On 1 and 2 March, LTEU met with Departmental Directors of Learning and Teaching to update on the Blackboard Ultra project and discuss our plans for training, ways in which we can address challenges, and the support required for the Ultra project.

The slides from the session can be downloaded from this link.

The slides include an update on the project timeline, what academic colleagues will have to do, and an overview of our training approach.

Summary of discussions

• Support contact – if you are having any difficulties with using e-learning tools then do contact elearning@aber.ac.uk and we will be happy to help you out.
• Adding Reading List and Panopto Link – Staff members will have to add links to these in their modules. There is currently no way of doing this automatically, but we will continue to investigate ways of doing so.
• Departments will be able to choose whether they have an in-person training session or an online training session.
• LTEU will continue training on using Ultra over the summer and into the new academic year
• Academic colleagues will be able to access and copy materials from historical modules – the current retention period is 5 years + current year.
• Where possible, colleagues should use Blackboard text editor features to ensure that their content is as accessible as possible.
• A checklist will be produced so that colleagues can check that they’ve done everything required in building their modules.
• Colleagues would like a consistent message from Information Services about the project.
• Training sessions will be offered to all Registry teams as well as external examiners and franchise campuses.
• Communications and approach will include the benefits of the move to Ultra and a list of new features.
• Where possible, video materials will be created.

If you have any questions, concerns, or want to speak to us about something specific in your course, then contact us on elearning@aber.ac.uk.