The Technology Enhanced Learning Unit is celebrating the successful first year of the University using the new Blackboard Ultra VLE with a Blackboard Ultra Insights Week. Throughout the week, online presentations will be delivered by colleagues from academic faculties, Library Services, and the TEL team, showcasing innovative and effective uses of Blackboard Ultra. Sessions have been scheduled around lunchtime, offering a timely break and a chance to engage with something different during the marking period. The presentations will be recorded for those who are unable to attend.
In addition, the TEL team will host online drop-in sessions open to all—offering support and ideas on enhancing course engagement and interactivity, improving course structure, and copying content effectively for the new academic year.
There will also be an opportunity to take part in an online survey designed to gather insights into which areas and tools within the VLE staff find most valuable.
The itinerary for the week is as follows:
Staff Presentations:
Student Engagement with Module Readings
Monday 19th May, 11:00 – 12:00
Ros Sykes, Andrew Bright, Michelle Sterry
This session will explore strategies to boost student engagement with course literature and resources, focusing on practical techniques in Blackboard to encourage the use of your Talis resource lists.
VLE Engagement and Course Analytics
Tuesday 20th May, 12:00 – 12:45
Helen Watts, Helen Hope
This session will look at VLE engagement and student retention, and the practical use of Blackboard Ultra’s analytic tools.
Guided in-class Activities in Blackboard Ultra
Wednesday 21st May, 12:30 – 13:30
Louise Martin
In this session, Louise Martin will demonstrate how guided activities in Blackboard Ultra can be used to support in-class learning, showcasing interactive tasks she has designed to actively engage students and reinforce key concepts.
Developing Fully Online Courses
Thursday 22nd May, 12:00 – 13:00
Sarah Davis
In this session, Sarah Davis will share her experience of developing a fully online course using Blackboard. This session is ideal for anyone considering the design of fully online or highly blended courses—an area of growing strategic importance for the University.
Drop-in sessions:
- Tuesday 20th May, 14:30 -15:30
- Friday 23rd May, 10:00 – 11:00
Links for all presentations and drop-in sessions will be shared at a later date.
We hope that you will be able to take part!
