View this email in your browser
 
Grand Valley State University
Welcome to June's eLearning Technologies newsletter. In this issue we explore alternatives to Flip following Microsoft's announcement that the tool will be sunset on July 1. We'll also highlight several new features in Blackboard, including the "new" ability to print assessments for students needing accommodations and the introduction of the AI Rubric Design Assistant for generating rubrics. Additionally, we'll provide details on how to join Stephanie Balaskas for July's Microsoft Efficiencies Training series, the availability of Fall Blackboard courses, and how to connect with eLearning for assistance.
In this email newsletter:

Goodbye Flip

Microsoft has announced that it will discontinue Flip (formerly Flipgrid) beginning July 1. At that point videos will go into view-only mode. Faculty will be able to download content until September 30. Flip has been a popular tool with Grand Valley faculty, so we've put together Panopto and Padlet options that can be used as alternatives to Flip.
Padlet resources:
  • For instructors, this article explains how to set up a Padlet.
  • For students, this article explains how to post a video to Padlet.
Panopto resources:
  • For instructors, this article explains how to set up a video assignment.
  • For instructors, this article explains how to set up a video discussion.
  • For students, this article explains how to participate in a video assignment.
  • For students, this article explains how to participate in a video discussion.
Please contact your eLearning Liaisons should you need assistance using Padlet or Panopto as alternatives to Flip.

June Blackboard Feature Enhancements

Several new Blackboard feature upgrades have become available with our June release. These enhancements are designed to improve students' usability and streamline faculty workflows. Key upgrades include:
Print Assessments
Faculty now have the option to print assessments, making it easier for students who need accommodations to review and distribute materials offline.
Improved Visibility of New Grades/Feedback in the Student's Gradebook View
Blackboard has added an "indicator" to the Gradebook tab to ensure that students are aware of any new grades posted. When there are new grades, the number of new grades appears on the tab.
After selecting the tab, items with new or updated grades appear at the top of the student gradebook and display a purple indicator. The purple indicator disappears, and the count on the tab decreases when the student selects the item or reviews their submission.
Immediate Posting of Announcements
Newly created announcements will now post immediately, removing the separate step of having to actively choose to post the announcement.
Weighted Calculation Usability Improvements
Enhancements have been made to simplify the process of creating and managing weighted calculations.
Ultra Course and Organization Navigation and Personalization
There is now a term selector/filter and a search bar for keywords related to courses or organizations. Current courses and organizations are the default selections, and there is now an all-term option that lets you see everything you have been enrolled in.
  • Tip: "Favorite/star" your most used courses to keep them at the top. See an example of what the new navigation bar and page look like.

AI Rubric Design Assistant

We have enabled Blackboard's Rubric Design Assistant if instructors need help creating rubrics. In addition to the linked instructions, you can watch a video about using the Rubric Design Assistant. You are welcome to contact your eLearning Liaisons with questions.
NOTE: If your assignment already contains a description with grading criteria, the Rubric Design Assistant will use that information to create the rubric. The generator works best using clearly defined parameters, expectations, and grading guidelines. If the assignment is vague, the rubric will also be vague. After it generates the rubric, it is highly recommended that you manually edit it to fine-tune its criteria and descriptors to align more precisely with your course content, student level, and assessment goals.

Weekly Wednesday Office Hours are Back!

Join us each Wednesday in Zoom for Blackboard Ultra Lunch and Learn virtual office hours! eLearning staff will be ready to help you from 12 to 12:30pm. Bring your eLearning questions. Reservations aren't required. If you teach the second six weeks of the summer semester, let us help you prepare!

Fall Course Availability

Beginning July 1, 2024, instructors who are listed as the instructor of record in Banner will see their Fall 2024 courses. Those who want to begin working on their courses early can request a template course site. Don't forget your eLearning Liaisons are available all summer for consultations and curriculum redesign opportunities.

Microsoft Efficiencies Series and Creating Instructor Presence with Panopto

The summer semester is a great time to increase your Microsoft knowledge and create video content using Panopto. Sprout links are available for easy registration.
Microsoft Excel 101
June 26, 2024 • 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Quizzes and Surveys with Microsoft Forms
July 2, 2024 • 11:00am – 12:00pm
Practical Ways to Enhance Your PowerPoint Presentation
July 8, 2024 • 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Creating Instructor Presence with Panopto
July 9, 2024 • 11:00am – 12:15pm

Timeline and Assistance for Migrating Blackboard Organizations to Ultra

August 30, 2024, has been identified as the deadline for migrating existing Blackboard Organizations to Blackboard Ultra. Should you need an extension, please email it@gvsu.edu with your organization's name and requested extension date.
Here are a few essential resources:

Connect with eLearning!

Our eLearning team welcomes the opportunity to work with you all summer long. You can locate your assigned eLearning Technologies team members on our eLearning Technologies Support by Colleges website. You can also reach out through email or phone or conveniently submit a consultation request via our Service Portal. Let us know how we can assist you!
Sincerely,
Kim Kenward, Director of eLearning Technologies
kenwardk@gvsu.edu
GVSU Information Technology
Visit our eLearning Technologies website or follow us on our socials:
Twitter Facebook YouTube
podcast by Jamison Wieser from Noun Project / Question by Adrien Coquet from Noun Project / feedback by Vectorstall from Noun Project / moving by Adrien Coquet from Noun Project / door open by shashank singh from Noun Project / wellness by Adrien Coquet from Noun Project / reminder by conchan from Noun Project / explain by Iconographer from Noun Project / Six by Adrien Coquet from Noun Project / Tour by Colourcreatype from Noun Project / key by Aaron K. Kim from Noun Project / closed by Gregor Cresnar from Noun Project / cleaning by Nubaia Karim Barsha from Noun Project / new by jiskan427 from Noun Project / leaf by Deepz from Noun Project / foundation by M. Oki Orlando from Noun Project / working together by Khoirin from Noun Project / Accessibility by mikicon from Noun Project / Toolbox by Danil Polshin from Noun Project / startup by Gregor Cresnar from Noun Project / Training by Adrien Coquet by Noun Project / origami paper bird by farra nugraha from Noun Project / Suitcase by Asiah from Noun Project
1 Campus Drive
4490 Kindschi Hall of Science
Allendale, MI 49401
Share this:
Unsubscribe from future emails.
Subscribe to our email list.