14th Annual Education and Student Experience Conference – Materials Available

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Between the 8-10 September, Library Academic and Digital Services hosted the 14th Annual Education and Student Experience Conference.

The materials from the conference are now available on our webpages.

We would like to thank all of our contributors and attendees. The sessions were of such high quality.

We’re already heading into planning our 15th Annual Education and Student Experience Conference which is scheduled to take place in July 2027 (date TBC).

We hope to see you at a forthcoming event.

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

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A warm welcome to new students joining us and those who are returning to study at Aberystwyth University.

In this blogpost, we will outline the changes that have been made to your digital learning environment, Blackboard, ready for the start of the academic year 2026-27

If you need help using Blackboard, see our Student Guide which contains all kinds of useful information.

We’ve also got FAQs available for the other tools that we support, including Turnitin for e-submission and Panopto for lecture capture.

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.

Course Access

Students will be able to gain access to their Blackboard courses once they have completed their enrolment. This webpage contains more details about the enrolment process.

Welcome new staff joining Aberystwyth University, 2026-27

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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.

Generative AI Assessment Good Practice Event: Call for Assessment Practices

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Generative AI has created a particular challenge for assessment practices.

On the afternoon of Wednesday 25 November, Library Academic and Digital Services will be hosting a special good practice event focused on assessment design within the context of Generative AI.

We are inviting submissions from colleagues to share their innovative assessment practices in short 10–15-minute talks.

We’re looking for a mix of assessments that are either designed to:

  • Incorporate the use of Generative AI or
  • Prevent the use of Generative AI and enhance assessment validity

It would be great to have an example from each department.

 If you would like to submit a proposal, please complete this short form: Generative AI Assessment Good Practice Event: Call for Assessment Practices – Fill out form

Booking for the event is already open on the staff training booking system.

If you have any questions, please contact the event organisers on elearning@aber.ac.uk.

Digital Education Policies Review (2026-27)

WordPress User [kaw] Blackboard, E-submission, Panopto Leave a comment

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 2026-27

Caitlin Evans [cae94] Accessibility, Panopto Leave a comment

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 find information about automatic captioning in the AU Lecture Capture Policy (section 12). 

Linking to All Panopto Recordings 

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:

        1. Login to Blackboard and find your course
        2. Click on Books and Tools [Llyfrau ac Offer] > View course and institution tools [Gweld cwrs ac offer sefydliad] 
        3. 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. 

          Annual Education and Student Experience Conference: Blackboard External Speaker

          WordPress User [jbw] Annual Education and Student Experience Conference 2026, Blackboard, Conference Leave a comment

          We’re delighted to welcome some more external speakers to our Annual Education and Student Experience Conference.

          On Thursday 10 September, Blackboard’s Ruben Jacquart will be joining us.

          Ruben Jacquart is a Senior Solutions Engineer with over 10 years of experience supporting higher education institutions in their digital learning transformation journeys. Based in Amsterdam, he works closely with universities and business schools across Europe and the UK to help institutions enhance teaching, learning, accessibility, and student success through innovative educational technology.

          His expertise spans learning management systems, digital accessibility, learning analytics, artificial intelligence, interoperability standards, and enterprise integrations. Ruben regularly collaborates with institutional leaders, academic staff, and technology teams to address strategic and operational challenges in digital education.

          He is particularly passionate about advancing accessibility in education and helping institutions create more inclusive learning environments. Through his work with Ally, he supports universities in improving the accessibility of digital course content, empowering educators to adopt inclusive practices, and ensuring that all learners have equitable access to educational resources. Ruben is also deeply interested in how AI and data-informed approaches can further enhance the learner experience while strengthening inclusion and student success.

          Ruben will be running a 1-hour session.

          The session will include latest updates to:

          • Blackboard Ally
          • Blackboard AI Design Assistant
          • New features roadmap for Blackboard

          We’re really excited about some of the new features that are included in the Blackboard Ally update.

          In the next 1-3 months, there’s going to be a new enhanced reader for students. In addition to all the great features already included in Ally, this will include features that help focus attention.

          Following Blackboard’s session, Ifat Shah from Life Sciences and Jim Woolley from Student Journey will be giving a presentation on Blackboard Achievements. Colleagues in Life Sciences have been using it this year to record the DLS Skills Passport.

          See the rest of the programme online: Conference Timetable  : Library and Digital Education , Aberystwyth University

          Book your place via this online form: https://forms.office.com/e/mv7n7KcQ7R

          Annual Education and Student Experience Conference: Stands at this year’s conference

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          We’re delighted to welcome several stands across our in-person days at this year’s Annual Education and Student Experience Conference.

          All stands will be in the Think Tank on Wednesday 9 September and Thursday 10 September.

          AberSkills

          Library Academic and Digital Services’ Non Jones will be hosting a stand to showcase the latest news from AberSkills, the home of skills development at Aberystwyth University.  We’ve got some sessions as part of the conference focusing on Skills – Jim Dickinson from WONKHE and Trish McGrath from UndebAber will be leading a session, and Joy Cadwallader and Keziah Garratt-Smithson will be launching the Digital Discovery Tool.

          Education and Student Experience Award Recipients

          Recipients of last year’s Education and Student Experience Awards will be staffing stands so that delegates can hear all about the projects:

          • The Aber Medieval Physic Garden
          • Developing a Sustainable Student Gear Hub
          • Inclusivity and Accessibility in Assessment Design and Feedback Practices
          • Pulling together– supporting teamwork assessment more effectively

          RLF Writing Stand

          On Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 September, we are delighted to welcome Samanthan Wynne-Rhydderch who will be hosting a stand.

          Samantha is the Royal Literary Fellow here at Aberystwyth.

          The RLF Fellowship scheme for writers was launched in autumn 1999 and is based in UK universities. About 750 writers work as Fellows at over 100 different institutions. The principal aim of the Fellow’s work is to foster good writing practice across all disciplines and media by showing students how to write with clarity and flow. Typically, a student will see the Fellow,  a professional published author, one-to-one, for 50 minutes. 

          Samantha can help with: 

          • Structuring an argument
          • Writing clearer and more compelling prose
          • Rewriting and editing
          • Planning and time management
          • Tackling the word count
          • Critical thinking
          • Paraphrasing

          You can find more information about the RLF here: Aberystwyth University – Royal Literary Fund and Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch – Royal Literary Fund

          Book your place online.

          See our full programme on our webpages.

          Digital Education Training

          WordPress User [jbw] Blackboard, E-submission, Panopto, Training and Support, Turnitin Leave a comment

          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:

          Our E-learning Enhanced sessions 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 programme is 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.