The document summarizes the new features in Blackboard 8 including enhancements to the Grade Center, new grading calculations and reports, self and peer assessments, plagiarism prevention with SafeAssign, improved content management and discussion boards, and a redesigned interface. Blackboard will be updated starting July 13th and unavailable until the 15th, with new courses generated on August 1st and instructor courses available August 18th-22nd.