Blackboard Ultra (Faculty) - Content Release Conditions

Content Release Conditions in Blackboard Ultra allow instructors to set rules that control when students can access specific course materials. This ensures students engage with content in a planned sequence.

Setting Content Release Conditions

Release conditions (formerly known as "Adaptive Release") allow you to control when students can access content. You can set conditions based on:

  • Membership in a course group
  • Date
  • Activity

Adding Release Conditions to an Item or Folder

To add release conditions to an item (e.g., assignment, test, journal, discussion, etc.) or folder in your course:

  1. Navigate to the item you want to set the condition on.
  2. Click the drop-down menu beneath the title of the item.
  3. Select "Release conditions" from the drop-down menu.

    The drop-down menu allows you to set the visibility of the item or set the release conditions (third option).

  4. In the "Release conditions" panel, you can choose to release the content when one or more conditions are met by creating rules.
  5. Click the pencil icon next to the Rule title to edit and customize it.
  6. Choose which course members and groups will have access to this content. 

    Select the members the rule applies to using the buttons next to All or specific members or groups. Use the drop-down menus to add individual members or groups.

  7. Choose the type of condition you want to add:
    • Date: Allow access to the item on a specific date or during a specific date range. Click the checkbox next to Date. Select "Access from" and/or "Access until". Use the drop-down menus to select a date and time.

      The Date/Time option has check boxes next to "Access from" and "Access until" with drop-down menus to set the dates and times for each.

    • Activity: Release the content based on a student's activity on another item in the course. Click the check box next to Activity, select the item you want to set the release conditions upon, and specify the requirement (Opened, Attempt submitted, Custom range, or 1 point or higher).

      Use the drop-down menu on the left to select an item from the course. Use the drop-down menu on the right to set the requirement on that item.

    • After adding all your release conditions, click Save.

  8. The newly created rule is now displayed on the left side of the panel. 
  9. Determine if you want the item to appear before course members meet the release conditions. Select Show to make the item visible, but inaccessible, to students until the conditions are met. Select Hide to keep the item hidden until conditions are met. 

    Use the radio buttons under "Item Conditions" to choose when you want the item to appear. Options are Show or Hide.

  10. To add more release conditions on the same item, click the Add new rule button. 

Removing Content Release Conditions on a Folder or Item

To remove release conditions on a folder or item (e.g., assignment, test, journal, discussion, etc.):

  1. Navigate to the item or folder with the release condition you want to remove.
  2. Click "Edit release conditions" under the item's title.

    If an item has release conditions set on it, select the hyperlink text "Edit release conditions" to open the settings panel and adjust them.

  3. In the "Release conditions" panel, click the trash can icon next to the condition you want to remove.
  4. Click Save.

Setting Forced Sequence on a Module

Learning modules let students navigate from one content item to the next without distractions or extra clicks. You can set a forced sequence to a module to make sure students know which content to access and in what order. 

To require students to advance in sequence:

  1. Locate the desired Module on the Course Content page.
  2. Click the ellipsis (...) and select Edit from the drop-down menu.
  3. In the settings panel, click the checkbox next to Forced Sequence.

    Selecting "Forced Sequence" requires students to advance through the learning modules in order.

  4. Click Save. 

 

Important Considerations

  • If you are using multiple release conditions, students must meet all conditions before the content becomes available. Only the first condition is displayed to students.
  • If you set a folder for release on a specific date, students can't expand or view the contents in the folder until that date, even if you make the folder visible before students have access. After the release date, if all the contents have no date restrictions, students can view content in the folder.
  • Release conditions won't work if you delete the content a condition is based on. You will receive an alert on the Course Content page that students are unable to access content. Open the Release Conditions panel to update your settings.
  • You cannot modify the release conditions once students have begun submitting the item.
  • You can remove release conditions at any time.
  • A course link cannot be added to a learning module when forced sequence is activated.

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, Content Release Conditions, Adaptive Release, Conditional Release, Release Conditions, Learning Modules, Course Content, Blackboard, Ultra 
Doc ID:
155525
Owned by:
Jeff P. in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Created:
2025-10-13
Updated:
2026-05-21
Sites:
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville