Ultra Course Preview Method

Unfortunately, exporting your Original course, and plopping it into an Ultra course shell will not work. Because of compatibility issues, you would end up with a tonne of issues with broken and missing items. This is where the Ultra Course Preview method can help.

The Ultra Course Preview involves cleaning up your BB Original course, and requesting a special Ultra Course Preview course shell with a built-in “Ultra Course Preview” tool you can use to see what your course would look like in Bb Ultra. You will also receive a a list that tells you what did not move so well, and what you would need to fix. You can use this list to assess if the work involved is worth it or if perhaps Starting Fresh would be the better way to move your course.

This method may be for you if:

Your course is very simple, with only a few small files. Your preparation and post-conversion clean-up will be minimal using this method.
Your course is complex. If you have a more complex course with lots of custom coding and embedded content, this method may make your move easier.
You’d rather fix problems than create new designs. If you’re more comfortable correcting from a list than creating afresh, then the Ultra Course Preview option is for you.

Ultra Course Preview Sites - See Step 4 below for more information.

Training & Support - also available at the top of the page.

Ultra Course Preview - Step by Step

A 14 minute video demonstration of the Ultra Course Preview Method.

CHOOSE YOUR COURSE
Locate a past version of each course you want to convert.

EXPORT YOUR COURSE AS A COURSE PACKAGE ZIP FILE
This is an essential step in preparing your course. When you export your course, you select only the content you want in your Ultra course. This process cleans out all the old files and junk that has accumulated from past course copies. All that will remain is the content that you need in your new course. This is the file you'll import into into your Ultra Course Preview site. Please follow the steps shown in the below resource.
- Export your course as course package zip file (2 min video)
- Exporting your BB Original course

MEASURE YOUR COURSE SIZE
When you request an Ultra Course Preview course shell, you will need to identify the size of your exported course package. Blackboard courses are capped at 2.5 GB so if your course package is over that limit, you will need to remove large files from your course and export it again.

GET AN "ULTRA COURSE PREVIEW" COURSE SHELL
This course shell is the only way you'll be able to use Blackboard’s Ultra Course Preview (UCP) tool. To receive one, you need to complete the request form linked below. This special course shell will look identical to a BB Original course, but will have a special UCP button you'll use to preview a conversion of your course.
- Ultra Course Preview Course Shell - Request Form

IMPORT YOUR EXPORTED COURSE PACKAGE (ZIP FILE) INTO YOUR ULTRA COURSE PREVIEW SHELL
It's now time to import the cleaned up version of your course that you exported in the Prepare steps. Although this should take only a few minutes, please allow up to 24 hours for your import to complete.
- Import your course into an Ultra Course Preview shell (2.5 min video)
- Importing a Course Package

MAKE YOUR "ULTRA COURSE PREVIEW" SHELL PRIVATE
The special UCP tool that will help you convert your course is available only on courses with a "Private" status. To set your UCP course to private, click the "Make unavailable" lock button in the upper right corner next to Student Preview.
- How to make your UCP course private (30 sec video)

USING ULTRA COURSE PREVIEW
By using Ultra Course Preview you can see what your Blackboard Original course would look as an Ultra course. You also get an “exceptions list” of items that will not convert well. This list will help you determine how much work is required to complete your move using this method. You will then choose to either accept the Ultra Course Preview as a permanent change, or to reject the changes. It's at this point that you may decide to use the Starting Fresh Method instead.

FIXING ITEMS ON "EXCEPTIONS LIST"
If you accepted Ultra Course Preview, you must now work through the exceptions list. Be sure to work in order of priority. Keep in mind that there are some types of
- Content types that won't convert
- The Move to Ultra Kit - Training & Support Page

ADDING THE HUMBER ULTRA TEMPLATE TO YOUR ULTRA COURSE
You definitely want the Humber Ultra Template in your course. It provides the most up-to-date versions of standard essential elements that both you and your students require, such as student resource links, the land acknowledgement agreement, and help with your welcome message and critical path.
- Applying the Humber ULTRA Template to your Ultra course

REVIEW WITH STUDENT PREVIEW
Now that you've done all your work, it's time to check your course from the student perspective. This is an essential step in checking the quality of your work and ensure everything is working as expected your students.
- Using Student Preview in Blackboard Ultra

CELEBRATE YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS
It is good to celebrate achievements, so when you finish a course, give yourself a pat on the back, or a high five, or a Breakfast Club fist pump... whatever your thing is, congratulations!

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