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Creating and formatting documents in Blackboard

Blackboard, Training /

Converting a file in Blackboard

Rather than uploading your files directly to Blackboard, you may want to consider using the ‘Convert a file’ option:

Image of 'Document type of content' options, with 'Convert a file' highlighted in a red box.
  • Select Create, Document, then ‘Convert a file’
  • Browse for your files on your PC.
  • Once selected, the system converts the file into the Document format.
  • Supported file types include PDF (.pdf), PowerPoint (.ppt, .pptx, .pps), or Word (.doc, .docx, .odt).
  • Converted content should be reviewed for accuracy

Why use a Blackboard Document?

Blackboard documents are more accessible than uploading files because they are designed as native, responsive web pages (rather than attachments). The documents will also use a more standardised font style, so provide consistency across your Blackboard module.

Using Auto-generate layout

After creating your document, you can then auto-generate the layout.

Image of an exemplar Blackboard Document with the 'auto-generate' icon, highlighted in a red box.

In a document that already has content, select the auto-generate icon (shown in red above). This optimises the layout, reorganises text or image content, and optionally creates a knowledge check.

  1. Select the Auto-generate layout icon.
  2. Review the layout and adjust as needed.
  3. You can select Settings and update options, such as, which images are included, or if a knowledge check is needed.
  4. Select Apply layout.

Creating and formatting documents in Blackboard Read More »

AI Knowledge Checks in Documents

Accessibility, AI, Blackboard /

The Blackboard ‘Document’ tool now includes a new AI feature for Knowledge Checks. This option enables you to either enter a question manually or autogenerate a question using the built in AI knowledge check generator. Knowledge Checks in Blackboard enhance the learning experience, they allow students to access and engage with content, then receive immediate feedback. Tutors can also view the students’ responses.

How to use documents created elsewhere

'Convert a file' option highlighted under 'Select a type of content to add a block'.

Tutors can convert word, pdf or PowerPoint files directly into html format using the Blackboard ‘Convert a file’ option.

Converting a file in this manner will result in a more accessible experience for students. Once the file has been converted, any additional formatting can be added from the formatting tool bar.

Example of a converted file.

How to add a Knowledge Check

Once the file has been converted, a knowledge check can be added to the document.

'Select a type of content to add a block' - 'Knowledge check' option highlighted.

You can create your own question or use the built in ‘Auto-generate question’ tool to create one for you. (Auto-generated questions use the Blackboard AI Design Assistant.)

'Enter my question' or 'Auto-generate question' options shown.

The question will then appear at the end of your converted document.

Examples of auto-generated questions based on content.

AI Knowledge Checks in Documents Read More »

PebblePad Alumni Accounts for students

PebblePad /
PebblePad Logo 2025

If you are a tutor who teaches students who are using PebblePad, you may want to remind your final year students that they can take a free PebblePad alumni account.  

Students who have used PebblePad during their studies may want to retain the work they have done for the purposes of CPD when they leave the University. They can do this by creating an alumni account, when they are about to leave the University. Work in the student’s University account will then be copied into their alumni account, and for this reason it is recommended that students do not create the alumni account until they are ready to leave the university. There is no charge for an alumni account. This PebblePad guide provides further information about Alumni accounts.

To maintain access to their alumni account, students should use a personal email address which they intend to keep for the foreseeable future. 

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Vevox and MS Teams: Why not sign up for one of our online TEL workshops?

Blackboard, MS Teams, Training, Vevox /

Would you like to know more about how Vevox polling can increase engagement in your lectures, or how you can configure MS Teams from within Blackboard? If so, why not sign up for a training session via iTrent.

Lecturer with students around them using Vevox on devices

What is Vevox?

Vevox is a live polling and Q&A tool that works on any device. Students can answer polls, submit questions, vote in word clouds, or take part in quizzes – all in real time. It’s a quick way to make sessions more interactive and fun – giving everyone a voice.

Microsoft Teams

We’re excited to provide training for the new integration that brings Microsoft Teams directly into Blackboard Ultra. This means staff and students can access Teams meetings and collaboration spaces without leaving the Ultra environment.

Session details:

The sessions are both via MS teams and are being delivered on the following dates/times:

Vevox – Increasing Student Engagement       18th February   12:30 – 13:30

Configuring MS Teams in Blackboard              4th March          12:30 – 13:30

To sign up for a session, access the staff portal. On the ‘Staff’ page select iTrent, and click on ‘Learning’ in the left hand menu.

Vevox and MS Teams: Why not sign up for one of our online TEL workshops? Read More »

Editing your video recordings in Panopto

Panopto, Training, Video /

Sometimes it is necessary to carry out editing on a video of a teaching session that has been recorded using Panopto. This may be a section at the end, where you want to remove student questions for instance, or it could be during the middle of the session, where the video has continued running while you were having a break. Panopto has some simple but effective video editing tools, that mean basic editing functions can be applied easily and quickly to your videos. It also offers the advantage that all edits are non-destructive, so you always have the option to safely revert back to your original video.

To edit your video, hover over the video you wish to edit and select the ‘Edit’ icon.

Edit button highlighted as it appears in Panopto

On the video timeline, use the left mouse button to click and drag to select sections of the video you want to remove. Edits can be made at any point within the video timeline.

Screenshot of the video timeline with selections of cuts which need to be made.

You can then play the video and the edited sections (shown in grey above) will not be included in your video.

You can also normalize the volume levels across your audio. This increases the volume of the quieter sections of audio without clipping, making the entire audio track clearer. 

'Normalize audio volume' selection option highlighted.

Once you are happy you can click on the ‘Apply’ button at the top of the page.

Blue Apply button shown (alongside other icon options at the top of the page).

For further information about editing in Panopto, please visit the TEL Panopto webpages: Staff Panopto Manual: Editing

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New PebblePad Atlas Interface

Announcement, PebblePad /
PebblePad Logo 2025

If you are a tutor who assesses student work via PebblePad, you will be pleased to hear that there is a new ATLAS interface that is scheduled to be released in early January 2026. The new ATLAS design is a significant improvement in terms of visual appearance and workflow. The intention is to provide a clearer layout that requires less clicks to complete your tasks.

PebblePad new Atlas Dashboard

To assist you in preparing for this change, we can provide you with the option to toggle into the new ATLAS view. If you find that you want to revert to the original view, you can toggle back again until the end of December.

PebblePad Toggle button - Preview the new Atlas - Try the new ATLAS

If you would like to have this toggle option added to your ATLAS account to familiarise yourself with the new layout, please email TEL@worc.ac.uk

New PebblePad Atlas Interface Read More »

Vevox is a Blackboard Integration

Announcement, Blackboard, Vevox /
Vevox icon 'Audience Engagement' displayed on a mobile phone screen, which is being held in a hand.
© Vevox

We are pleased to announce that Vevox polling software is now integrated with our Blackboard VLE. This integration enables tutors to launch an interactive polling session using Vevox directly within their Blackboard course environment, streamlining the use of polls and enhancing the learner experience.

Users connect easily to Vevox via Blackboard without any need to sign in. Student identities remain hidden from public view, but student progress can be tracked via the Blackboard Gradebook by tutors. To add a Vevox poll or survey to your Blackboard course area, you can locate the Vevox tile in the ‘Content Market’.

Vevox have produced a help video and a step by step user guide showing how to link Vevox polls or surveys into your Blackboard course.

Vevox is a Blackboard Integration Read More »

PebblePad Alumni Accounts for students who are leaving the University

Announcement, PebblePad /
Graduation hat, laptop and diploma on white background
Adobe Stock by Pixel-Shot

If you are a tutor who teaches students who are using PebblePad, you may want to remind your final year students that they can take a free PebblePad alumni account.  

Students who have used PebblePad during their studies may want to retain the work they have done for the purposes of CPD when they leave the University. They can do this by creating an alumni account, when they are about to leave the University. Work in the student’s University account will then be copied into their alumni account, and for this reason it is recommended that students do not create the alumni account until they are ready to leave. There is no charge for an alumni account for students. This PebblePad help page guide provides further information about PebblePad Alumni accounts.

We also have the following additional advice for students, which you are welcome to share:

If you are leaving the University and want to keep your PebblePad for personal learning and professional development, you’ll need to create a free alumni account. To maintain access to your alumni account, you must use a personal email address (not your UW account) which you intend to keep for the foreseeable future. Only create the alumni account just before you are ready to leave, as all work will be copied across to your new account and it is not possible to reverse this action.

PebblePad Alumni Accounts for students who are leaving the University Read More »

Staff Training – Using Tests in Blackboard Ultra

Blackboard, Training, Ultra /
Various cogs and graphs images, with a hand selecting the word 'Test' in capital letters - Copyright By Tierney
Adobe stock By Tierney

The TEL Team are running a staff training session for staff interested in using the Blackboard Tests feature.

Blackboard Tests enable a range of different question types to be added to create self-marking and short answer tests in Blackboard Ultra. These can be for summative exams or formative testing to help gauge student understanding, and ultimately assess student performance.

The workshop will cover the set-up of a test canvas and the various deployment options, together with a closer look at some of the question types and how these might be used.

Picture of Blackboard Test question example - image of drop down boxes and answers to choose from.

Participants will engage both as students to experience the student view, and also as tutors setting up and marking their own tests – to gain an all-round appreciation of the online assessment function.

The session will be on 26th March 2025, 10:15 – 11:30 – via MS Teams (online).

To sign up please visit your staff page on the ‘MyWorcester’ Portal and select the iTrent tile. You will then see the menu option for ‘Learning’, where you can view all staff training workshops.

Staff Training – Using Tests in Blackboard Ultra Read More »

PebblePad Feedback

Feedback, PebblePad /

PebblePad is a learning journey platform used to support and develop students during their studies. There are a number of departments across the University that use PebblePad for a variety of different purposes; consequently the requirements for a single system that meet the needs of all users is complex and extensive.

The platform is used to provide portfolio and practice-based learning so PebblePad’s use is heavily embedded within a number of courses. We are reviewing the provision of workbooks and portfolios that currently use PebblePad software and would welcome your feedback.

We would appreciate if tutors who currently use the PebblePad system could take a moment to answer this short three question survey so we can gain a better understanding of how the system is used throughout the University.

An open laptop
Adobe stock By utah51

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