eLearning Blog

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.

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Jake Martar, Ed.S This article may be out of date.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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

SafeAssign is a Blackboard tool used by instructors and students to review the originality of assignments. SafeAssign compares submitted assignments against a database of academic papers and identifies overlap between the assignment and existing works. SafeAssign reports the originality of the assignment with a score. Both instructors and students can use the report to review […]