New Blackboard Base Navigation & Course Navigation

New Blackboard Base Navigation & Course Navigation

On January 2, 2026, courses at UA will receive an update to course navigation. The changes improve user experience and accessibility.

Base Navigation

New Ultra Base Nav.png

The main navigation menu has two changes:

  • User profile now appears at the top of the navigation, complete with profile image for easier customization.

  • Admin and Sign Out options are moved to the bottom of the panel, separating them from other actions for clarity.

Course Interface

Courses now open in full-screen mode to maximize horizontal space and reduce clutter. This update applies to top-level panels such as Course Content Homepage, Calendar, Announcements, Discussions, Gradebook, Analytics, Groups, and Achievements. Secondary tools open in trays/panels.

Full-width Banner

The course banner spans the full width of the screen with the course ID and title on a darker background for better clarity and accessibility.

If a course doesn’t have a selected banner, a placeholder image will appear at the top.

Course Navigation

Course Menu

The course menu is located at the top of the screen and remains as users scroll down the page. The menu is positioned higher on the screen for better use of space.

New Ultra Course Menu.png

Home Button

The Home button returns you to the Institution page.

New Ultra Home Button.png

Course Switcher

Users can quickly jump between their four most recent courses or go to the full Courses page.

New Ultra Course Switcher.png