Category Announcements


Final Exams & Grading Resources Spring 2025

Hello from your Center for Instructional Technology! We wanted to share some valuable resources about Blackboard exam best practices and final grading information. These links are largely from CIT’s Knowledge Base and cover a range of topics to help manage your end-of-term processes. If you would like help with these or other instructional technology needs, please email cit@ua.edu. …


Known Issue – Turnitin Maintenance 03-29-25

Turnitin and Turnitin Draft Coach will be unavailable to all users during an emergency maintenance window. If you have any questions, please contact the Center for Instructional Technology.


Known Issue – Panopto Scheduled Maintenance 4-12-25

Panopto will be unavailable to all users during a scheduled maintenance window. This maintenance will improve their cloud infrastructure. View Panopto’s Cloud Upgrade FAQ article for more information. If you have any specific questions, please contact the Center for Instructional Technology.


A Message from the Provost | Blackboard Ultra

From: Office for Academic Affairs <academicaffairs@ua.edu>Sent: Monday, March 3, 2025 9:01 AMTo:Subject: A Message from the Provost | Blackboard Ultra Dear Faculty,‌‌ The University of Alabama has been transitioning to Blackboard Ultra as the University’s enterprise-supported learning management system (LMS) since 2022. This transition is an important part of creating a more student-centered university and brings many benefits…


Blackboard Scheduled Downtime 12-21-24

Anthology (Blackboard’s parent company) will be performing scheduled maintenance. This maintenance will ensure optimal performance, security, and up-to-date technology. Expected downtime: 6 hours Impact: UA’s Blackboard will be unavailable to all users during this maintenance. When: December 21, 2024 ; start time 1:16 AM Please contact the Center for Instructional Technology if you have questions…


Known Issue – Respondus tests and Mac Keyboards

There is a known issue where pressing the function key that leads to the emoji menu can cause a freeze for the keyboard (Mac users). This issue will be resolved by Respondus within the next few weeks. Until then, students must perform a hard shut down on the device, then start LockDown Browser again. Contact…


Ultra course Messages options now available

Instructors can now adjust message settings in Ultra Course View. They can set the following limits on messages within the course: Students can message anyone in their course Students can only message staff and students in their groups Students can only message staff Students can only reply to messages Turn all messages off, which sends…


July 2024 Instructor News from the Center for Instructional Technology 

Hello from your colleagues in CIT! Below, you’ll find announcements and events to assist you with teaching and learning needs. Join CIT for the 2024 Faculty Prep Days, August 15 & 16 Save the date to join The Center for Instructional Technology to get your Fall courses polished and ready to go. CIT is hosting…


Fall 2024 Faculty Prep Days

SAVE THE DATE: Fall Faculty Prep Days August 15 & 16 Join The Center for Instructional Technology to get your Fall courses polished and ready to go. CIT is hosting two days of workshops and one-on-one technical and pedagogical assistance to get you ready for the Fall semester. CIT will share more information about the event,…