eLearning Blog
UAMS Leads Arkansas in Global Accessibility Competition
In November, UAMS participated in “Fix Your Content Day” (FYCD), a global 24-hour competition dedicated to improving the accessibility of digital course content. Despite high global traffic slowing down the servers, UAMS faculty and staff persevered to achieve significant improvements in the institution’s digital accessibility metrics. Competition Rankings Final tabulations placed UAMS in top positions […]
Blackboard ULTRA Faculty Tip: Create an Introductory Video
Just like we are new to Blackboard Ultra, our students are too. I recorded
a short introduction video to introduce myself, the class (syllabus etc.),
and gave an overview of how I have laid out the Blackboard Ultra course.
This video helps me connect with the students so they know there is a
real person behind the course.
End of Semester Tasks
The end of the Spring semester is coming soon. After the final grades are posted, and the course is closed for the students, you may want to have a last look at your course. Each semester the course content must be copied from the old course to the new course. If the old content is […]
Best Practices for Synchronous Online Learning
Rhonda Partney-Wakelyn, MA, M.Ed In an online learning environment, student engagement is imperative. However, many instructors struggle to make their online courses interactive and engaging-enter synchronous learning. In a world of self-paced online learning, many instructors and students feel they miss the engagement they enjoy in a live, in-person classroom. So, how, in an online […]
Best Practices for Asynchronous Learning
Rhonda Partney-Wakelyn, MA, M.Ed What does Asynchronous mean? In an asynchronous learning environment, communication does not occur in real time. In other words, different time/different place. Course materials are self-navigated, and students progress through the learning materials at their discretion. Students often find this design more convenient. However, interaction can be minimal, and many may […]
Beating ChatGPT
Jake Martar, Ed.S This article may be out of date. Please refer to the new 2.1.6 Artificial Intelligence Generative Tool Use Policy on the Academic Affairs Policy page for the latest guidance on using Generative AI tools.https://academicaffairs.uams.edu/academic-affairs-policies/ Ever since the public launch of ChatGPT academic circles have been alarmed by its potential for abuse. Let’s […]
Spring Cleaning: Declutter Your Content Collection
It is that time of the year again; the new semester started, and the courses are now available for the students. You may have created a new course or copied and updated the content from previous semesters. In either of these cases, you added course materials. It is important to monitor the course storage to […]
New Name Pronunciation Features in Blackboard
Beginning July 7th, Blackboard has enabled name pronunciation features. This enables users to add text guidance and an audio recording of their name to Blackboard. Users will be able to see and listen to your pronunciation when they click your profile picture. Please see the video demonstration for more information. Faculty and Staff can send […]
New Session Engagement Insights-Collaborate Ultra
Session Engagement Insights is a new tool companion in Collaborate Ultra. Now, moderators can view data on audience engagement during a live session! For example, moderators can see at-a-glance attendees’ interactions such as the number of hands raised and the number of chat messages sent throughout the session. Please note: The Session Engagement Insights panel […]