Combining Machine and Human Intelligences for Interventions Bb Predict and FYIs Inform Behavioral Nudges Over the past three full semester terms, UMBC has implemented a predictive analytics pilot “nudge” campaign using Blackboard (Bb) Predict. Beginning in the Spring 2018 term, we selected high enrollment (N ≥ 100) gateway courses based on their student use of the LMS (interactions), strong Civitas signal courses, where a low grade is associated with lower graduation rates, and high rates of students receiving a first year intervention (FYI) and/or D, F or W (DFW).

PSYC100 was identified for a two-tiered messaging campaign informed by students' Bb Predict values. DoIT sent Nudge A, signed by the section’s instructor, Eileen O’Brien, through the myUMBC campus portal to students who had a 50% or greater chance of receiving a DFW and but did not receive an FYI from their instructor. Nudge B was sent to students using the same criteria as Nudge A, but who also received an FYI. Both messages were deployed mid-semester to 1) maximize the validity of the Bb Predict model and 2) allow time to leverage predictions for this intervention while supporting student self-efficacy.

Prior results indicate that both Bb Predict and FYI operating in tandem appear to improve the precision of intervention efforts and complements our well established FYI system by identifying at-risk students who may not have been pinpointed solely through the current FYI system. The pilot has expanded, more than doubling each term, with 107 total interventions across 14 distinct course sections by the end of the Spring 2019 semester. The full list of participating courses and instructors is available here.

Overall, the FYI and Bb Predict processes working together are very accurate and have incorrectly identified less than 1% of students as likely to receive a DFW when they did not (i.e., false positives). If a student is identified by both systems there is an exceptionally high likelihood of their receiving a DFW in the given term. This prediction gives us an enhanced ability to support students through tutoring or advising.

A larger scale rollout could help increase the number of cases to perform a more robust assessment. Additional faculty participation would help us to sharpen our predictions and support more students. We are moving very conservatively in regards to sharing the results of our predictive model with either students or faculty members until we have a much better understanding of how that might impact effort or relationships. The next phase of our research will incorporate additional data into the model that will help us move the prediction window as early in the term as viably possible.
]]> Over the past three full semester terms, UMBC has implemented a predictive analytics pilot “nudge” campaign using Blackboard (Bb) Predict. Beginning in the Spring 2018 term, we selected high... https://doit.umbc.edu/ https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/87052/guest@my.umbc.edu/12aed46e431b05b6e2f5de804478ea64/api/pixel analytics blackboard fyi learning machine predict 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/000/087/052/bcaf507c64a40559fb5ba7742a318fcc/xxlarge.jpg?1569438407 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/087/052/bcaf507c64a40559fb5ba7742a318fcc/xlarge.jpg?1569438407 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/087/052/bcaf507c64a40559fb5ba7742a318fcc/large.jpg?1569438407 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/087/052/bcaf507c64a40559fb5ba7742a318fcc/medium.jpg?1569438407 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/087/052/bcaf507c64a40559fb5ba7742a318fcc/small.jpg?1569438407 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/087/052/bcaf507c64a40559fb5ba7742a318fcc/xsmall.jpg?1569438407 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/087/052/bcaf507c64a40559fb5ba7742a318fcc/xxsmall.jpg?1569438407 7 0 true Wed, 25 Sep 2019 15:11:15 -0400 Quality Matters Training Opportunities In person or fully online via our sister USM institutions

Quality Matters (QM) is a nationally recognized, faculty-centered, peer review process designed to improve online and blended course quality to benefit online learners. The Applying the Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR) workshop is QM's flagship workshop on the QM Rubric and the process of using the QM Rubric to review online and hybrid courses.

The Applying the Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR) workshop is intended for a broad audience, including but not limited to faculty, instructional designers, administrators, and adjunct instructors who wish to understand more about the QM Rubric and process of course review. It is particularly helpful to those new to QM or those considering the adoption of a quality assurance process for online and blended learning. The APPQMR is also the prerequisite for the Peer Reviewer Course, which is required to become a QM Peer Reviewer.

Both face-to-face and online training opportunities are available to UMBC faculty from our sister USM institutions, Towson University, Salisbury University, and Frostburg University.

Face to Face Option - Towson University

Two hands-on Applying the Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR) workshops are available:

All workshops are held in the Cook Library, Room 404B from 9 AM – 4:30 PM. The cost of the workshop will be $30 (plus parking) and will include a continental breakfast and lunch along with a Quality Matters booklet and other course materials. 

Parking is available on campus in the Towsontown Garage for $12 for the entire day. The individual participant is responsible for his/her own parking fee.

Online Option - Salisbury University & Frostburg University

Salisbury University & Frostburg University invite USM faculty and staff to join a 2- week, facilitated online Applying the Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR) workshop. Participants need approximately 7-8 hours per week to complete this workshop. Four sessions are scheduled:

The cost associated with the dedicated online APPQMR is $25. To register for the workshop, open an RT ticket with the individual’s name and department. A charge back to the department will occur for each instructor who signs up for the workshop.

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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