Navigating Blackboard Learn Ultra at Angelo State University: A Comprehensive Guide

Angelo State University (ASU) has fully implemented Blackboard Learn Ultra, offering a modernized and enhanced learning experience for both faculty and students. This article provides a comprehensive guide to accessing help and resources for Blackboard Learn Ultra at ASU, covering everything from course design and accessibility to technical support and academic integrity.

The Transition to Blackboard Learn Ultra

The transition to Blackboard Learn Ultra at Angelo State University was a multi-phase process that began in 2024 and concluded in Spring 2026.

Summer 2024 (Phase 1): Early adopters began training in Ultra courses.
Fall 2024 (Phase 2): Early adopters built Ultra courses for Spring 2025 delivery.
Spring 2025 (Phase 3): Students experienced their first Ultra courses with early adopter faculty. Additional faculty trained and prepared courses for Summer/Fall 2025.
Summer/Fall 2025 (Phase 4): Most classes transitioned to Ultra, and remaining faculty completed required training.
Spring 2026 (Complete): All ASU courses officially delivered in Blackboard Ultra. The campus-wide transition was complete.

Support and Resources for Faculty

ASU offers a variety of support and resources to assist faculty in designing, developing, and delivering courses in Blackboard Learn Ultra.

Course Design and Revision Assistance

Faculty members who have questions about course design or revision can find assistance through various channels. If you need help with course merging, course copying, optimizing your course size, or another problem that is beyond your ability to fix, ASU provides support. Furthermore, if you're looking to improve your pedagogical practices or expand your skills with education technology, resources are available. Whether you're working on a brand-new course or converting a face-to-face course to online, ASU offers guidance and support.

Accessibility Guidance

Digitally accessible course content is a federal requirement for all ASU classes. Faculty can receive guidance on creating accessible materials to ensure compliance and inclusivity.

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Academic Integrity and Student Success

For concerns about academic integrity and/or the success of some of your students, ASU provides resources and support to help faculty address these issues effectively.

Educational Technology Tools

Need help choosing the best ed tech tool that will help you work efficiently? ASU offers guidance and support in selecting and utilizing appropriate educational technology tools.

Open Educational Resources

Interested in using Open Educational Resources in your course? ASU provides resources and support to help faculty find and implement OER effectively.

Teaching Improvement

Seeking feedback to help you improve your teaching? ASU offers opportunities for faculty to receive feedback and improve their teaching practices.

Course Templates and Organization Spaces

If you would like space to design and develop a course, or if you want a shared space in Blackboard, use the Course Template or Organization Request Form. Course templates are typically used as a virtual space to work on course builds or course content.

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Course Merging

If you are teaching two sections of the same course and would like to merge them in Blackboard, you can request a course merge. Your department chair and dean will need to sign off on the merge, and there are a few considerations to keep in mind to ensure that we remain compliant with FERPA.

Course Copying

Copying course content from a template or previous course is easy, but we certainly have a few tips to make the process go smoother and save you some cleanup and confusion later. If you are in a hurry and need the center to complete the course copy for you, use the Course Copy Request Form.

Course Quota

Are you getting a message in Blackboard that you have reached your course quota? As we continue to make improvements to Blackboard and move towards Ultra courses, faculty are removed from courses three years prior to the end of the current term. This will allow Ultra Base Navigation to work optimally. We will continue to follow the State of Texas Retention Schedule.

End of Support for Original Course Creation

Blackboard will officially end support for creating any new Original Course View courses after December 31, 2026. This means that even if a course previously existed in Original, faculty will no longer be able to create or deliver new course shells in the Original format after January 1, 2027. By December 31, 2027, Blackboard will automatically convert all remaining Original courses into Ultra Course View. This includes any course content stored in archives or older shells that haven’t yet been migrated.

Support and Resources for Students

ASU provides comprehensive support and resources for students using Blackboard Learn Ultra.

Accessing Online Classes

If you are taking online classes, you will use Blackboard to access them.

Academic Support Services

Students have access to all of ASU's academic support services, including free online tutoring 24/7.

Technology Service Center

Our Technology Service Center is here for you and all of your technology needs.

Accessibility Accommodations

Students can be approved for accommodations to ensure they have equal access to course materials and activities.

Additional Resources

Dual Credit Students

Remember, the grades you receive for your dual credit classes will be reflected on your official Angelo State University transcript.

Mobile Access

Anytime, anywhere, ASU is in the palm of your hand.

Support for Alumni of the Foster Care System

Alumni of the foster care system find support like nowhere else at Angelo State, the No.

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