Conversion Guide for Ultra Course View
This article outlines the two methods for UConn Instructors to convert their HuskyCT “Original” courses to “Ultra.”
Overview
Beginning with the Fall 2025 semester, all academic courses in HuskyCT will run in the new Ultra Course View version of Blackboard. Blackboard’s parent company, Anthology, announced that the older Original Course View will be discontinued in December 2026. After that time, any course remaining in Original Course View will be in a “read-only” status through 2027, which means instructors can access the course for reference, but will not be able to update anything in that older course. Beginning in 2028, Blackboard will convert any remaining Original Course View courses to the new Ultra Course View. For these reasons, UConn will be fully transitioned to the new Ultra Course View version in Fall 2025 in order to stay ahead of Blackboard/Anthology’s deprecation plans and to ensure ample time for UConn’s faculty, staff, and students to adjust to Ultra Course View.
There are two approaches that instructors can take when converting a previous term’s Original course (i.e., Fall 2024) into an upcoming Ultra course (i.e., Fall 2025).
Bulk Conversion: This will copy and convert everything in the Original course, including all content, files, videos, assessments and grade center columns into the upcoming Ultra course.
Copy Content: Using this method, instructors will populate their Ultra course by selecting and copying course modules/folders/items from the Original version.
Each instructor should select the conversion method that is optimal for their individual courses, instructional context, and needs. Regardless of conversion method, it is highly recommended that a comprehensive side-by-side review of the Original and Ultra courses is performed post-conversion.
Method 1: Bulk Conversion
Overview
This method copies and converts all course content, files, links, materials, folders, tools, discussions, assessments, and Grade Center columns from an Original course version into a new Ultra version.
If your Original course has a simple design and does not contain a wide variety of tools, (ie, there are only folders, files, and assignments) - Bulk Conversion may be the easiest option for you.
It’s important to be aware, this process also copies over unused course items including un-deployed tests, question pools, hidden grade center columns, archived pandemic-era content, etc. Unused content creates clutter and confusion for instructors and students. If you would prefer not to copy over old unused content/materials, and copy the content more selectively, we recommend using Method 2.
Bulk conversion will likely convert course items in a manner which requires varying degrees of clean-up and/or reorganization. There could potentially be course items or test questions which are missing or broken and may need to be re-added. We recommend fully reviewing all course items, assessment settings, and test questions. If you encounter problematic items that are not deletable or that give you error messages, please email huskyct@uconn.edu.
Requesting Bulk Conversion
To request a Bulk Conversion to Ultra, complete this online request form.
In the Source Course - list the Original course details
In the Target Course, select Ultra Course View and list the course details for where you want the Ultra converted version.
Method 2: Copy Content
For more information or assistance with HuskyCT, please contact the Educational Technology Office at edtech@uconn.edu or (860) 486-5052