Blackboard Ultra (Faculty) - Course Content: Add Image

This article outlines the steps for faculty to add an image to a content area in Blackboard Ultra.

Adding an Image to a Content Area

This article demonstrates how to add an image to a content area within your Blackboard Ultra course in two ways: upload an image from your computer or embed one from the web.

Uploading an Image from Your Computer

  1. Navigate to the desired content area within your Blackboard Ultra course.
  2. Click the + icon where you want to add the image.

    The first item on the horizontal bar labeled "Content" is highlighted. Below the title Course Content, is a small gray circle with a plus (+) sign in it. Click the plus sign to reveal the content drop-down menu.

  3. Select Create.

    The drop-down reveals multiple options to add course content. The first option is highlighted and labelled "Create" with a plus sign in a circle icon.

  4. Select Document in the Course Content Item menu on the right side of your screen.

    The second item on the Create Item menu is highlighted. It says Document and there is a black icon of a paper with lines on it.

  5. Select the Image icon.

    This menu features various types of content to add. The picture icon labeled Image is highlighted.

  6. You have three options to insert an image:
    • Upload from Device: To upload an image from your device, select Upload from Device from the drop-down menu. Drag an image file or click upload file to browse your files and locate your desired image. Click Next.

      The Upload from Device item is selected in the Image Source drop-down menu. There is a gray box where you can drag files or an upload file button. The Next button in the lower right corner is highlighted also.

    • Insert stock image from Unsplash: Select Stock Images from Unsplash and type in your search terms. Click on the stock image of your choice and then select next. 

      Image source selected is stock images from unsplash. There is a search bar to put in your search terms and a search button to the right. Images are displayed and the Next button is highlighted in the lower right corner.

    • Generate images with AI: Select Generate images in the image source drop-down menu. Describe your image and click the Generate button. Please note that it may take a few minutes for your AI image to generate. Click Next.

      Two sparkle icons represent the image source selection of Generate Images. There is a search bar beneath that to type in your image description and a button with the same sparkle icon labled Generate. The AI-generated image will appear in the blank space below that, and they next button in the lower right is highlighted.

  7. To configure your image, set the aspect ratio and adjust the zoom, if desired. Click Save.

    The Edit File Options menu requires a display name. Below that there is a rectangle where you can type a caption and a radio button to put the caption above or below the image. The File Options below that allow you to select view and download, view only, and download only. The Accessibility section advises you to write alternative text for your images with a hyperlink to a resource to help you with this. There is a box to type your alternative text and a check box where you can mark the image as decorative (no alt text needed). The cancel and save buttons are in the lower right corner. The save button is highlighted.

  8. Your image will be added to the Course Content area as a document. Click the Title block of the image to open the image.

    Your newly added image will appear under course content. There is a document icon and tht title of the image added to the content area. There is also a drop-down menu to make the content visible or hidden from students.

Embedding an Image from the Web

  1. Navigate to the desired content area within your Blackboard Ultra course. Click the + icon where you want to add the image.

    The first item on the horizontal bar labeled "Content" is highlighted. Below the title Course Content, is a small gray circle with a plus (+) sign in it. Click the plus sign to reveal the content drop-down menu.

  2. Select Create.

    The drop-down reveals multiple options to add course content. The first option is highlighted and labelled "Create" with a plus sign in a circle icon.

  3. Click the HTML icon (</>).

    The content block menu is shown with the HTML option highlighted. The HTML icon is a left-facing carrot and a right-facing carrot with a slash in between.

  4. In the text box, paste the URL of the image you want to embed. Click outside of the textbox for your image to appear (instead of the embed code). 
  5. Click Save.
  6. To configure your image, set the aspect ratio and adjust the zoom, if desired. Click Save.

    The Edit File Options menu requires a display name. Below that there is a rectangle where you can type a caption and a radio button to put the caption above or below the image. The File Options below that allow you to select view and download, view only, and download only. The Accessibility section advises you to write alternative text for your images with a hyperlink to a resource to help you with this. There is a box to type your alternative text and a check box where you can mark the image as decorative (no alt text needed). The cancel and save buttons are in the lower right corner. The save button is highlighted.

  7. The image will be embedded in the content area.

    Your newly added image will appear under course content. There is a document icon and tht title of the image added to the content area. There is also a drop-down menu to make the content visible or hidden from students.

Accessibility Considerations

When adding images, remember to provide alternative text (alt text) for students using screen readers. Alt text should accurately describe the content of the image. Find more information about this in the Accessible Syllabus Template section of the ITS Teaching Toolkit.

Need Additional Support?

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact the ITS Help Desk:

This guide aims to provide useful information, but as technology changes, interfaces or steps might vary. Please use the Comment button to let us know if anything differs from your experience. Your feedback helps us keep this information accurate. Thank you!


Keywords:
Blackboard Ultra, Faculty, Content Area, Image, Add Image, Insert Image, Embed Image, Insert picture, Add picture, embed picture, embed, Bb, ultra, blackboard, Bb ultra 
Doc ID:
155515
Owned by:
Jeff P. in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Created:
2025-10-13
Updated:
2025-12-01
Sites:
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville