DoIT Alerts

Blackboard is rolling out a significant upgrade to its documentation experience this month, and UMBC users will begin seeing the first changes on December 10. Blackboard's new help site features a more modern interface, clearer navigation, and role-based pathways designed to make it easier for instructors, students, and system administrators to find the information they need. 

According to Blackboard, all existing help links will automatically redirect to equivalent content on the new site, reducing the likelihood of broken links or missing pages.

Image: Example of new help documentation for Blackboard gradebook using the Instructor role.

Throughout December, Blackboard will continue refining its documentation based on preview feedback from institutions across the globe. Because this transition represents a substantial shift in the structure and organization of Blackboard's support resources, UMBC's Instructional Technology team will begin reviewing and updating our Blackboard FAQs in January. This effort will ensure that all references to vendor documentation are accurate and that our campus-specific Blackboard documentation aligns with Blackboard's own new help environment.

In early February, the myUMBC team launched my UMBC Answers, an AI-driven search bar to improve experiences for students, faculty, and staff while ensuring security and privacy. Now, all campus members have been enrolled in this new feature! It helps provide fast, accurate answers to common student questions. The common questions focus on the student experience, but future updates will incorporate resources for faculty and staff. There is an option to opt out if users prefer. 

Interactive Feedback Loop:A sophisticated mechanism allows users to contribute qualitative assessments of answer accuracy. University technology architect Collier Jones emphasizes a critical advisory: "While our AI system provides remarkable support, it is not infallible. Students must exercise due diligence by independently verifying critical information."

Privacy and Security: The system has been meticulously designed with privacy protocols, ensuring the protection of sensitive student information throughout every interaction.

What can it do?

The platform empowers students by providing rapid, secure access to essential personal information, including:

• Academic performance records

• Financial billing statements

• Retriever Card balance details

Additional Resources

• Privacy Information: https://privacy.umbc.edu/myumbc-data/

• System Overview: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doit/posts/147188

The AI-powered answers system exemplifies UMBC's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance student support and institutional efficiency.

The following images show some examples of questions that MyUMBC’s Answers:

Image: A search bar with the question “What’s the last day of classes?” and underneath the question shows a toggle bar with myUMBC Answers “ON” and a disclaimer “Answers aren’t always accurate, double-check anything important.” The answer to the question is displayed as “May 13, 2025 is the last day of classes for the Spring 2025 semester.” Users can click to indicate if the answer provided was helpful. 

The myUMBC team has been exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can make the platform better for students, faculty, and staff, all while ensuring security and privacy. We are excited to announce that we are improving the search feature, making it easier and quicker for students to find what they need with AI. This helps provide fast, accurate answers to common student questions.

A key focus is helping students access important personal information—like grades, billing statements, and Retriever Card balances—right from the search bar. This means students can find what they need quickly, without having to dig through the system, while knowing their data is protected.

This is just the beginning! We’re looking at how AI can further improve the myUMBC experience, from academic support to campus life to create a more efficient and personalized platform for students. 

Please remember to verify any information before you take action. At this time, please be aware that answers are focused on student-related scenarios. Faculty/Staff-related answers are still in development. If you identify any mistakes, please let us know using the “Was this useful” feature at the bottom of each answer.

If you have any questions or comments, let us know here.