Training

Trainings and workshops
 

Co-Working Blackboard Sessions for Faculty

Wednesday, March 27th from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, 2068 Hynes Room - Kilcawley Center REGISTER NOW!
Wednesday, April 3rd from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, 2068 Hynes Room - Kilcawley Center REGISTER NOW!

Tired of tackling Blackboard tasks alone? Feeling the pressure of redesigning your courses for an online environment or facing a mountain of student work to grade? Join Cyberlearning's new Blackboard Co-Working Sessions for Faculty! These sessions provide a supportive environment where you can collaborate with peers, get expert assistance from Cyberlearning specialists, and boost your productivity. Break free from the isolation and frustration sometimes associated with managing your Blackboard course. Visit our information page for further information and links to supporting research.


TEACHING ONLINE TRAINING SERIES

Want to update your online course but not sure where to start? We are pleased to offer a training series developed specifically for faculty teaching online courses in Blackboard. The goal of these trainings is to provide support in the design and facilitation of courses offered through Blackboard Ultra. AI features will be discussed where they are applicable.


SESSION 1: Map Your Course Goals With AI  REGISTER NOW!

Date: Monday, April 1, 2024
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Kilcawley Center, Pollock Room or Remote  


SESSION 2: Build Your Online Course Structure  REGISTER NOW!

Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Kilcawley Center, Pollock Room or Remote
 

SESSION 3: Assess Students in Your Online Course  REGISTER NOW!

Date: Thursday, April 4, 2024
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Kilcawley Center, Pollock Room or Remote
 

SESSION 4: Increase Engagement in Your Course  REGISTER NOW!

Date: Thursday, April 11, 2024
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Kilcawley Center, Pollock Room or Remote
 

SESSION 5: Navigate Your Online Gradebook  REGISTER NOW!

Date: Monday, April 15, 2024
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Kilcawley Center, Pollock Room or Remote
 

Generative AI: Professional Learning Community (PLC)

The Generative AI: Professional Learning Community (PLC) will be hosted in Jones 3049 or virtually via Webex. Light refreshments will be provided. The PLC will be held on the following days:

  • Session 2 Date: Thursday, March 21, 3-4PM
  • Session 3 Date: Thursday, April 18, 3-4PM

Session 2: How can we use generative AI in a safe, ethical, equitable way?

Optional pre-session readings from thought leaders on generative AI will help you get a feel for this topic, and prepare you to discuss how it applies to your own context of practice at YSU. Guided by Dr. Rachel Faerber-Ovaska from YSU Cyberlearning, in this meeting we’ll discuss some known dangers and pitfalls associated with using generative AI tools, and find out how other educators are addressing them. We’ll look at some examples of bias, inaccuracies, and deepfakes, and discuss questions of equitable access and intellectual property concerns. Can we require the use of generative AI tools for a class? Is it OK to use a chatbot as a grading assistant? What kind of syllabus statement should I have on AI? What about cheating with AI? Bring your laptop and join us for a critical and constructive dialogue with your colleagues to explore such questions, ensuring a responsible and informed approach to integrating generative AI into our teaching and learning practices. 

Session 3: How can I teach and evaluate writing skills in a world with AI? 

Have you seen what free chatbots can do with traditional assignment writing prompts? Are AI-text detection tools effective? (not really). If written text is the predominant medium through which student learning is assessed in your discipline, how can you respond? Optional preparatory readings on ways expert educators in these fields are adapting will enable you to hit the ground running for this session. Together, we’ll examine a toolkit of potential assignment adaptations, and each participant can begin adapting or transforming one key assignment or learning assessment in collaboration with peers. Members of Cyberlearning’s instructional design team and guides from the ITL will be on hand to help you get started. 

Click here to RSVP.
 

Preparing to Teach Online at YSU Register Now!

Preparing to Teach Online at YSU is a self-paced training taught in Blackboard Ultra. The course is designed to help YSU faculty prepare to develop and teach online courses. Successful completion means that you meet the training requirements for developing and teaching an online course at YSU. Enrollment is not limited to those who are new to the online experience or those who haven't met the training requirement. You are encouraged to sign up as a refresher or as an opportunity to engage in discussions about best practices in the online environment. The estimated time to complete is 8 hours.
 

Blackboard Ultra Training Course

Next Start Date: TBA
This asynchronous course is designed for those experienced in Blackboard Learn who are moving to Blackboard Ultra. During this course, we will cover building content and assessment items as well as using communication tools. You will have the opportunity to communicate with your peers and practice what you’ve learned in an Ultra shell course. Participants will gain a basic understanding of effective course design and development in the Ultra platform. Course activities include weekly reflective discussions, practical assignments, and optional webinars. The course will be facilitated by an instructional designer.

Duration: 4 weeks
Dedication: 4 hours per week
 

Cyberlearning Community Meeting

None scheduled at this time.
If you would like to be added to our CL Community communication list to receive reminders for upcoming meetings, please contact Joe Alberti or Stephanie Adams.
 

Online Accessibility Course

This course is currently available for those utilizing Blackboard. Please contact the Instructional Design and Development Center in the Department of Cyberlearning for more information.


Training Offered By Blackboard
 

Instructor Blackboard Learn Ultra Tutorials VIEW NOW!

Get familiar with features in minutes. Watch short, engaging Blackboard Help videos on their YouTube channel.

 

Instructor Webinar Series REGISTER NOW  or  View the Recordings

Choose from a variety of Blackboard Ultra session times and topics, including:

  • Blackboard Learn Ultra Basics
  • Grading and Managing the Gradebook in Learn Ultra
  • Creating Assessments in Learn Ultra
  • Improving Student Engagement in Learn Ultra
  • Using Groups in Learn Ultra
  • Ultra-Advantage - Converting a Course from Learn Original to Learn Ultra
  • Blackboard Learn Ultra Best Practices

previously recorded Cyberlearning TRAINING
 

Blackboard Ultra Basics

In this session, you will learn how to access and navigate a Blackboard Ultra course, add a syllabus and other files, and create an assignment. This webinar is geared towards new users of Blackboard or users looking to upgrade from Blackboard Original. Blackboard Ultra is Blackboard’s newest course view which provides improved workflows and an updated interface to better support teaching and learning.
Watch Recording, Password: Blackboard2020
 

Blackboard Ultra Exceptional Course Showcase

In this one-hour workshop, we will explore a course developed by a YSU faculty member and discuss online teaching and learning best practices.
Watch Recording, Password: tPr329BM
 

Blackboard Tests

In this session, you will learn to create a test, create different question types, administer the test, and grade the student responses in Blackboard.
Watch Ultra Recording, Password: Penguins22
 

Improving Online Discussions

Discussion boards in an online learning environment can lead to improved learning outcomes and increased student motivation. This session will explore strategies for using discussion boards to enhance student interaction. We will introduce ideas and examples for discussion board prompts questions, and usage outside of the typical “post once, reply twice” model.
Watch Recording, Password: Discussion2020


Other Training

Blackboard's Exemplary Course Program

The Exemplary Course Program recognizes the excellence in course design demonstrated by faculty and designers. The core of the program is the Exemplary Course Rubric, which defines key characteristics of high-quality courses within the framework of Course Design, Interaction and Collaboration, Assessment, and Learner Support.

Along with the rubric and a webinar series to help you learn more about the exemplary principles, Anthology celebrates the winners who developed and designed these exemplary courses. These educators and instructional designers are improving the quality of online learning at their institutions for their students. Visit the Exemplary Course Program page to learn more.