Sign Up for Free Accessibility Workshop in October Bring Your Own Course (BYOC) and Find, Fix, or Swap Content MarylandOnline and the Maryland Distance Learning Association are co-hosting this free day-long workshop devoted to making your course content accessible to all students. 

Two Dates:
  • Friday, October 4 at Anne Arundel Community College, Arundel Mills/Hanover Campus. 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Friday, October 18 at Towson University North East (TUNE). 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 
LUNCH IS INCLUDED in your registration. 

B.Y.O.C. and learn how to:
  • Identify and fix common accessibility problems
  • Create meaningful alternative text
  • Assess PDF files and video 
  • Locate accessible sources 
Be certain you have access to the course you will assess and fix during this workshop. You will have the option to make real-time edits to course content. 

Click on this link to register  


]]> MarylandOnline and the Maryland Distance Learning Association are co-hosting this free day-long workshop devoted to making your course content accessible to all students.  Two Dates: Friday,... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/86604/guest@my.umbc.edu/75bc0675738b5c5b6b71c1ff3fa03b6a/api/pixel accessibility accessible content pdf video Instructional Technology https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/original.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/large.png?1446126703 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/medium.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/small.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxsmall.png?1446126703 Instructional Technology https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/604/7792c3520f78f9ef94055203aced6893/xxlarge.jpg?1568310437 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/604/7792c3520f78f9ef94055203aced6893/xlarge.jpg?1568310437 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/604/7792c3520f78f9ef94055203aced6893/large.jpg?1568310437 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/604/7792c3520f78f9ef94055203aced6893/medium.jpg?1568310437 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/604/7792c3520f78f9ef94055203aced6893/small.jpg?1568310437 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/604/7792c3520f78f9ef94055203aced6893/xsmall.jpg?1568310437 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/604/7792c3520f78f9ef94055203aced6893/xxsmall.jpg?1568310437 4 0 true Thu, 12 Sep 2019 13:51:34 -0400 Self-Enrolled Groups Introduced to Ultra in September Needs grading filter also available to Ultra gradebook

Group management is an invaluable resource in a Blackboard course, especially one with large enrollments. UMBC is closely monitoring the evolution of this important tool in Ultra as we continue on a staged migration path. The September update to Ultra introduces self-enrolled group assignments, providing a useful workflow to support team activities. Faculty will be able to set self-enrollment limits for number of groups and membership size, hide student names for those who've already signed up, and create expiration dates for when students must sign up for their group assignments.

Two additional enhancements are available in September. Ultra courses will have a new Needs Grading filter to help instructors locate submissions and begin grading more quickly. Additionally, instructors can pre-schedule Collaborate sessions in their Ultra courses any time before releasing the course to students. 

The next Blackboard Learn update will be posted to our test site around September 10th and pushed to production around October 3rd. Faculty who are interested in test driving new features before they are released to production should open an RT ticket to request early access. 

As always, if you have any questions, please consider the following options:

 ]]> Group management is an invaluable resource in a Blackboard course, especially one with large enrollments. UMBC is closely monitoring the evolution of this important tool in Ultra as we continue... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/posts/86348 https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/86348/guest@my.umbc.edu/300738ed9254d7d6a1b3924f0f1a29f3/api/pixel blackboard ultra-experience ultra-update Instructional Technology https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/original.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/large.png?1446126703 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/medium.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/small.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxsmall.png?1446126703 Instructional Technology https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/348/614e5d414502f27a5aea10565a654dbb/xxlarge.jpg?1576595665 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/348/614e5d414502f27a5aea10565a654dbb/xlarge.jpg?1576595665 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/348/614e5d414502f27a5aea10565a654dbb/large.jpg?1576595665 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/348/614e5d414502f27a5aea10565a654dbb/medium.jpg?1576595665 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/348/614e5d414502f27a5aea10565a654dbb/small.jpg?1576595665 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/348/614e5d414502f27a5aea10565a654dbb/xsmall.jpg?1576595665 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/348/614e5d414502f27a5aea10565a654dbb/xxsmall.jpg?1576595665 2 0 true Wed, 04 Sep 2019 14:10:31 -0400 Tue, 17 Dec 2019 10:14:41 -0500 Gaining Insights on Student Success using Attendance Data Findings from Two Terms of Qwickly Pilot During the FA18 and SP19 semesters, DoIT partnered with Math/Stat to assess the relationship between student attendance and academic outcomes leveraging laptop and mobile technology. Using a tool provided by a third-party vendor, Qwickly Attendance, faculty were able to keep attendance within their courses in the learning management system (Blackboard). More than 8,000 students, across 239 Blackboard courses participated during the FA18 term. The SP19 included 125 courses that made use of the tool for attendance, totaling 4,487 records. Sixteen of these courses were in Math/Stat, and represented 1,181 records.

There was a wide range of attendance use, from instructors using the tool only once, to others making use of it consistently throughout the term. The findings from this initial term indicated that students who attend class more regularly were less likely to be identified as at-risk at the semester midpoint and less likely to earn a DFW in their respective courses.

Overall, there was a statistically significant, negative relationship between absenteeism and receiving an FYI during both terms. As attendance increased, the chance of receiving an FYI decreased. During the FA18 term, of the students enrolled in courses that used Qwickly attendance, those who received an FYI attended on average about 8% fewer sessions than those students who did not receive an FYI (78.8% vs 86.6%). There was a similar pattern when looking only at the Math/Stat courses using the tool, although with slightly lower attendance rates. In these courses, students who received a DFW attended class almost 30% less than their peers (47% vs 76%).

There was a minimal reduction in class-level DFW rates for those sections participating in the pilot compared with the same courses taught by the same instructors between the FA17 and SP18 terms (22.24% vs. 23.65%), while overall DFW rates for all Math/Stat courses across these terms held steady during this same time period (19.73% vs. 19.52%). In turn, there was not strong evidence to suggest taking attendance on its own impacts students’ academic outcomes. However, since poor attendance is positively correlated with adverse academic performance, the signal from students’ attendance might be used to identify and remediate risk-behavior patterns, particularly since there remain courses that do not make use of the FYI system.

The data resulting from this pilot indicate absenteeism is associated with poorer academic outcomes, and suggest the signal from this behavior might be leveraged along with existing messaging intervention techniques to remediate the pattern during a semester to positively impact students’ chances of academic success. Kathleen Hoffman, Associate Dean of the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, notes how the use of the tool is beneficial to "quickly and easily track student attendance” and can help support student self-efficacy since "data gathered in UMBC math classes shows students the direct relationship between their grade in the course and their attendance in class."
]]> During the FA18 and SP19 semesters, DoIT partnered with Math/Stat to assess the relationship between student attendance and academic outcomes leveraging laptop and mobile technology. Using a tool... https://doit.umbc.edu/ https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/86278/guest@my.umbc.edu/85ceb1c735e8b5a6bfdab65d34a24a51/api/pixel attendance pilot qwickly success Instructional Technology https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/original.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/large.png?1446126703 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/medium.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/small.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxsmall.png?1446126703 Instructional Technology https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/278/0ef45110c4a54b1aa2a68051f891226b/xxlarge.jpg?1567461063 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/278/0ef45110c4a54b1aa2a68051f891226b/xlarge.jpg?1567461063 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/278/0ef45110c4a54b1aa2a68051f891226b/large.jpg?1567461063 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/278/0ef45110c4a54b1aa2a68051f891226b/medium.jpg?1567461063 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/278/0ef45110c4a54b1aa2a68051f891226b/small.jpg?1567461063 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/278/0ef45110c4a54b1aa2a68051f891226b/xsmall.jpg?1567461063 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/278/0ef45110c4a54b1aa2a68051f891226b/xxsmall.jpg?1567461063 3 0 true Tue, 03 Sep 2019 09:27:49 -0400 Sat, 14 Sep 2019 22:43:19 -0400 Free Webinars from the Blackboard Innovative Teaching Series September focuses on student success & retention Next month, the Blackboard Innovative Teaching Series offers two free webinars focusing on student success and retention:

Increase Student Success Using Analytics and Student Data
Wednesday, September 11th at 10am ET / 3pm BST

Engagement and Interaction are popular concepts discussed in the teaching and learning realm. These concepts are evolving based on the characteristics and expectations of the new "Traditional Student" in Higher Education. Learners are looking to engage and interact with instructors, content, and peers while leveraging technology as a seamless tool to use in their daily routine. 

Join this webinar for an overview of analytic tools used to monitor student engagement, track academic progress, assess the effectiveness of course design to support academic performance.

Register online: https://go.blackboard.com/bits-webinars

How Successful Students Take Advantage of Classroom Technology
Thursday, September 26th at 11am ET / 4pm BST

Students today expect technology-enhanced learning experiences. Whether it’s how they view grades, assignments, communicate with the instructor or fellow students. This session highlights how Blackboard can partner with faculty and more importantly the student during their class. 

Register online: https://go.blackboard.com/bits-webinars

About the Blackboard Innovative Teaching Series

The Blackboard Innovative Teaching Series (BITS) is a free webinar series featuring higher ed and K-12 educators, instructional designers, academic leaders, and other experts who share the top strategies and pedagogy for both increasing educator efficiency and improving learning outcomes. The program consists of free 30-60 minute webinars offered throughout the academic year.
]]> Next month, the Blackboard Innovative Teaching Series offers two free webinars focusing on student success and retention: Increase Student Success Using Analytics and Student Data Wednesday,... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/posts/86253 https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/86253/guest@my.umbc.edu/7ed0c6f8f4234a053a5aa48d962b0284/api/pixel bits blackboard webinar Instructional Technology https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/original.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/large.png?1446126703 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/medium.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/small.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxsmall.png?1446126703 Instructional Technology https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/253/3b0b6af7832f7a412fa0352855a39a2f/xxlarge.jpg?1567193362 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/253/3b0b6af7832f7a412fa0352855a39a2f/xlarge.jpg?1567193362 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/253/3b0b6af7832f7a412fa0352855a39a2f/large.jpg?1567193362 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/253/3b0b6af7832f7a412fa0352855a39a2f/medium.jpg?1567193362 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/253/3b0b6af7832f7a412fa0352855a39a2f/small.jpg?1567193362 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/253/3b0b6af7832f7a412fa0352855a39a2f/xsmall.jpg?1567193362 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/253/3b0b6af7832f7a412fa0352855a39a2f/xxsmall.jpg?1567193362 2 0 true Fri, 30 Aug 2019 15:30:39 -0400 Sign Up for Free Training on Respondus Tools in September LockDown Browser, Monitor and Respondus 4.0 Exam Creation
Respondus is offering free training webinars on the following tools:
LockDown Browser, Respondus Monitor,  and Respondus 4.
See the dates, times and descriptions for each event below:


Instructor Training: LockDown Browser & Respondus Monitor

This comprehensive training webinar is intended for instructors who plan to use

LockDown Browser and/or Respondus Monitor with online exams. The session 

provides a detailed demonstration of both applications, including new enhancements 

that make Respondus Monitor even more effective and easy to use.

This in-depth training for LockDown Browser will focus on advanced settings and features

 – such as how to use external websites, spreadsheets and online calculators with 

LockDown Browser. The session will also include how students can use LockDown Browser 

on different devices, such as an iPad, and best practices for instructors and students. The 

webinar will include a Q&A period at the end.

Quickly Create Online Exams: Respondus 4 and the Test Bank Network


Find out how Respondus 4 allows you to create and manage exams that can be printed 

to paper or published directly to your LMS, and how the Test Bank Network enables 

instructors to create online tests from official publisher test banks.

Learn more about these free training webinars at
 https://www.respondus.com/products/webinar/.
]]> Respondus is offering free training webinars on the following tools: LockDown Browser, Respondus Monitor,  and Respondus 4.See the dates, times and descriptions for each event below:... https://www.respondus.com/products/webinar/ https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/86135/guest@my.umbc.edu/de3e34bc7382fd28242ef2310f8318da/api/pixel instructional-technology lockdown-browser respondus-exam-generator respondus-monitor Instructional Technology https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/original.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/large.png?1446126703 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/medium.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/small.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxsmall.png?1446126703 Instructional Technology https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/135/29a151033e484dbbf171fdda3c89e751/xxlarge.jpg?1566922471 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/135/29a151033e484dbbf171fdda3c89e751/xlarge.jpg?1566922471 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/135/29a151033e484dbbf171fdda3c89e751/large.jpg?1566922471 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/135/29a151033e484dbbf171fdda3c89e751/medium.jpg?1566922471 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/135/29a151033e484dbbf171fdda3c89e751/small.jpg?1566922471 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/135/29a151033e484dbbf171fdda3c89e751/xsmall.jpg?1566922471 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/135/29a151033e484dbbf171fdda3c89e751/xxsmall.jpg?1566922471 1 0 false Tue, 27 Aug 2019 12:16:31 -0400 Tue, 27 Aug 2019 12:39:08 -0400 Blackboard LTI Integrations not Working with Safari Please use a browser other than Safari to access Blackboard! As noted in this Known Issue FAQ, recent updates to the Safari web browser are preventing access to LTI content inside any Learning Management System (LMS) including Blackboard. The issue stems from Apple trying to prevent websites from secretly tracking the browsing activity of Safari users. Unfortunately, these updates are preventing third-party tools from functioning properly. Impacted Blackboard integrations include, but are not limited to, Qwickly Attendance, Respondus LockDown Browser, Turning Technologies, VoiceThread, and FlipIt Physics. Please click here for a full list.

At this time, users in courses with LTI integrations will need to use a browser other than Safari to access Blackboard (e.g., use Chrome or Firefox). ]]> As noted in this Known Issue FAQ, recent updates to the Safari web browser are preventing access to LTI content inside any Learning Management System (LMS) including Blackboard. The issue stems... https://doit.umbc.edu/ https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/86004/guest@my.umbc.edu/e3e757017fea3c3090da3fdccbe6e568/api/pixel bb-tools blackboard known-issue lti Instructional Technology https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/original.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/large.png?1446126703 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/medium.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/small.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxsmall.png?1446126703 Instructional Technology https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/004/f791442ffdc2ea31c06914f523c118e9/xxlarge.jpg?1566496906 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/004/f791442ffdc2ea31c06914f523c118e9/xlarge.jpg?1566496906 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/004/f791442ffdc2ea31c06914f523c118e9/large.jpg?1566496906 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/004/f791442ffdc2ea31c06914f523c118e9/medium.jpg?1566496906 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/004/f791442ffdc2ea31c06914f523c118e9/small.jpg?1566496906 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/004/f791442ffdc2ea31c06914f523c118e9/xsmall.jpg?1566496906 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/086/004/f791442ffdc2ea31c06914f523c118e9/xxsmall.jpg?1566496906 2 0 false Thu, 22 Aug 2019 14:02:53 -0400 Thu, 22 Aug 2019 17:17:31 -0400 Check your course materials for accessibility with Ally New course report available in Blackboard for FA2019

Are your course materials accessible? Where would you go to check? Could you easily remediate your files for your current or future students?

Meet Ally, an accessibility tool that automatically scans your Blackboard course content and performs a series of steps to make that content more accessible. Ally provides you with an overall accessibility report for your entire course as well as tagging individual content items. Use the overall report to quickly identify easy issues to fix or urgent content that needs to be fixed.

Ally automatically generates alternative formats of your course files and makes them available to you and your students. The alternative formats do not affect your original file, but they do allow students to access an HTML version for their phones, an ePub version for their tablets, an MP3 version for audio players, and electronic braille for braille readers.

Improving the accessibility of your course content will not only help ensure students with different abilities can access your materials, but it will also improve the learning experience for students who use mobile devices as well as those who want to engage with the material in a different way.

Learn more about Ally by attending an orientation webinar or reviewing the Ally FAQs. 

As always, if you have any questions, please consider the following options:

 ]]> Are your course materials accessible? Where would you go to check? Could you easily remediate your files for your current or future students? Meet Ally, an accessibility tool that automatically... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/posts/85855 https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/85855/guest@my.umbc.edu/c7a449357345401e2258b35ce6ca1ba7/api/pixel accessibility ally blackboard Instructional Technology https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/original.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/large.png?1446126703 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/medium.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/small.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxsmall.png?1446126703 Instructional Technology https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/855/91ef4c13c59e8babd649b8921d6cd551/xxlarge.jpg?1565717223 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/855/91ef4c13c59e8babd649b8921d6cd551/xlarge.jpg?1565717223 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/855/91ef4c13c59e8babd649b8921d6cd551/large.jpg?1565717223 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/855/91ef4c13c59e8babd649b8921d6cd551/medium.jpg?1565717223 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/855/91ef4c13c59e8babd649b8921d6cd551/small.jpg?1565717223 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/855/91ef4c13c59e8babd649b8921d6cd551/xsmall.jpg?1565717223 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/855/91ef4c13c59e8babd649b8921d6cd551/xxsmall.jpg?1565717223 2 0 true Tue, 13 Aug 2019 13:36:32 -0400 Mon, 19 Aug 2019 16:07:42 -0400 DoIT Expands Ultra Faculty Ambassador Program Nominate a peer expert today!

Are you passionate about teaching with technology? Do you have an Ultra course adoption story to share with other faculty? Would you like to be part of a growing community of Blackboard influencers at UMBC? 

If so, consider applying to the Ultra Faculty Ambassador Program!

Faculty engagement throughout the transition to Ultra is an invaluable component of UMBC’s Blackboard innovation roadmap. With the increased investment in support for Ultra and instructional technology, we’d like to invite five faculty to join our Ultra Faculty Ambassadors.

What makes a good Ultra Ambassador?

  • User-friendly - You are collegial and share best practices, resources & information with peers.

  • Learned - You seek opportunities to acquire new knowledge & skills.

  • Transformative - You perceive change as an opportunity.

  • Responsive - You pass constructive feedback back to Instructional Technology staff.

  • Accomplished - You stand out as an expert in using Blackboard for teaching.

Throughout the transition to the new course interface, Ultra Faculty Ambassadors communicate information to departments and college peers, respond to basic questions about using Ultra, coordinate training for their peers as needed, and provide feedback to the Instructional Technology team about any concerns or functionality requests. 

All Ultra Faculty Ambassadors are required to attend a full-day of customized training to better prepare for their important role and receive a $300 stipend and additional support for their own Ultra course conversion or redesign.

Submit your nomination with this online form.

As always, if you have any questions, please consider the following options:

 ]]> Are you passionate about teaching with technology? Do you have an Ultra course adoption story to share with other faculty? Would you like to be part of a growing community of Blackboard... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/posts/85849 https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/85849/guest@my.umbc.edu/555625f14511005cf48817cb6cb2bdba/api/pixel blackboard road-to-ultra ultra-experience Instructional Technology https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/original.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/large.png?1446126703 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/medium.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/small.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxsmall.png?1446126703 Instructional Technology https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/849/a0987687e1767745b0d2b0c936ec90c6/xxlarge.jpg?1565704392 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/849/a0987687e1767745b0d2b0c936ec90c6/xlarge.jpg?1565704392 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/849/a0987687e1767745b0d2b0c936ec90c6/large.jpg?1565704392 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/849/a0987687e1767745b0d2b0c936ec90c6/medium.jpg?1565704392 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/849/a0987687e1767745b0d2b0c936ec90c6/small.jpg?1565704392 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/849/a0987687e1767745b0d2b0c936ec90c6/xsmall.jpg?1565704392 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/849/a0987687e1767745b0d2b0c936ec90c6/xxsmall.jpg?1565704392 1 0 true Tue, 13 Aug 2019 09:54:10 -0400 DoIT Welcomes 3 New Staff to Instructional Technology

It is my pleasure to both introduce and welcome the three newest members of the Instructional Technology team in DoIT: Chimaobi (Mobie) Nwaokomah (pictured at left), Laura Wyatt, and Collin Sullivan. They round out the team that added Dr. Susan Biro in her new role as Online Learning Coordinator in early May of this year. These new staff members add depth and breadth to the existing team as DoIT continues its investment in Instructional Technology.

Chimaobi (Mobie) Nwaokomah joins the team as an Instructional Designer. Mr. Nwaokomah graduated with a Master of Public Administration from the University of Baltimore and completed his Master of Arts in Instructional Systems Development from UMBC in Spring 2019. He also completed graduate certificates from UMBC in Instructional Technology and Distance Education. He previously served as an Instructional Designer and LMS System Administrator at the University of Baltimore, and an e-Learning Specialist at that same institution.

Laura Wyatt also joins the team as an Instructional Designer. Ms. Wyatt graduated with an M.S. degree in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College. In her most recent position, she served as the Associate Director of Instructional Technology at McDaniel College and previously served as their Learning Management System Administrator. 

Collin Sullivan joins the team as a Learning Management System (LMS) Support Specialist. Mr. Sullivan earned both his Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and his Bachelor of Arts in Economics here at UMBC in May 2019.  He served as an intern in the Instructional Technology office from 2015-2018 where he demonstrated his technical skills and abilities, giving him the foundation to thrive in his new role and support UMBC’s migration to Ultra.

Please join us in welcoming these three dynamic individuals into the UMBC family. We look forward to their future contributions to our community and the institution.

Sincerely,


Sherri Braxton

Senior Director

Instructional Technology

UMBC Division of Information Technology


 ]]> It is my pleasure to both introduce and welcome the three newest members of the Instructional Technology team in DoIT: Chimaobi (Mobie) Nwaokomah (pictured at left), Laura Wyatt, and Collin... https://doit.umbc.edu/itnm/staff/ https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/85830/guest@my.umbc.edu/ba5818a43bc318a6747b32e2e9c40827/api/pixel doit instructional-technology online-learning staff Instructional Technology https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/original.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/large.png?1446126703 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/medium.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/small.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxsmall.png?1446126703 Instructional Technology https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/830/26985dac2e537cd9deb67d96c962b4a1/xxlarge.jpg?1565622161 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/830/26985dac2e537cd9deb67d96c962b4a1/xlarge.jpg?1565622161 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/830/26985dac2e537cd9deb67d96c962b4a1/large.jpg?1565622161 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/830/26985dac2e537cd9deb67d96c962b4a1/medium.jpg?1565622161 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/830/26985dac2e537cd9deb67d96c962b4a1/small.jpg?1565622161 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/830/26985dac2e537cd9deb67d96c962b4a1/xsmall.jpg?1565622161 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/830/26985dac2e537cd9deb67d96c962b4a1/xxsmall.jpg?1565622161 14 0 false Mon, 12 Aug 2019 11:06:28 -0400 Fri, 04 Oct 2019 14:38:48 -0400 Join the M.O.S.T. Regional Open Educational Resource Forum Discuss OER accessibility, quality, student success Are you new to open educational resources (OER) and interested in learning how to adopt or scale OER in your course or across your institution?

Register to join the Maryland Open Source Textbook (M.O.S.T.) initiative on September 20th at the M.O.S.T. Regional OER Forum: Central Maryland to participate in interactive sessions and discussions on OER in higher education. 

This day-long regional forum is targeted to higher education faculty, instructional designers, librarians, and administrators interested in getting an introduction to openly licensed materials, finding resources to support OER adoption, and joining discussions on OER accessibility, quality, and impact on student success. Attendees will have an opportunity to network, learn, and collaborate with colleagues from across Maryland’s 2- and 4-year higher education institutions.

Friday, September 20, 2019
Central Maryland
REGISTER
9:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Towson University

Unable to attend the Central Maryland Regional OER Forum?  M.O.S.T. is also holding a Regional OER Forum in Eastern Maryland on August 15th.  Register for the Eastern Maryland Regional OER Forum here.

Call for Proposals - Central Maryland Poster Showcase
We are inviting faculty, staff, and administrators from Maryland higher education institutions to present their OER stories at a poster showcase at the Central Maryland Regional OER Forum.  Are you passionate about the use of OER and interested in engaging others in adopting OER by sharing your experiences – both what has worked and what hasn’t? Have you created new open content within your field or discipline? Do you have OER content adoption strategies to share? Has the use of OER led to broader redesigns of courses, changes to pedagogy, greater student engagement, or increased student learning?  Share your story at the M.O.S.T. Regional OER Forum: Central Maryland!

Submit your project for a poster showcase.

If you have any questions about the M.O.S.T. Regional OER Forums or the poster showcase, please contact most@usmd.edu.
]]> Are you new to open educational resources (OER) and interested in learning how to adopt or scale OER in your course or across your institution? Register to join the Maryland Open Source... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/oer/posts/85826 https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/85826/guest@my.umbc.edu/ebdd38bd1c52a9892d25ff02090c3cde/api/pixel most oer Open Educational Resources at UMBC https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/oer https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/664/0e7fb0a3d658c358b4e5e9561f35099e/xsmall.png?1562590436 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/664/0e7fb0a3d658c358b4e5e9561f35099e/original.png?1562590436 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/664/0e7fb0a3d658c358b4e5e9561f35099e/xxlarge.png?1562590436 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/664/0e7fb0a3d658c358b4e5e9561f35099e/xlarge.png?1562590436 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/664/0e7fb0a3d658c358b4e5e9561f35099e/large.png?1562590436 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/664/0e7fb0a3d658c358b4e5e9561f35099e/medium.png?1562590436 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/664/0e7fb0a3d658c358b4e5e9561f35099e/small.png?1562590436 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/664/0e7fb0a3d658c358b4e5e9561f35099e/xsmall.png?1562590436 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/664/0e7fb0a3d658c358b4e5e9561f35099e/xxsmall.png?1562590436 Open Educational Resources at UMBC https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/826/471c7d5b7f58b21265dd1d4dec3991c4/xxlarge.jpg?1565618216 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/826/471c7d5b7f58b21265dd1d4dec3991c4/xlarge.jpg?1565618216 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/826/471c7d5b7f58b21265dd1d4dec3991c4/large.jpg?1565618216 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/826/471c7d5b7f58b21265dd1d4dec3991c4/medium.jpg?1565618216 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/826/471c7d5b7f58b21265dd1d4dec3991c4/small.jpg?1565618216 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/826/471c7d5b7f58b21265dd1d4dec3991c4/xsmall.jpg?1565618216 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/085/826/471c7d5b7f58b21265dd1d4dec3991c4/xxsmall.jpg?1565618216 2 0 true Mon, 12 Aug 2019 10:01:54 -0400 Wed, 14 Aug 2019 08:04:31 -0400