Summer Workshop Series

Quality Course Design for the Transition to Blackboard Ultra

Workshop Details

This is a three-day (either in-person or Zoom) session held on May 21- 23 (in person) or May 28-30 (Zoom). Participants must attend all three days. 

As UND transitions to Blackboard Ultra, faculty moving over existing courses or creating new courses can intentionally incorporate best practices and evidence-based teaching approaches. TTaDA wants to ensure instructors are well-equipped with the tools and resources to make this transition less stressful and more effective. This 3-day workshop on course design will focus on aligning learning outcomes with activities and assessments, accessibility in course design, Blackboard Ultra training and more. 

Presenters: Elizabeth Becker, Katie Benton, Kristi Embry, Naomi Hanson, Bridget Brooks, Jonathan Puhl, Anna Kinney, and Anne Kelsch 

Workshop participants will: 
* Create a course map aligning activities and assessments with outcomes and submit it for peer review 
* Develop a template in Blackboard Ultra for at least three modules (at least one should include assessments and/or activities) 
* Identify common accessibility issues and apply them to their course content 
* Create an AI policy that is appropriate for their assignments and learning outcomes  
* Learn best practices for giving effective feedback 
* Consider alternative assessments that align well with course goals 

Pre-Session Work

• Complete the Best Practices in Teaching Course and submit the certificate by Tuesday, May 20 (In-person) or Tuesday, May 27 (Zoom).

Day 1 Wednesday, May 21 (in-person) or May 28 (Zoom) from 9 am-4 pm

• Quality course implementation, begin working on course map, introduction to building your course in Blackboard Ultra, and overview of accessibility/Blackboard Ally. 
• Homework - Finish writing Course or Module level Learning Outcomes for 1-3 modules and add those to your course map. (Due Thursday) 

Day 2 Thursday, May 22 (in-person) or May 29 (Zoom) from 9 am-4 pm

• Innovative and Engaging Teaching Practices, Alternative Assessments, Giving Effective Feedback, and individual or group work-time.  
• Homework - Complete 1-3 modules on the Course Map and start building an Ultra Template for your course. (Due Friday) 

Day 3 Friday, May 23 (in-person) or May 30 (Zoom) from 9 am-4 pm

• Course Map Charrette, Accessibility of Textbooks, Drafting AI Policies, and individual or group work-time.  
• Homework - Complete the requirements for the stipend as listed below by June 15, 2025. 

Stipend Requirements

Participants who do the following by June 15th will receive a $1,000 stipend: 
* Complete the Best Practices in Online Teaching course (approx. 3 ½ -4 hours) 
* Complete the summer workshop (must attend all three days in full) 
* Complete Accessibility online training (approx. 1 hour) 
* Build at least 3 modules in Blackboard Ultra with an overall accessibility score of 85% or higher 
* Submit the Course Review Worksheet to TTaDA to begin the review process

After the Blackboard Ultra course is reviewed by an Instructional Designer and the accessibility score of at least 85% is reached, TTaDA will issue a stipend payment. 

All disciplines are welcome. The deadline to apply for the summer workshop will be Friday, April 25, 2025. Individuals will be notified the week of April 28-May 2.  Please note that faculty that attended the Quality Course Design for the Transition to Blackboard Ultra Workshop in 2024 are welcome to apply again with a different course but priority will be given to first time attendees. For faculty who take the workshop a second time some additional or alternative stipend tasks may be required. 

Participants can attend in person or virtually via Zoom but attendance will be capped at 75 per modality, and department groups are welcome.