Registration & Access
Faculty interested in attending any of these sessions do not need to pre-register unless otherwise indicated; however, we would appreciate it if you do. To join a virtual workshop, click on the link for the date/time of your session. If you do not have a headset, there is a call-in line for audio during the conference.Workshop Details
Come Learn the New Blackboard - Ultra Workshops
A newer, more modern version of Blackboard called Ultra Course View is currently being rolled out at the University of Hartford and the Office of Academic Technology, Teaching, and Learning over the next year. All Blackboard courses are now in Ultra Course View. Faculty are encouraged to attend special Ultra training now so they can begin to transition their courses for Spring Term 2 and for Summer 2025.
IN-PERSON ULTRA WORKSHOPS
The following in-person trainings will be held in the Woods Classroom in Harrison Libraries on campus and lunch will be provided. Be sure to RSVP to actech@hartford.edu ahead of time so a sandbox can be created for you. We appreciate at least a week’s advance registration so we have a final number for lunches.
Session 1: Friday, February 28, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Session 2: Friday, April 4, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
VIRTUAL ULTRA WORKSHOPS
Each of the following is a 2-part, 2-day, 2-hours each day, offered virtually on Microsoft Teams. Participants need to attend both parts one and two. Be sure to RSVP to actech@hartford.edu ahead of time so a sandbox can be created for you. A week in advance is best, but at a minimum, register 24 hours prior to the workshop.
Session 1: Tuesday, February 11 and Thursday, February 13 - 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Session 2: Monday, April 7 and Wednesday, April 9 – 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
For more on Ultra Course View, watch Blackboard Learn Ultra: It’s never been easier to teach and learn
Instructors with questions about the transition to Blackboard Ultra are encouraged to contact the Office of Academic Technology, Teaching, and Learning at 860.768.4661 or actech@hartford.edu.
Academic Technology, Teaching, and Learning is proud to present two transformative workshops designed to help instructors elevate course design and engage students like never before. Learn how to streamline course creation with the AI Design Assistant and craft immersive learning experiences using the AI Roleplay tool in Blackboard. These sessions will provide practical strategies to enhance efficiency and foster student engagement. Recommended: Completion of Ultra Institute Training.
Effortless Course Design: Bb Ultra + AI Magic
Thursday, February 13, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Wednesday, March 5, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Virtual)
Discover how to streamline your course creation process with Blackboard Ultra and the AI Design Assistant. This workshop will guide you through using AI-powered tools to generate engaging quiz questions, thought-provoking journal prompts, dynamic discussion topics, interactive assignments, visually appealing course images, and comprehensive rubrics. Designed for instructors ready to elevate their course design, this session will showcase how these tools can save time while enhancing the quality and creativity of your content. Recommended: Completion of Ultra Institute Training.
AI-Powered Roleplay: Enhancing Engagement in Blackboard
Tuesday, February 18, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Thursday, March 6, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Virtual)
Unleash the potential of interactive learning with Blackboard’s AI Roleplay tool. This workshop explores how to design dynamic roleplay scenarios that promote student engagement, critical thinking, and real-world application. Learn to create immersive simulations and adaptable role-based activities that bring course concepts to life. Whether you're teaching case studies, fostering collaborative problem-solving, or preparing students for professional interactions, this tool empowers you to craft impactful learning experiences. Recommended: Completion of Ultra Institute Training.
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 - 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Virtual)
Monday, March 3, 2025 – 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries
Thursday, April 10, 2025 – 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Virtual)
Video and audio files should never be added directly to Blackboard; instead, instructors should be using Kaltura (the new replacement for Ensemble). Kaltura works like an in-house YouTube, allowing faculty to upload videos to a media library quickly and easily, then link to them from Blackboard and other websites. Faculty who are flipping the classroom, teaching online, using video clips in instruction, or working with student video projects should plan to attend this special information session about Kaltura. Kaltura Capture is a simple, convenient tool that can capture your voice, the action on your computer screen, and webcam video to create lecturettes. You can use it to record audio podcasts, video lectures, or narrated presentations and demonstrations. This session will guide you through the process of recording a narrated screen capture, editing it, and publishing it to Blackboard. All of these sessions will be virtual and you can click the link to join the workshop at the time of the session. Please RSVP to actech@hartford.edu.
Thursday, February 20, 2025 - 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Virtual)
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM – Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM – Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries
Monday, April 21, 2025 - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (Virtual)
Microsoft Teams is a video-conferencing application that now integrates with Blackboard. It is a platform that can be employed for remote instruction, office hours, or collaborative group work in your courses. Microsoft Teams can be accessed via a desktop application or a browser and is available on mobile devices as well. In this session, we will show you how to set up a Teams Meeting in your Blackboard course, how to navigate the Teams interface, how to share files or documents with students, and how to share screens. We will also show you how to set up groups so your students can work on collaborative activities together. All of these sessions will be virtual and you can click the link to join the workshop at the time of the session. If you require a 1:1 assistance to set up Teams, email actech@hartford.edu, and we will be happy to arrange either a face-to-face or virtual appointment.
Thursday, March 6, 2025 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Virtual)
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (Virtual)
Are you ready to take your Blackboard Ultra experience to the next level? Join us for an interactive workshop focused on creating and managing Organizations within Blackboard Ultra. Whether you're looking to set up a collaborative space for a department, build resources for a student group, or streamline communication for a specific project, this session will guide you through the process.
In this hands-on workshop, you will learn how to:
- Create and customize Organizations to fit your specific needs.
- Organize content, tools, and communication features within your organization.
- Set up effective collaboration spaces, including discussion boards, group assignments, and file sharing.
- Manage user roles and permissions to ensure effective communication and access.
- Leverage grading and assessment tools for member participation and engagement.
By the end of the session, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to successfully build and maintain dynamic, organized spaces within Blackboard Ultra for both academic and administrative purposes.
Email actech@hartford.edu to register for this session.