Introduction

Blackboard Ultra Announcements and Messages are important communication tools that help students stay informed, organized, and connected throughout a course. Instructors may use Announcements to share reminders, schedule changes, important updates, due dates, or course information with the entire class. Messages provide a way for students and instructors to communicate directly within Blackboard Ultra. Learning how to use these tools effectively will help you stay current with course expectations and avoid missing important information.

Announcements

Announcements are course-wide notifications posted by your instructor to communicate important information to all students in the course.

Instructors may use Announcements to:

• Share reminders about assignments or exams

• Notify students about schedule changes

• Provide updates about course materials

• Clarify assignment expectations

• Share important campus or course information

Accessing Announcements

1. Open your Blackboard Ultra course. If an instructor has recently sent an announcement, it will appear as a pop-up in the course requiring you to acknowledge and dismiss before proceeding to the course. 

2. If you wish to see all previous announcements, locate the Announcements area from the course content page or Details & Actions panel.

3. Select an Announcement to view the full message.

Note: Some instructors may also choose to send Announcements directly to your email in addition to posting them inside Blackboard. That process is an instructor preference so you may have a different experience from course to course.

Best Practices for Announcements

• Review Announcements as soon as possible after they are posted.

• Pay attention to dates, deadlines, and instructor instructions.

• Revisit Announcements before assignments or exams to review guidance and updates.

• Do not rely only on email notifications. Always check Blackboard directly.

Messages

Messages in Blackboard Ultra allow students and instructors to communicate directly within a course rather than using Microsoft Outlook. The benefit is that all communication takes place inside the course and a record of the communication is saved. Additionally, the email is not lost in the sea of other regularly scheduled email that you will receive as a student.

Note: Do NOT email the IDEA Team using Messages in a Course. We will NOT receive your message at that inbox is unmonitored. Please continue to contact the IDEA Team using the approved methods in Step 1: Support

Messages may be used to:

• Ask course-related questions

• Clarify assignment instructions

• Communicate with classmates about group work

• Contact instructors regarding course concerns

• Continue communication within the Blackboard environment

Accessing Messages

1. Open your Blackboard Ultra course.

2. Select the Messages tab or link within the course.

3. Review existing messages or select New Message to create a message.

4. Choose recipients and enter your message.

5. Select Send to deliver your message.

Checking Your Communication Activity

It is important to regularly monitor Blackboard communication tools throughout the semester.

Students should:

• Check Announcements frequently

• Review Messages regularly

• Monitor Blackboard notifications

• Watch for updates before assignment deadlines or exams

• Respond to group communication in a timely manner

Netiquette in Messages

Please remember to follow these rules when using any type of communication:

• Use a greeting/salutation when writing in an educational setting. Beginning with "Good morning", "Good Afternoon", "Hello" or "How are you?"

• and ending with "Sincerely" "Best regards" or "Kind regards"

• Take advantage of this opportunity to communicate in complete sentences.

• Do not use shortcuts, LMAO, LOL. It is important you communicate clearly, concisely and academically to relay your message.

• Think about the tone of your message and how you would like to convey your thoughts.

• Do not "USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS IN YOUR MESSAGE". This is considered yelling. 

• Feedback to others can be best heard and most helpful when it is: constructive, specific, measurable or evidence-based, sensitive, and balanced.

• If you notice you are starting to feel emotions about your conversation, take a break from the conversation or call them.   

• Having the ability to be online anytime and anywhere doesn't mean all people are available anytime. 

• Graduate level discussion posts should generally be academic in nature: include citations and evidence, be specific and elaborate with links whenever possible.

• Be respectful of normal business hours and plan ahead of time so you receive the proper help you need. 

• Utilize the Code of Ethics in your communication at all times. It reminds of the social work values our mission as a profession. 

Page Summary

After completing this page, you should understand how Blackboard Ultra Announcements and Messages help support communication within your course. You learned how instructors use Announcements to share important updates, reminders, and course information, as well as how to access and review those updates regularly. You also explored how Messages allow students and instructors to communicate directly within Blackboard Ultra using professional and respectful communication practices. Staying engaged with these tools will help you remain informed, organized, and connected throughout your course experience.

This page was last edited 7/1/2025.