Join us for workshops designed to elevate your teaching strategies and enhance your online learning environment. Hosted by the dedicated staff of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), these sessions will delve into effective pedagogical approaches and provide hands-on guidance on utilizing online learning software.
Beginning March 3, 2025, the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) will transition from Class Collaborate to Microsoft Teams as our primary platform for workshop sessions. This change aims to enhance your experience with improved collaboration tools and features that facilitate dynamic learning environments. |
Cohorts
Faculty: Course Design Essentials Cohort
In an effort to help prepare for the transition to Blackboard Ultra and also promote course design best practices, CTL offers the Course Design Essentials workshop. Taking place completely in the Blackboard Ultra interface and using the QM Rubric as a guide, this multi-week workshop will run as a cohort model. Faculty can register for one of the scheduled sessions each semester. Cohorts will be 3-weeks long and run asynchronously. Participation will result in a Certificate of Completion for 10 clock hours of professional development and a Credly badge.
Available sessions:
- Monday November 3rd through Friday November 21st
(Registration Deadline Friday October 31st)
Register for the Course Design Essentials cohort
Recurring sessions
Faculty: CTL @ Nite
Drop in to ask the CTL staff any questions (big or small!) you have regarding course instruction, course development, and Blackboard.
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 6:00PM CDT - Every Wednesday from 08/13/25 - 12/10/25
Access the CTL @ Nite session
Single Sessions
Faculty: Using Alt Text
This brief, focused workshop introduces the importance of alternative text (alt text) in creating accessible digital content. Participants will learn how to write effective alt text for images, charts, and graphics to support learners who use screen readers.
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 10:00AM CDT
Duration: 30 minutes - Micro Session
This session is no longer available
Additional Sessions:
10/22/2025
Faculty: Via (Student Learning & Licensure) Open Session
Drop in to ask the CTL staff any questions (big or small!) you have regarding Via, now called Student Learning & Licensure (SL&L).
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 1:00PM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
This session is no longer available
Additional Sessions:
10/16/2025 | 10/20/2025 | 10/29/2025
Faculty: Intro to Panopto
Panopto is an easy way to record, livestream, manage and share videos for educational purposes. Panopto’s features include recording presentations, utilizing multiple media feeds, video assignments, quizzes, basic editing features and closed captioning. Similar to YouTube, Panopto allows users to manage a video library that can be integrated in the Blackboard LMS.
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 3:30PM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
This session is no longer available
Additional Sessions:
10/09/2025 | 10/23/2025 | 10/28/2025
Faculty: Open Sessions
Drop in to ask the CTL staff any questions (big or small!) you have regarding online instruction, course development, Blackboard, Class Collaborate, Respondus, Panopto and more.
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 10:00AM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
This session is no longer available
Additional Sessions:
10/22/2025
Faculty: Digital Accessibility in the University Classroom
This workshop provides faculty and staff with the knowledge and tools to create inclusive digital learning environments that support all students. Participants will explore the principles of digital accessibility, learn to identify common barriers, and practice strategies for making course materials, documents, and online content accessible.
Location: CTL In-Person Session - CUBE D2430H
Time: 1:00PM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
This session is no longer available
Faculty: Intro to Panopto
Panopto is an easy way to record, livestream, manage and share videos for educational purposes. Panopto’s features include recording presentations, utilizing multiple media feeds, video assignments, quizzes, basic editing features and closed captioning. Similar to YouTube, Panopto allows users to manage a video library that can be integrated in the Blackboard LMS.
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 7:00PM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
Access the Intro to Panopto session
Additional Sessions:
10/23/2025 | 10/28/2025
Faculty: What is Blackboard Ally?
Join us for a preview of Blackboard’s Ally! Ally is an integrated feature in Blackboard that automatically checks course content for accessibility issues and generates alternative formats for students to access materials in ways that best suit their learning needs. It helps instructors improve the accessibility of their course materials and provides students with a more inclusive learning experience. This workshop will provide a preview of the product prior to its full integration!
Location: CTL In-Person Session - CUBE D2430H
Time: 1:00PM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
Additional Sessions:
10/15/2025
Faculty: Using the AI Design Assistant in Blackboard Ultra
Discover how to harness the power of Blackboard Ultra’s AI tools to streamline your teaching workflow, enhance course design, and improve student engagement. This workshop provides a comprehensive overview of the AI-driven features within Blackboard Ultra and explores practical ways to integrate them into your teaching practices.
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 7:00PM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
Access the Using the AI Design Assistant in Blackboard Ultra session
Additional Sessions:
10/22/2025
Faculty: Exploring the Blackboard Ultra Gradebook
This workshop introduces faculty to the features of the Blackboard Ultra Gradebook, including navigating the interface, organizing grades, applying weights, and providing feedback. Participants will learn practical tips and best practices to streamline grading and support student success.
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 11:00AM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
Access the Exploring the Blackboard Ultra Gradebook session
Additional Sessions:
10/16/2025 | 10/27/2025 | 10/30/2025
Faculty: What is Blackboard Ally?
Join us for a preview of Blackboard’s Ally! Ally is an integrated feature in Blackboard that automatically checks course content for accessibility issues and generates alternative formats for students to access materials in ways that best suit their learning needs. It helps instructors improve the accessibility of their course materials and provides students with a more inclusive learning experience. This workshop will provide a preview of the product prior to its full integration!
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 7:00PM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
What is Blackboard Ally? session
Faculty: Via (Student Learning & Licensure) Open Session
Drop in to ask the CTL staff any questions (big or small!) you have regarding Via, now called Student Learning & Licensure (SL&L).
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 10:00AM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
Access the Via (Student Learning & Licensure) Open session
Additional Sessions:
10/20/2025 | 10/29/2025
Faculty: Communities of Practice with Susan Adams
Susan Adams is a pioneering leader in post-secondary education, championing a human-centered approach to integrating AI that enhances rather than replaces the critical role of educators. With over 25 years of experience as a curriculum strategist and faculty coach, she serves as the Associate Director of Teaching and Learning at Achieving the Dream where she spearheads programs to build institutional capacity and foster faculty development for student success.
Throughout her distinguished career, Susan has excelled in curriculum design, digital learning, systems training and cross-functional collaboration. She deftly leverages data analytics and AI-integrated technologies to craft engaging, effective educational experiences grounded in adult learning principles and clear communication.
Please plan to take part in this opportunity to learn, connect, and grow our Communities of Practice together!
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 12:00PM CDT
Duration: 90 minutes
Access the Communities of Practice with Susan Adams session
Faculty: Exploring the Blackboard Ultra Gradebook
This workshop introduces faculty to the features of the Blackboard Ultra Gradebook, including navigating the interface, organizing grades, applying weights, and providing feedback. Participants will learn practical tips and best practices to streamline grading and support student success.
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 7:00PM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
Access the Exploring the Blackboard Ultra Gradebook session
Additional Sessions:
10/27/2025 | 10/30/2025
Faculty: Getting Started with Blackboard Ultra: An Introduction for Beginners
GovState will be transitioning to the Ultra version of Blackboard in the near future, and it is essential that we all become familiar with this new platform. This workshop will provide valuable insights into the new interface and tools available in Blackboard Ultra, as well as best practices for a smooth transition. We encourage you to join us in this learning opportunity to ensure that you are well-equipped to navigate the new system effectively.
Location: CTL In-Person Session - CUBE D2430H
Time: 1:00PM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
Additional Sessions:
10/21/2025 | 10/29/2025
Faculty: Via (Student Learning & Licensure) Open Session
Drop in to ask the CTL staff any questions (big or small!) you have regarding Via, now called Student Learning & Licensure (SL&L).
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 3:30PM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
Access the Via (Student Learning & Licensure) Open session
Additional Sessions:
10/29/2025
Faculty: Humanizing Online Learning (RSI)
In this interactive workshop, participants will explore the crucial role of Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) in online education. This session will provide a clear understanding of the regulatory requirements surrounding RSI and how to effectively integrate it into online and hybrid courses. Attendees will learn how to design courses that promote meaningful interactions between instructors and students, ensuring compliance with federal guidelines while fostering student engagement and success.
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 10:30AM CDT
Duration: 30 minutes - Micro Session
Access the Humanizing Online Learning (RSI) session
Faculty: Getting Started with Blackboard Ultra: An Introduction for Beginners
GovState will be transitioning to the Ultra version of Blackboard in the near future, and it is essential that we all become familiar with this new platform. This workshop will provide valuable insights into the new interface and tools available in Blackboard Ultra, as well as best practices for a smooth transition. We encourage you to join us in this learning opportunity to ensure that you are well-equipped to navigate the new system effectively.
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 7:00PM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
Getting Started with Blackboard Ultra: An Introduction for Beginners session
Additional Sessions:
10/29/2025
Faculty: Using the AI Design Assistant in Blackboard Ultra
Discover how to harness the power of Blackboard Ultra’s AI tools to streamline your teaching workflow, enhance course design, and improve student engagement. This workshop provides a comprehensive overview of the AI-driven features within Blackboard Ultra and explores practical ways to integrate them into your teaching practices.
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 1:00PM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
Access the Using the AI Design Assistant in Blackboard Ultra session
Faculty: Open Sessions
Drop in to ask the CTL staff any questions (big or small!) you have regarding online instruction, course development, Blackboard, Class Collaborate, Respondus, Panopto and more.
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 3:30PM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
Access the Open session
Faculty: Using Alt Text
This brief, focused workshop introduces the importance of alternative text (alt text) in creating accessible digital content. Participants will learn how to write effective alt text for images, charts, and graphics to support learners who use screen readers.
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 7:00PM CDT
Duration: 30 minutes - Micro Session
Access the Using Alt Text session
Faculty: Intro to Panopto
Panopto is an easy way to record, livestream, manage and share videos for educational purposes. Panopto’s features include recording presentations, utilizing multiple media feeds, video assignments, quizzes, basic editing features and closed captioning. Similar to YouTube, Panopto allows users to manage a video library that can be integrated in the Blackboard LMS.
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 10:00AM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
Access the Intro to Panopto session
Additional Sessions:
10/28/2025
Faculty: Exploring the Blackboard Ultra Gradebook
This workshop introduces faculty to the features of the Blackboard Ultra Gradebook, including navigating the interface, organizing grades, applying weights, and providing feedback. Participants will learn practical tips and best practices to streamline grading and support student success.
Location: CTL In-Person Session - CUBE D2430H
Time: 10:00AM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
Additional Sessions:
10/30/2025
Faculty: Intro to Panopto
Panopto is an easy way to record, livestream, manage and share videos for educational purposes. Panopto’s features include recording presentations, utilizing multiple media feeds, video assignments, quizzes, basic editing features and closed captioning. Similar to YouTube, Panopto allows users to manage a video library that can be integrated in the Blackboard LMS.
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 7:00PM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
Access the Intro to Panopto session
Faculty: Via (Student Learning & Licensure) Open Session
Drop in to ask the CTL staff any questions (big or small!) you have regarding Via, now called Student Learning & Licensure (SL&L).
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 10:00AM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
Access the Via (Student Learning & Licensure) Open session
Faculty: Getting Started with Blackboard Ultra: An Introduction for Beginners
GovState will be transitioning to the Ultra version of Blackboard in the near future, and it is essential that we all become familiar with this new platform. This workshop will provide valuable insights into the new interface and tools available in Blackboard Ultra, as well as best practices for a smooth transition. We encourage you to join us in this learning opportunity to ensure that you are well-equipped to navigate the new system effectively.
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 7:00PM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
Getting Started with Blackboard Ultra: An Introduction for Beginners session
Faculty: Visual Design & Psychology for Accessibility
Using principles from graphic design like usage of fonts and colors, using alt text on images and captions on videos, and utilizing MS Office applications, join us for best practices in online course design and accessibility in Blackboard shells.
Location: CTL In-Person Session - CUBE D2430H
Time: 1:00PM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
Faculty: Exploring the Blackboard Ultra Gradebook
This workshop introduces faculty to the features of the Blackboard Ultra Gradebook, including navigating the interface, organizing grades, applying weights, and providing feedback. Participants will learn practical tips and best practices to streamline grading and support student success.
Location: CTL Virtual Session
Time: 7:00PM CDT
Duration: 60 minutes
Access the Exploring the Blackboard Ultra Gradebook session