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.
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