Blackboard Updates Learn with Accessibility, Mobile Features

Blackboard Learn 9.1 (PRNewsFoto/Blackboard Inc.)

Blackboard today rolled out a variety of updates to Blackboard Learn, the company's flagship learning management system. The release includes updates for both the Original experience (Blackboard Learn 9.1) and the Ultra experience.

New features for the Original experience include:

  • Blackboard Ally integration, which "automatically runs course materials through an accessibility checklist that looks for common accessibility issues and generates a range of more accessible alternatives for the instructor's original content including Semantic HTML, audio, ePub, and electronic Braille";
  • Responsive design for mobile devices;
  • Drag-and-drop capability in more locations;
  • The ability to sample by demographics for outcomes assessment;
  • LTI enhancements; and
  • Additional REST APIs.

The Original experience is available via self-hosted, managed-hosted and software-as-a-service (SaaS) deployment options.

The SaaS Ultra experience is updated monthly; recent upgrades include:

  • The ability to align goals to objects, including test questions, rubrics, content, LTI links and discussions;
  • Localization for global markets; and
  • New capabilities in the areas of assessment, content creation and discussions (incorporated based on feedback from recent pilots).

For more information, visit the Blackboard blog.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Abstract digital cloudscape of glowing interconnected clouds and radiant lines

    Cloud Complexity Outpacing Human Defenses, Report Warns

    According to the 2026 Cloud Security Report from Fortinet, while cloud security budgets are rising, 66% of organizations lack confidence in real-time threat detection across increasingly complex multi-cloud environments, with identity risks, tool sprawl, and fragmented visibility creating persistent operational gaps despite significant investment increases.

  • abstract illustration of artificial intelligence

    CSU Shares AI Learnings in Systemwide Survey

    In a systemwide survey of more than 94,000 faculty, staff, and students, California State University recently documented widespread AI use across its 22 campuses.

  • cloud icon with internal and external connections

    New Agentic AI Tool Analyzes Oracle Fusion and Workday Releases

    AI-powered automation platform Opkey has announced Release Advisor, a new agentic AI product aimed at helping Oracle Fusion and Workday customers analyze release updates, determine impact, and generate testing plans for their environments.

  • Graphic of connected devices protected by digital padlocks

    Veeam Launches Agent Commander to Help Detect Enterprise AI Risk

    Veeam Software has introduced Agent Commander, a new platform designed to help enterprises detect AI risk, protect AI systems, and undo AI mistakes.