Blackboard Ultra (Faculty) - Content Area: Link or Embed Video

Learn how to add video content to your Blackboard Ultra course content area by either linking to an external video or embedding it directly.

Linking to a Video

Linking to a video allows users to click on a URL that will take them directly to the video on YuJa or view a video in Blackboard if using the Embed Media option.

  1. Navigate to the video on YuJa.
  2. In YuJa, find the "More" option listed in the thumbnail menu.

    YuJa video thumbnail menu with More... circled

  3. Locate "Link" on the video menu.

    YuJa video menu with Links circled

  4. Click the "Direct Link" option.
  5. Copy the entire direct link by clicking on the overlapping squares on the right side of the Direct Link field.

    YuJa Link window with Direct Link copy button circled on the right side of the code field.
  6. In Blackboard Ultra, navigate to the content area where you want to add the link, then click the purple plus.
  7. Click Create from the drop-down list.

    Bb Ultra add menu with Create circled at the top


  8. Select "Link" from the side menu that opens on the right.

    Create Item menu with Link circles

  9. In the "Link URL" field, paste the video's URL. Open in a new window will be selected by default. Also, be sure to set the web link Visible to students.

    New Link window in Blackboard with Display name and Link URL circled

  10. Add a title in the "Display Name" field.
  11. Click "Save".
  12. Click "Save" on the New Link window.

Embedding a Video

Embedding a video allows the video to play directly within the Blackboard Ultra content area without navigating away from the page.

  1. Navigate to the video on its hosting platform (e.g.YuJa).
  2. In YuJa, find the "More" option listed in the thumbnail menu.

    YuJa video thumbnail menu with More... circled

  3. Locate "Link" on the video menu. 

    YuJa video menu with Links circled

  4. Click the "Embed Code" option. This will typically display HTML code.
  5. Copy the entire embed code by clicking on the overlapping squares on the right side of the Embed Code field.

    YuJa Link window with Embed Code copy button circled on the right side of the code field.

  6. In Blackboard Ultra, navigate to the content area where you want to embed the video.
  7. Click the Purple plus button and select Create from the drop-down list.

    Add content menu with Create circled at the top

  8. Select "Document" from the side menu that opens on the right.

    Create Item menu with Document circled

  9. In the "Document," Select a type of content to add a block menu, then click Content.

    Select a type of Content menu with Content circled

  10. In the content toolbar, click the circle with the plus and select Embed Media from the drop-down list.

    Content editor with the plus selected and Embed Media circled in the drop-down menu

  11. Paste the embed code into the "Media link" field.

    Insert Media from Web window with Media URL and Alternative text fields circled. Insert is circled at the bottom.

  12. Add a short description in the "Alternative Text" field.
  13. Click "Insert".
  14. You can add a heading above the video if you will include more than one video for that module.
  15. Content blocks can be resized by clicking and dragging the side handle to arrange in column formations.

    Content block with the handlebar for resizing identified with an arrow on the right.

Troubleshooting

  • Video Not Playing: Ensure the video's privacy settings on the hosting platform allow embedding. Private videos may not play within Blackboard.
  • Incorrect Embed Code: Double-check that you have copied the complete embed code from the hosting platform.

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, video, embed, link, content area, faculty, instructor, YuJa, yuja, Bb, Ultra, Blackboard, video 
Doc ID:
155523
Owned by:
Jeff P. in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Created:
2025-10-13
Updated:
2026-02-12
Sites:
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville