January 4– Instructor News from the Center for Instructional Technology

• January 4th, 2023
• in -Instructional Technology News, Announcements

Faculty Prep Days 

IT’S TIME! Time to get your Spring courses polished and ready to go. CIT is here and ready to offer technical assistance, pedagogical assistance, a quiet space, moral support, and coffee and yummies! Come see us!  

CIT will be joined by representatives from OIT Security, Research Computing, and Audio Visual Solutions classroom support to answer your questions. Space will be available to help you focus and prepare your course for the semester. 

Friday, Jan 6, 9-11AM and 2-4PM 

Monday, Jan 9, 9-11AM and 2-4PM 

Gordon Palmer Hall, Room A232 

Start of Semester How-Tos   

• How do I access my Blackboard courses as an instructor? 
• How do I create my course in Blackboard?   
• How do I combine my Blackboard sections?  
• How do I copy content from a Blackboard course to another Blackboard course?  

Instructional Tech Changes and Announcements 

Qualtrics now requires Duo 

Duo is now required to access Qualtrics accounts. Users will receive a Duo prompt after logging in with myBama credentials at Qualtrics.ua.edu. For more information about Duo, visit OIT’s Duo two-factor authentication page. 

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. 

Supe Store Access Granted changes + social annotation tools 

Access Granted’s primary vendor is changing from RedShelf to VitalSource for Spring 2023. Links to VitalSource in Blackboard Learn courses may now be labeled Access Granted. With permission from Academic Affairs, a SupeStore support user may access Fall and Spring courses in Blackboard as a Course Builder. This means the user will have access to edit existing RedShelf and VitalSource links to reflect the correct information. This user will not have access to student submissions or grades. 

This change enables the creation of Hypothesis assignments in Blackboard using documents from VitalSource’s extensive collection of texts and ebooks. In CIT’s Knowledge Base article, Hypothesis & Access Granted e-books, you can learn to:   

• Access VitalSource 
• Find the VitalSource bookshelf URL of the text you will be assigning 
• Create Hypothesis assignments in your Blackboard course 

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. 

Upcoming Learning Opportunities 

Jan 5, 11:00-12:00 – Get Started with Gradescope  

Learn how you can use Gradescope to deliver and grade all your assignments, whether online or in person. The Gradescope team will walk you through how to cut down on time spent grading and get a clear picture of how your students are doing in your courses. Register at  https://info.gradescope.com/noa-workshops 

Jan 6, 12:00-12:30 pm – Annotation starter assignments with Hypothesis 

This workshop is ideal for instructors who are interested in using social annotation in their courses but aren’t exactly sure how to provide guidance to students. Registration is required.  

Jan 10, 10:00-11:30 – People.ua.edu 

Create a professional faculty website using People.ua.edu. Pre-registration is required at http://people.ua.edu. 

Jan 10, 1:00-2:00 – Flip 

Explore the features inside Flip and learn how to level up the ways your scholars communicate and share their learning. Registration is NOT required. Join us on Zoom. 

Jan 11, 11:00-12:00 – Hypothesis: Make the Most of the Margins  

Learn how to make reading active, visible and social, create community in the classroom by fostering peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, give students agency over their own learning. Registration is required. 

As always, we are available Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:45 to assist you. We wish you all the best in 2023 and look forward to working with you soon. 

• Email – cit@ua.edu 
• Phone – 205-348-3532 
• Website and Knowledge Base – http://cit.ua.edu 

Dec 13 Instructional Technology News

• December 13th, 2022
• in -Instructional Technology News, Announcements

Hello from your colleagues in CIT! We’re wrapping up Fall 2022 with final grades due tonight by 11:59 PM. Below, you’ll find resources to help you close this term and prepare for the next.  

Resources for Final Grading:  

• Grading in Blackboard, including downloading and managing submissions and grades. 

• Grade Reporting at UA to import grades into myBama, locate last activity dates, and review Registrar information. Final grades are due Tuesday, Dec 13, by 11:59 PM. 

Explore Blackboard Ultra  

Curious about Blackboard Ultra Course View? Learn about UA’s Ultra pilot and request a practice course: Ultra Course Pilot Information. 

Supe Store Access Granted changes + new social annotation tools 

UA’s Access Granted program is changing its primary vendor from RedShelf to VitalSource. To facilitate this change, the Supe Store will help with necessary changes to the Access Granted course materials links in Blackboard Learn courses. In some cases, links to VitalSource in Blackboard Learn courses may now be labeled Access Granted. (learn more about the change).  

This change enables the creation of Hypothesis assignments in Blackboard using documents from VitalSource’s extensive collection of texts and ebooks. In CIT’s Knowledge Base article, Hypothesis & Access Granted e-books, you can learn to:   

• Access VitalSource 
• Find the VitalSource bookshelf URL of the text you will be assigning 
• Create Hypothesis assignments in your Blackboard course 

Cleaning Out Older Blackboard Courses 

Retention Policy Reminder: 

Academic courses in Blackboard Learn are subject to removal two (2) years following the end of the semester in which they are taught in accordance with 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. 

Faculty Prep Days 

Need assistance setting up your course(s) for Spring semester? Need a cup of coffee to kick start 2023? We can help. Drop by the CIT for instructional technology guidance on Friday, Jan. 6 or Monday, Jan. 9. Our doors will be open, and refreshments will be served.  

Aside from the CIT staff, additional representatives from OIT Security, Research, and AVS (classroom support and more) will be on hand to answer your questions. Space will be available to help you focus and prepare your course for the semester. 

Friday, Jan 6, 9-11AM and 2-4PM 

Monday, Jan 9, 9-11AM and 2-4PM 

Gordon Palmer Hall, Room A232 

As always, we are available Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:45 to assist you.  

Email – cit@ua.edu 

Phone – 205-348-3532 

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

Instructional Technology News

• December 1st, 2022
• in -Instructional Technology News, Announcements

Hello from your colleagues in CIT! Below you’ll find resources to help with finals and grading. If you need help with instructional technology, including assistance with your exam and grading setup, please contact cit@ua.edu. 

Resources for Exams and Grading:  

• Testing Tips for Instructors, including ways to avoid common issues 
• Add Accommodations to a Blackboard Test, to allow extended time or other accommodations 
• Testing Tips for Students, including setup and tech guidance 
• Grading in Blackboard, including downloading and managing submissions and grades 
• Grade Reporting at UA to import grades into myBama, locate last activity dates, and review Registrar information. Final grades are due Tuesday, Dec 13, by 11:59 PM. 

Explore Blackboard Ultra  

Curious about Blackboard Ultra Course View? Learn about UA’s Ultra pilot and request a practice course: Ultra Course Pilot Information. 

Instructional Technology News – November 4, 2022

• November 4th, 2022
• in -Instructional Technology News

Hello from your colleagues in CIT! Below you’ll find resources to help with your teaching needs, as well as announcements and workshops. If you need help with instructional technology, please contact cit@ua.edu.

Introducing Dr. Karen Burns, CIT’s Assistant Director of Education and Outreach!

I am excited to serve in this new role! I have been a part of CIT since 2008, responsible for people.ua.edu, VoiceThread, Flipgrid (now Flip), and Zoom. During that time, I completed my master’s degree and doctorate degree through the College of Education with a focus on instructional leadership and technology. I am particularly passionate about all things related to gamification and game-based learning. If you are really curious, you can read more about me on my website, http://kaburns.people.ua.edu.

Anyone up for a scavenger hunt or escape room? Get in touch at cit@ua.edu!

Resources for Teaching and Learning:

• Communicate with Students Using Blackboard
• Testing Tips for Instructors
• Add accommodations to a Blackboard test
• Grade Reporting at UA
• Grading in Blackboard
• Ally Quick Start for Instructors : Ally measures the accessibility of each file attached to your course and creates alternative formats of your course content based on the original.
• Ally Quick Start for Students: Ally provides alternate formats for course content. Look for the Download Alternative Formats icon and download a format that suits individual learning needs.

Explore Blackboard Ultra

Learn about UA’s Ultra pilot and request a practice course: Ultra Course Pilot Information

Upcoming Events from CIT, OIT, UA Online and more!

• View a full list and registration information
• Anthology, Blackboard’s parent company, is hosting a Digital Teaching Symposium November 10
• OIT + Microsoft Teams training session: Using a Class Team with your Student.
• Submit a Proposal to OLIS by November 14!

It’s back! Hosted by UA Online, the Online Learning Innovation Summit returns on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, at Bryant Conference Center. Faculty, staff and graduate students will come together for a full day of sessions on inclusive online classrooms, course quality, digital accessibility, technology tools and innovative course design.

This year’s theme is Transforming the Online Classroom: Challenges, Opportunities, and Innovation. Do you have a success story, an innovative strategy or a demonstration you would like to share? The OLIS Planning Team welcomes your proposals. Visit the OLIS website to submit a proposal by November 14^th and to register for the event.

Instructional Technology News – September 29, 2022

• September 29th, 2022
• in -Instructional Technology News

Hello from your colleagues in CIT! We hope that your semester is going well. Below you’ll find resources to help with your midterm grading, as well as announcements and workshops. If you need help with instructional technology, please contact cit@ua.edu. For IT-related needs, email itsd@ua.edu.  

Midterm grades due Wednesday, Oct 5 at 11:59 PM  

Midterm grades are required for 100- and 200- level courses. For more information, visit Grade Reporting – Registrar’s Office. If there are discrepancies between course rosters in myBama and in Blackboard Learn, contact cit@ua.edu. 

Grade Center Assistance 

• Resources about Grading in Blackboard   
• How do I create/edit the letter grading schema in Blackboard?   
• How do I download the Grade Center from Blackboard?     
• Enter Midterm grades in Blackboard  
• Import Midterm grade into myBama   

Test and Exam Assistance 

• Testing Tips for Instructors   
• How do I create a test in Blackboard?   
• How do I deploy a test in Blackboard?   
• How do I add extended time or provide another test accommodation in Blackboard?  

Blackboard Instructor App Support ends September 30, 2022 

Blackboard instructor and student mobile functions in a single app: Download the unified Blackboard app now.

Explore Blackboard Ultra  

Learn about UA’s Ultra pilot and request a practice course: Ultra Course Pilot Information.

CIT-sponsored Workshops 

• Flip Workshop – 10/5, 10:00 am 
• Blackboard Learn Ultra Best Practices, 10/13, 10:00 am 
• Zoom In, Engaging Your Audience, 10/13, 2:00 pm 
• View a full list and registration information 

More Tech Events across UA   

• UA Online presents Improving the Accessibility of Your Blackboard Course, 10/6, 10:00 am – Details and registration.   
• UA Libraries present Open Access Week events, 10/24-10/25 – Event program  
• OIT presents Live Cybersecurity Awareness Trainings, offered throughout October – Registration through UA LMS. This session is also an alternate form for the UA compliance eLearning assignment, and it will satisfy the 2022 cybersecurity training requirement for UA faculty and staff. 

Instructional Technology News – September 8, 2022

• September 8th, 2022
• in -Instructional Technology News

September 8 – Instructional Technology Update 

Hello, colleagues! Below you’ll find instructional technology reminders, resources, and learning opportunities that we hope will help you and your students. As always, please request instructional technology help at cit@ua.edu. For IT-related needs, email itsd@ua.edu.  

Respondus Lockdown Browser  

Respondus Lockdown Browser locks down a testing environment within Blackboard Learn. Students taking exams that require Lockdown Browser will not be able to access any other browser functions or applications on the computer being used until the exam is complete.  

• How do I set a password for a test that requires Respondus Lockdown Browser? 
• Lockdown Browser Information for Students 
• Lockdown Browser Troubleshooting for Students  
• UA-specific lockdown browser software can be downloaded from the Institution page in Blackboard. Lockdown Browser does not function on Android phones, iPhones, or Chromebooks. Computers are available to reserve in UA’s libraries. For more information on which computers are equipped with Respondus LockDown Browser and webcams, visit Computer Availability in UA Libraries.  
• Lockdown Browser is not currently compatible with certain assistive technology “reader” tools used by some students with academic accommodations with the Office of Disability Services. In these cases, the instructor creates a copy of the exam that does not require lockdown browser and releases it only to those individual students. How to create an exam with exceptions for individual students. 
• Support and training directly from Respondus for instructors planning to use LockDown Browser and/or Respondus Monitor to foster academic integrity during online exams. Dates: September 16, 20, 22 REGISTER 

Respondus Test Management 

Respondus 4.0 test management software is now located in the OIT software catalog. If instructors need the updated password, visit the Respondus campus-wide software page and click “Download Respondus”. Use. your myBama username & password to access the download files and installation instructions. 

Blackboard Learn Reminders and Resources 

• Join Blackboard leaders as they provide an update on the Blackboard Learn Roadmap – September 12th, 1:00 pm – Original Roadmap  
• Blackboard Ultra Office Hours – Join a Blackboard product management expert for an informal session of Q&A or feature demonstrations. – September 9th, 9:00 am; September 23rd, 1:00 pm – Ultra-Office Hours 
• Anthology, makers of Blackboard, Collaborate, and Ally, are hosting their 5th Digital Teaching Symposium,  on November 10th, 2022. Past events have offered great resources, ideas, and presentations from peers across the globe! All Faculty, Instructors, Teaching Assistants as well as Instructional Designers, Academic Technologists, and Faculty Development staff are invited to submit proposals regarding a topic or best practice to share with others. Submissions will close Monday, September 12th at 5:00pm ET/4:00pm Central.  
• Blackboard Instructor app support ended, download the Blackboard app – https://cit.ua.edu/blackboard-instructor-app-support-ending/. 
• Instructors may now explore Blackboard Learn Ultra Course View. Learn more and apply to participate in the pilot: Blackboard Learn Ultra Course Pilot. 

Turnitin Reminders 

• Creating Turnitin assignments in Blackboard Learn is now under “Build Content” and no longer under “Assessments.”  
• PeerMark assignments no longer automatically generate or populate Blackboard grade center columns.  
• Resources about 2022 Turnitin changes. 

Panopto Support 

Panopto offers 24/7 support for UA instructors and students. Contact Panopto directly at support@panopto.com or 855-765-2341. Answers to frequently asked questions are available on the Panopto Support website.  

Learning Opportunities from OIT 

• Creating an Online Portfolio with Adobe – Tuesday, 9.13.2022, 1:00 – 3:00pm  Join OIT for a special in-person Adobe Portfolio session as part 2022 Adobe Celebration Week, Sept. 12-16. Adobe Portfolio is available to all UA students, faculty and staff. Portfolio enables students to build a website and showcase their work. No web design knowledge required!  
• AI with MATLAB Seminar – Wednesday, 9.21.2022, 1:00 – 3:00pm – Join MathWorks to learn more about AI and machine learning capabilities in MATLAB! Where: Room 2006, North Lawn When: September 21, 2022 from 1-3pm. Please register here. 

Please let us help! 

We’re here to help. Reach us at cit@ua.edu or 205-348-3532. Join us at an upcoming webinar or schedule a consultation with us.  

The Center for Instructional Technology exists to help with your instructional technology and accessibility needs. We provide training, support, workshops, and consultations for UA’s instructional technologies which include Blackboard Learn, Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, Flip (formerly Flipgrid), Gradescope, Hypothesis, Panopto, People.ua.edu websites, Respondus, Turnitin, PointSolutions responseware (formerly Turning Tech TurningPoint clickers) and Zoom.  

CIT and our vendor partners regularly host workshops and webinars on UA’s instructional technologies and technology accessibility. Explore offerings on the UA Events Calendar, and build an event digest email to receive notice of upcoming events (Department > Center for Instructional Technology).  

Learn more about each of these technologies on our website. Want more updates from us? Subscribe to our news updates! 

Classroom Support 

Most classrooms across campus are supported by OIT’s Audio Visual Solutions (AVS) team. Use the classroom help phone (Dial 2) to reach the AVS help desk for immediate help with classroom technology. You can also contact AVS at 205-348-3453 or email avsolutions@ua.edu. 

Support for Information Technology needs 

Visit oit.ua.edu for more information about IT services including email, internet, account access, and more. You can also reach us at the IT Service Desk itservicedesk@ua.edu or 205-348-5555.  

About the Blackboard Instructors listserv 

OIT uses this list to communicate essential information about instructional technology updates and resources. All members of the UA community who are currently instructors in Banner or Blackboard Learn are subscribed to the listserv. Messages are sent at the most weekly unless a service interruption or ongoing issue merits more frequent communications. 

Instructional Technology News – August 15, 2022

• August 15th, 2022
• in -Instructional Technology News, Announcements

Welcome to the Fall 2022 Semester 

The Center for Instructional Technology (CIT) welcomes you back for the Fall 2022 semester. Below are a few resources to help you and your students get prepared for classes. 

The Center for Instructional Technology exists to help with your instructional technology and accessibility needs. We provide training, support, workshops, and consultations for UA’s instructional technologies which include Blackboard Learn, Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, Flip (formerly Flipgrid), Gradescope, Hypothesis, Panopto, People.ua.edu websites, Respondus, Turnitin, PointSolutions responseware (formerly Turning Tech TurningPoint clickers) and Zoom.  

Learn more about each of these technologies on our website. Some noteworthy items to bring to your attention: 

Blackboard Learn 

• Instructors and students can now add personal pronouns in Blackboard Learn: https://cit.ua.edu/personal-pronouns-in-blackboard-learn/. 
• Blackboard Learn course term names have changed: https://cit.ua.edu/blackboard-learn-course-term-names-changed/. 
• Blackboard Instructor app support ends, download the Blackboard app – https://cit.ua.edu/blackboard-instructor-app-support-ending/. 
• Instructors may now explore Blackboard Learn Ultra Course View. Learn more and apply to participate in the pilot: Blackboard Learn Ultra Course Pilot. 
• Resources for Getting Started in Blackboard. 

Turnitin 

• Creating Turnitin assignments in Blackboard Learn is now under “Build Content” and no longer under “Assessments.”  
• PeerMark assignments no longer automatically generate or populate Blackboard grade center columns.  
• Resources about 2022 Turnitin changes. 

Panopto 

Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) generated captions are now automatically generated and available for editing and importing for Panopto videos. Accurate captions enhance learning and ensure access for all. Be sure to review and edit captions for accuracy. 

Tool name changes 

• Flipgrid is now called Flip. No changes to access or use. 
• Turning Tech’s Turning Point clickers and mobile response tools are now owned by Echo360 and called PointSolutions. No changes to access or use, but we are still updating tutorial resources to reflect the new name. 

Please let us help! 

We’re here to help. You can reach us at cit@ua.edu or 205-348-3532. Join us at an upcoming webinar or schedule a consultation with us.  

Classroom Support 

Most classrooms across campus are supported by OIT’s Audio Visual Solutions (AVS) team. Use the classroom help phone (Dial 2) to reach the AVS help desk for immediate help with classroom technology. You can also contact AVS at 205-348-3453 or email avsolutions@ua.edu. 

Support for Informational Technology needs 

Visit oit.ua.edu for more information about IT services including email, internet, account access, and more. You can also reach us at the IT Service Desk itservicedesk@ua.edu or 205-348-5555, we are here to help.  

About blackboard-instructors@listserv.ua.edu: 

CIT uses this list to communicate essential information about instructional technology updates and resources. All members of the UA community who are currently instructors in Banner or Blackboard Learn are subscribed to the listserv. Messages are sent at the most weekly unless a service interruption or ongoing issue merits more frequent communications. 

Want more updates from us? Subscribe to our news updates and follow us on Facebook and YouTube. 

Instructional Technology News – August 1, 2022

• August 1st, 2022
• in -Instructional Technology News

Hello instructors,

This is Melissa from The Center for Instructional Technology with a fresh batch of instructional technology news and tips. The fall semester’s approach brings new subscribers to this list – welcome aboard! Your colleagues in The Center for Instructional Technology provide training, support, workshops, webinars, and consultations for UA’s instructional technologies and technology accessibility. Submit a help request or join us at an upcoming webinar.

Blackboard Learn

Personal Pronouns in Blackboard Learn

UA students and instructors can now specify their personal pronouns and have them appear to other users in Blackboard Learn. Pronouns will appear to other users in various locations of interactive tools, group activities, and name lists. If you do not want others to see your pronouns, select “Not Applicable” from Personal Pronoun menu in myBama. Additional information and steps for making pronoun selections: Personal Pronouns in Blackboard Learn

Blackboard to End Support of Instructor App

CIT has learned that support for the Blackboard Instructor iOS and Android apps will end in September 2022. Instructors, Assistants, and Graders should download the Blackboard app for iOS or Android. More on our website: Blackboard Instructor app support ending, download the Blackboard app

Blackboard Learn Course Term Names Changed

Blackboard Learn course terms are used to define the beginning and end of a period of study. The course term defines where a course appears on the Courses page. Here you can also select a term from the dropdown menu to move between past, current, and upcoming courses. CIT recently revised the course term names to display text labels rather than term codes (e.g., 2022 Spring instead of 202210 and 2022 Fall instead of 202240). Here’s our official announcement: Blackboard Learn course term names changed

Turnitin

Turnitin has discontinued support for gradable peer review assignments. While Turnitin does still have PeerMark capabilities, peer reviews no longer have their own grade columns. For gradable peer review, instructors might explore Flip, Blackboard Learn’s peer assessment tool, or adjust grading practices in Turnitin.

More news from CIT and OIT

• Blackboard Collaborate Scheduled Maintenance – August 11– Version 22.14 release is on its way
• Upcoming OIT Events – Including a virtual intro to Microsoft Bookings, great for office hour scheduling
• Box to End Support for Box Capture App – Transition to the Box Mobile app with Capture Mode
• Simulated Phishing – OIT to begin sending simulated phishing emails this fall

A personal note

This is my last Instructional Technology News message, as I am departing CIT for a new role with an accessibility non-profit. I’m ever so grateful for CIT and OIT colleagues and for the opportunities I’ve had to work with many of you during my time at UA! Finding creative and effective ways to use technology for teaching and learning remains a passion of mine, and I would love to stay connected on Twitter or LinkedIn. I wish you all a great fall semester. If you need to get in touch with CIT, please submit a help request.

Instructional Technology News – July 7, 2022

• July 7th, 2022
• in -Instructional Technology News

Hello instructors,

I hope you’re enjoying the summer! This is Melissa from The Center for Instructional Technology with some instructional technology news and tips. There is much to share this time, and I encourage you to visit the links to learn more.

Blackboard Learn

Anthology Completes Merger with Blackboard, No Changes for UA Users

Blackboard’s parent company has merged with another edtech company, Anthology. The newly merged organization will be called Anthology with the Blackboard name continuing as part of its portfolio. There are no anticipated changes for UA users. More from Anthology: Anthology Completes Merger with Blackboard, Launches Next Chapter in EdTech

Blackboard Term Duration & Course Availability Update

We are working on some behind-the-scenes changes to Blackboard’s course settings in an effort to provide a better user experience. Moving forward, courses will not have default course availability dates associated with their term. This means that courses will not become available/unavailable on a preset date unless manually set by the instructor or department.

If you need courses to become available/unavailable on a certain date, view the Course Properties section of this article in our knowledge base: How do I set course availability in Blackboard?

Blackboard Learn Ultra Course View Update – Fall 2022 live course pilot

UA instructors now have the opportunity to explore Blackboard Learn Ultra Course View. Ultra Course View offers a simple, modern, intuitive, and consistent interface across devices and a simpler, more streamlined experience for instructors and students. Learn more about Ultra Course View and apply to participate in UA’s Ultra Course View pilot: Blackboard Learn Ultra Course Pilot

CIT began piloting practice or developmental Ultra Course View courses in Spring 2022 and invites instructors to begin exploring by requesting an Ultra Course View practice course: Blackboard Learn Ultra Course Request

During the Fall 2022 semester, we hope to pilot 20 live course sections using Ultra Course View. Instructors interested in teaching with Ultra Course View this Fall should submit a request via the CIT portal: Blackboard Learn Ultra LIVE Course Pilot Request. CIT will help you determine whether your course meets participation requirements. Any course offered though UA Online (part of a fully online program offered through the College of Continuing Studies) is not eligible for the live course pilot.

Following the pilot period, instructors will be able to choose whether to use Original Course View or Ultra Course View for live courses. Pilot feedback will inform the timeline, along with feature and third-party tool availability.

Flip

Flipgrid is now Flip! Flip is the same product but with a new name and a new look. CIT resources will be updated with the new name. More from Flip: Learn about Flip

Turnitin

Known Issue: Turnitin Max Points must be greater than zero

Turnitin assignments must have at least one point assigned for Max Points during set up. 0/0, or any score out of 0 points, will continue to display as Needs Grading in the Blackboard grade center. Other errors may occur when the Turnitin assignment grade appears in the Blackboard grade center, including inaccurate scores.

Turnitin Scheduled Maintenance – July 8

Turnitin will have a scheduled system maintenance July 8, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. (July 9) CDT. Due to the maintenance, Turnitin will be unavailable between those times.

More news from CIT and OIT

• Blackboard Collaborate Scheduled Maintenance – July 14 – Version 22.12 release is on its way
• Panopto Scheduled Maintenance and Mandatory Client Upgrade – Panopto for Windows, Panopto for Mac and Remote Recorder upgrade July 21
• Panopto: June 2022 Update Brings New Features and Improvements – Editing and accessibility enhancements, AI-powered Smart Chapters, and more improvements, fixes, behaviors, and settings changes
• Updates from the Gradescope Team – August Workshop Series, product updates, and community spotlights
• Upcoming OIT Events – We’re particularly excited about the Build a Portfolio with Adobe Portfolio session on July 27
• ArcGIS Pro Version 3 – Changes are coming! See OIT’s recommendations.
• OIT Security to Install Microsoft Defender – OIT is transitioning campus machines from McAfee antivirus to Microsoft Defender

We’re here to help

As you can see, a lot is happening this summer to improve and enhance your instructional technology experience. As you begin to prepare for fall, please remember that your colleagues in The Center for Instructional Technology provide training, support, workshops, webinars, and consultations for UA’s instructional technologies and technology accessibility. Submit a help request or join us at an upcoming webinar.

Want more updates from CIT?  Subscribe to our news updates and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Instructional Technology News — June 1, 2022

• June 1st, 2022
• in -Instructional Technology News

Hello instructors,

It’s June, and summer teaching and learning are underway! This is Melissa from The Center for Instructional Technology with some instructional technology news and tips.

Updates to Cengage in Blackboard

On May 25, CIT updated the method used for connecting Cengage MindLinks with Blackboard. Instructors will follow the same process for adding Cengage content in Blackboard: Partner Content > Content Market > Cengage. Please see Cengage’s Integrate MindTap With Your Blackboard Course, and let us know if you have any questions.

Goodbye Blackboard Student View, hello Student Preview – June 2022

In June 2022, CIT will enable Student Preview for UA’s instance of Blackboard Learn. With Student Preview, you can experience your course exactly as your students do, submitting assignments, taking tests, view student tools such as My Grades, and more. Student Preview replaces Student View. Additional information and instructions for using Student Preview are available in the CIT knowledge base: How can I see what students will see when viewing my Blackboard course?

Blackboard Collaborate scheduled maintenance – Thursday, June 9

Blackboard will update UA’s instance of Blackboard Collaborate to Collaborate version 22.10 on Thursday, June 9 from 1:00 a.m. CDT to 5:00 a.m. CDT.: Blackboard Collaborate Scheduled Maintenance – June 9

Panopto retention policy and archive – Friday, June 10

Beginning June 10, Panopto recordings created more than 2 years ago will be automatically archived. To retrieve an archived recording, follow these steps: How to Restore Archived Content

CIT’s Panopto retention settings are in keeping with UA’s LMS Course Retention Policy, which states that courses are subject to removal from the system two years following the end of the semester in which they are taught: LMS Course Retention Policy FAQ.

Upgrade Windows 10

OIT has made it easy to for faculty and staff to upgrade computer operating systems. Beginning in June, faculty and staff with OIT-supported Windows computers will begin receiving announcements on their computers to upgrade Windows 10 to the newest supported version, 10 21H2. Visit the OIT website for more information: Upgrade Windows 10 – 21H2

We’re here to help

Your colleagues in The Center for Instructional Technology provide training, support, workshops, webinars, and consultations for UA’s instructional technologies and technology accessibility. Submit a help request or join us at an upcoming webinar.

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