Supercharge Your Fall Startup with eLearning!
On Oct 23, 2026, you can drop-in for Fix-Your-Content Day, hosted in support of the WCAG 2.1 accessibility initiative. Stop by between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to work alongside experts from Student Accessibility Resources, eLearning Technologies, and University Libraries. Support will be available at all three campuses, as well as a virtual option to work with colleagues from Student Accessibility Resources.
City Campus: DCIH260
City Campus: SCB2005
Valley Campus: KHS4402
Register to reserve your Oct. 23 spot so we can plan staffing accordingly. For questions or to request specialized accessibility training for your department, please contact [email protected].
What’s Up with My Ally Score?
As you work on your Fall 2026 courses, keep an eye on your Bb Ally scores and if you need some help interpreting those scores, we have added another webinar to our list of topics titled "What's up with my Bb Ally Score, Understanding Ally, Your Course Report, and What to Fix First".
In this 30-minute, hands-on session, you will learn how to use Ally to identify accessibility issues, understand the Course Accessibility Report, and determine which problems to fix first. You will learn a straightforward, repeatable process for identifying barriers, using Ally's guidance to implement improvements, and progressively improving the accessibility of your Blackboard content. We'll review common issues in documents and course content, show how Ally can help fix them, and demonstrate how small changes can make a big difference for students.
Use this registration link to reserve your spot and receive your Zoom webinar link.
10/21/2026, 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
10/22/2026, 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m
10/26/2026, 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
11/6/2026, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
11/11/2026, 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
11/16/2026, 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
11/18/2026, 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
12/1/2026, 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
12/4/2026, 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
12/7/2026, 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
12/10/2026, 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
eLearning Monthly Newsletter
Every month, the staff of eLearning Technologies puts together an email newsletter featuring announcements about what's new in campus instructional technology, along with timely hints and tips for your digital teaching journey. You'll also want to stay tuned each month to find out what new features have been added to Blackboard.
Be sure to also check out the Blackboard Release Schedule and the Release Notes for a complete list of the monthly and upcoming features and improvements.
If you're not receiving our monthly newsletter, please take a moment to sign-up.
Consult with your eLearning Liaisons
We welcome faculty to contact their dedicated eLearning Liaisons whenever you have questions regarding Bb Ultra features. Feel free to set up a consultation for additional guidance or troubleshooting assistance. Our top priority is timely support, and your feedback is essential.
Make the Most of Blackboard Ultra
Blackboard AI Design Assistant
The Bb Design Assistant is designed to support course development and instructional planning.
- Review our AI Blackboard Knowledge Base articles and contact your eLearning liaison to learn more and get started!
- To promote transparency with students, we recommend including a brief statement if generative AI tools such as Blackboard's AI Design Assistant were used in curriculum development. We've included sample language on our AI Design Assistant Blackboard Webpage, which you can incorporate into your course materials.
- Remember, using the AI features is entirely optional and at each instructor's discretion.
- We recommend reviewing the GVSU AI Policy and visiting the GVSU AI website for guidance on the responsible and ethical use of AI in teaching and learning.
- Visit our Blackboard AI Design Assistant website for FAQs, resources, and assistance.
Remember the following
- Every faculty member has their own "Ultra Practice Test Course" where they can explore new Ultra features.
- Faculty can request "template sites" to help with early curriculum development or special projects.
- All faculty have been enrolled in a Blackboard site named "Blackboard Learn Ultra Self-Paced Training." Use this site to familiarize yourself with Ultra Course View at your own pace.
- You can find many additional resources on our Instructor Resources for Blackboard Ultra page in the Service Portal Knowledge Base or the Student Resources for Blackboard Ultra page.
- Review our New Semester Checklist to make sure your Bb course is ready for the new semester.
- Blackboard releases new features and functionality on the first Friday of each month. See the Release Schedule and the Release Notes for monthly and upcoming features and improvements.
- Blackboard wants to hear from you, and they've created a website where the community can share their thoughts on Blackboard's future. We encourage all faculty to sign up for the Idea Exchange to add your own suggestions and vote on others' ideas.
Looking for a Quick Start Guide to Blackboard?
Review this PDF Blackboard LMS 101 Guide for Faculty, created by Blackboard, and contact your eLearning Liaison for a consultation.
Are you new to Ultra?
Our tutorial, "Getting Started with Blackboard Ultra," also provides essential resources and tips for learning the basics of Ultra.
Looking for a visual tour of an online course to get some ideas for course organization?
Watch this video tour to get some inspiration and best practices for organizing your online course.
The '5 STEPS for Course Design'
Want to take it a step further? This self-paced course guides you through 5 steps to build your course and save time! Each step will cover pedagogy, strategies, and examples for designing and building your aligned course in the most time-efficient way possible. Enroll today!
Learn More about Digital Skills for College Success
In this month's spotlight video, listen to Tricia Thomas talk about the online tutorial course "Digital Skills for College Success" and how it has helped her students feel better prepared for their online learning journey.
Tricia Thomas
Professor of Nursing
Join our Faculty Learning Community!
Whether you've been teaching online or hybrid courses for several years or are just getting ready to start your first semester teaching hybrid or online, all levels of expertise are welcome to join our Online & Hybrid Faculty Learning Community.
Join us each month to:
- Support new and experienced online/hybrid faculty through dialogue and samples
- Explore best practices associated with online/hybrid teaching and learning
- Identify emerging technological needs to support online teaching and learning
- Share collective expertise across disciplines
Panopto Video Retention Policy
Beginning on January 1, 2025, Panopto videos that have not been viewed within 13 months will automatically be transferred to the Panopto Archive. This process will continue on the 1st of each month. This means that beginning on February 1, 2026, videos that have been in the Panopto Archive for 13 months and unwatched for 36 consecutive months will be automatically deleted from our system. This process will also take place on the 1st of each month.
About eLearning
We support faculty, contribute to teaching excellence, and enhance student success through:
- Digital Pedagogy
Understanding why and how to use technology in the learning process - Blackboard
GVSU's official Learning Management System - The Bridge
Interactive Digital Media Development
Supporting faculty pursuing innovation in teaching and learning.
WE'RE HERE TO HELP!
Email Us: [email protected]
Call: (616) 331-2101 24x7
Schedule a consultation:
Fill out this request form
Service Portal Articles:
Blackboard Instructor Resources
Fall Semester
Graduate Assistant Phone Coverage
October 6-16, 2026:
(616) 331-8526
Fall Semester Hours:
Monday 12-4 pm
Tuesday 12-5 pm
Wednesday 12 5 pm
Thursday 11 am -1 pm
Friday 11 am -4 pm
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