Staff should be aware that Panopto keeps recording even when you click Pause. Students cannot access what is recorded during a paused section, but other instructors on the course and system administrators can.
Mute your microphone if you do not want anything you say during a pause to be recorded. Please remember to un-mute it before continuing your lecture.
Also, when you edit and delete part of a Panopto recording, that part is hidden from students rather than permanently deleted.,
If you need to permanently remove part of a recording, use the Save As option (see Panopto’s How to use Save As guide – only available in English).
Continuing to record during pauses can be helpful if you forget to restart the recording, as you can make that content available to students later by editing the recording.
We revisit and revise all the policies relating to digital education annually. All the changes are approved by the Quality and Standards Committee. The new policies are now available, and here are the details of the main changes. If you have any questions about the new policies, please get in touch with us using elearning@aber.ac.uk
This year’s update has clarified what is expected for AberOnline courses in Canvas. All points apply to Blackboard and Canvas unless otherwise mentioned. Any queries about AberOnline should be sent to aberonline@aber.ac.uk
Blackboard Required Minimum Presence (RMP)
The RMP outlines to staff and students the minimum standards for a Blackboard Course.
Welsh Language:
Guidelines for providing Welsh language materials in merged Welsh and English modules.
To help students plan and manage their studies:
Assignment briefs, along with a Generative AI statement for each assessment should be uploaded at the start of the semester that the course is taught in
Clarification of timescales for uploading materials for students with a Record of Support Provision
Guidance on availability of materials in a Blackboard course
To help staff managing courses:
Copy of any Turnitin rubrics to be uploaded into the External Examiners folder
E-submission Policy
The E-submission Policy outlines that all text-based word-processed work is submitted, marked, and has feedback released electronically.
To improve student access to marks and feedback:
Clarification of guidance on returning marks and feedback for work not submitted electronically
Responding to system outages:
Clarification of how outages on AU and non-AU systems will be managed.
Lecture Capture Policy
The Lecture Capture Policy outlines that all transmission style presentations are recorded electronically for students to access.
To help students with accessibility requirements
Inclusion of guidance on downloading transcripts
Inclusion of guidance on recording whiteboard notes
To help staff managing courses:
Clarification of when and how lecture summaries should be used
Use of recordings:
Guidance on when and how recordings may be used in the AU complaints process
Panopto has now been set up ready for 2026-27. This includes automatic captioning.
Automatic Captions
Automatic captioning has now been set-up for all 2026-27 folders in Panopto. The language for captioning matches the language of your Blackboard course template.
For bilingual courses we recommend creating a sub-folder to hold the recordings for one of the languages of your course delivery (see FAQ).
When you make your recordings, you must select the correct language folder before pressing record. This is because Welsh captions cannot be added to recordings copied or moved from other folders.
You can create a link to the Panopto folder in your Blackboard course. This means that students will be able to see the recordings for the course all in one place.
Finding your Panopto folder
Panopto folders for all this year’s modules are in the 2026-27 folder.
To find the Panopto folder you want to record into:
Click the dropdown button on the right-hand side of the Folder box.
Click the dropdown arrow to the left of the academic year folder to expand it.
Select the Panopto folder you want to record into.
You can also search for the Panopto folder you want to record into:
In the Folder box start typing the module code or name of the Panopto folder you want to Record into.
Select the folder you want to record into.
What to do if you can’t see your Panopto folder
In a small number of courses, the Panopto folder wasn’t created over the summer. If you can’t find your Panopto folder using the steps above, you can create a folder from Blackboard:
Login to Blackboard and find your course
Click on Books and Tools [Llyfrau ac Offer] > View course and institution tools [Gweld cwrs ac offer sefydliad]
Click on Holl Fideo Panopto / All Panopto Videos
You should then be able to find the Panopto folder to make a recording.
If you have any questions, please contact the Digital Education Team on elearning@aber.ac.uk.
Our Digital Education training programme is now available for staff to book onto on the staff booking page
Our training is split across 3 levels:
E-learning Essentials:
Our E-learning Essentials sessions provide a practical introduction to the University’s core digital learning technologies and the policies that support their use. These sessions are ideal for colleagues who are new to a tool, taking on a new teaching role, or looking to refresh their knowledge.
You will gain confidence in using technologies such as Blackboard, Turnitin, Panopto, Microsoft Copilot, and Vevox, as well as learn about key processes that support learning, teaching, and assessment.
Sessions available:
Become a Document Pro
Introduction to Blackboard Ally
Introduction to Blackboard Ultra
Introduction to Component Marks Transfer
Introduction to Microsoft Copilot for Learning and Teaching Activities
Introduction to Panopto Lecture Capture and Teaching Room Equipment (bilingual)
Introduction to Turnitin (bilingual)
Introduction to Vevox Polling Software
E-learning Enhanced:
OurE-learning Enhancedsessions focus on designing and creating engaging learning activities using digital tools within your own teaching context.
These hands-on workshops will help you explore innovative approaches to learning design, assessment, accessibility, and student engagement, enabling you to make more effective use of the University’s digital learning environment.
Sessions available:
Becoming an Alternative Text Pro
Design Interactive Online Learning Activities Using Blackboard Discussions and Journals
Designing Blackboard Tests
Designing Learning and Teaching Activities Using Vevox
Introduction to the Blackboard AI Design Assistant
Measuring and Increasing Engagement Using Blackboard Tools
Peer Assessment with Turnitin
Preparing for Your Blackboard Exam
Using the Advanced Features of Panopto
E-learning Excellence:
Our E-learning Excellence programmeis designed for colleagues who want to create outstanding digital learning experiences and align their courses with recognised best practice.
Based on theBlackboard Exemplary Course Award rubric, these sessions explore the key elements of high-quality course design and effective digital pedagogy. While the sessions are designed as a complementary four-part series, you are welcome to attend individual sessions according to your interests and needs.
Sessions available:
Exemplary Assessment Design
Exemplary Course Design
Exemplary Interaction and Collaboration
Exemplary Learner Support
Submitting an Exemplary Course Award
We are committed to making our training as accessible and inclusive as possible. If you are unable to attend a session but would like access to the training materials, or if you would like to discuss any aspect of the session format or accessibility requirements, please contact the Digital Education Group at elearning@aber.ac.uk.
We look forward to seeing you at a forthcoming session.
In November, we took part in Blackboard Ally Fix your Content Day, making the content of our Virtual Learning Environment even more accessible. We placed 3rd in the UK and 60th on the international leaderboard.
We’re planning our next Mini Conference in collaboration with colleagues in Student Journey for April 2026. Further information will be made available soon.
And our 14th Education and Student Experience Conference will take place between 8-10 September 2026. Keep an eye out for updates, call for proposals, and external speaker announcements.
Some staff will have made offline Panopto recordings because of the impact of an Amazon Web Services service disruption on Panopto on Monday 20th October.
All offline recordings will need to be uploaded to the Panopto servers before they can be made available to students. Instructions are available in our FAQ How do I manually upload Panopto recordings via the Panopto Recorder program? You can check teaching room availability from myadmin.aber.ac.uk > AAA/ATO (Aberystwyth Timetable Online)
We recommend that you upload any offline recordings with the next 7 days. If you have any questions, please contact elearning@aber.ac.uk
Automatic captioning has now been set-up for all 2025-26 folders in Panopto. The language for captioning matches the language of your Blackboard course template.
For bilingual courses we recommend creating a sub-folder to hold the recordings for one of the languages of your course delivery (see FAQ).
When you make your recordings, you must select the correct language folder before pressing record. This is because Welsh captions cannot be added to recordings copied or moved from other folders.
You can create a link to the Panopto folder in your Blackboard course. This means that students will be able to see the recordings for the course all in one place.
Finding your Panopto folder
Panopto folders for all this year’s modules are in the 2025-26 folder.
To find the Panopto folder you want to record into:
Click the dropdown button on the right-hand side of the Folder box.
Click the dropdown arrow to the left of the academic year folder to expand it.
Select the Panopto folder you want to record into.
You can also search for the Panopto folder you want to record into:
In the Folder box start typing the module code or name of the Panopto folder you want to Record into
Select the folder you want to record into.
What to do if you can’t see your Panopto folder
In a small number of courses, the Panopto folder wasn’t created over the summer. If you can’t find your Panopto folder using the steps above, you can create a folder from Blackboard:
Login to Blackboard and find your course
Click on Books and Tools > View course and institution tools
Click on Holl Fideo Panopto / All Panopto Videos
You should then be able to find the Panopto folder to make a recording.
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.
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.
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.
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 andBlackboard Assignment. Turnitin provides an automatic text matching functionality. We use Blackboard Tests to run online exams.
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.
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.
We are delighted to announce our training series for the forthcoming semester.
All training can be booked online using your Aberystwyth username and password. Our training booking system is now automated, so you will receive your calendar invitation within an hour into your calendar. Please join these sessions from your Outlook calendar.
As usual, our training sessions are grouped into 3 series:
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.
In addition to the usual offerings, we also wanted to highlight the new sessions that we have introduced for 2025-26:
New sessions for 2025
E-learning Essentials
Using Microsoft Co-pilot for Learning and Teaching Activities
This session will introduce colleagues to Generative AI and offer the opportunity to think about ways in which you can incorporate Generative AI into your learning and teaching practice.
A reminder that all Essentials sessions are strongly recommended for any new members of staff in your department.
E-learning Enhanced
Become a Blackboard Document Pro
Blackboard Documents have had a complete overhaul in Ultra. This 30-minute pro session gives an overview of the new features and allows you to give it a go in your course.
Blackboard Interactive Tools
We’ve combined our Discussions and Journals session into one. We’ll go through activity design for our interactive tools to help maximise student engagement.
Measuring and Increasing student engagement using Blackboard Tools
We will look at the analytical tools available in your Blackboard course to help monitor student engagement. We’ll use this to tailor messaging as well as creating other activities such as knowledge checks and learning module progression to help keep your students engaged with their learning.
Peer Assessment with Turnitin
One of the features of Turnitin is PeerMark which allows you to create peer assessment opportunities for your students. This is great to allow students to provide formative feedback on each other’s work.
Using the advanced features of Panopto
Want to spruce up your recordings? This session will showcase different ways in which you can use Panopto: from inserting quizzes mid recording, to give students the opportunity to get creative and use Panopto themselves. This session is great for those adopting a flipped classroom approach or who want to make use of Panopto beyond Lecture Capture.
Other sessions include the Blackboard AI Design Assistant and Advanced Vevox polling software design.
We’ve designed 4 new workshops for colleagues based on the 4 areas of the Exemplary Course Award. Looking at each aspect, colleagues will reflect on how their own courses can be developed.
