| As the semester gets underway, CIT is committed to helping you teach effectively with the tools you already use while keeping you informed about the updates that matter most. This month’s newsletter focuses on practical solutions, important Blackboard updates, resources designed to save you time, and resources to support student success. |
| You Asked, We Listened Many instructors told us they want more support with Blackboard Gradebook management, weighted grades, attendance tracking, and student engagement. Throughout the semester, we’ll continue developing workshops, videos, guides, and resources focused on these topics to help address the needs you shared. For current information and resources, visit CIT’s Video Library. |
| Teaching Tip Do you need help with virtually evaluating handwritten responses, diagrams, formulae, and other coursework? Gradescope helps you quickly grade, and provide feedback on, online and in-class assessments. Gradescope can grade paper-based exams, quizzes, and homework, computer programming assignments (graded automatically or manually), and online assignments.For more information, visit CIT’s Gradescope help page. |
| Blackboard Grading Tip |
The Blackboard Gradebook uses a column-editing workflow that may differ from what you’re used to.To enter grades, hover at the top of a Gradebook column and click the purple pencil icon to enter edit mode. Once enabled, you can quickly move through student grades using the Enter key, making it easy to enter grades for an entire column.This workflow helps ensure grade updates are intentional while supporting efficient grading, especially in larger courses. Select the purple pencil icon to enter edit mode and quickly move through student grades using the Enter key. |
| Upcoming Event Highlights Blackboard Gradebook Essentials Learn how to confidently set up and manage your gradebook by creating columns, creating categories, configuring gradebook settings, customizing the grading schema, calculating totals, grading student work efficiently, and more. Whether you’re new to Blackboard or looking to streamline your grading workflow, you’ll leave with practical skills and time-saving tips you can use right away.Designing Exemplary Blackboard Courses This workshop focuses on course structure and content organization aligned with exemplary course design standards. Participants will learn how to create and organize modules, copy content from previous courses, integrate external tools, and apply accessibility best practices to develop a polished and effective learning experience. |
| The UA AI Experience Is Live: Register Today The UA AI Experience is officially underway! Faculty and staff are encouraged to register for this free, self-paced online coursedesigned to help every member of our campus use AI toolsthoughtfully, responsibly and effectively. Your students are part of the experience, too. All UA students are automatically enrolled through Blackboard and are strongly encouraged to complete the course. Guidance is available for assigning the UA AI Experience or offering extra credit for completion in this shared Box folder. For assistance, contact aiexperience@ua.edu. Join the campus community in building AI skills for the classroom, workplace and beyond. Complete the experience at your own pace by Oct. 28. |