eLearning Webinars, Training and More!

Throughout each semester, the eLearning team offers a variety of webinars covering a wide array of teaching with technology topics.
- All sessions are facilitated in a LIVE webinar format using Zoom.
- Participants will be emailed a webinar link 24 hours prior to the session.
- All attendees who register for the session will also receive access to the webinar recording.
- Please register for all sessions in GVSU Sprout.
The Spring/Summer 2023 Flyer is now available!
Webinars are offered in the following categories:
Blackboard
Learning the basics
Blackboard Ultra Essentials
Blackboard Ultra Essentials
This webinar is recommended for faculty/staff, who are comfortable learning new applications on their own and want to learn the most commonly used features of Blackboard Ultra.
6/19/23, 8/14/23 (1:00 pm - 2:00 pm)
6/22/23, 8/10/23 (7:00 pm - 8:00 pm)
8/16/23 (11:00 am - noon)
Ultra Base Navigation Webinars
Ultra Base Navigation
Our UBN sessions have concluded for the semester, but you are encouraged to see this video playlist to learn more about Ultra Base Navigation.
Lunch-and-Learns 2023
Join us virtually every week during the lunch hour for a series of getting started with Blackboard Ultra topics. Topics include Creating and Organizing Content in Ultra, Assessments/Tests, Grading, and Communication Tools. Webinars will be offered in 50-minute segments with 20-25 minutes allotted for demonstrations and the remaining time available for questions. All webinars will begin at noon.
Lunch-and-Learns – Q&A Sessions
*Our Q&A sessions have concluded for the semester, but you are encouraged to reach out to your eLearning liaison to ask questions or schedule a consultation visit.
Drop-in Office Hours
In-Person Office Hours
In addition to your dedicated eLearning liaisons, we have two graduate assistants who are available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (9 – 4) to help with Ultra questions. Stop by KHS 4450 on the Allendale campus. No appointment is necessary. Daniel Rikkers and Sam Nyarega are ready and eager to help you with Blackboard Ultra.
Virtual Office Hours
This summer, eLearning staff will be holding virtual office hours on Zoom. Visit Sprout to receive the Zoom link. Office hours will be held on the following days, from noon to 1pm:
- May 15, 17, 23, 25, 31
- June 6, 8, 12, 14, 20, 22, 26, 28
- July 6, 10, 12, 18, 20, 24, 26
- August 1, 3, 7, 15, 17, 21, 23, 29, 31
Watch a Recording
If our webinar times don't fit into your schedule, catch-up by watching a recording. Note: we'll try to record as many of our webinars as possible, but given that many sessions are repeated throughout the academic year, not all actual sessions may be recorded.
Lunch-and-Learns
Learn by Example
Want some advice about how to organize your Ultra course? Please visit our Ultra Champions website to view how our early adopters organized their Ultra courses. You're also welcome to reach out to your eLearning liaison to schedule a consultation appointment. We have also created this article which suggests best practices for organizing your course in Blackboard Ultra.
Blackboard Sponsored Webinars (2023)
In addition to all the trainings developed and offered by eLearning, the GVSU community also has access to training offered by Anthology / Blackboard.
Individual Consultations
Need individualized help with Blackboard, digital media, and instructional design considerations? eLearning staff are happy to meet with you. Please submit a consultation request in our service portal. Please include your college, course title, number, and any course specific and/or technical questions so that we can direct your requests to the appropriate team member.
Blackboard Ultra Open Build-a-thon Sessions
The transition from Blackboard Classic to Blackboard Ultra will require faculty to think differently about presenting course content. Learn how to use Blackboard Ultra to present your content in a dynamic format for your students. We will help you put into practice Ultra’s functionality through guided instruction.
*Webinars are scheduled for 3 hours. During virtual sessions, participants will be put in breakout rooms with dedicated members of the eLearning team for guided practice.
Summer 2023
7/27/23 1 pm – 4 pm Zoom
8/18/23 9 am – 12 pm Zoom
Blackboard Ultra Special Topics
Join the eLearning Technologies team to learn about specific areas of Blackboard Ultra. Topics include: Data, Communication Tools, Gradebook, and Content Market.
Blackboard Ultra Special Topics
Using Data in Learn Ultra
5/11/23 11 am - noon and 6/6/23 1pm - 2pm
Holding every student accountable and identifying individuals who are falling behind is made easier in the Blackboard Learn Ultra experience. This webinar will focus on the data and analytics that are available throughout your Ultra Course and include an overview of Blackboard’s Assessment and Accreditation solution, EAC Visual Data. During the session, we’ll guide instructors through the assignment analytics, student progress analytics, and course data that will allow you to measure and boost your students’ performance.
Blackboard Ultra Special Topics
Communication Tools
5/11/23 1pm - 2pm and 8/21/23 10am - 11am
Learn how to communicate with students in Blackboard Ultra using notifications, messages, discussions, conversations, and announcements.
Blackboard Ultra Special Topics
Gradebook
5/16/23 2pm - 3pm, 6/29/23 10am - 11am and 8/22/23 10am - 11am
Learn how to navigate and use the gradebook. You can access grades from Ultra Base Navigation or from the Gradebook tab in a course.
Blackboard Ultra Special Topics
Content Market
5/18/23 11 am - 12 ppm, 7/11/23 2 pm - 3 pm, and 8/23/23 10 am - 11 am
Learn how to utilize course tools from the content market, which include the accessibility report, Google assignments, Panopto videos, quizzes, and assignments, Zoom, Hypothesis, etc.
Five Steps for Course Design using Blackboard Ultra
Step 1: Foundational Items
Foundational Items needed for the first step will be discussed (Syllabus, Course Schedule, Learning Objectives, Begin Here/Welcome content, Navigation instruction, and more).
( check back for future opportunities )
Step 2: Assessments
Assessments ideas for student engagement and components available in Ultra will be discussed.
( check back for future opportunities )
Step 3: Activities
Learning activity ideas for student engagement, rubrics, and components available in Ultra will be discussed.
5/9/23 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Step 4: Navigation
The ability of your students to navigate your course site is critical. Being thoughtful about navigation can lead to student inspiration to dive into the online experience and engage in the course content. How do you build quality navigation into your course? We will discuss what considerations need to be included in your course design and build, as well as, how you can experience your own class as a student. Examples will be shown in Ultra.
5/30/23 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Step 5: Tech Check
We will talk through building blocks to include for students in your course, considerations in your course design, and strategies for instructor and student success using technology.
6/20/23 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Respondus
Respondus Lockdown Browser & Monitor Instructor Training for Blackboard Learn Ultra
5/16/23 10 am - 11:00 am
Please visit our Respondus webpage for faculty support resources.
Digital Pedagogy
Instructional design assistance to support faculty in the design, development and delivery of digital learning experiences.
Hypothesis: Collaborative Annotation Tool for Blackboard Learn Ultra
5/16/23 2 pm - 3 pm
Accessibility and Ally: Creating Course Materials That Work for All
Accessibility helps everyone have an improved learning experience. At the end of this hands-on webinar, the learner will be able to:
- Create accessible content using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, etc.
- Interpret Ally's feedback and understand the accessibility of content
- Use accessibility features in Blackboard Ultra including accommodations for students and the Accessibility Report
5/19/23 11 am - 12 pm
8/16/23 1 pm - 2 pm
9/8/23 11 am - 12 pm
Foundations of Online and Hybrid Course Development
This self-paced workshop has been designed to meet the University requirement that all faculty teaching hybrid and online classes be personally certified. Visit this site for more information including registration instructions.
Online/Hybrid Faculty Learning Communities
Whether you’ve been teaching online or hybrid courses for several years, or just getting ready to start your first semester teaching hybrid or online, all levels of expertise are welcome to join our “Online and Hybrid Faculty Learning Communities.”
These learning communities provide a venue for faculty-led dialogue and sharing collective expertise regarding online/hybrid instruction at GVSU.
- Online/Hybrid Faculty Learning Communities - Meeting Dates and Times. This page also includes instructions for how to sign-up to participate.
- Please email Matt Roberts, Instructional Designer, with any questions or comments.
Please note that our learning communities do not meet over the summer.
Video, Screen Capture, Interactive Digital Media
Learn more about creating and managing video and digital media in these seminars.
Creating Instructor Presence: Panopto with Blackboard Ultra
5/10/23, 6/21/23, 8/15/23 and 8/24/23 10am - 11am
Creating Engaging and Interactive Digital Media
( check back for future opportunities )
Introduction to Flip (Formerly FlipGrid) for Video-based Discussions
5/9/23 1 pm - 2 pm
7/24/23 10 am - 11 am
Using Padlet to Engage Online Learners
5/23/23 10 am - 11 am
6/13/23 11 am - 12 pm
Media Assessments: Transform Your Existing Assignments into Student-Created Video
7/13/23 11am - 12 pm
Digital Media Support
Digital Studio | gvsu.edu/elearn/ds
Presentation Tips & Techniques
Creating Engaging and Interactive Digital Media
*This session has concluded but will be repeated Spr/Sum 2023 semester.
Glue Them to Their Seats (eLearn On Demand)
Interactive Instruction with 3rd Party Tools (eLearn On Demand)
Sneaky Slides: How to Rescue PowerPoint from the Dark Side for More Engaging eLearning Videos (eLearn On Demand)
eLearn On Demand workshops are the same content we offer as in person and webinar-based sessions, but with the additional convenience of working through content at your own pace and on your own schedule. Each workshop is delivered through Blackboard as a series of readings, videos, and hands-on activities.
TEACHING WITH TECHNOLOGY & BLACKBOARD SUPPORT
- services.gvsu.edu (Service Portal)
- [email protected] (email)
- gvsu.edu/elearn/help (eLearning Technologies Help pages)
- 616-331-2101 (Service Desk Phone)
The eLearning Technologies team is here to help!
Zoom & Synchronous Instruction
Zoom 101
Zoom 101
Learn how to use Zoom for conducting synchronous class meetings and scheduling virtual office hours.
5/11/23 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
You are also encouraged to review this article on how to schedule Zoom office hours in Blackboard Ultra
Zoom 101 (eLearn On Demand)
Emerging Technology
Learn more about innovative technology such as virtual reality, augmented reality, 3D printing and more!
Hands-On with Emerging Tech + Technology Showcase Tour
LIB 012 Mary Idema Pew Library (Allendale)
gvsu.edu/techshowcase
Upcoming Seminars
5 Steps for Course Design Series
May 30, 2023 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
This series uses best practices in course design in the most time efficient process possible. Each webinar will cover pedagogy and strategies, as well as plenty of examples on the following topics...
Blackboard Ultra Special Topics
June 6, 2023 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Join the eLearning Technologies team to learn about specific areas of Blackboard Ultra.
Hypothesis: Collaborative Annotation Tool for Blackboard Learn Ultra
June 7, 2023 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Learn how collaborative annotation with Hypothesis can be used to make student reading visible, active, and social in your Blackboard Ultra course.
Using Padlet to Engage Online Learners
June 13, 2023 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
During this webinar, participants will learn how to activate their Padlet account and how it can be used for brainstorming, storyboarding, collecting resources (such as images, attachments, hyperlinks,...
Blackboard Ultra Essentials
June 19, 2023 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
This webinar is recommended for faculty/staff, who are comfortable learning new applications on their own and want to learn the most commonly used features of Blackboard Ultra. Day and evening sessions...
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