Author Dr. Rachel Thompson


Instructional Technology News – July 14, 2020

Zoom Update Please regularly update the Zoom client installed on your computer. Zoom regularly publishes updates to keep the software secure. Zoom’s website offers instructions on how to update the software. Vendor Webinars CIT is hosting many webinars to prep instructors for fall, and so are our software partners. Visit the CIT website to see…


Inline Grading now using Bb Annotate

Blackboard Annotate has replaced the Box View inline grading tool previously found in Blackboard. Bb Annotate offers a more robust feature set for you to provide customizable feedback to your students, including a sidebar summary view, freehand drawing tools, various color selections, and more… Download your Quick Start Guide: Bb Annotate Quick Start Guide for Instructors (Original…


Collaborate Ultra Maintenance on July 9, 2020

Blackboard will be performing scheduled infrastructure maintenance for Collaborate Ultra on Thursday, July 9, 2020 from 1:00 AM – 5:00 AM. Collaborate Ultra customers will experience intermittent availability during this time.


Panopto Software Upgrade

Friday, July 17 Panopto will require the Panopto recorder application to be upgraded to version 7.1 or above.  If your version of Panopto is not 7.1 or greater, you will need to update the recorder application. Upon opening the application on July 17, users will be prompted to update the software. Panopto’s website offers instructions…


Zoom to Require Passcodes or Waiting Rooms

Beginning Sept. 27, Zoom will require that all meetings have a passcode or a waiting room enabled. Meetings that do not have a passcode or waiting room enabled will automatically be applied a waiting room.  Waiting rooms can be customized to fit the need and audience for your meeting. For more information, visit the Zoom…


Qualtrics – Classic Reports End of Life

Effective June 30, 2020 Qualtrics will no longer support or provide access to Classic Reports. All surveys and data will remain intact. Qualtrics now supports and encourages all users upgrade to the Advanced Reports experience. Advanced Reports offers a number of benefits including a new simplified user experience, better application performance and increased stability in…


Panopto Downtime – June 27, 2020

The Panopto cloud will be updated on June 27th, 2020.  This update will require approximately 3 hours of downtime beginning at 8pm Central Time. During the downtime, users will not be able to access Panopto videos, and any attempts to upload new recordings will result in a “Server unable to connect” message.


Gradescope workshop

Gradescope is now being integrated with UA’s Blackboard Learn system. It is often used for evaluating handwritten responses, programming, diagrams, formulae, and other coursework that can be challenging to assess virtually. Join us for the online workshop and learn how instructors use Gradescope. The workshop will offer guidance on how to deliver assessments remotely and…


UA System Hosts Virtual Scholars Institute

This month The University of Alabama System will be hosting its 13th Annual Scholars Institute. For the first time, this year’s Scholars Institute will take place as a series of online events. The institute kicks off Friday, May 15 at 10am with a virtual presentation offering an overview of how the UA System community is responding…