August 3 Instructor Technology News

• August 3rd, 2023
• in -Instructional Technology News

Fall 2023 Faculty Prep Days

Join the Center for Instructional Technology August 16 and 17 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. Register for a session(s) you would like to attend or drop by and receive one-on-one help setting up your courses. All sessions will take place in Gordon Palmer Hall, Room A232, A236, and A204. Refreshments will be served all day.

Registration is appreciated, but it is not required to attend. Questions? Contact us at 205-348-3532 or cit@ua.edu.

View the complete schedule and register online at https://cit.ua.edu/fall-2023-faculty-prep-days/.

Changes to Third-Party Integrations in Blackboard Learn

We continue to make the necessary changes to third-party tools in Blackboard Learn, including several textbook publisher tools. We are working closely with each vendor to document any changes in the workflow or appearance of these tools. Instructors may also be contacted by textbook providers if adjustments are needed to the steps instructors must follow to use these digital resources in Blackboard Learn.

Stay up to date as we make these changes by subscribing to the CIT Announcements page.

Collaborate End of Use

Class Collaborate will be removed from Blackboard Learn on Aug 10. UA departments using Class Collaborate OUTSIDE of Blackboard may still access Class Collaborate until Sept 30. CIT suggests instructors use Zoom or Teams for synchronous class meetings and Panopto for lecture capture.

Join CIT for the Using Microsoft Teams Meetings for virtual class webinar on Monday, August 7 at 12:00pm.

Using MS Teams and Zoom conferencing for online sessions in your courses

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Instructional Tech Resources and Reminders

The CIT Knowledge Base is your clearinghouse for tutorials, known issues, and best practices.

Getting Started with Blackboard (includes helpful links for start of semester)

Blackboard Browser Checker

Ultra Course View Pilot Continues 

Instructors interested in teaching with Ultra Course View in an upcoming academic term should submit a request via the CIT portal: Blackboard Learn Ultra LIVE Course Pilot Request.

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Upcoming Learning Opportunities

We have been hard at work putting together workshops and webinars to meet the needs of UA faculty and instructors! Most August sessions are listed below, but keep up to date on all the training sessions at https://cit.ua.edu/workshops/

Teaching with Blackboard

These CIT-led workshops and webinars aim to help you get started with and get the most out of Blackboard Learn, UA’s learning management system. Upcoming sessions include:

• Teaching with Blackboard: Blackboard Learn Basics, Thursday, August 3, 2023, 3:00 – 4:00 PM – Meets online via Microsoft Teams
• Teaching with Blackboard: Blackboard Learn Basics, Wednesday, August 9, 2023, 10:00 – 11:00 AM – Meets in A232 Gordon Palmer Hall
• Teaching with Blackboard: Blackboard Learn Basics, Thursday, August 10, 2023, 3:00 – 4:00 PM – Meets online via Microsoft Teams

Register for CIT-led Teaching with Blackboard workshops and webinars.

Teaching with Turnitin Sessions

Turnitin provides tools for grading and peer review and helps deter and prevent plagiarism by checking student-submitted work against an extensive online database. Learn more in these upcoming sessions:

• Teaching with Turnitin: Turnitin Basics, Wednesday, August 9, 2023, 2:00 – 3:00 PM – Meets online via Microsoft Teams
• Teaching with Turnitin: Turnitin Basics, Thursday, August 10, 2023, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Meets in A232 Gordon Palmer Hall

Register for CIT-led Teaching with Turnitin workshops and webinars.

Adobe Professional Faculty Training

These training opportunities, led by Adobe experts, are provided exclusively to UA instructors.

• Academic Faculty Taster Session – August 14 (in person + virtual) – explore how you can supercharge your creativity in Higher Education and learn the essentials of digital creativity, focusing on presentations, podcasting, video, data visualization, and how Adobe tools can support student outcomes. This introductory interactive session will incorporate hands-on learning and live feedback.
• Storytelling with Video – August 18 (virtual only) – This course is perfect for the beginner or as a refresher for anyone wanting to discover how Adobe Premiere Pro can enrich your learners’ creative communication and digital skills. Using storytelling principles and visual language can help convey complex ideas, or explain a strategy, philosophy or method which, in turn, can generate understanding, support, extra funding or further advocacy. During the workshop you’ll create and complete inspiring projects you can take back to the classroom, through active, hands-on learning guided by our expert tutors.
• Student Research Journals Workshop – August 31 (virtual only) – Discover 10 simple steps to create research journals, digital papers, reports and presentations. Learners explore options to create and share their work as an Adobe Creative Cloud Express web page instead of using a word processor or slide deck. 90-minute session.
• Create visuals in Express and Illustrator – Sept. 8. (in person +virtual) – This workshop is a excellent professional development solution to help faculty enhance their students’ communication skills with Adobe Express and Illustrator. We’ll share ideas and resources for infusing creative thinking, communication, collaboration and project-based learning into your classes, and show you how your students can quickly and easily transform essays, student writing, lab reports, posters, worksheets, presentations, and other common classroom projects into creative digital images, dynamic web pages, infographics, videos, posters, visual reports and more. Participants will leave with ready-to-use resources and ideas for the classroom.

Register for Adobe sessions.

Simple Syllabus 

Multiple dates in August offered both In-Person (Gordon Palmer, A232) and Virtually

In this one-hour session of UA’s new syllabus platform, Simple Syllabus, we’ll cover:

• How to access Simple Syllabus
• How to navigate and edit the syllabus
• UA statements included on the syllabus
• Required items to be completed by the instructor
• How to add items to the syllabus
• How to save and submit the syllabus
• How to access the syllabus from Blackboard Learn.

Register for an upcoming session

LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor: Protect the Integrity of Online Tests

This comprehensive training webinar, led by Respondus experts, is intended for instructors who plan to use LockDown Browser and/or Respondus Monitor with online exams. The session provides a detailed demonstration of both applications, including enhancements that make Respondus Monitor even more effective and easy to use.

• Tuesday, August 8, 12:00-1:00 pm
• Tuesday, August 15, 2:00-3:00 pm
• Thursday, August 17, 1:00-2:00 pm

Register for LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor

Respondus 4.0 and the Test Bank Network: Quickly Create Online Exams

Wednesday, August 16, 2:00-3:00 pm

Find out how Respondus 4.0 allows you to create and manage exams that can be printed to paper or published directly to your LMS, and how the Test Bank Network enables instructors to create online tests from official publisher test banks.

Register for Respondus 4.0

Flip Basics  

Thursday, August 24, 12:00-1:00 pm

Explore the features inside Flip, UA’s video discussion tool, and learn how to level up the ways your scholars communicate and share their learning.

Register for Flip Basics

Zoom Basics  

Monday, August 28, 10:00-11:00 am

Learn the basic features for conducting a zoom meeting including an overview of Zoom’s web portal and desktop client, how to schedule a meeting and invite others, and we’ll review the in-meeting host and participant controls.

Register for Zoom Basics

Zoom Advanced 

Tuesday, August 29, 10:00-11:00 am

This CIT instructor led session will explore Zoom features including recurring meetings, breakout rooms, polls, and reports.

Register for Zoom Advanced

Introduction to Panopto 

Tuesday, August 29, 1:00-2:00 pm

Join CIT for a webinar that covers the basics of using the lecture capture and video platform, Panopto.  This webinar is designed for new users and beginners who would like to learn how to use the Panopto interface and recording features.

Register for Introduction to Panopto

Check out more instructional technology workshops at https://cit.ua.edu/workshops/

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As always, we are available Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:45 to help you. We look forward to working with you soon.

Be sure to follow CIT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for news, technology tips, and more!

July 11 Instructional Technology News

• July 11th, 2023
• in -Instructional Technology News

Hello from your Center for Instructional Technology! Below, you’ll find announcements and events to assist you with teaching and learning needs.

Collaborate End of Use

On August 1, 2023, Class Collaborate will be deactivated and no longer available to use at UA. This change does not affect the Blackboard Learn system, only the virtual web conferencing tool, Collaborate. Instructors and program managers should download any needed recordings from Collaborate by August 1, 2023. CIT suggests instructors use Zoom or Teams for synchronous class meetings and Panopto for lecture capture.

Embed video of possible: Using MS Teams and Zoom conferencing for online sessions in your courses

Changes to Third-Party Integrations in Blackboard Learn

We continue to make the changes necessary to connect third-party tools to Blackboard Learn. We are working closely with each vendor to document any changes in the workflow or appearance of these tools.

Stay up to date as we make these changes by subscribing to the CIT Announcements page.

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Upcoming Learning Opportunities

Teaching with Blackboard Sessions

These CIT-led workshops and webinars aim to help you get started with and get the most out of Blackboard Learn, UA’s learning management system. Upcoming sessions include:

• Teaching with Blackboard: Blackboard Learn Basics, Thursday, July 13, 11:00 am-12:00 pm, Online via Microsoft Teams
• Teaching with Blackboard: Blackboard Learn Basics, Wednesday, July 26, 2:00-3:00 pm, A232 Gordon Palmer Hall

Register for CIT-led Teaching with Blackboard workshops and webinars.

Zoom Basics

Monday, July 25, 10:00-11:00 am

Learn the basic features for conducting a zoom meeting including an overview of Zoom’s web portal and desktop client, how to schedule a meeting and invite others, and a review of the in-meeting host and participant controls.

Register for Zoom Basics

Flip Basics

Tuesday, July 25, 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Explore the features inside Flip and learn how to level up the ways your scholars communicate and share their learning. 

Register for Flip Basics

Zoom Advanced

Tuesday, July 26, 10:00-11:00 am

This CIT instructor led session will explore Zoom features including recurring meetings, breakout rooms, polls, and reports.

Register for Zoom Advanced

Adobe Professional Faculty Training

Thank You for responding to the Interest Survey! Based on your feedback, we plan to offer ALL the sessions listed in the survey.  Here’s what’s on the calendar so far:

• Academic Faculty Taster Session – August 14, 11:00 am -12:00 pm (in person + virtual)
• Storytelling with Video – August 18, 10:00 – 11:00 am (virtual only)
• Student Research Journals Workshop – August 31, 10:00 – 11:30 am (virtual only)
• Create Visuals in Express and Illustrator – Sept. 8, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm (in person +virtual)

Register for Adobe training

Simple Syllabus Information Session

Multiple dates in August

In-Person Session (Gordon Palmer, A232) and Virtual

In this one-hour session of UA’s new syllabus platform, Simple Syllabus, we’ll cover:

• How to access Simple Syllabus
• How to navigate and edit the syllabus
• UA statements included on the syllabus
• Required items to be completed by the instructor
• How to add items to the syllabus
• How to save and submit the syllabus
• How to access the syllabus from Blackboard Learn.

Register for an upcoming session

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Fall 2023 Faculty Prep Days

SAVE THE DATE! Time 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.

Workshop offerings along with dates, times and registration information will be posted later this month.

• Wednesday, August 16, 9:00 am – 4:45 pm
• Thursday, August 17, 9:00 am – 4:45 pm

Check out more instructional technology workshops at https://cit.ua.edu/workshops/

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Instructional Tech Resources and Reminders

The CIT Knowledge Base is your clearinghouse for tutorials, known issues, and best practices.

Ultra Course View Pilot Continues

Instructors interested in teaching with Ultra Course View in an upcoming academic term should submit a request via the CIT portal: Blackboard Learn Ultra LIVE Course Pilot Request.

Cleaning Out Older Blackboard Courses

Academic courses in Blackboard Learn are subject to removal two (2) years following the end of the semester in which they are taught per UA’s LMS Course Retention Policy. For example, courses taught in Spring 2023 will be removed after May 2025. Fall 2021 and prior courses are being removed in May 2023. Non-academic courses, referred to as non-integrated courses, are subject to removal following two (2) years of inactivity.

Instructors should save any needed course content or student grades. Students should save any necessary coursework as well. Steps to save content are linked below.

• Save content – Students
• Save content – Instructors

More information on the policy and instructions for backing up Blackboard content are available in the LMS Course Retention Policy FAQ.

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As always, we are available Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:45 to help you. We look forward to working with you soon.

Email – cit@ua.edu

Phone – 205-348-3532

Website and Knowledge Base – http://cit.ua.edu

Fall 2023 Faculty Prep Days

• July 6th, 2023
• in -Instructional Technology News, Announcements

Registration is appreciated, but it is not required to attend. Questions? Contact us at 205-348-3532 or cit@ua.edu.

Schedule of events: 

Faculty Prep Day 1 Sessions – Wednesday, August 16

LockDown Browser & Respondus Monitor | 9:00 – 9:45 AM. – A236 Gordon Palmer Hall

Teaching with Turnitin: Turnitin Basics | 9:00 – 9:45 AM. – A232 Gordon Palmer Hall

Introduction to Panopto | 10:00 – 10:45 AM. – A232 Gordon Palmer Hall

Hypothesis 101: Learn More About Social Annotation | 10:00 – 10:45 AM. – A236 Gordon Palmer Hall

Using Gradescope with Blackboard | 11:00 – 11:45 AM. – A236 Gordon Palmer Hall

Digital Storytelling for the Classroom | 11:00 – 11:45 AM. – A232 Gordon Palmer Hall

Simple Syllabus Info and Support Session | 1:00 – 1:45 PM. – A232 Gordon Palmer Hall

Blackboard Learn 101 | 1:00 – 1:45 PM. – A236 Gordon Palmer Hall

Teaching with Blackboard Ally: Creating Accessible Course Content | 2:00 – 2:45 PM. –  A236 Gordon Palmer Hall

Blackboard Learn: Grading and Managing the Gradebook | 2:00 – 2:45 PM. – A232 Gordon Palmer Hall

Blackboard Learn: Creating Assessments | 3:00 – 3:45 PM. – A232 Gordon Palmer Hall

Flip Basics | 3:00 – 3:45 PM. –  A236 Gordon Palmer Hall

Blackboard Learn: Fostering Student Engagement | 4:00 – 4:45 PM. – A232 Gordon Palmer Hall

Using PointSolutions for Polling in the Classroom | 4:00 – 4:45 PM. – A236 Gordon Palmer Hall

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Faculty Prep Day 2 Sessions  – Thursday, August 17

Blackboard Learn 101 | 9:00 – 9:45 AM. – A232 Gordon Palmer Hall

Teaching with Blackboard Ally: Creating Accessible Course Content | 9:00 – 9:45 AM. –  A236 Gordon Palmer Hall

Using PointSolutions for Polling in the Classroom | 10:00 – 10:45 AM. – A236 Gordon Palmer Hall

Blackboard Learn: Grading and Managing the Gradebook | 10:00 – 10:45 AM. – A232 Gordon Palmer Hall

Blackboard Learn: Creating Assessments | 11:00 – 11:45 AM. – A232 Gordon Palmer Hall

Flip Basics | 11:00 – 11:45 AM. –  A236 Gordon Palmer Hall

Blackboard Learn: Fostering Student Engagement | 1:00 – 1:45 PM. –  A232 Gordon Palmer Hall

LockDown Browser & Respondus Monitor | 1:00 – 1:45 PM. –  A236 Gordon Palmer Hall

Hypothesis 101: Learn More About Social Annotation | 2:00 – 2:45 PM. –  A236 Gordon Palmer Hall

Introduction to Panopto | 2:00 – 2:45 PM. –  A232 Gordon Palmer Hall

Using Gradescope with Blackboard | 3:00 – 3:45 PM. –  A236 Gordon Palmer Hall

Digital Storytelling for the Classroom | 3:00 – 3:45 AM. – A232 Gordon Palmer Hall

Teaching with Turnitin: Turnitin Basics | 4:00 – 4:45 AM. – A236 Gordon Palmer Hall

June 9 Instructor Instructional Technology News

• June 9th, 2023
• in -Instructional Technology News

Hello from your Center for Instructional Technology! Below, you’ll find announcements and events to assist you with teaching and learning needs.

Changes to Third-Party Integrations in Blackboard Learn 

Anthology, Blackboard’s parent company, has announced a major change in the methods used to connect third-party tools to Blackboard Learn (examples: publisher resources, digital textbooks, and most other non-Blackboard tools accessed via Blackboard). Because of this change, many of the third-party tools must move to a newer integration method in Blackboard Learn by the end of 2023. The move to a new integration method will work differently for each of the third-party tools and services.

In some cases, instructors and students will not experience any differences in how they use the third-party tools. In other cases, the third-party tool may have a different workflow or changes in available functions.

We are working closely with each vendor to document any changes in the workflow or appearance of these tools.

Stay up to date as we make these changes by subscribing to the CIT Announcements page.

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Adobe Professional Faculty Training 

BRAND NEW and EXCLUSIVE! 

Adobe has invited the University of Alabama to participate in an exclusive opportunity for custom faculty training. We value your opinion and request your participation in a brief interest survey to help shape this program. The survey includes a schedule of training sessions planned for August and September, along with a list of potential course offerings. Your input is crucial in determining which sessions will be included in the program. Please take a moment to provide us with your valuable feedback. We sincerely appreciate your time.

Please fill out this Microsoft Form to provide your feedback.

(Please complete by 5:00 pm, Friday, June 23, 2023)

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Upcoming Learning Opportunities 

Simple Syllabus Information Session 

Tuesday, June 13, 10:00-11:00 am | In-Person Session (Gordon Palmer, A232) and Virtual

In this one-hour session of UA’s new syllabus platform, Simple Syllabus, we’ll cover:

• How to access Simple Syllabus
• How to navigate and edit the syllabus
• UA statements included on the syllabus
• Required items to be completed by the instructor
• How to add items to the syllabus
• How to save and submit the syllabus
• How to access the syllabus from Blackboard Learn.

Register for this session or an upcoming session

Getting Started with Gradescope 

Thursday, June 15, 12:00-1:00 pm 

This one-hour virtual workshop is led by a Gradescope expert! It will focus on how you can use Gradescope to deliver and grade your assignments that are paper-based, fully online, and a combination of the two.

Register for Getting Started with Gradescope

Zoom Basics

Monday, June 19, 10:00-11:00 am

Learn the basic features for conducting a zoom meeting including an overview of Zoom’s web portal and desktop client, how to schedule a meeting and invite others, and we’ll review the in-meeting host and participant controls.

Register for Zoom Basics

Zoom Advanced 

Tuesday, June 20, 10:00-11:00 am

This CIT instructor led session will explore Zoom features including recurring meetings, breakout rooms, polls, and reports.

Register for Zoom Advanced

People.ua.edu workshop 

Wednesday, June 21, 10:00-11:30 am

Create your professional faculty website using our easy, drag and drop web platform. Pre-registration required at http://people.ua.edu.

Teaching with Blackboard: Blackboard Learn Basics 

Webinars Wednesday, June 21, 2:00-3:00 pm and Tuesday, June 27, 11:00 am-12:00pm

Classroom sessions Thursday, June 22, 11:00 am-12:00 pm and Wednesday, June 28, 2:00-3:00 pm

This fast-paced session provides a high-level overview of Blackboard Learn, UA’s learning management system. Learn the basics of navigating, creating course content, communicating and interacting with students, conducting assessments, managing grades, utilizing integrated instructional technology tools, and more.

Register for CIT-led Blackboard Learn Basics workshops and webinars.

NEW WORKSHOP ALERT!!

Using Adobe Portfolio in the classroom for any academic subject 

Thursday, June 22, 1:00-2:00pm 

Give your students the creative tools they need to build unique student portfolios in your classroom. Join the Center for Instructional Technology for an overview of Adobe Portfolio. Learn how students can easily create and optimize an online portfolio to fit your class requirements. Adobe Portfolio enables students to quickly and simply build a website to showcase their work. No web design knowledge required.

In this workshop you will:

• See examples of how students are using Adobe Portfolio for education
• Discus suggested steps for incorporating the use of Portfolio in the classroom
• Learn the basics to getting started with using Adobe portfolio and follow along as the presenter creates and publishes a Portfolio

Register for Using Adobe Portfolio in the classroom

Check out more instructional technology workshops online at cit.ua.edu.

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Instructional Tech Resources and Reminders

The CIT Knowledge Base is your clearinghouse for tutorials, known issues, and best practices.

Summer and Fall 2023 Syllabi in Simple Syllabus  

UA’s new online syllabus platform, Simple Syllabus, launched April 17. All sections must have a syllabus published in Simple by the first day of classes. Instructors will receive reminders to complete their syllabi a week before and on the first day of the term. Syllabi include required course and section information, as well as institutional and, in some cases, college-specific statements and policies. Instructors should add and edit section-specific information using Simple’s built-in editor, which allows for text formatting, links, videos, images, tables, and more. Simple Syllabus is available through myBama, Blackboard Learn, or direct login. For information about creating and sharing a syllabus, adding Simple Syllabus to Blackboard Learn, or registering for a support session, visit CIT’s Simple Syllabus support resources.

Ultra Course View Pilot Continues 

Instructors interested in teaching with Ultra Course View in an upcoming academic term should submit a request via the CIT portal: Blackboard Learn Ultra LIVE Course Pilot Request.

Cleaning Out Older Blackboard Courses 

Academic courses in Blackboard Learn are subject to removal two (2) years following the end of the semester in which they are taught per UA’s LMS Course Retention Policy. For example, courses taught in Spring 2023 will be removed after May 2025. Fall 2021 and prior courses are being removed in May 2023. Non-academic courses, referred to as non-integrated courses, are subject to removal following two (2) years of inactivity.

Instructors should save any needed course content or student grades. Students should save any necessary coursework as well. Steps to save content are linked below.

• Save content – Students
• Save content – Instructors

More information on the policy and instructions for backing up Blackboard content are available in the LMS Course Retention Policy FAQ.

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As always, we are available Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:45 to help you. We look forward to working with you soon.

Email – cit@ua.edu

Phone – 205-348-3532

Website and Knowledge Base – http://cit.ua.edu

May 12 Instructional Technology News

• May 12th, 2023
• in -Instructional Technology News

May 12 Instructor News from the Center for Instructional Technology 

Hello from your Center for Instructional Technology! Below, you’ll find announcements and events to assist you with teaching and learning needs.  

Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Join colleagues from across campus and around the world to celebrate the 12th annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Thursday, May 18, 2023! The purpose of Global Accessibility Awareness Day is to get everyone talking, thinking, and learning about digital access to make our campus and world communities more inclusive and equitable. This FREE event is sponsored by the University of Alabama Office of Information Technology’s Center for Instructional Technology and the Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education.

See a full of listing in-person and virtual sessions taking place at UA on May 18.

Register to join us in person or online.

Turnitin Interface Changes 

IMPORTANT COURSE COPY INFORMATION: On May 11, 2022, we updated the method used for connecting Blackboard to Turnitin. This update brings some user interface changes, but the service retains the same features. The new connection method allows for more seamless system updates in the future and offers an improved student submission process. 

CIT will make the old Turnitin assignments completely unavailable on Monday, May 15, 2023. This news is especially important for faculty copying one course to another (reusing material).  Turnitin Assignments created with the Assignment tool will no longer function. Faculty must recreate the assignment using the Build Content tool. See the following article “New Turnitin Interface” in CIT’s Knowledge Base for complete details. 

Summer and Fall 2023 Syllabi in Simple Syllabus  

UA’s new online syllabus platform, Simple Syllabus, launched April 17. All sections must have a syllabus published in Simple by the first day of classes. Instructors will receive reminders to complete their syllabi a week before and on the first day of the term. Syllabi include required course and section information, as well as institutional and, in some cases, college-specific statements and policies. Instructors should add and edit section-specific information using Simple’s built-in editor, which allows for text formatting, links, videos, images, tables, and more. Simple Syllabus is available through myBama, Blackboard Learn, or direct login. For information about creating and sharing a syllabus, adding Simple Syllabus to Blackboard Learn, or registering for a support session, visit CIT’s Simple Syllabus support resources. 

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Upcoming Learning Opportunities 

Simple Syllabus Information Sessions 

• In Person Sessions in A232 Gordon Palmer Hall:  

• Thursday, 5/25, 10AM 

• Virtual Sessions in Microsoft Teams: 

• Tuesday, 5/23, 3PM 

• Register for a Simple Syllabus session 

Simple Syllabus Support Appointments Available 

If you prefer individual help to set up Simple Syllabus, request a Simple Syllabus appointment. 

Educause – exploring the 2023 Horizon Report  

May 16, 2023 – 12-1:00pm 

This webinar will explore the trends, challenges, and key technology developments identified by a panel of global experts in the 2023 Horizon Report: Teaching and Learning Edition. Register for Educause – exploring the 2023 Horizon Report at events.ua.edu.  

Flip Basics 

May 17th, 10:00-11:00 am 

Explore the features inside Flip and learn how to level up the ways your scholars communicate and share their learning. 

Find more details and register for Flip here.

 Check out more instructional technology workshops at https://cit.ua.edu/workshops/  

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Instructional Tech Resources and Reminders 

The CIT Knowledge Base is your clearinghouse for tutorials, known issues, and best practices.  

Ultra Course View Pilot Continues 

Instructors interested in teaching with Ultra Course View in an upcoming academic term should submit a request via the CIT portal: Blackboard Learn Ultra LIVE Course Pilot Request.  

Collaborate End of Use 

On August 1, 2023, Class Collaborate will be deactivated and no longer available to use at UA. This change does not affect the Blackboard Learn system, only the virtual web conferencing tool, Collaborate. Instructors and program managers should download any needed recordings from Collaborate by August 1, 2023. CIT suggests instructors use Zoom or Teams for synchronous class meetings and Panopto for lecture capture.  

Cleaning Out Older Blackboard Courses 

Academic courses in Blackboard Learn are subject to removal two (2) years following the end of the semester in which they are taught per UA’s LMS Course Retention Policy. For example, courses taught in Spring 2023 will be removed after May 2025. Fall 2021 and prior courses are being removed in May 2023. Non-academic courses, referred to as non-integrated courses, are subject to removal following two (2) years of inactivity. 

Instructors should save any needed course content or student grades. Students should save any necessary coursework as well. Steps to save content are linked below. 

• Save content – Students 
• Save content – Instructors 

More information on the policy and instructions for backing up Blackboard content are available in the LMS Course Retention Policy FAQ. 

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As always, we are available Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:45 to help you. We look forward to working with you soon. 

Email – cit@ua.edu 

Phone – 205-348-3532 

Website and Knowledge Base – http://cit.ua.edu 

April 28 Instructional Technology News

• April 28th, 2023
• in -Instructional Technology News, Announcements

Hello from your Center for Instructional Technology! Below, you’ll find announcements and events to assist you with teaching and learning needs.  

Summer and Fall 2023 Syllabi in Simple Syllabus  

UA’s new online syllabus platform, Simple Syllabus, launched April 17. All sections must have a syllabus published in Simple by the first day of classes. Instructors will receive initial reminders to complete their Summer 2023 syllabi on May 1. Syllabi include required course and section information, as well as institutional and, in some cases, college-specific statements and policies. Instructors should add and edit section-specific information using Simple’s built-in editor, which allows for text formatting, links, videos, images, tables, and more. Simple Syllabus is available through myBama, Blackboard Learn, or direct login. For information about creating and sharing a syllabus, adding Simple Syllabus to Blackboard Learn, or registering for a support session, visit CIT’s Simple Syllabus support resources. 

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Upcoming Learning Opportunities 

Simple Syllabus Information Sessions 

In Person Sessions in A232 Gordon Palmer Hall:  

• Thursday, 5/4, 2PM 
• Friday, 5/12, 9AM 
• Thursday, 5/25, 10AM 

Virtual Sessions in Microsoft Teams: 

• Wednesday, 5/3, 10AM 
• Monday, 5/8, 3PM 
• Tuesday, 5/23, 3PM 

Register for a session 

Simple Syllabus Support Appointments Available 

If you prefer individual help to set up Simple Syllabus, request an appointment. 

Blackboard/Anthology Digital Teaching Symposium  

On Thursday, May 4, 2023, we hope you can join us online for a full day of free, peer-led virtual sessions on digital teaching strategies for the unique needs of 2023 and beyond. The Digital Teaching Symposium brings educators together to share and discover innovative uses of technology in an ever-changing teaching environment. Explore ways to keep learners engaged, foster innovation, and develop strategies to help you and your students navigate, excel, and thrive in a shifting higher education landscape.  

Digital Teaching Symposium Registration and agenda 

Gradescope – Stories from the Classroom 

Join the Gradescope team on May 8th, 2:00-3:00 pm, to discover how other instructors use Gradescope to:  

• Design formative and summative assessments without constraints around logistics and grading capacity. 
• Develop smarter workflows to help instructors, whether grading alone or coordinating a multi-section course with 20+ graders. 
• Gain insights you need to support student learning, understand trends, and improve teaching. 

Registration is required – Gradescope Registration 

Activating Annotation in Blackboard with Hypothesis 

On May 9, 12:00-1:00 pm, the Hypothesis team will share how teachers are using annotation-powered reading to help students develop foundational academic skills like deep reading and persuasive writing. In addition to sharing pedagogical best practices for social annotation, we will demonstrate how Hypothesis is used with course readings in your LMS. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how to start incorporating social annotation into their courses to improve student outcomes. Register online  

Check out more instructional technology workshops at https://cit.ua.edu/workshops/  

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Instructional Tech Resources and Reminders 

The CIT Knowledge Base is your clearinghouse for tutorials, known issues, and best practices: 

• Testing Tips for Instructors 
• Adding extended-time or another test accommodation in Blackboard? 
• Enter Final grades in Blackboard 
• Import Final grades from Blackboard into myBama 
• Add a reason for non-attendance grade in myBama 
• Blackboard grade import FAQ 

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Ultra Course View Pilot Continues 

Instructors interested in teaching with Ultra Course View in an upcoming academic term should submit a request via the CIT portal: Blackboard Learn Ultra LIVE Course Pilot Request.  

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Collaborate End of Use 

On August 1, 2023, Class Collaborate will be deactivated and no longer available to use at UA. This change does not affect the Blackboard Learn system, only the virtual web conferencing tool, Collaborate. Instructors and program managers should download any needed recordings from Collaborate by August 1, 2023. CIT suggests instructors use Zoom or Teams for synchronous class meetings and Panopto for lecture capture.  

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Cleaning Out Older Blackboard Courses 

Academic courses in Blackboard Learn are subject to removal two (2) years following the end of the semester in which they are taught per UA’s LMS Course Retention Policy. For example, courses taught in Spring 2023 will be removed after May 2025. Courses taught prior to Spring 2021 are now eligible for removal. Spring 2021 courses will be removed starting in May 2023. Non-academic courses, referred to as non-integrated courses, are subject to removal following two (2) years of inactivity. 

Instructors should save any needed course content or student grades. Students should save any necessary coursework as well. Steps to save content are linked below. 

• Save content – Students 
• Save content – Instructors 

More information on the policy and instructions for backing up Blackboard content are available in the LMS Course Retention Policy FAQ. 

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As always, we are available Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:45 to help you. We look forward to working with you soon. 

Email – cit@ua.edu 

Phone – 205-348-3532 

April 11 Instructional Technology News

• April 11th, 2023
• in -Instructional Technology News, Announcements

Hello from your Center for Instructional Technology! Below, you’ll find announcements and events to assist you with teaching and learning needs.

Simple Syllabus Launches April 17

UA’s new online syllabus platform, Simple Syllabus, launches April 17. All sections must have a syllabus published in Simple by the first day of classes for Summer 2023 and future terms. Instructors will receive reminders to complete their syllabi before each semester begins. Syllabi include required course and section information, as well as institutional and, in some cases, college-specific statements and policies. Instructors should add and edit section-specific information using Simple’s built-in editor, which allows for text formatting, links, videos, images, tables, and more. Simple Syllabus will be available through myBama, Blackboard Learn, or direct login.

Upcoming Learning Opportunities

Simple Syllabus Information Sessions

Gorgas Library Camellia Room 2020 on Friday, April 14, 9AM-9:45AM, 10AM-10:45AM, 11AM-11:45AM. No registration needed.

Simple Syllabus Support Appointments Available

If you prefer individual help to set up Simple Syllabus, request an appointment. Appointments are available beginning April 17.

Gradescope – Stories from the Classroom

April 12, 2:00-3:00 pm

Join the Gradescope team to discover how other instructors use Gradescope to:

• Design formative and summative assessments without constraints around logistics and grading capacity.
• Develop smarter workflows to help instructors, whether grading alone or coordinating a multi-section course with 20+ graders.
• Gain insights you need to support student learning, understand trends, and improve teaching.

Register for Stories from the Classroom

Check out more workshops including Panopto, Hypothesis, and People.ua.edu at http://calendar.ua.edu.

Instructional Tech Resources and Reminders

The CIT Knowledge Base is your clearinghouse for tutorials, known issues, and best practices:

• Enter Final grades in Blackboard
• Import Final grades from Blackboard into myBama
• Add a reason for non-attendance grade in myBama
• Blackboard grade import FAQ

Ultra Course View Pilot Continues

Instructors interested in teaching with Ultra Course View in an upcoming academic term should submit a request via the CIT portal: Blackboard Learn Ultra LIVE Course Pilot Request.

Collaborate End of Use

On August 1, 2023, Class Collaborate will be deactivated and no longer available to use at UA. This change does not affect the Blackboard Learn system, only the virtual web conferencing tool, Collaborate. Instructors and program managers should download any needed recordings from Collaborate by August 1, 2023. CIT suggests instructors use Zoom or Teams for synchronous class meetings and Panopto for lecture capture.

Cleaning Out Older Blackboard Courses

Academic courses in Blackboard Learn are subject to removal two (2) years following the end of the semester in which they are taught per UA’s LMS Course Retention Policy. For example, courses taught in Spring 2023 will be removed after May 2025. Courses taught prior to Fall 2021 are now eligible for removal. Fall 2021 courses will be removed starting in May 2023. Non-academic courses, referred to as non-integrated courses, are subject to removal following two (2) years of inactivity. Instructors should save any needed course content or student grades. Students should save any necessary coursework as well. Steps to save content are linked below.

• Save content – Students
• Save content – Instructors

More information on the policy and instructions for backing up Blackboard content are available in the LMS Course Retention Policy FAQ.

As always, we are available Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:45 to assist you. We look forward to working with you soon.

Email – cit@ua.edu

Phone – 205-348-3532

Website and Knowledge Base – http://cit.ua.edu

February 20 – Instructional Tech News

• February 20th, 2023
• in -Instructional Technology News, Announcements

Hello from your Center for Instructional Technology! Below, you’ll find announcements and events to assist you with teaching and learning needs.  

Upcoming Learning Opportunities 

CIT Faculty Prep Days 

It’s midterms and time to focus on your Gradebook. We are here to help answer questions or simply review your settings. 

Drop in OR schedule a virtual appointment. Our doors will be open, and refreshments will be served. 

• Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2-4PM 
• Wednesday, March 1, 9-11AM 

Gordon Palmer Hall, Room A232 

Workshops:  

• Tues, Feb 21, 10AM – People.ua.edu Workshop.
  Create a professional faculty website using People.ua.edu. Pre-registration is required. 
• Wed., Feb 22, 10AM – Panopto Advanced Training
  Did you know you can use Panopto’s video editor to add video streams or a slide deck to a recording even after it’s complete?  Or, that you can splice multiple clips together into one video?
  This month, join us for an in depth look at how to use Panopto’s editor to combine many sources of content into one rich recording.  We’ll address some common editing scenarios we often get questions about, such as how to allow viewers to download your slides, or how to curate which streams a viewer will see at different parts of your videos. We record our webinars. If you can’t attend at the scheduled time, we’ll send a link to the recording to everyone who registers. 
• Wed., Feb 22, 12PM – Gradescope for Large Courses
  Sections and Tools for Courses with 100+ Students – This one-hour workshop will focus on using Gradescope in large courses. With the new section management features, instructors will be able to set different submission time windows (release dates, due dates, late due dates, time limits) for different sections of students in the course, for a single assignment. Instructors will also be able to set assignment visibility by section, to release assignments to a subset of students on the roster. 
• Tues., March 7, 10AM – Flip
  Explore the features inside Flip and learn how to level up the ways your scholars communicate and share their learning. 

Instructional Tech Resources and Reminders 

The CIT Knowledge Base is your clearinghouse for tutorials, known issues, and best practices for testing and grading in Blackboard.  

• Testing Tips for Instructors 
• Copy a Single Test from One Blackboard Course to Another 
• How can I add extended-time or provide another accommodation for a Blackboard test?  

• If you have File Response test questions: Workaround for students to be able to submit files 

Grading 

• Can I modify the correct answer and regrade a Blackboard test?  
• Enter Midterm or Final Grades in Blackboard 
• Import Midterm or Final Grades into myBama from Blackboard 

Ultra Course View Pilot Continues 

Instructors interested in teaching with Ultra Course View in an upcoming academic term should submit a request via the CIT portal: Blackboard Learn Ultra LIVE Course Pilot Request.  

Cleaning Out Older Blackboard Courses 

Academic courses in Blackboard Learn are subject to removal two (2) years following the end of the semester in which they are taught per UA’s LMS Course Retention Policy. Courses taught prior to Fall 2020 are now eligible for removal. Instructors should save any needed course content or student grades. Students should save any necessary coursework as well. Non-academic courses, referred to as non-integrated courses, are subject to removal following two (2) years of inactivity. Steps to save content are linked below. 

• Save content – Students 

• Save content – Instructors 

More information on the policy and instructions for backing up Blackboard content are available in the LMS Course Retention Policy FAQ. 

Blackboard Learn Roadmap Webinars 

In case you missed the Vision and Roadmap webinars for Blackboard Learn Original and Ultra, the recordings are available to watch.  

Learn Ultra 

• Watch in English 
• Ver en Español 

Learn Original 

• Watch in English 

As always, we are available Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:45 to assist you. We look forward to working with you soon. 

Email – cit@ua.edu 

Phone – 205-348-3532 

Website and Knowledge Base – http://cit.ua.edu 

January 27– Instructor News

• January 27th, 2023
• in -Instructional Technology News, Announcements

Hello from your Center for Instructional Technology! We hope that your semester is off to a great start. Below, you’ll find announcements and events to assist you with teaching and learning needs.  

Instructional Tech Changes and Announcements 

PointSolutions change in classrooms 

TurningTechnologies is now Echo360 Point Solutions, and the classroom computers will now reflect the new name and branding. The processes in the desktop software (used by instructors) are unchanged.  

No More People.Ua.Edu Sites for Graduate Students 

Effective January 1, 2023, new People.ua.edu sites will no longer be created for graduate students. All existing site owners who are graduate students will be contacted in early 2023 about their next steps. UA offers two alternative solutions: Adobe Portfolio (part of Adobe Creative Cloud) and Microsoft Sway (part of Microsoft 365 Education). Both products are available to all UA staff, faculty, and students. 

• Adobe Portfolio is part of Adobe Cloud which provides several apps and services. Get started with your site by visiting Adobe Creative Cloud. Log in using your UA credentials. Look on the left side panel and you will see Portfolio. Alternately, you can go directly to Adobe Portfolio and login using your UA credentials. There are tutorials available through Adobe and OIT. 

• Microsoft Sway is part of Microsoft 365 Education which includes many applications for work essentials, collaboration, organization, and even apps for fun. Visit OIT’s Microsoft 365 Education page to access MS Sway. Tutorials and training can be found at Microsoft 365 Training. 

Ultra Course View Pilot Continues 

Instructors interested in teaching with Ultra Course View in an upcoming academic term should submit a request via the CIT portal: Blackboard Learn Ultra LIVE Course Pilot Request.  

Turnitin Class Expiration – Known Issue 

When a Turnitin Feedback Studio (TFS) assignment is created in a Blackboard Learn course, Turnitin automatically assigns a default class expiration date as 6 months in the future, or the latest TFS assignment due date in the course, whichever is farther away. When the Turnitin class expires, students can no longer submit papers or access TFS activities.  To extend the Turnitin class expiration date, make a new Turnitin assignment with due dates that match the last date when students should be able to view the TFS assignments and tools for the course. For more information visit Turnitin Assignment Settings. 

Cleaning Out Older Blackboard Courses 

Academic courses in Blackboard Learn are subject to removal two (2) years following the end of the semester in which they are taught per UA’s LMS Course Retention Policy. Courses taught prior to Fall 2020 are now eligible for removal. Instructors should save any needed course content or student grades. Students should save any necessary coursework as well. Non-academic courses, referred to as non-integrated courses, are subject to removal following two (2) years of inactivity. Steps to save content are linked below. 

• Save content – Students 
• Save content – Instructors 

More information on the policy and instructions for backing up Blackboard content are available in the LMS Course Retention Policy FAQ. 

Hypothesis and Vital Source at UA 

Hypothesis social annotation tool used by U Alabama now features an integration with the VitalSource eText platform. If you are teaching with eTexts from VitalSource and are interested in having students annotate the material, the Hypothesis integration is available to you now when you create assignments in Blackboard. You can learn more about how to create a Hypothesis assignment with VitalSource content in the Hypothesis knowledge base.   

Upcoming Learning Opportunities 

Get Started with Gradescope  

Wednesday, February 1, 2023, 11:00am-12:00 pm CST  

Join this virtual, one-hour session to learn how to use Gradescope to: 

• Set up assignments where students can submit freeform work (no printers or templates needed) 
• Grade your existing exams and homework on Gradescope 
• Make rubric changes as you grade – changes apply to previously graded work to maintain consistency 

• Write each comment only once – apply previously used comments with a click 
• Use ‘assignment analytics’ to gain insight into student learning 

Blackboard Learn Original Roadmap 

Tues Feb 7, 2023, 10:00 am – 11:00 am CST 

Get an exclusive look at the upcoming Learn enhancements and feature releases. Join Blackboard product management leaders as they provide an update on the Learn roadmap and give you an exclusive look at what’s next for Blackboard Learn. Complete the registration form to reserve your virtual seat. If you can’t attend the session, you will get a recording if you register.  

Register today at https://learn.anthology.com/RoadmapWebinarSeries#registerAnchor 

Create Graphs, Graphics and Data Visualization 

Tues Feb 7, 2023, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm CSST 

Effectively communicating complex academic and technical processes and concepts relies on sound design principles and the ability to render them using industry-standard tools. Discover essential tools and workflows in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Express that will help you develop clear and powerful visual representations for your presentations, papers and research. Link to register for free: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/edgegainltd/782559/# 

Annotate with Hypothesis 

Thursday, Feb 9, 12:00 –1:00 pm  

We have a special treat! Our favorite representative from Hypothesis, Becky George, will present a LIVE and in-person Hypothesis workshop in Gordon Palmer Hall, Room A232. Becky will give an overview of Hypothesis, guide you through the basics, then answer your specific questions. Please bring your own device. Lunch will be provided (in-person workshop only). The in-person workshop is limited to 20 participants so register early! –  Annotate with Hypothesis Registration 

OLIS 2023 – Transforming the Online Classroom: Challenges, Opportunities, and Innovation 

February 10, 2023, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Bryant Conference Center 

The Online Learning Innovation Summit is a campuswide professional development conference hosted by UA Online. Faculty, staff and graduate students from across The University of Alabama and the region will come together for brainstorming, problem-solving and sharing experiences and best practices surrounding online learning and teaching technologies. Learn more at OLIS 2023. 

 

As always, we are available Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:45 to assist you. We look forward to working with you soon. 

Email – cit@ua.edu 

Phone – 205-348-3532 

Website and Knowledge Base – http://cit.ua.edu 

Faculty Prep Days a SUCCESS!

• January 20th, 2023
• in -Instructional Technology News, Announcements

The Center for Instructional Technology (CIT) kicked off the Spring semester with two Faculty Tech Prep Days on January 6th and 9th. We were excited to work with colleagues from Arts and Sciences, Communications, Culverhouse, Education, Engineering, Human Environmental Sciences, and Law.

Common topics related to

• adding publisher resources to courses,
• setting up attendance options: Blackboard Learn, Zoom
• exploring grade center tools, and
• learning how students interact with Blackboard Learn.

Audio Visual Solutions (AVS) representatives answered questions related to classroom tech needs, and OIT Security squad addressed email and account security questions.

If you couldn’t make it to the event, no problem! We offer the same support Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:45 pm in A203 Gordon Palmer Hall. Drop-ins are welcome. 205-348-3532, CIT@ua.edu.