Over the summer, the eLearning team updated our Bridge studios with new equipment, helped faculty create more accessible content, and created new professional development opportunities to support your technology use.
This month's newsletter is designed to help you prepare for the upcoming fall semester, catch up on recent Blackboard enhancements, and explore upcoming training opportunities to refresh and strengthen your technology skills.
In this edition of the newsletter:
| |
|
Blackboard Gradebook Grid View Changes
As we mentioned in our July 30, 2026 newsletter, Blackboard has been working on an updated Gradebook Grid View. This launched on August 8, 2026, and refreshes the look and layout of the Gradebook, with changes to the interface and how information is displayed. Learn what to expect in our Gradebook Knowledge Base article, which includes a side-by-side comparison, and join one of our upcoming brief webinars to explore the new interface along with time-saving Gradebook features and tips. As Blackboard receives faculty feedback, we expect small additional tweaks to improve visibility. You can submit Gradebook feedback through the Blackboard Idea Exchange or share it with your eLearning Liaison.
Join us for a quick 45-minute deep dive into the newest features and lesser-known tools designed to save you time and simplify your workflow. The last 15 minutes are reserved for Q&A.
Gradebook trainings are available:
- 9/1, 9/8, 9/15, 9/22, and 10/6 at 11 – 11:45 am
- 8/27, 9/4, 9/10, 9/17, 10/1 at 2 – 2:45 pm
| |
What's New in Blackboard: A Summer Catch-Up
Blackboard uses a continuous release cycle, meaning it releases new features monthly. Some new features are significant updates with completely new functionality, while others are minor enhancements. We've highlighted several improvements from the past several months, as well as what's coming in September.
June
In June, Blackboard added the ability to track which students have read your Announcements and improved rubric usability when adding or adjusting grades. Review our May eLearning newsletter for details about these enhancements.
July
In July, Blackboard introduced several updates, including optional descriptions for Discussions and Journals, Favorites in the Course Switcher for easier access to frequently used courses, and the ability to run Rubric Evaluation Reports directly from the Gradebook. Review our June eLearning newsletter for details about these enhancements.
August
In August, Blackboard improved group management, sorting controls for online discussions, question bank export, Gradebook Grid View changes, and PDF tagging with Blackboard Ally. Review our July eLearning newsletter for details about these enhancements. Be sure to also check out our New Semester Checklist to make sure your Blackboard course is ready for the new term!
September
We would like to highlight a feature enhancement available starting September 4: faculty can restrict accepted file types for assignment submissions. Students are informed of any restrictions before submitting and receive a warning message if they attempt to upload an unsupported file type.
| |
When configuring an assignment with file submission enabled, instructors can restrict accepted file types in two ways:
- Select from a list of common permitted file types, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and ZIP formats.
- Enter custom file extensions manually.
| |
Faculty Spotlight: Support Students' Digital Skills with Blackboard Modules
All GV students (and faculty) have access to Digital Skills for College Success in Blackboard. This self-paced course includes three short modules: Essential Tech Skills, Cybersecurity, and a Blackboard/Online Learning Orientation.
The modules cover topics like file management, productivity tools, online communication, password security, multi-factor authentication, and protecting an online presence. Each takes about 20–25 minutes to complete and awards a downloadable certificate, which instructors can ask students to submit as an online assignment to show completion.
Faculty can recommend these modules as extra support, integrate them into course activities, or use them to help ensure students are prepared to navigate the technology needed for academic success. If you would like to add a link to the Blackboard course in your syllabus or in your course, include this link.
To learn more about the Digital Skills for College Success course, watch this brief introductory video featuring GVSU Nursing faculty member Tricia Thomas, who shares how the course has helped her students feel more confident and better prepared for their learning journey.
For additional information about the course, please refer to the Knowledge Base article available in the GVSU Service Portal.
| |
New Equipment, New Possibilities in the Bridge Studios
Each of our Bridge Studios has received several new pieces of equipment as part of our ongoing work to support video and multimedia projects through OMNI. We're excited to share a short video highlighting the new equipment and how it can help all our faculty and staff create engaging, high-quality video and multimedia content.
| |
Whether you're recording course content, developing a multimedia project, or exploring new teaching tools such as interactive modules and podcasting, the Bridge team is here to support you. Our team is located on the City and Valley Campuses, making it easy to connect with us wherever you work.
| |
5 Tips for Making Your Blackboard Course More Accessible!
As each month passes on the way to our April 26, 2027 deadline for meeting federal accessibility requirements, we want to remind faculty of several ways to start making their content more accessible.
| |
Student Outreach Toolkit
The Student Outreach Toolkit is a folder available only to instructors within each Blackboard course. It replaces the old Messages Manager folder found in previous course sites.
This updated toolkit provides ready-to-use templates to support your communication with students on a range of topics and concerns. While using them isn't required, the templates can be a helpful starting point when reaching out to students.
The templates are updated each semester with input from the FTLC, the Provost's Office, and the Counseling Center to ensure the messaging remains accurate, relevant, and practical.
| |
Help Your Students Connect to Zoom Successfully
As classes get underway, please remind students that they are required to sign in to Zoom using their GVSU account (@mail.gvsu.edu) when joining Zoom classes and course meetings.
Signing in allows Zoom to authenticate students as members of the GVSU community, helps instructors identify participants, and ensures students can access meetings that are restricted to authenticated users. It also provides a more secure environment for your class.
Please encourage students to sign in to their GVSU Zoom account before clicking the link to join your class.
| |
Register for the GV Tech Summit! The Presenter Proposal Deadline is Approaching • Register Now!
The GV Technology Summit returns for its second year on November 3, 2026. All GVSU faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend free of charge and explore how technology is transforming learning, research, teaching, and work across the university.
An exciting agenda is taking shape, featuring a keynote by Dr. Imran Mazid, a panel discussion on high-performance computing, and breakout sessions on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital accessibility. The Summit will also feature poster presentations highlighting innovative work and projects happening across campus.
| |
Professional Development Opportunities Tailored for New and Returning Faculty
Each semester, the eLearning team offers a variety of webinars covering a wide range of technology-related teaching topics. Most sessions are facilitated as LIVE webinars using Zoom. Click on the title of the webinar to register in Workday Learning and obtain your Zoom meeting link.
Accessibility Trainings
FTLC Learning Community - Building Accessibility Leaders Across Campus
Facilitated by: Barbara Stevens, eLearning, and members of the Digital Accessibility Committee
- Location/Campus: Hybrid • Valley Campus
- Duration: This is a year-long learning community that will take place in the Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 semesters. Three meetings per semester. In-person and Zoom meetings will be available for each session.
- Visit the FTLC Learning Community website to learn more and register!
This training is self-paced.
This training is self-paced.
8/28/26 • 11am – 12pm
9/25/26 • 11am – 12pm
9/11/26 • 9am
9/15/26 • 3pm
9/17/26 • 11am
Note: This workshop is in person at the Health campus in DCIH-260. Please bring your laptop for hands-on work.
9/29/26 • 1pm – 2:30pm
10/9/26 • 2pm – 3:30pm
11/5/26 • 12pm – 1:30pm
Blackboard Training
8/27/26 • 1pm – 2pm
Blackboard uses a continuous release cycle, meaning it releases new features monthly. Review the latest monthly enhancements demonstrated, with time for guided how-to practice on how these enhancements can be applied in your courses.
All sessions will be held on Zoom, 11am – 12pm
9/10/26, 10/8/26, 11/12/26, 12/10/26, 1/14/27, 2/11/27, 3/11/27, 4/8/27
9/10/26 • 1pm – 1:45pm
10/5/26 • 11am – 11:45am
9/24/26 • 1pm – 2pm
9/28/26 • 12pm – 12:45pm
10/16/26 • 12 • 12:45 pm
10/1/26, 11/2/26, 12/9/26 • 12pm – 12:45pm
Digital Pedagogy Training
10/13/26 • 1pm – 2pm
This training is in-person in DCIH260 (Health campus)
10/14/26 • 1pm – 2pm
This training is in-person in DCIH260 (Health campus)
11/13/26 • 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm.
8/28/26 • 1pm – 2pm
9/22/26 • 11am – 12pm
Video, Screen-Capture, and Interactive Digital Media Trainings
9/3/26 • 11am – 12pm
10/19/26 • 1pm – 2pm
9/10/26 • 10am – 11am
11/4/26 • 1pm – 2pm
9/4/26 • 10am – 11am
11/10/26 • 2pm – 3pm
9/4/26 • 11:30am – 12:30pm
11/12/26 • 1pm – 2pm
10/6/26 • 10am – 11am
This training is in-person in DCIH260 (Health campus)
10/20/26 • 2pm – 3pm
Windows 11, Microsoft, and Zoom Training
9/9/26 • 1pm – 2pm
9/16/26 • 1pm – 2pm
9/24/26 • 3pm – 3:30pm
9/25/26 • 1:30pm – 2pm
9/30/26 • 1pm – 2pm
10/21/26 • 1pm – 2pm
10/28/26 • 1pm – 2pm
10/7/26 • 1pm – 2:30pm
Customized Training
Departments can also request customized webinar topics and schedule them at their convenience. Send email requests to it@gvsu.edu with the requested topic, date/time, and format preferences (Zoom or in-person).
| |
Connect with eLearning!
There are many benefits to working with eLearning. We can assist in optimizing your Blackboard course structure, enhancing online and hybrid learning experiences, and incorporating innovative tools to foster active learning. You're encouraged to contact your eLearning Technologies liaisons or submit a consultation ticket at your convenience.
| |
Sincerely,
Kim Kenward, Director of eLearning Technologies
kenwardk@gvsu.edu
GVSU Information Technology
| |
|
| 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
| |
|
|
