Fall 2024 Getting Started Resources and Important Updates

by | Aug 20, 2024 | Events, Featured, News | 0 comments

Welcome to the Fall 2024 Term! Here are some of our most commonly used resources you may find useful as you get set up for the term. 

Important Updates to Blackboard

There are regular updates and improvements that happen throughout the term with Blackboard. You can read about several changes that went into effect with the latest release on August 6th.

Blackboard LTI Changes for Summer and Fall 

There are a couple of changes faculty should note in Bb as we start the fall term. There is a new LTI version of Pearson and McGraw-Hill, which provides a more modern and secure method for integrating with Blackboard. (Side note for clarity: LTI stands for Learning Tools Interoperability–it just means that tools from different vendors can be launched from the LMS). 

Current integration links were no longer operational as of June 24. Please be sure to create new links and remove any old links from your course.

Additionally, when submitting your roster verifications and grades you will notice that there is a new ARI LTI tool.

Zoom Has Replaced Collaborate

The Collaborate Ultra web conferencing platform was removed from Blackboard at the conclusion of the Spring 2024 term and has been replaced by Zoom. 

The Zoom meetings Blackboard integration allows instructors to schedule and link meetings right from Blackboard course shells, and has very similar functionality to Collaborate. To support you in using this new tool, we have a new knowledge base article: Quick Start Guide for Zoom Meetings for Blackboard. If you have additional questions, please contact us!

Updates to Other COD Course Technology

Flip Discontinued

As of July 1, Flip is no longer operational and all recordings by faculty have been set to “read only”. Faculty have until September 30th to download their videos.

For those looking to replace Flip, a good option is GoReact. You can learn more about GoReact in our Knowledge Base: 

Read more about the Flip closure.

YuJa Updates

IMPORTANT: Known Issue with Video Quiz Grades 

YuJa is aware of an issue with video quiz grades not properly syncing with the Blackboard Gradebook. Student grades are not being recorded accurately and students may have grades lower than their actual score recorded in Blackboard. If you use this feature, please check student quiz results and update them manually if necessary. YuJa is aware of the issue and will be fixing it with their October update.

YouTube Import Change

YuJa has announced that it will be phasing out the ability to directly import YouTube videos.

If you have previously used this feature, please be advised that, while a definitive end date has not been stated, the feature will be going away and you will need to plan alternatives for video migration.  

To access this tool in the meantime, you will need to go to My Account and select Integrations. 

Register for Foundations of Online Teaching: Now In Ultra! 

Foundations of Online Teaching is now being offered in the new Ultra course view! The video above will give you a quick overview of what you can expect in this new and even better version of Foundations! 

This five-week, online course is designed to promote instructor development and enhance instructor engagement whether you are teaching NET, Hybrid, or VCM courses. Participants explore techniques and best practices for online course development and instruction.

This course is highly participatory in nature, combining practical hands-on learning with engaged discussion.You will be required to complete independent activities due each week, develop a course module, and participate in weekly discussions to successfully complete this course. 

The course starts on August 26th and runs through September 29th. Facilitated jointly by Gabi Frahm and Christine Monnier.