Introduction

The Date Management feature in Blackboard Ultra allows instructors to adjust all the due dates, availability dates, and other relevant scheduling information within their course in one central location. This feature is essential for ensuring that all course materials and assessments are appropriately timed throughout the semester. Additionally, Date Management allows for the use of conditional release, enabling instructors to control when students can access certain content based on specific criteria. 

Overview of Date Management

The Date Management feature streamlines the process of updating due dates, start and end dates, and release conditions for content, ensuring that the course timeline is accurate and aligned with the current academic term. This is especially useful when reusing course materials from previous semesters.

Watch a video on the Batch Edit (Date Management) Process

Accessing Date Management

1. Begin by opening the course in which you want to manage dates.

2. On the Course Content page, open the three-dot menu on the right side above the content list. Select Batch Edit. 

3. Here, you'll see all the content, assignments, and assessments with their corresponding dates listed. You can sort the list by item title, due date, show on, hide after, or visibility.

Adjusting Due Dates

1. Click the check-box corresponding to each item you wish to change dates for.

2. Click the Edit dates button below the list. The Edit dates window will appear. 

3. Under Edit Type, select the type of change you would like to make. 

4. Depending on your choice, the remaining fields may be required to be filled out. 

5. When complete, click the Edit Dates button to update all of the dates for assignments you previously selected.

Edit visibility

You can use Batch Edit to make items hidden or visible to students. Select Edit visibility. Choose to make items hidden or visible to students. Previous visibility settings for the items are overwritten. Date and time release conditions are removed for all selected items.

Best Practices for Date Management

• Regular Updates: Frequently check and update dates to ensure alignment with the course schedule and any changes that occur during the term.

• Use Conditional Release Thoughtfully: Only use conditional release when it adds clear value to the learning process, ensuring that it doesn't create unnecessary barriers for students.

• Communicate with Students: Keep students informed about any date changes or conditional releases to avoid confusion.

• Utilize Bulk Editing: Save time by using bulk editing for large-scale date adjustments, especially at the beginning or end of the semester.

• Document Exceptions: Keep a record of any exceptions made to ensure consistency and fairness in your course management.

Conditional Release

Conditional release allows instructors to set criteria that students must meet before they can access certain content. This can be based on factors like date, score on a previous assignment, or completion of other course material.

1. Click the three-dot menu next to any content and select Edit. A side panel will appear. 

2. Under the Visible to students dropdown, select Release conditions.

You will have several different options available to you for which you can set release conditions. 

Release content by course members or groups

Under Select members, choose which course members or groups have access to the course content. With this option, you can create remedial paths for certain students and provide different content to undergraduate and postgraduate students in a course.

Release content by date

Select Date/Time to define the period in which students can access content. 

Example: Content is covered in a specific order. You want students to access content only after you've discussed it in class. You don't want students to work ahead.

Example: Release your final test during your institution's scheduled final tests week.

Release content based on performance

Select Performance to release an item or folder when a student achieves a certain score on an item or gradebook column in your course.  To define the threshold, choose the graded item and grade requirement. 

Example: Students must complete coursework in a specific order and after they've demonstrated understanding. You want students to progress to the next item only after they score a B or above.

Example: Students must score 70 points or higher on a quiz to access the Chapter 1 Test.

To set additional performance criteria, such as a second threshold the student must meet, select Add additional performance criteria. 

Visibility settings

If you choose more than one condition for your content, students must satisfy all conditions before the content is available.

When you set date/time or performance release conditions, under When will content appear?, you can also choose whether you want content to be visible to course members before or after they meet the requirements for access. 

Show. Students can view the date and time the content will be released, the conditions they need to meet, and when they can no longer access it. Items appear on the course calendar and the Grades page, but not in student activity streams. After access ends, content is still visible, but students can't access it.

Hide. Content is only visible to students when they're able to access it. Students don't see the dates and times when they can no longer access the content. After access ends, the content is hidden from their view.