Blackboard Ultra: How to Enable Conversations

Key Features

Conversations allow students to ask questions, share resources, and discuss content directly on individual course items. Conversations stay tied to the specific content item and do not appear on the general Discussions page.

How to Enable Conversations

Main Assignment View (Left Panel): Header: Displays the course name "Introduction to Sociology, Sec 10" above the assignment title "Sociological Imagination", with visibility set to "Visible to students". Content Navigation: Shows tabs for "Content and Settings" and "(0) Submissions". Highlighted Control (Gear Icon): A purple rounded box highlights the Gear (Settings) icon located to the right of the "Assignment Settings" sub-header. Assignment Settings Panel (Right Callout): Panel Header: Titled "Assignment Settings" under "Details & Information". Due Date Controls: Contains input boxes for setting a "Due date" (Date and Time). Highlighted Control (Conversations Checkbox): A purple arrow points directly to the checked "Allow class conversations" checkbox.

  1. Go to the content item (such as an assignment or document).
  2. Select the Settings icon (gear).
  3. Turn on Allow class conversations.

Tip: You must enable conversations when setting up the item. Otherwise, Conversation will not appear later.

How to Access Conversations

Highlighted Course Content Item: Title Callout: A purple rounded rectangle outlines the assignment title "Guest Speaker Review" along with a small purple chat bubble icon next to the text. Item Metadata: Displays Due date: 4/21/20, 1:00 PM, a link for 4 groups (Self-enroll), visibility set to Visible to students, and a snippet of description text. Highlighted Options Menu (...): Menu Trigger: A purple rounded rectangle outlines the three-dot options menu button in the upper-right corner of the item container. Dropdown Menu Options: "Edit": Modify item settings or content. "Conversation" (Highlighted): Outlined with a purple rounded rectangle, featuring a chat bubble icon with a purple indicator dot. "Student Activity": View student engagement data. "Question Analysis": Access question statistics. "Delete": Remove the item from the course.

  • On the Course Content page:
    • Look for a conversation icon next to the item’s title.
    • Open the item’s menu and select Conversation.
  • Inside the Item:
    • Select the Open class conversation icon (top right corner).
    • A purple circle indicates new activity.

Highlighted Control: Conversations Button: Outlined in a purple rounded box in the top-right corner of the header. Features a chat bubbles icon with a small purple notification dot. Header Details: Course Title: Displays "Introduction to Sociology, Sec 10" in small text above the item title "Sociological Imagination". Visibility Dropdown: Positioned to the left of the conversation button, set to "Visible to students" with an eye icon. Lower Navigation Bar: Displays the center tab/title "Content and Settings". Displays a link to "(8) Submissions" with a right-facing arrow (→) on the right side.

 

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This article was created and is maintained by the Office of Academic Technology.
If you have found an error in this article or need assistance incorporating this article in your course, please contact an Educational Technologist.

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