IT Services will be making emergency upgrades to the University network on Friday 19 March between 6 pm and 9 pm and on Saturday 20 March between 6 pm and 9 pm. This will affect access to some of the services that the Digital Education Office manages, including Blackboard and Re/Play. Further information can be found in the IT Services news item about this work.
Category: Blackboard
Replacing feedback files in B1 workflow (bulk upload)
This issue may affect you if you bulk upload feedback files using the B1 workflow.
We have had two reports of a bug which occurs when two (or more) feedback files of the same name are uploaded and released using the B1 bulk upload (for example, if uploading and releasing the same zip file twice). The bug causes two errors:
- It becomes impossible to remove both files.
- Removing one of the files breaks the link to access the other file.
If the content of the different file versions is identical, they can be left as they are and students will simply see two identical files. If you find yourself in a position where you are experiencing this bug and the content of the file versions is not identical (even if they have the same name), please contact the DEO.
In order to prevent this issue occurring, if you need to replace existing feedback files always
This issue has been reported to Blackboard and they are investigating. We will provide an update when we hear more from Blackboard. In the meantime, if you have any concerns or questions, please contact us.
Scheduled Maintenance – Blackboard Collaborate Ultra 25th Feb
Blackboard Collaborate has advised us that there will be scheduled maintenance taking place on Thursday, February 25th, between midnight and 4 am. During this time, users will experience intermittent availability. The purpose of the maintenance is to update Collaborate to the latest version.
During the maintenance, you can check Blackboard’s service status page.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused. If you have any questions, please email digital-education@bristol.ac.uk.
Please check the IT service status page to see how the University’s systems and services are working and for planned maintenance information.
Resolved: Blackboard app partial service disruption
The partial service disruption that was affecting the Blackboard app has been resolved. From around 11.30 am yesterday, you may have experienced an error when attempting to log in to the app.
The root cause of the issue has been identified as an emergency security fix that was applied to one of the University’s authentication servers. We have now reconfigured the app so that it uses a different authentication server. However, the app will have cached your previous login method.
In order to login again via the Blackboard app, you need to uninstall and reinstall the app on your mobile devices.
If you are still unable to log in once you have uninstalled and reinstalled the app, please contact digital-education@bristol.ac.uk.
Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience that this issue has caused you.
Please check the IT service status page to see how the University’s systems and services are working and for planned maintenance information. You can also check the Blackboard status page.
Partial service disruption to the Blackboard app
The Blackboard app is currently experiencing an unexpected partial service disruption. During this time, you may experience an error when attempting to log in to the app. It is still possible to access Blackboard via a web browser. Blackboard is investigating.
We apologise for the disruption and will provide an update when we hear anything further.
Please check the IT service status page to see how the University’s systems and services are working and for planned maintenance information. You can also check the Blackboard status page.
Scheduled Maintenance – Blackboard Collaborate Ultra 11th Feb & Video Recording Feedback 13th Feb
Blackboard has advised us that there will be scheduled maintenance taking place on the following dates:
- Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, Thursday 11th Feb between midnight and 4am. During this time, users will experience intermittent availability. The purpose of the maintenance is to update Collaborate to the latest version
- Video Recording Feedback in Blackboard Learn Assignment Grading, Saturday 13th Feb between midnight and 3am. During this time, users will experience intermittent availability to video feedback recording and playback. This is a one-time maintenance update.
During both maintenance periods, you can check Blackboard’s service status page.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused. If you have any questions, please email digital-education@bristol.ac.uk.
Please check the IT service status page to see how the University’s systems and services are working and for planned maintenance information.
Resolved: Issues with File Upload in Blackboard Collaborate
Blackboard have confirmed that the issues causing file uploads to fail for some users within Collaborate have now been resolved.
Please contact digital-education@bristol.ac.uk if you continue to experience issues uploading files with the Blackboard Course code and name of Collaborate Session.
Issues with File Upload in Blackboard Collaborate
We are aware of an ongoing issue with the File Upload function in Collaborate. The issue presents as uploaded files failing to convert after an extended period.
We have reported this problem and Blackboard are currently investigating.
In the meantime, you can use the Share Content > Share Application/Screen function and choose either Share Entire Screen or Share Application options during your session.
We apologise for any inconvenience and will update as soon as the issue has been fixed.
Blackboard service disruption resolved
The partial service disruption that was affecting Blackboard earlier is resolved. Between 9.45 and 10.10 this morning, you may have experienced an error when attempting to log in to Blackboard, or found it responding slowly when you were logged in. Blackboard is investigating the cause of this issue.
We apologise for the disruption caused.
Please check the IT service status page to see how the University’s systems and services are working and for planned maintenance information. You can also check the Blackboard status page.
Blackboard partial service disruption
Blackboard is currently experiencing an unexpected partial service disruption. During this time, you may experience an error when attempting to log in to Blackboard, or find it responds slowly when you are logged in; you may be able to log in on a later attempt. Blackboard is investigating.
We apologise for the disruption and will provide an update when we hear anything further.
Please check the IT service status page to see how the University’s systems and services are working and for planned maintenance information. You can also check the Blackboard status page.