all grades in a single course in your course's Gradebook, or select an item in your course to view its grade and instructor feedback.

View Your Course Gradebook

From within a course, you may access the Gradebook by selecting it from the Course Tools.

The gradebook contains the following columns:

• Item Name: This is the name of the gradable item. Select the item's name to see comments and the item's details.
• Due Date: If your instructor assigned due dates, they will be visible in this column.
• Status: This column displays the status of your submission.
• Grade: This column displays your grade.
• Feedback: This icon indicates that your instructor provided you with feedback.

Select an item that was recently graded to view it. You can review your submission, your grade, and any feedback your instructor provided. If your instructor used a grading rubric, you will be able to view that as well.

Your graded items may display as a letter, points, or percentage, depending on your instructor's preference.

For the colored grade pills, the highest score range is green and the lowest is red. The colors map to these percentages:

• > 90% = green
• 89–80% = yellow/green
• 79–70% = yellow
• 69–60% = orange
• >59% = red

For more information, go to the Grades support page or watch the Check Grades tutorial video.

View Assignment Grades and Feedback

Your instructor will post your grades once grading is complete, or they will release all grades at one time to the entire class. You will receive a notification in the Activity Stream when an item is graded. In addition, you can check the gradebook for its status.

After your instructor grades your Assignment, you can view the feedback you have received.

For more information, go to the Assignment Grades support page or watch the Review Assignment Feedback tutorial video.

View Test Grades and Feedback

Depending on the type of test questions and the settings your instructor chose, your test may be scored immediately or you may have to wait until your instructor posts the test scores for the entire class. You will receive a notification in the Activity Stream when an item is graded. In addition, you can check the gradebook for its status.

After your test has been graded, you can view your score and any feedback you have received.

For more information, go to the Tests support page or watch the Test Review and Feedback tutorial video.

Add and Format Content

About the Editor

The editor appears in most places where you can add content, including Discussions, Journals, Tests, Messages, and more. You may add and format text, embed images, attach files, upload videos via Katutura Media, insert links, and more. 

The Use the Content Editor tutorial video will give you a quick walkthrough of the editor.

Work with Text

Use the text editor to format your text style, font, size, color, etc. You may add tables, format your paragraph, add lists (bullets, numbering, etc.), and more

For the best results, type your text directly into the editor and use the text options to add your formatting. You may copy and paste from a document (such as Word or Google), but this may cause formatting issues including jumbled fonts, odd spacing, sizing issues, etc.  If you do copy and paste into myLesley, use the Clear Format option to remove the formatting. You will then need to reformat your content using the editor.

Add Links

Use the Insert/Edit Link button in the editor to add links. 

Enter or paste the link URL and add the link text. As a best practice, when creating a link you should ensure that your link conveys clear and accurate information about the destination. For example, instead of linking to the text Click here, include the full title of the destination page, such as Lesley Technical Support Site. 

Add Images

You may add upload images from your computer or link to an existing image on the web. You will have the option to change the aspect ratio and reposition the image before adding it. Once added to your content, you may resize the image. However, all images will be on their own line and centered on the page.

Upload Images From Your Computer

To upload an image from your computer, click the Image button.

Drag an image file to upload or click Upload File to upload a file from your device. 

• Acceptable file types: JPEG, PNG
• Maximum size: 10.24 MB

You may change your aspect ratio and drag the slider or use the arrow keys to reposition your image. Click Next to continue.

You will then be prompted to edit your file options. By default, the display name for the image is your file name, but you may edit it. Next, add alternative text to your image. If your image is purely decorative and does not convey any information, you may mark it as decorative. Finally, you may decide whether people may view and download your image, view only, or download only. 

Click Save to save your changes and add your image.

Once added to your content, you may resize the image by clicking on the image and dragging the boxes on the corners into your desired size. Please note that images will be on their own line and centered on the page.  You may not align them to the left or right and you may not wrap text around them.

Add Online Images

You may add images from the web, including cloud storage. However, use caution if you are not the owner of the site or the image, as web images may be changed or swapped without notice.

To add an image from the web, click the Add Content button and then select Image from URL.

Type or paste your URL and include a brief description of the image in the Alternative Text box.

Once added to your content, you may resize the image by clicking on the image and dragging the boxes on the corners into your desired size. Please note that images will be on their own line and centered on the page. You may not align them to the left or right and you may not wrap text around them. 

Add Video Content

The best way to share videos will depend on whether it is a video you own or have created or a video that others have created.

Add Videos You Created

Use Kaltura Media to upload media that you have already created or create a new video by recording from your webcam. Click on the Insert Content button in the editor. From the list, select Content Market.

This will open up the Content Market. In the Institution Tools section, select Kaltura Media.

This will open Kaltura Media. Click the Add New button to upload a new video or create a new webcam recording. Or select a previously uploaded video from your list by clicking the Embed button next to your video.

Add YouTube Videos

To easily add a YouTube video, click on the Insert Content button in the editor. From the list, select YouTube video.

This will bring you to a search page. Search for your YouTube video or paste a link to a YouTube video in the Search box. Select the video you wish to add.

Once you have selected your video you will have the option to add alternative text and choose whether you want the video to display inline with your content or as a link.

Add Videos from the Web

To upload an online video, click on the Insert Content button in the editor. From the list, select Media.

This will bring up a window. In the Media URL area, paste the URL of your video. In the Alternative Text area, add some information about your video. Click Insert to insert your video. The video will display inline with your content. If the video is unable to display inline, you will see a link to a video.

Upload Files and Attachments

To upload a file (ex Word document, PDF) in the editor, click on the Attachment button.

Select a file from your computer. You will then be prompted to edit the file attributes. 

Click Save to save your changes and attach your file.

Help and Support

Student Office Hours

Bring your questions and join us for weekly myLesley student office hours Tuesdays, 4:00-6:00 PM ET (no appointment needed.

Join the Student Office Hours Zoom meeting.

Put in a Support Ticket

Email [email protected] to put in a support ticket.