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Grand Valley State University
With February around the corner, we're excited to bring you the latest updates, resources, and professional development opportunities to support your teaching and learning. In this issue, we'll explore Panopto Archives – Tips & FAQs to help you manage your video content efficiently, highlight the February Blackboard enhancements designed to enhance your teaching experience, and assist you in granting access to past Blackboard courses for student incompletes. Plus, don't miss out on our eLearning webinar opportunities to sharpen your technical skills and connect with fellow educators.
In this newsletter:

Panopto Archives – Tips & FAQs

To comply with our new license agreement, support storage management, and ensure access to important content, GVSU has implemented a Panopto Content Retention Policy.
On January 1st, 2025, the policy went into effect. Since then, over 53,000 hours of unused content have been moved to the Panopto Archive. You can use this link to view your individual Panopto Archive.
We began communicating this policy on October 30th, with a targeted email to users who would have their content archived at the start of Phase 1. The new policy was also communicated broadly in the November eLearning Newsletter and the November IT Division Newsletter.
As a reminder, here's an overview of the policy timeline:
  • Phase One – Archiving Unwatched Videos
    • On January 1, 2025, any Panopto videos not viewed in the last 13 months were archived.
    • If needed, archived videos can be restored, but the process can take up to 48 hours before the video is viewable. Archived videos will remain and can be restored from Blackboard Ultra.
  • Phase Two – Deleting Unwatched Videos
    • Beginning February 1, 2026, videos that haven't been viewed for 3 years will be permanently deleted—keeping us in compliance with our new license agreement.
If you'd like to see some helpful tips on how you can quickly unarchive your video content, watch this video tutorial below:
This policy was developed with guidance and input from faculty through the University Technology Council, the Academic Technology Advisory Committee, and feedback from the Associate/Assistant Deans. We plan to send out reminders about the policy several more times this year to ensure we communicate this policy as much as possible.
If you have special circumstances requiring video exemptions from the policy, please submit a Panopto help request to work directly with our Panopto administrators. For more details, visit our Panopto Policy FAQ or submit questions through the GVSU Service Portal.

A Reminder on How to Track Attendance in Zoom Meetings

If you used Zoom during last week's remote instruction and need to review attendance, we've created a helpful resource to guide you through the process.

Resources From 1/24 SpeedTECHing Event

We've updated our website to include short video clips and the slide deck from our Speed TECHing event on January 24, 2025. Feel free to reach out to your eLearning liaisons with follow-up questions.

Not Using Blackboard Learning Modules? Converting from Folders to Modules Gets Easier 2/7!

Students receive many benefits when you use learning modules instead of folders to organize content in Blackboard. Benefits include:
  • Thumbnail images: Learning modules display with an accompanying image that helps provide a visually appealing course experience.
  • Forced sequencing: Instructors can require that students navigate learning modules linearly.
  • Progress bar: Learning modules have a progress bar for students that highlights the number of items they need to complete and their progression.
  • Previous and next navigation: Unlike a folder, students can quickly navigate to the next or previous item in a learning module.
Beginning 2/7, converting your folders into learning modules will be as easy as selecting "change to learning module" from a dropdown menu.
Note: Instructors can also change learning modules to folders but are warned that all learning module functions are removed when converting a learning module to a folder. This enhancement will be available beginning 2/7/25.

February 7, 2025 Blackboard Enhancements

Enhancements to course groups
To simplify group management and enhance usability for instructors,  several improvements are coming to course groups:
  • Activity-level groups are now course-level: Instructors can create course-level groups directly from a content item, eliminating the need to manage groups at the activity level.
  • Additional warning messages: To prevent the creation of empty group sets during group assignments to help instructors make informed decisions and avoid disruptions in group management.
  • Simplified group creation: The option to reuse activity-level groups was removed to allow instructors to reduce confusion. Existing activity-level groups in a course will remain activity-level.
Conversion of existing assignments to the new assignment workflow
As part of the February release, there will be a one-time, automatic bulk conversion of assignments created before the "new assignment" changes that were introduced at the end of last summer. These conversions will take place based on the following:
  • Assignment: Any existing assessment without questions (such as multiple choice, essay, or hotspot) is classified as an "assignment". Assignments will be converted to use the newer interface where students can view assignment instructions without starting an attempt.
  • Test: Any existing assessment with questions (such as multiple choice, essay, or hotspot) is classified as a "test." Tests will not be converted.
The conversion will not affect student assignment attempts and grades, gradebook calculations, assignment settings and category designation, or tests.
In addition, Test Settings will be improved for usability. Assignment-specific settings will be removed from the Settings panel for tests to reduce complexity and save instructors time.
Improvements to the grading interface
To optimize the use of screen space and to give graders a larger view of the student submission, the details at the top of the page have been condensed:
Image 1: Grading interface prior to change
Image 2: New condensed grading interface

Student Incompletes and Past Blackboard Course Access

As we enter the third week of the semester, students have lost access to Fall 2024 courses. Sometimes, though, students may need access to past courses. For example, someone may need to finish an incomplete, or may want to retrieve copies of coursework they submitted. In such cases, instructors can submit an eLearn/Blackboard Help ticket to make the course available to one student until a required date. In the ticket's description field, be sure to include the course, section, term, student information, and the date access should end.

Introduction to Quality Matters: An Opportunity to Learn about the 8 Standards and Review the Updated QM Rubric for Online/Hybrid Courses

Introduction to Quality Matters
In this session, you'll be introduced to the nationally recognized standards for online/hybrid courses. In addition to an overview of each of the eight standards, we'll discuss the QM rubric, what informs it, its value, and how to take the next step toward validating the quality of your online courses and recognizing where you can make improvements.
2/20/25 • 1pm – 2pm

Join our Online/Hybrid Faculty Learning Community

All faculty are invited to join our eLearning Online and Hybrid Faculty Learning Community. This FLC meets once a month each semester to discuss topics related to online and hybrid learning—though all faculty are welcome, not just those who are teaching online or hybrid courses. The topics for discussion are chosen by faculty themselves.
If you can, please join us for our next meeting:
  • Date: Monday February 24, 2025
  • Time: 1pm – 2pm
  • Where: Online through Zoom
  • Topic: Padlet and other tools to support engaged and experiential learning
A recording of the session will be posted to the FLC's Blackboard organization. If you're not currently a member of the organization, let us know and we can make sure you get added.

Other Professional Development Opportunities Available in February

Discover a month of engaging and interactive webinars to support your teaching and professional growth.
Browse and Register Today!
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 get quick access to the registration link in Workday Learning!
Why Register?
Registration is required to receive an Outlook calendar invitation, complete with the Zoom meeting link, ensuring you won't miss out.
Make it Personal
Did you know? Your department can request customized sessions tailored to your unique needs, scheduled at a time that works best for you!
Don't miss these opportunities to connect, learn, and grow. We look forward to seeing you!
Using Learn Ultra Analytics
Identifying individuals falling behind is easier in the Blackboard Learn Ultra experience. This seminar will focus on the data and analytics available throughout your Ultra Course and include an overview of Blackboard's Assessment and Accreditation solution, EAC Visual Data. During the session, we'll guide instructors through assignment analytics, student progress analytics, and course data that will allow you to measure and boost your students' performance.
2/3/25 • 12pm – 1pm
2/21/25 • 12pm – 1pm
Accessibility Best Practices for Respondus LockDown Browser
Unlock the tools to make online assessments accessible for every student. Discover how to create inclusive, responsive assessments that seamlessly support students with disabilities using Respondus LockDown Browser. Through practical tips and expert guidance, you'll learn how to configure settings for screen readers, integrate adaptive technologies, and set up accommodations for extended time. Tackle common accessibility challenges head-on and explore solutions to test accessibility before exams go live. Leave with the knowledge and confidence to uphold assessment integrity while fostering an inclusive learning environment for all students.
2/6/25 • 1pm – 2pm
Align Your Course Content Using a Course Alignment Map
As part of quality course design and sound pedagogy, there needs to be alignment between the course objectives and the course content. This session walks you through how to align your course content in a simplified way using the Course Alignment Map. This tool can be used as part of the 5 Steps for Course Design process and for developing any course content for any type of delivery. This is helpful to ensure program and course goals and objectives are being met.
2/6/25 • 1pm – 2pm
Creating Instructor Presence with Panopto
Learn more functions in Panopto, such as video creation, captions, quizzing, and student video assignments!
2/18/25 • 11am – 12:15pm
AI-Powered Productivity: Transforming Faculty Workflow
Discover how AI tools can revolutionize your teaching and administrative tasks, freeing up time for what matters most—engaging with students and innovating in your field. 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.
2/24/25 • 1pm – 2pm
Microsoft Office Workshops
Microsoft Excel 101
2/5/25 • 1pm – 2pm
Introduction to Windows 11
Windows 11 is Microsoft's newest operating system (OS), offering an upgrade from the familiar Windows experience. This training is intended to 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 a "what's new" for Windows itself.
2/19/25 • 1pm – 2pm
3/26/25 • 1pm – 2pm
4/16/25 • 1pm – 2pm
Getting Started with Microsoft Teams
2/19/25 • 1pm – 2pm
Microsoft Excel Formulas and Functions Part 1
2/26/25 • 1pm – 2pm

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.
Sincerely,
Kim Kenward, Director of eLearning Technologies
kenwardk@gvsu.edu
GVSU Information Technology
Visit our eLearning Technologies website
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4490 Kindschi Hall of Science
Allendale, MI 49401
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