TEL Support

We know that many student queries sent to academic staff relate to learning technologies rather than module content – things like accessing tools, submitting work, or understanding how a platform works. To help streamline this, the TEL team has launched a new TEL Chatbot, designed to give students fast, reliable answers to common questions. 

The chatbot is not AI-driven and doesn’t generate responses. Instead, it draws on a curated set of frequently asked questions and approved guidance from the TEL team, ensuring that students receive clear, accurate and consistent information. It’s available 24/7 and acts as a helpful first point of contact for common TEL-related queries. 

You’ll find the TEL Chatbot on the institution page in Blackboard, making it easy for students to access whenever they’re working online. 

How this helps you 

• Reduces repeat queries landing in your inbox 

• Gives students immediate answers to common TEL questions 

• Ensures advice is accurate and up to date 

• Frees up time for more complex or academic-focused support 

What we’re asking of you 

When students contact you with questions about learning technologies, we’d really appreciate it if you could direct them to the TEL Chatbot in the first instance. It’s designed to handle the most common issues and will point students to the TEL team where further support is needed. 

You might also want to: 

• Mention the chatbot in Blackboard announcements 

• Highlight it during early teaching sessions 

• Add a brief note to module information or FAQs 

The TEL Chatbot won’t replace human support – but we hope it will become a reliable first stop.