AI Use Statement

Across the university, there will be new requirements for declaring the use of generative AI in assignments in the 2026-27 academic year. Students will now be expected to include this AI Tool-Use statement at the end of their assignments. The AI Tool-Use statement comes in the form of a tick box table and asks students to declare the type of tools that were used to help with their assignment.

Vevox

Vevox is Aberystwyth University’s polling tool. Vevox offers an interactive and collaborative experience for learners and teachers and can be used for activities such as gauging opinion or to provide participants with question & answer opportunities. As Vevox is used throughout the university, we would encourage students to bring a mobile device or tablet to their classes in order to participate in the Vevox activities.

Turnitin in Blackboard Assignments

Recently, an update has been rolled that allows Turnitin to be integrated into Blackboard Assignments at Aberystwyth University. During 2026-27 we are encouraging all staff currently using Blackboard Assignment to enable Turnitin on appropriate assignments. The submission, marking and feedback workflows will be the same as previously. All aspects of the process, apart from the Turnitin report, will be available in Welsh. Guidance on setting up and using Turnitin in Blackboard Assignment can be found in our Guide. For more information on Turnitin in Blackboard Assignment, have a look at our blog post.

Blackboard Ally

Following last years’ progress in stipulating a minimum accessibility score on all modules, work is continuing to ensure that content is as compatible with Blackboard Ally as possible. Blackboard Ally is a tool available to staff and students at Aberystwyth University to improve the accessibility of materials and content on Blackboard. From the instructor’s perspective Ally has features which allow you to assess the accessibility of materials and will provide recommendations for alternative formats to improve any weak areas. From a student’s perspective Ally has a number of tools available to make content easier to read, understand, and engage with.

Pronouns

For the upcoming academic year, an integration has been developed between the student record and Blackboard. This means that the pronouns you select on the student record will automatically update in Blackboard. The clearer visibility of staff and students’ gender expression strengthens the university’s commitment to gender diversity and inclusivity, in the classroom and online.

A warm welcome to new staff joining Aberystwyth University.

In this blogpost we aim to provide you with information related to technology in learning and teaching, our training provision, support channels, and events that we run.

All the information that you need is on our webpages.

We write a blog full of the latest updates, details on events and training sessions, and resources.

If you need to get in touch with us, you can do so using elearning@aber.ac.uk.

Introduction to E-learning Tools

Virtual Learning Environment: Blackboard

Each module has its own dedicated course in Blackboard. Students can expect to find information about the module, learning materials, and e-submission guidance, as well as links to reading lists and lecture capture.

The University has a Blackboard Required Minimum Presence policy for all modules.

Please see our staff guide for further information.

Lecture Capture: Panopto

When teaching in person, be aware that all lectures (that is, teaching where the focus is on information being transmitted from staff to students) should be recorded using Panopto, our Lecture Capture software.

See details of our Lecture Capture Policy.

E-submission: Turnitin and Blackboard Assignment

At Aberystwyth University, students must submit all text-based and word-processed work electronically as outlined in the University’s E-submission policy.

For this, we use our e-submission tools: Turnitin and Blackboard Assignment. Turnitin provides an automatic text matching functionality. We use Blackboard Tests to run online exams.

Polling tool: Vevox

Vevox is Aberystwyth University’s polling tool.

Polling can be used in learning and teaching activities as well as meetings to make the session interactive and collaborative with many different possibilities for use.

Resources and further help

We have a number of Guides and FAQs to help you use our software.

Training Provision

To support all staff with their teaching, we run a series of training sessions across the following strands:

E-learning Essentials: designed for colleagues new to the university, teaching, or who would like to get a refresher. The aim of these sessions is to ensure that colleagues can meet the university’s digital learning and teaching policies.
E-learning Enhanced: designed to build on the skills gained in our e-learning essentials series, colleagues will create an activity or assessment unique to their learning and teaching contexts.
E-learning Excellence: designed to offer colleagues the opportunity to create exemplary learning and teaching opportunities – often unique and sector leading.

You can find details of our annual CPD programme and book your place to attend via Book a Course page.

Events

We run a range of events, including the Annual Learning and Teaching Conference and Mini-Conferences

All of these are great opportunities to meet people from across the university and discuss Learning and Teaching issues and developments.

We look forward to seeing you at a forthcoming event. In the meantime, feel free to get in touch with us via elearning@aber.ac.uk if you have any questions.

Digital Education Team

Aberystwyth University

Month: September 2026

Welcome to the Academic Year 2026-27: Updates to Blackboard for returning students