There's a lot to explore this month! Learn about upcoming Blackboard enhancements for April, discover helpful accessibility resources and training to support Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, and consider submitting a proposal for the GV Technology Summit. Plus, don't miss professional development opportunities happening in April and May.
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Blackboard Enhancements for April
Blackboard releases new features and improvements on the first Friday of each month. This month, we are highlighting four changes that will improve the functionality of your Blackboard sites.
Instructors can define the expected submission type for assignments, such as file, text, or both. Students see a submission workflow optimized for the selected type, reducing confusion and improving submission efficiency.
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Blackboard now displays both due dates and participation requirements for Discussions across Course Content, Discussion pages, and Gradebook views. This ensures instructors and students can easily track expectations from key entry points, improving clarity and workflow efficiency.
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Instructors can adjust grades for individual students within a group submission. Visual indicators clearly show when grades differ across group members, supporting fairer evaluation of individual contributions.
Blaclkboard has mproved how student names appear in Flexible Grading. The name display format is now linked to the selected sort order. By default, student names are now shown as Surname, First Name to help instructors quickly locate students. When sorting by First Name (ascending or descending), names will display as First Name Surname.
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Support and Resources for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
Accessibility is an important part of creating an inclusive learning environment for all students. We encourage instructors to review the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) website and explore the resources available to support the creation of accessible course materials. New federal ADA Title II rules require public universities like GVSU to ensure that all digital content meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
We've highlighted a few steps faculty can take to make their Blackboard content more accessible.
- Review the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) website for background information.
- Delete files from your Blackboard courses that are no longer in use. This will improve your digital accessibility metrics generated from Blackboard Ally.
- Review your Blackboard Ally report for red and orange items, and address the most impactful issues first.
- Focus first on the materials students need to engage in the course or complete graded work. Your syllabus and schedule are most vital; then work through your critical readings and lecture slides.
- If your syllabus is created in Microsoft Word, use the Microsoft Accessibility Checker to identify and fix common issues such as headings, color contrast, and alternative text.
- If you distribute your syllabus as a PDF, Adobe Acrobat's Accessibility tools can help you review and remediate accessibility concerns.
- You can also upload files to create Blackboard documents to improve accessibility, rather than converting digital files to PDF.
- Replace scanned articles with permanent links. Your subject librarian can help you find articles in our databases.
- The eLearning team and Student Accessibility Resources department offer a variety of training opportunities to support the creation of accessible content.
Accessibility Trainings at-a-Glance
This self-paced training was developed collaboratively by eLearning Technologies and Student Accessibility Resources to support faculty in creating more inclusive, accessible course content. It provides a comprehensive introduction to digital accessibility, including an overview of WCAG 2.1 standards and practical strategies for improving course materials. Participants will explore how to create accessible content in tools such as Google Slides and Microsoft Office, use Adobe Acrobat to remediate PDFs, and apply the GVSU Digital Accessibility Checklist. The course also offers guidance on using Blackboard Ally to evaluate and improve content accessibility.
Zoom Options
*All sessions are 15 minutes.
3/30/26 • 1 – 1:15pm
4/7/26 • 9 – 9:15am
4/17/26 • 1 – 1:15pm
4/28/26 • 11 – 11:15am
5/6/26 • 9 – 9:15am
5/20/26 • 2 – 2:15pm
4/17/26 • 1:30 – 2:30pm
4/30/26 • 2 – 3pm
4/10/26 • 1 – 1:30pm
4/24/26 • 10 – 10:30am
5/7/26 • 9 – 9:30am
5/19/26 • 3 – 3:30pm
Hands-On Options Offered in Partnership
This session meets in person in 3000 Zumberge Hall, Valley Campus. Bring your laptop and get individual help.
4/17/26 • 11am – 12pm
This session meets in person in the Pere Marquette room, Valley Campus. Whether you stay for 10 minutes or two hours, work alongside experts from Student Accessibility Resources, eLearning Technologies, Blackboard, University Libraries, and University Marketing. We encourage you to register in advance to help us plan for staffing and light refreshments.
5/5/26 • 11am – 5pm
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April Staff and Faculty Spotlight: Barbara Stevens & Blackboard Ally
Want to learn more about Blackboard Ally and what it can do? Check out this short video created by Barbara Stevens from the eLearning Technologies team.
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Call for Proposals: GV Technology Summit Returns November 3, 2026
The GV Technology Summit returns on November 3, 2026. This university-wide event highlights how faculty, staff, and students are advancing technology in learning, research, and daily work across GVSU. Join the conversation—whether you're an expert, innovator, or simply curious.
Date: November 3, 2026, 8:30am – 4:30pm
Location: Kirkhof Center, Valley Campus
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Upcoming April and Early May Professional Development Opportunities
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Partner Event – Digital Literacy Fridays Sponsored by the Digital Literacy Initiative, Pew FTLC, and eLearning Technologies, we are featuring faculty and staff experts who will share approaches, provide hands-on learning, and facilitate lively, cross-disciplinary conversations. The sessions rotate between the Allendale campus, Pew Grand Rapids campus, and Zoom. Visit the Digital Literacy website to learn more and register for upcoming events.
3/27/26 • 11am – 12pm • This session is in-person at 3000 Zumberge Hall, Valley Campus
4/10/26 • 11am – 12pm • This session is in-person at 3068 Zumberge Hall, Valley Campus
4/17/26 • 11am – 12pm • This session is in-person at 3000 Zumberge Hall, Valley Campus
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Webinar Options
Unless specified otherwise, these sessions are held via live webinar on Zoom. Click on the title of the webinar to officially register in Workday Learning and receive your meeting link.
Microsoft 365 and OneDrive
4/1/26 • 1 – 2pm
4/15/26 • 1 – 2pm
4/22/26 • 1 – 2pm
5/13/26 1 – 2pm
"Did you know Blackboard Could Do That?" Drop-in Series
This drop-in series is hosted monthly in DCIH 260 (City Campus). Faculty are encouraged to bring their laptops.
4/16/26 • 12 – 1:30pm • City Campus in-person (DCIH 260)Reservations are not required.
Digital Pedagogy Webinars
Generative AI tools can act as powerful collaborators in your assessment design process, helping you brainstorm, refine, and align assessments with your course outcomes. In this hands-on session, youll practice using AI to generate assessment ideas that target different levels of Blooms Taxonomy, draft assignment prompts and instructions, and create scaffolded assignments—all while keeping your disciplinary expertise and academic integrity at the center. Join us to explore how to thoughtfully integrate AI to build more creative and pedagogically sound assessments.
3/26/26 • 1 – 2pm • City Campus in-person (DCIH 260)
Google's NotebookLM is best known for its ability to transform a document into a high-quality audio podcast, but in 2026, it has evolved into a sophisticated research and curriculum suite that can instantly generate classroom-ready materials. Join this informative session to see the latest features in action, including how to build flashcards, infographics, and videos in just seconds. Well also share real-world examples of how faculty are using the new tools to personalize instruction, engage with students, and reclaim hours of prep time.
3/27/26 • 11am – 12pm
3/31/26 • 1 – 2pm
In this session, youll learn how to import and organize clips, trim and edit footage, add text and music, apply filters and animations, and customize your video. By the end, youll know how to confidently create and share standout videos, whether for work, school, or personal projects. These sessions are offered in person at DCIH60 and on Zoom.
4/1/26 • 10 – 11am
4/10/26 • 11am – 12pm
4/13/26 • 1 – 1:45pm
This workshop provides practical insights and hands-on guidance on integrating AI into everyday workflows, from automating routine tasks to enhancing course planning and communication. Learn to work smarter, not harder, and transform your approach to academia with AI-powered strategies.
5/4/26 • 11am – 12pm
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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.
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Sincerely,
Kim Kenward, Director of eLearning Technologies
kenwardk@gvsu.edu
GVSU Information Technology
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