Summer is heating up with exciting updates and opportunities to expand your tech skills. In this issue, discover how to pilot new AI tools in Blackboard to refresh your curriculum, explore our new Bridge Studio location in DCIH 260, and take advantage of Adobe Express and Acrobat Pro which are now available to all faculty.
Learn about upcoming Blackboard enhancements, accessibility tools like Microsoft Read-Aloud, and submit your proposals for the GV Technology Summit. Plus, don’t miss the Digital Literacy Summer Institute sponsored by FTLC and the Digital Literacy Committee, as well as a full lineup of professional development offerings by eLearning Technologies throughout June!
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Faculty Wanted: Pilot Blackboard AI Tools to Refresh Your Curriculum
This Spring/Summer 2025 semester, we invite faculty to pilot new generative AI tools using our Blackboard testing environment. These tools are designed to support curriculum development and offer capabilities such as redesigning assignments, journal and discussion prompts, generating role plays and conversations, and creating new test bank questions.
The pilot will help us gather insights to develop best practices and faculty-facing resources for future use in our production environment with Fall 2025 courses. As with all generative AI, effective prompting is key, and all generated content should be reviewed and refined before being used in a course.
Before using the Blackboard AI Design Assistant, we recommend reviewing the GVSU AI Policy and visiting the GVSU AI website for guidance on responsible and ethical use of AI in teaching and learning. The Blackboard AI Design Assistant is available within our Learning Management System, Blackboard Ultra. This tool is designed to support—not replace—faculty expertise.
If you're interested in exploring other AI Blackboard tools, we encourage you to:
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New Studio Location for the Bridge - DCIH 260
The Bridge has moved its Health Campus studio! Once located on the 4th floor of CHS, the studio is now located in DCIH 260. We offer the same fantastic services in a fresh and improved space. We're here to support you whether you're recording course content, working on multimedia projects, or exploring new teaching tools such as interactive modules or podcasting!
This new space is meant to be a collaborative home for our Bridge studio, but also for IT's Innovation and Research team and KCON's Sim Center. All three teams will collaborate to provide high quality tech support in a variety of different methods.
Summer 2025 Hours
- Monday – Wednesday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
- Thursday & Friday: Closed
Recordings can still be scheduled outside regular hours by submitting a ticket through the GVSU Service Portal.
Visit us in our new location—we can't wait to see what you create!
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New Respondus Excel Feature: Important Limitations to Consider Before Use
Starting May 29, 2025, Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor will allow students to access Microsoft Excel during online exams. While this may benefit faculty who use spreadsheet-based assessments, there are several significant limitations faculty should be aware of:
- Screen Recording is Required: Since the Excel environment is not locked down, screen recording must be enabled. This increases internet bandwidth usage, which may affect students with slower connections and could prevent them from starting or completing the exam.
- Device Restrictions: This feature does not work on iPads or Chromebooks. Students must be using a Windows or Mac computer.
- Lab Compatibility: GVSU computer labs do not currently this feature.
- Excel Desktop Only: Excel for the Web is not supported; students must have the desktop version installed.
- Workflow Changes: Faculty using the old built-in spreadsheet tool must follow the new Respondus setup instructions.
- Blackboard Ultra Limitation: File uploads in a Respondus exam are not supported. Faculty will need to setup alternate methods for students to submit files after their exam.
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Reminder: Adobe Express and Acrobat Pro Now Available
If you missed the announcement, Adobe Express and Adobe Pro are now available to all faculty and staff.
To access these Adobe tools, go to Adobe.com and sign in with your GVSU credentials. Once you're logged in, you can use Adobe apps via the web or install them on your device. For detailed steps and troubleshooting steps, visit this Knowledge Base article.
If you are a current Adobe Creative Cloud product user and pay for a subscription, you may find that Adobe Express, available at no cost to you, meets your needs. This webpage explains the differences between Adobe Creative Cloud and Adobe Express.
Information Technology is excited to offer you these resources as part of our updated contract. If you have any questions, contact IT Services via the Service Portal at it@gvsu.edu or 616-331-2101.
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June Blackboard Enhancements
Resizable Dividers for Documents
Beginning with the June 6, 2025 Blackboard release, dividers can help students easily identify related and unrelated sections. This new feature will improve the readability and structure of educational materials.
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Image 1. The new option to add a divider is now included among the various block types.
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Image 2. A document with two columns, an image, and a divider across the columns.
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Jumbled Sentences
Instructors can now create jumbled sentence questions for online exams. This feature lets instructors define one or more paragraphs with blanks for students to complete. Additionally, instructors can:
- Define distractors to challenge students
- Add automated feedback for correct and incorrect answers
- Designate questions as extra credit
Bulk Category Changes in Item Management of the Gradebook
Instructors can select one or more Gradebook columns on the Item Management page and assign them to an existing category. This feature allows instructors to organize and manage Gradebook items efficiently. Changing the category of a Gradebook item updates the category label for display purposes without altering the item itself.
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Image 3. Bulk changing the category for multiple selected gradebook items
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Faculty Spotlight
Microsoft's built-in readability tools: Tim Mohnkern, Assistant Director for Student Accessibility Resources
Microsoft's built-in readability tools—Read Aloud and Immersive Reader—make it easier for students to access and engage with course content. Read Aloud is available in Microsoft Edge and Word, allowing students to listen to assignments and adjust voice and speed settings. Immersive Reader lets users customize text appearance, background color, and spacing, making reading more comfortable and personalized. These features are easy to access and can make a big difference in student confidence, engagement, and success.
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The eLearning team recognizes that many of you excel at integrating technology into your teaching and learning practices. We would be delighted to have you consider submitting a proposal for a roundtable discussion, poster session, or breakout session at the GV Technology Summit, scheduled for October 2, 2025.
Remember: Proposals must be submitted by June 30, 2025
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Digital Literacy Summer Institute
In partnership with FTLC and the Digital Literacy Committee, we cordially invite you to attend the inaugural Digital Literacy Summer Institute on June 24 – 26, 2025. The Summer Institute has been designed to support continued faculty learning to enhance digital literacy across Grand Valley State University's curriculum. Building upon the strong foundation of expertise and best practices already in place, we seek to bring together faculty from across the disciplines and experience levels to learn and explore together.
The week begins with a required opening session (Tuesday June 24, 9am – Noon) that introduces the digital literacy framework and sets the stage for the week's sessions.
Optional concurrent sessions on Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday, and Thursday allow participants to select topics to explore more deeply. Participants will engage in hands-on practice and gain insights into how digital literacy platforms and approaches can be effectively integrated into their courses and professional practices. Lunch is provided each day.
Session topics will include:
- Digital Literacy Framework
- Digital Citizenship and Ethics
- AI Introduction and Overview
- AI and Student Writing
- AI and Critical Thinking
- Digital Information Literacy
- Online Presentation Assignments
- Digital Etiquette
- Digital Approaches to Accessibility
- Strategies to Support Responsible Student Use of AI
Additional details, including the final schedule, session descriptions, facilitators, and participant stipend information, will be posted soon on the Summer Institute page.
- The Summer Institute is limited to 80 participants, and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
- The registration deadline is June 10.
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June Professional Development Opportunities
The Spring/Summer semesters are a great time to think about new approaches to using technology or updating your curriculum. Explore a month of engaging and interactive webinars to support your teaching and professional development. All registrations are managed through Workday Learning. Visit our eLearning Webinar website or scan the list below to explore the upcoming schedule of offerings and access the registration link quickly in Workday Learning.
GVSU eLearning Technologies Sponsored
6/19/25 • 7pm – 8pm
6/20/25 • 11am – 12pm
6/23/25 • 3pm – 4pm
Anthology/Blackboard Sponsored
6/3/25 • 11am – 12pm
6/19/25 • 11am – 12pm
Anthology/Blackboard Sponsored
6/4/25 • 11am – 12pm
6/24/25 • 11am – 12pm
Anthology/Blackboard Sponsored
6/5/25 • 11am – 12pm
6/25/25 • 11am – 12pm
Anthology/Blackboard Sponsored
6/12/25 • 11am – 12pm
Anthology/Blackboard Sponsored 6/10/25 • 11am – 12pm
6/26/25 • 11am – 12pm
Padlet lets you create a virtual bulletin board where you and your students can write notes and upload documents, photos, slideshows, record videos/audio files or add hyperlinks. During this webinar, participants will learn how to activate their Padlet account and how it can be used for brainstorming, storyboarding, collecting resources (such as images, attachments, hyperlinks, recording videos/audio), gathering the results of group work, and much more!
6/5/25 • 11am – 12pm
Learn more functions in Panopto, such as video creation, captions, quizzing, and student video assignments.
6/9/25 • 11am – 12pm
Hypothesis Sponsored
This 3.5-hour comprehensive session includes everything you need: Activating Annotation, Annotating Your Syllabus, Modeling Annotations, plus workshop time to apply what you've learned. Summer Intensive sessions require registration with a minimum of eight participants.
Please note that this workshop is hosted by Hypothesis. To participate, you must register directly with Hypothesis using the virtual classroom link provided with enrollment confirmation for this session. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email from Hypothesis with the Zoom meeting details.
6/18/25 • 11am – 2:30pm
Windows 11 is Microsoft's newest operating system (OS), offering an upgrade from the familiar Windows experience. This training will provide a brief overview and detailed instructions on preparing your device, steps to back up your files via OneDrive, action items to help facilitate a smooth transition, and what's new in Windows 11. See this video to help prepare for your Windows 11 transition.
6/18/25 • 1pm – 2pm
6/25/25 • 1pm – 2pm
7/9/25 • 1pm – 2pm
7/23/25 • 1pm – 2pm
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Connect with eLearning!
There are many benefits to working with eLearning. We can assist in optimizing Blackboard course structure, enhancing online and hybrid learning experiences, and incorporating innovative tools to foster active learning. You are 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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