Base Navigation must be enabled by July 31, 2024. Need help?
- Connect with a Navigation Liaison: Schedule a meeting
- Explore upgrade resources: Base Navigation Upgrade Toolkit
- Read the announcement: Important Update on Legacy Navigation for Blackboard Learn
Blackboard Learn is available with different deployment options. Self-hosted and managed-hosted environments of Blackboard Learn use the Original Experience. Blackboard Learn SaaS can use the Original experience or the Ultra experience.
The Learn 2016 theme, which is optional and available for Blackboard Learn SaaS with the Original experience as well as Blackboard Learn 9.1, is a modern version of the user interface that incorporates elements from the new Blackboard design language.
The following table provides a high-level comparison of the Original and Ultra Experiences.
Compare the Experiences
| Feature | Original Experience | Ultra Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation | The Original experience has four main navigational elements: tabs, modules, orientation bar, and a left panel where users access items in courses. | The Ultra experience has a single navigational approach: left navigation that opens layers one on top of the other as users navigate through a course. To learn more, see the instructor information about the Ultra and Original experiences. |
| Accessibility | Original implements WCAG 2.1 as the baseline for accessibility. | The Ultra experience is built to comply with accessibility standards defined in WCAG 2.1 Level AA and Section 508. Blackboard Learn SaaS with the Ultra Experience has an overall rating of Supports with Exceptions for the WCAG 2.1 requirements. To learn more, see Accessibility in Learn SaaS. |
