The Office of Academic Technology & Digital Innovation is excited to announce a major double-feature update for February and March 2026. These enhancements are live as of today and are designed to give you more creative control, smarter grading tools, and AI-powered efficiency.
Watch the Feature Premiere
See these new tools in action! Check out the walkthrough video from Bevin Rainwater here:
What’s New for You?
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AI-Powered Knowledge Checks: Instantly generate multiple-choice questions within Ultra Documents using the AI Design Assistant to check student pulse-points.
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Two-Stage Discussion Deadlines: Finally! Set two separate due dates (e.g., initial post by Thursday, replies by Sunday) within a single discussion setting.
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Vertical Block Stacking: Take total control of your page layout by stacking content blocks vertically within a single column—no more awkward whitespace.
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Anonymous Grading by Question: Ensure total objectivity for high-stakes assessments with the new "Grade by Question" anonymous toggle.
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Automated Feedback Reminders: Let Blackboard do the nudging for you. Set automatic reminders for students who haven't viewed their feedback.
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SafeAssign Upgrades: We’ve increased the file limit to 25 MB, allowing for the scanning of larger, image-heavy PowerPoints and documents.
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And More: Enjoy threaded course messages for easier communication and an enhanced Achievement experience for your students.
Need a Hand?
Whether you want to experiment with the new AI tools or need help setting up your first automated reminder, the Office of Academic Technology & Digital Innovation is here to support you. Reach out to us at actech@hartford.edu to schedule a consultation.