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AI Design Assistant for Ultra Instructors

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One of the new features available in the Ultra course view is the Blackboard AI Design Assistant. This generative AI interface can quickly create outlines for course modules, grading rubrics, sample test questions, and other course content based on text descriptions copied from the course syllabus, textbook, etc. 


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What is the AI Design Assistant?

The AI design assistant is powered by Microsoft’s Azure AI technology and developed within Anthology’s Trustworthy AI framework. This tool was designed to allow instructors to quickly create and design the basic outline of a course. The design assistant is seamlessly integrated into the Ultra workflow and available for any instructor who does not know where to start in structuring their course content. Instructors are free to choose if and when to leverage this tool. It's important to note that the AI Design assistant simply generates content based on your input.  Your input and any course generated content is not stored, which means that it is not used by the design assistant in future course content generation. This Trustworthy AI framework protects your intellectual property and keeps you in control of your course content.

Accessing the Design Assistant

The AI Design Assistant is only available in Ultra courses and organizations. Instructors, TAs, Course Builders, and organization Leaders will be able to access the design assistant. Users in the Student, organization Participant, or Grader roles do not have access to the design assistant. 

In course content areas where the design assistant is available, the content creation menu will feature a button labeled "Auto-Generate [item]" alongside the usual options to create, copy, or upload a file. Selecting the Auto-Generate button will launch a new session with the design assistant where users can write descriptions and set parameters to draft new course content items.

The AI design assistant uses the course name, description and learning objectives of the course that you provide and generates a recommended outline of the course structure using modules, descriptions and AI generated graphics (powered by ). This starting point streamlines the administrative process and frees up time to fine tune the essential course content in a meaningful way to promote student engagement and success.  Instructors are always in control of the generated content. 

Create Course Modules with the AI Design Assistant

The AI Design Assistant can generate outlines for course modules based on a description of the course topics or learning objectives.

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In a new blank Ultra course, select the Auto-Generate Modules

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In a new blank Blackboard Ultra course select Auto Generate Modules


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If you already have course content, you can click on the purple plus where you would like to Auto-Generate Modules, and select it from the menu.

Blackboard Ultra Course Content select purple plus sign to expand menu and select Auto Generate Modules


Add detailed information about your course.  You can copy and paste course objectives, course description and topics to cover from your syllabus.  The more detailed the information, the more likely the generated course outline will be pertinent for your course structure.

Select "include images" if you would like the AI design assistant to randomly generate images based on your description.

Move the slider to select an appropriate content complexity for your course.

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titleSee more detailed information on complexity levels

The complexity ranges from 1-10 and matches specific educational levels:

  1. Early Elementary School (Grades K-2): The initial years of formal education where young children begin learning fundamental skills like reading, writing, and basic math.
  2. Late Elementary School (Grades 3-5): The later stage of elementary education where students continue to build on their foundational skills and explore more complex subjects.
  3. Early Middle School (Grades 6-7): The beginning of secondary education, marked by a transition from elementary school and introduction to more subject-specific learning.
  4. Late Middle School (Grades 8-9): The later part of secondary education where students further develop their academic skills before entering high school.
  5. Early High School (Grades 10-11): The first years of high school when students start studying more advanced subjects and preparing for higher education or careers.
  6. Late High School (Grade 12, AP or IB courses): The final year of high school, often involving advanced coursework and exams like AP (Advanced Placement) or IB (International Baccalaureate) before graduation.
  7. Undergraduate Lower Division (Freshman and Sophomore years): The initial two years of university education where students explore a variety of subjects and fulfill core requirements.
  8. Undergraduate Upper Division (Junior and Senior years): The latter two years of university education focused on more specialized courses and often involving independent research or projects.
  9. Graduate Level (Master’s and early PhD coursework): Advanced studies beyond a bachelor's degree, encompassing coursework and research leading to a master's degree or initial stages of a PhD.
  10. Advanced PhD Level (Dissertation research, specialized topics): The highest level of academic pursuit involving in-depth research, specialized studies, and the completion of a doctoral dissertation.

Move the slider to select the number of modules you would like generated and then select the Generate button.

Auto Genenerate Modules - enter a description of the course and select include image. Use the slider to select content complexity and number of modules. Select the modules you would like to keep and select generate


The generated modules will appear in the panel with images.  Select which modules you would like to use by ticking the box and select "Add to Course".  Once you do this, the modules you selected will populate in your content area where you can edit and add additional content.

Auto Genenerate Modules - enter a description of the course and select include image. Use the slider to select content complexity and number of modules. Select the modules you would like to keep and select generate

Once the course content has been added, instructors can then use the AI design assistant to create rubrics and generate quiz questions based on the added course content.

For further information and examples of generating course modules with the AI Design Assistant, see our full Answers page on the AI Module Generator.

Generate Quiz Questions with the AI Design Assistant

The AI Design Assistant can help instructors generate test questions for both formative and summative assessments based on simple subject prompts.

Once you have generated the test questions, you will have the opportunity to name the test and review each question for accuracy.  Edit questions and question points as desired.  Select the test settings gear icon to open and access the test options.

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For more information and examples of generating test questions with the AI Design Assistant, read the 
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In your content area, hover your mouse where you want to add the test.  Click on the purple plus sign and select Create.  From the create item panel that opens, select test. The "create your assessment" window opens where you will:

  1. Select Auto-generate question from the test settings.
  2. You should now see the Auto-Generate Questions screen. 
    1. Enter a description to narrow the focus of the question.  The more detailed the description, the more precise the questions generated should be.
    2. From the drop down menu select a question type.  You can select "Inspire me!" and the AI assistant will generate random question types.
    3. Adjust the complexity of the question and number of questions you would like generated by using the sliders.
    4. When finished, select Generate.
  3. You will see the questions that were generated.  To use the question, select the box for the corresponding question and Select Add to Assessment.

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Generate Question Bank from an Ultra Document with the AI Design Assistant

You can also utilize the AI Design Assistant to generate question banks based on an .  An ultra document is a combination of text, multimedia and attachments that you add in blocks and is presented together in one scrolling document. At the bottom of the ultra document, you will see an option to Auto Generate Question Bank.  Selecting this option will generate test questions based on the text found in this ultra document.

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  1. From the drop down menu select a question type.  You can select "Inspire me!" and the AI assistant will generate random question types.
  2. Adjust the complexity of the question and number of questions you would like generated by using the sliders.
  3. When finished, select Generate.

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Once you have selected the generated test questions you want to keep, select the Go To Bank link in the pop up message box.

Question Bank Created. Go to BankImage Removed

You will now be able to change the name of the generated bank of questions, add a description and edit or delete individual questions.  When you finished, you can close the open panel.

Edit Generated Bank optionsImage Removed

You can always access and edit the question bank from the Details & Actions menu.

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Common Questions

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title"Given the limitations of the rubric generator, why would I want to use this in place of other AI tools, such as ChatGPT?"

The AI software that is used to generate rubrics in Blackboard is certainly limited in some areas compared to other current AI tools on the market. However, the reason for the limitations can actually serve as one of its selling points, based on your goals and priorities. Blackboard's AI tools do not "learn" as they are used, like other AI tools. The information that the rubric generator uses is not stored and therefore is not used to generate future rubrics, therefore, protecting faculty's intellectual property developed and published in their courses.