[:en]If you wish to start a blog, please send an email to blogging@aber.ac.uk to discuss your requirements and we’ll advise you on how to get started. You can also view information about setting up a blog on the Web Services pages.
Latest posts from across the AU blogging network
Make Blackboard Learn Ultra Courses more visual with Learning Modules, Course Images, and Unsplash Images
- Some of the feedback that we’ve received regarding Blackboard Ultra Courses is that they are not as visually customisable as Blackboard Original Courses. Ultra is created with accessibility in mind which means that some of the features that we previously had, such as textured or coloured backgrounds and text that could result in low colour ...more
Panopto Assignment Workflow in Blackboard Learn Ultra
- In our previous blogpost we outlined some of the changes to Panopto with our move to Blackboard Learn Ultra. In this blogpost we’ll outline the changes to using Panopto for Assignments. Panopto Assignments are used for students to submit a recording or presentation. As part of this change, we recommend that you: Create a Blackboard Assignment Students submit via ...more
The Ultra Essentials Playlist
- If you’re a busy bee preparing your courses before the students arrive and don’t have any time to attend training sessions, how about visiting our new bite sized training video clips on how to work in Blackboard Ultra. We’ve created The Ultra Essentials Playlist to help staff to familiarise themselves with the exciting new features in ...more
Weekly Resource Roundup - 20/9/2023
- As leader of our PGCTHE programme, I keep an eye out for resources to help staff teach effectively. These include webinars, podcasts, online toolkits, publications and more. Topics include active learning, online/blended teaching, accessibility/inclusion, and effective learning design based on cognitive science. Below I’ve listed items that came to my attention in the past week. In the ...more
Welcome to new staff joining Aberystwyth University
- We’re the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit. Based in Information Services, we work with staff across the university to support and develop learning and teaching. We run a wide range of activities to do this. All the information that you need is on the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit webpages. Our Supporting your Teaching webpages will ...more
Launch of the new 'IS Digital Essentials for teaching' Blackboard site
- We are pleased to announce the launch of the IS Digital Essentials for teaching, a new Blackboard Learn Ultra site designed to support new teaching staff at Aberystwyth University. This site brings together all of the advice and helpful information from Information Services that new teaching staff will need, ensuring that they are ‘digitally’ prepared for ...more
DigiTip 3 - Organising your Outlook 📧
- Do you have too many emails coming into your inbox? Are you struggling to find a specific email you need, or are you lost in all your emails? Time to organise! Did you know you can create subfolders in Outlook to help organise your emails. You can use these folders to clear your inbox so only unread or ...more
Panopto Update for Staff: September 2023
- As part of the wider Blackboard Ultra project, our Panopto integration has been upgraded to work with Blackboard Ultra. This has provided us with an opportunity to make some changes and improvements. Accessing Panopto You can now access the Panopto server via Panopto.aber.ac.uk Panopto Folders Panopto folders are now organised by academic year. Staff have frequently requested that the Panopto ...more
Action needed: Staff with LinkedIn Learning content embedded within their Blackboard Learn Ultra modules
- From Wednesday 27 September 2023, we will be enabling a new version of the tool which allows staff to embed LinkedIn Learning content within their modules on Blackboard Learn Ultra. There are many advantages to enabling this new version, however it will require staff who have already embedded LinkedIn Learning content within their current modules ...more
Blackboard Learn Ultra Gradebook
- In this blogpost we’ll be taking a specific look at the Gradebook feature in Blackboard Learn Ultra. The Gradebook is the new name for Grade Centre. It is used to hold all student marks on a Blackboard Course. The Gradebook is located on every course from the top menu. Students enrolled on the module automatically appear in the ...more
Is your content visible to students?
- Now is a good time to check whether the content in this year’s Blackboard courses is visible to students. With our move to Blackboard Learn Ultra, any materials copied from previous years’ courses are hidden from students by default. You can change the visibility of individual items (see Blackboard help site for making items available). You ...more
Blackboard Learn Ultra Student Guidance Available
- Support materials to assist students with Blackboard Learn Ultra are now available on our webpages. The Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit have produced a Student Guide specifically for Ultra which can be downloaded. Students were notified of the change to Blackboard before the end of last academic year. As part of the move to Ultra our FAQs are ...more
DigiTip 2 - Check your Welsh text using the Cysill app 📝
- Cysill is part of a language software package called Cysgliad that you can download on your PC, and Cysill will be able to identify and correct Welsh-language errors in your text. You can use the online version of Cysill, but you can check your text much easier if you download the app (how do I ...more
Digital Skills Training: Semester 1 '23-24
- Are you interested in learning what resources are available to help you assess and develop your digital skills? Or, perhaps you're interested in learning more about how you can support your students to develop their own digital skills? We will be delivering several training sessions for staff throughout Semester 1. If you are unable to attend ...more
Weekly Resource Roundup - 8/9/2023
- As leader of our PGCTHE programme, I keep an eye out for resources to help staff teach effectively. These include webinars, podcasts, online toolkits, publications and more. Topics include active learning, online/blended teaching, accessibility/inclusion, and effective learning design based on cognitive science. Below I’ve listed items that came to my attention in the past week. In the ...more
Develop your digital skills each week with our new DigiTips! DigiTip 1 – Bookmark your favourite webpages 🔖
- Each week we’ll be posting a useful DigiTip to help you make the best use of technology. To follow our DigiTips, subscribe to our Digital Skills Blog. Or alternatively, you can bookmark this webpage, where a new DigiTip will be added each week! Do you want to be able to find the exact webpage you are ...more
Finding your way around the Hugh Owen Library
- 22/05/2023 Introducing the Library Floor Map We have launched a new map and library guide to help you navigate the Hugh Owen Library and locate your books and other resources on the shelves. Browse the map online at libraryfloormap.aber.ac.uk to find out what's where, get more information about library resources and spaces and familiarise yourself with the ...more
Training for Academic Staff: Introduction to the Digital Discovery Tool
- The Digital Skills Team will be delivering training sessions in September for academic staff who will be supporting their students to review their individual Digital Discovery Tool reports, and who will be facilitating conversations about digital skills in general. Online sessions will be available in Welsh and English on the following dates: 12 September '23 (10:00-11:00): Introduction ...more
Welcome Megan!
- I distinctly remember the pride I felt when I was given my first junior library card, several decades later and libraries are still a pivotal part of my life. Being able to work in the very library that helped me graduate is still a ‘pinch-me’ moment! Outside of reading I also enjoy gardening, running and ...more
New Member of the team!
- Hello everyone! My name is Jia Ping Lee and I have joined the Digital Skills team as a digital capabilities and skills development coordinator. I completed my undergraduate studies in Genetics at Aberystwyth and recently returned home from China after 4 years as an English Teacher for young children. I am looking forward to supporting and working ...more