Blackboard Design Studio

Announcement, Blackboard, Training /
Decorative - Laptop on a desk. Adobe stock 1832613960

Getting your Blackboard modules ready for the new academic year? Whether you’re building a new module, refreshing existing content or just want a second opinion on something you’ve set up, our new Blackboard Design Studio is here to help.

The Blackboard Design Studio is a practical, hands-on support session where you can work on your own Blackboard modules with guidance from the TEL team. There’s no presentation or set agenda – instead, bring along your module, questions or ideas and use the time to work on whatever you need.

What can we help with?

The support is tailored to you and what you’re working on. This could include:

  • Module design, structure, and navigation
  • Activity design and student engagement
  • Assessment setup
  • Blackboard tools and functionality
  • Accessibility
  • Blackboard best practice
  • Reviewing your module and offering a second opinion

Whether you have a quick question, need help setting something up or want to spend some dedicated time developing your module, the TEL team will be on hand to work through it with you.

What will you get from the session?

You’ll have the opportunity to make practical progress on your Blackboard module while developing your confidence in using Blackboard tools and functionality. We’ll help you apply Blackboard best practice to your own context and provide personalised advice, recommendations and practical next steps for continuing to develop and enhance your module.

September Blackboard Design Studios

7th September | 11:00–13:00 | St John’s Campus – Room TBC

10th September | 13:00–15:00 | Jenny Lind – Room TBC

Room details will be confirmed with attendees before the session.

Book your place via iTrent, then drop in at any point during the session and stay for as long as you need. You don’t need to attend for the full two hours.

Bring your laptop and your Blackboard module and we’ll help you take it from there.

If you have any questions about the Blackboard Design Studio, please email TEL@worc.ac.uk.

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Moving from Collaborate to Teams for Teaching Sessions 

Collaborate, MS Teams, Training /
Decorative Image of a person presenting in a virtual meeting on a laptop screen. The laptop is located on a desk. Adobestock 351415256

As you will be aware from previous communications, Blackboard Collaborate will no longer be accessible after 31 August 2026. If you are delivering live online teaching sessions through Blackboard, these should now be scheduled and delivered using Microsoft Teams via your Blackboard module. 

To support colleagues with this transition, the TEL Unit and Digital Services ran a joint LDTE session on 7 July, demonstrating the key tasks involved in using Teams for teaching within Blackboard. The session covered everything from creating meetings and adjusting settings through to managing recordings and making them available to students. 

The videos below are taken from the LDTE session and provide a quick reference guide to each stage of the process. 

1. Creating a Teams Meeting in Blackboard 

Creating a Teams meeting directly from your Blackboard course allows students to access live sessions from a familiar location within their module. This approach helps keep teaching materials, communications and live sessions connected in one place. 

In this video, you’ll see how to create and schedule a Teams meeting from within a Blackboard course: 

2. Amending Meeting Settings 

Teams provides a range of meeting options that allow you to tailor sessions to your teaching needs. These settings can help you manage who can present, control the participant experience and ensure meetings are configured appropriately before students arrive. 

This video demonstrates where to find the meeting settings and how to make changes:

3. Using In-Meeting Features to Support Teaching 

Teams includes a variety of tools that can help increase engagement and support learning during live sessions. Features such as chat, reactions, screen sharing, breakout rooms, polls and attendance reports can all contribute to an effective online teaching experience. 

This video provides an overview of the key in-meeting features available to teaching staff and demonstrates how they can be used during a live session:

4. Accessing, Downloading and Sharing Recordings 

Unlike Collaborate, Teams recordings are stored within Microsoft 365 and need to be downloaded before being added to a Blackboard course. Sharing recordings through Blackboard ensures students can access previous teaching sessions alongside other course materials. 

This final video explains how to locate a Teams recording, download it and make it available to students within your Blackboard module by using Panopto:

Need Further Support? 

If you’re preparing for the transition from Collaborate to Teams and would like additional guidance, please contact the TEL Unit, TEL@worc.ac.uk, or Digital Services.

Moving from Collaborate to Teams for Teaching Sessions  Read More »

Grades Journey Project Update

Leave a Comment / Uncategorised /

We’re pleased to share that the first phase of the Grades Journey Project is nearing completion.

Grades Journey allows marks entered in the Blackboard Gradebook to be transferred directly into SITS in just a few clicks. Previously, grades had to be entered separately in both Blackboard and SITS, requiring the same information to be recorded twice. Grades Journey removes this duplication, streamlining the process and reducing the time it takes to finalise grades, particularly for modules with large cohorts. It also helps improve accuracy, as grades only need to be entered once.

This was one of the most requested features during the Blackboard Ultra upgrade, and we’re pleased to be delivering it as part of our ongoing work to improve the assessment process.

The results from the first phase of the project have been very encouraging. Staff who took part found the process quick and straightforward, and their feedback has helped us refine both the workflow and the supporting training materials.

Over the coming months, we’ll be running further small-group trials as we prepare for a wider rollout in Semester 1.

If you’d like to find out more about the Grades Journey Project, or volunteer to take part in the next trial phase, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us at tel@worc.ac.uk.

Grades Journey Project Update Read More »

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 »

How to Download a copy of your assignments and feedback from the Blackboard VLE.

Assignments, Blackboard, Turnitin /

The TEL Unit have put together some tips and advice for students who wish to obtain copies of their work and feedback from tutors.

Staff are welcome to share this information with their students.

Guidance for Students – Downloading Assessments

While you are a current University of Worcester student, any assignments which you have uploaded to the Blackboard VLE or Turnitin can be downloaded at any point for your own records.

This is particularly important if you are a student who is finishing your course:

Finishing your University of Worcester Course?

Turnitin Assignments

Access uploaded work through a Turnitin submission link in Blackboard. You can select your assignment title to review your work.

After the feedback release date, students automatically see any tutor feedback (Classic View) as well as a grade. You can also view rubric comments if one has been used (Classic view). You can view everything from within the ‘Feedback Studio’.

Downloading from Turnitin – Feedback Studio View

Once you have opened your assignment, ensure you have the feedback and similarity layers activated. (You can use the blue and red buttons on the right.)

Example of an Assignment and the Feedback Studio layers activated - Red and Blue buttons in the panel on the right

Then click the grey download arrow to show the different options to select:

Download options menu - Current View, Digital Receipt, and Originally Submitted File
Current View

This will download as a .pdf file document

Digital Receipt 

Shows the time and date of submission

Originally Submitted File

Your work as you uploaded it

We recommend choosing to download the Current View with layers showing, if you would like a copy of your assignment, similarity matches, grade, and feedback.

The downloaded ‘Current View’ .pdf file will contain:

  1. Submission details
  2. Your Assignment
  3. Originality Report (Similarity checks)
  4. GradeMark Report (Grade and Feedback comments)

Your feedback and grade can be found at the end of the .pdf document:

GradeMark report example, showing grade and tutor's comments

Blackboard Assignments

You can view Submissions and Feedback for a Blackboard Assignment in different places.

How do I download my original assignment from Blackboard?

If you only need a copy of your original file you can select the smaller download document icon, above the tool bar options:

Original File download icon, above tool bar

How do I view and download my Written Feedback?

Please see the most common written feedback types in the labelled image below:

Feedback locations labelled - showing Right-hand feedback panel: 1 Overall Feedback document, 2 Overall Feedback Comment, 'Show more' 3 Rubric and comments, Document In-line comments and annotations: 4a Speech Bubble / Callout comment, 4b Annotated text.

In the right-hand Feedback Panel, you may see:

  1. An Attached File – Select the three dots to show the document download icon, and click to download a copy to your device:
Gif of where to locate the three-dot menu on the right of a feedback file, to reveal the 'Download' option.
  1. Overall Feedback – You can click ‘Show more’ to see comments in full.
Overall Feedback Comment highlighted with cursor over the 'Show more' link to reveal full comment.
  1. Rubric and comments – View this feedback in the panel, by scrolling down.
Rubric comments labelled with yellow arrows to show location in right-hand Feedback Panel.

Within your Assignment / the on screen document view:

  1. Document Annotations and Comments
  1. Comments can show as a Speech Bubble / Callout
  2. Or as typed text

4a and 4b- Comments / annotations are included in a .pdf download of your work. Clicking on / hovering over the speech bubble reveals comments. You can select the large download arrow in the tool bar options to get a .pdf file copy of your work and feedback:

Gif of how to download a current view .pdf document - containing any comments or annotations which tutors have added directly to the document - using the larger download arrow in the tool bar.

Audio or Video Feedback

Sometimes, tutors may include Feedback Recordings. (It is not possible to download recorded feedback from Blackboard.)

Downloading Blackboard Assignments with Turnitin enabled

Blackboard assignments can have Turnitin enabled. You can download feedback in the same way. Please see Turnitin’s guidance for how to view your Turnitin similarity report in Blackboard.

Why can’t I download certain feedback or files?

  • 1. Overall Feedback
  • 3. Rubric comments Feedback

For other written feedback, it is not possible to download a copy straight from Blackboard. You could instead copy and paste tutor comments into a new document on your computer. Or take a screenshot for your own records to store outside of the VLE.

  • Embedded Video Assessments

Embedded video assignments are not stored in Blackboard, so cannot be downloaded from here as they are held in Panopto.

Further support

Please contact your tutors if you cannot see your work or feedback, but please also feel free to contact TEL for technical support: TEL@worc.ac.uk

How to Download a copy of your assignments and feedback from the Blackboard VLE. Read More »

Digital Accessibility Week 2026: Highlights and Outcomes

Accessibility, Announcement /
'Digital Accessibility Week' title Banner

Digital Accessibility Week 2026 has now come to a close, and we’d like to thank everyone who took part.

During the week, colleagues from across the University attended workshops, accessed support sessions, explored practical guidance, and contributed to the Accessibility Challenge. Together, these activities helped improve digital content and learning materials while highlighting how small changes can make a significant difference to the student experience.

Thank You for Getting Involved

A huge thank you to everyone who attended a session, visited a drop-in, explored the guidance resources, or took part in the accessibility challenge.

Accessibility Challenge

Winner's Cup with a number 1, being held aloft by a hand.

One of the highlights of the week was our Accessibility Challenge, which encouraged colleagues to improve the accessibility of documents within Blackboard using Ally guidance and feedback.

We’re delighted to share that 391 accessibility improvements were made during the course of the week.

These improvements represent hundreds of individual changes, from adding heading structures and alternative text to improving document formatting, layout, and readability.

Alongside the 391 accessibility improvements made during the challenge, 205 new accessibility issues were identified, highlighting the ongoing nature of this work. This reinforces an important message: building accessibility into content from the outset is far more effective – and far less time-consuming – than fixing issues later.

The progress made during the week was extremely encouraging, and the commitment shown by colleagues across the University provides a strong foundation for continuing to improve the accessibility of our digital content.

Session Recordings

If you were unable to attend during the week, recordings of several sessions are now available:

Keeping the Momentum Going

Digital Accessibility Week may have finished, but accessibility remains an important part of creating effective and inclusive learning experiences.

If you would like support with improving the accessibility of learning materials, using Blackboard Ally, or adopting accessible approaches to digital content creation, the TEL team is here to help, tel@worc.ac.uk. Please get in touch.

Digital Accessibility Week 2026: Highlights and Outcomes Read More »

Move from Collaborate to Microsoft Teams for Online Teaching

Announcement, Collaborate, MS Teams /
Remote work, online meeting, video conference, virtual team, office desk, illustration - AdobeStock image by Shawn

Following a review of tools used for online teaching, the University has agreed to move from Collaborate to Microsoft Teams. This decision was confirmed at LTSEC on 20 May.

Our current contract with Collaborate will end in August 2026, after which Teams will become the University’s primary platform for online teaching from 1 September 2026.

The decision reflects a balanced assessment of several factors. While cost and long-term value were important considerations, it was equally significant that the core teaching functionality offered through Collaborate is now available within Teams. This provides a more integrated, familiar environment for both staff and students, bringing online teaching into the same platform already widely used for collaboration across the University.

It was also recognised that continuing with Collaborate would require a move to a newer version in the near future. This version differs substantially from the current system in terms of features and usability, meaning staff would be adapting to a significantly different platform regardless. Given this, transitioning to Teams now offers a clearer and more consistent direction.

Staff feedback has been a key part of the process. Many colleagues are already confidently using Teams for teaching, and overall sentiment supported the move. Where concerns were raised, such as managing student interactions, these can be addressed through appropriate configuration of Teams to ensure sessions remain structured and manageable.

What does this mean for me?

Staff will need to familiarise themselves with using Teams for teaching ahead of the new academic year. Support will be available to ensure a smooth transition. Digital Services and the Technology Enhanced Learning Unit will provide training, guidance, and resources for both staff and students over the coming months, with further details shared via the staff bulletin, TEL and Digital Services websites, and iTrent.

Furthermore, any recordings made in Collaborate that you would like to retain will need to be moved to Panopto before the end of August. Please see the previous TEL blog post that covers this topic, with instructions.

This change represents a positive step towards a more unified and sustainable digital teaching environment, with the tools, support, and flexibility needed to deliver high-quality online learning.

Move from Collaborate to Microsoft Teams for Online Teaching Read More »

Get Ready for Digital Accessibility Week

Accessibility, TEL Support, Training /

As we approach our first Digital Accessibility Week (1st – 5th June 2026), it is a great time to review the current accessibility of your digital learning resources. This is particularly important as you prepare to migrate your Blackboard module content for Semester 1. Reviewing your materials now can help you identify and address accessibility issues early.

How to check the accessibility of learning resources?

Blackboard Ally is a valuable tool for identifying accessibility issues within your content and providing guidance on how to improve it.

Many of the issues highlighted by Blackboard Ally can be resolved quickly. Our 5-minute fixes resource offers practical guidance on addressing commonly identified accessibility issues in documents using Blackboard Ally.

Top tips for digital accessibility

The TEL website provides further guidance and resources to support with improving the accessibility of documents and resources. Some key aspects to consider are:

  • Adding alternative (alt) text to images
  • Using high colour contrast to ensure text stands out from the background
  • Structuring content clearly using headings and sections
  • Keeping slides or documents easy to read by limiting text and using clear, readable font sizes
  • Using meaningful link text and file names to support navigation

Further support

For more information about the events throughout digital accessibility week, including TEL drop-in sessions, please see the website link below:

Digital Accessibility Week Website

Need help? Contact us at TEL@worc.ac.uk or book a 20 minutes with TEL appointment via our Microsoft bookings page.

Get Ready for Digital Accessibility Week Read More »

Three Ways to Use Vevox in Your Teaching

Polling Tools, Vevox /
Person viewing large mobile phone, with survey options showing on screen.

Vevox is an interactive polling and Q&A tool that can help increase engagement in lectures, seminars, online teaching, and asynchronous activities. Students can respond using their phone, tablet, or laptop through live polls, quizzes, surveys, and anonymous questions.

There are three main ways you can use Vevox in your teaching.

1. Standalone Vevox Sessions

Vevox can be used independently through the Vevox website to run live polls, quizzes, or Q&A sessions in face-to-face or online teaching. You simply present the session code or QR code for students to join.

This is useful for:

  • Checking what students already know at the start of a session.
  • Gauging understanding during a lecture and adjusting your pace accordingly.
  • Encouraging participation from students who are reluctant to speak aloud.
  • Running revision quizzes to support knowledge retention.
  • Gathering anonymous questions so students can ask without hesitation.

Because it works independently of any other platform, this is often the quickest way to get started.

2. Vevox in Blackboard Ultra

Vevox can be integrated directly into Blackboard Ultra, allowing you to embed polls, surveys, and quizzes within your module areas for students to complete through Blackboard itself.

This is particularly useful for:

  • Setting asynchronous activities students complete in their own time.
  • Checking understanding between taught sessions.
  • Identifying topics students found difficult before the next class.
  • Formative quizzes that give students low-stakes practice and immediate feedback.

Depending on the activity type, results can connect with Blackboard Gradebook, allowing you to track participation and review scores.

3. Vevox in Microsoft Teams Meetings

Vevox can be added into Microsoft Teams meetings to support live online teaching. Polls and Q&A activities run alongside your presentation without students needing to leave the meeting.

This works well for:

  • Checking understanding during online lectures without interrupting the flow of teaching.
  • Identifying misconceptions in real time and addressing them immediately.
  • Increasing participation in sessions where students may be less likely to speak.
  • Gathering anonymous questions that allow quieter or less confident students to engage.
  • Ending sessions with an exit poll to find out what students are taking away — and what might need revisiting.

For setup guidance, examples, and further support, visit the Vevox guidance page

Hand holding mobile with tick boxes on screen

Three Ways to Use Vevox in Your Teaching Read More »

Digital Accessibility Week 2026

Accessibility, Announcement, Training /

Building a More Inclusive Digital Environment

The TEL team is excited to launch Digital Accessibility Week 1st-5th June – a week dedicated to improving the accessibility of digital content across the university through practical workshops, drop-in sessions, guidance resources, and a university-wide accessibility challenge.

Digital accessibility is about making sure everyone can access and engage with digital content, including documents, webpages, presentations, and online learning materials. According to the Office for National Statistics, 17.7% of people in England and 21.1% of people in Wales identified as disabled in the 2021 Census. Accessible content helps remove barriers for many users, while also improving usability, readability, and flexibility for everyone.

Workshops, Support and the ‘500 Document Challenge’

Throughout the week, staff will have opportunities to:

  • Attend practical accessibility workshops
  • Access one-to-one support at drop-in sessions
  • Explore quick wins and five-minute fixes
  • Take part in the 500 Document Challenge to improve the accessibility of learning materials and university documents

As part of the challenge, courses across the university are encouraged to improve the accessibility of documents within Blackboard using Ally accessibility guidance and feedback. Our aim is to improve at least 500 documents to an Ally Accessibility score of 75% or above during the week.

The challenge is also an opportunity for Schools to work collaboratively to improve the accessibility of their learning materials. At the end of the week, certificates will be awarded to the School that achieves the greatest improvement in their overall Ally Accessibility score.

We’ll be sharing practical guidance on topics including:

  • Heading structures
  • Alt text
  • Accessible PDFs
  • Colour contrast
  • Accessible formatting and layout

Why Digital Accessibility Matters

Small changes can make a significant difference. Clear headings, accessible documents, captions, and meaningful structure can improve the experience for students and colleagues using assistive technologies, mobile devices, or alternative ways of accessing information.

“The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.”
— Tim Berners-Lee

Whether you are new to digital accessibility or looking to build on existing practice, Digital Accessibility Week offers practical ways to get involved and make a positive impact across the university community.

Find Out More

You can explore the full programme of events and resources here:

Reference
Office for National Statistics (2023). Disability by age, sex and deprivation, England and Wales: Census 2021. Available at: ONS Disability Statistics

Digital Accessibility Week 2026 Read More »