Registration & Access
Workshops will be held either face-to-face in the Woods Classroom in Harrison Libraries (unless otherwise indicated) or online via Microsoft Teams. Faculty interested in attending these sessions do not need to pre-register unless otherwise indicated; however, we would appreciate it if you do. To join a virtual workshop, click on the link for the date/time of your session. If you do not have a headset, there is a call-in line for audio during the conference. If you want to pre-register, email actech@hartford.edu, and a calendar invitation will be sent. We hope to see you soon!
Workshop Details
New to Blackboard Ultra or looking for a refresher? This hands-on workshop is designed to help faculty get comfortable navigating and using the Ultra Course View. Participants will explore the intuitive interface, learn how to create and organize course content, set up assignments and discussions, communicate with students, and manage grades. Whether you’re transitioning from Original Course View or starting fresh, this session will give you the confidence to build a streamlined, student-friendly course in Blackboard Ultra.
Wednesday, December 10, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM (Virtual)
Monday, December 15, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Tuesday, December 16, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Virtual)
Friday, December 19, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Instructors with questions about the transition to Blackboard Ultra are encouraged to contact the Office of Academic Technology, Teaching, and Learning at 860.768.4661 or actech@hartford.edu.
Small changes, big difference—30 minutes to accessible content that empowers all students!
Ready to make your Blackboard course content work for everyone? Join us for this hands-on workshop where you'll learn how to use Blackboard Ally to improve accessibility. Your students are already downloading alternative formats in Blackboard—now discover how to make that process even smoother. We'll show you how to spot accessibility issues, fix them in minutes, and create content that works for students with diverse learning needs. Whether someone needs audio, large print, or translated text, Ally helps you deliver.
Topics covered:
- Alternative Text for Images
- Quick Fixes for PDFs (Titles, Language, OCR)
- Headings for Documents & PowerPoints
- Tables
- Editing Captions for Videos
No accessibility expertise required—just bring your willingness to learn!
Tuesday, October 21, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (Virtual)
Wednesday, November 5, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Thursday, November 20, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Virtual)
Tuesday, December 2, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Wednesday, December 17, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Virtual)
Please RSVP to actech@hartford.edu and an invite will be sent to you.
Microsoft Education is a comprehensive suite of digital learning tools and services that integrate seamlessly with Learning Management Systems like Blackboard to enhance teaching and learning experiences. Through the Microsoft 365 LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability) integration, faculty can access powerful collaboration tools, assignment creation capabilities, and AI-enhanced learning accelerators directly within their Blackboard courses. The platform includes tools for real-time collaboration, video meetings, file sharing, AI-powered assignments, and learning accelerators—all designed to create more engaging, personalized learning experiences without requiring students or faculty to leave their familiar Blackboard environment. Think of it as bringing the best of Microsoft's educational technology directly into your existing course structure, making it easier to collaborate with students, create interactive assignments, and track learning progress.
Wednesday, September 3, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Wednesday, September 17, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (Virtual)
Monday, October 6, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Wednesday, October 8, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Virtual)
Tuesday, November 4, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Tuesday, November 11, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Virtual)
Tuesday, December 9, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Virtual)
Wednesday, December 17, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Wave your wand and let AI work its magic! This spellbinding session unveils Blackboard’s AI Design Assistant for effortless quizzes, assignments, rubrics, and visuals, plus the AI Roleplay tool for immersive, interactive learning. Save time, spark creativity, and enchant your students with AI-powered tools that make course design feel like wizardry. Join us and add a little magic to your teaching! Recommended: Completion of Getting Started with Blackboard Ultra training.
Wednesday, September 10, 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Wednesday, December 10, 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Join us to explore Google's NotebookLM, an AI-powered research assistant that transforms how you work with documents and sources. Upload PDFs, articles, notes, and other materials to create a personalized AI that can summarize content, answer questions, generate study guides, and help synthesize information across multiple sources. Perfect for research projects, course preparation, literature reviews, and collaborative analysis. We'll cover practical applications for both teaching and research, including how to generate podcast-style audio discussions from your materials and create interactive study resources for students.
Bring your laptop and a few documents you'd like to experiment with!
Wednesday, November 12, 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Unleash the potential of interactive learning with Blackboard’s AI Roleplay tool. This workshop explores how to design dynamic roleplay scenarios that promote student engagement, critical thinking, and real-world application. Learn to create immersive simulations and adaptable role-based activities that bring course concepts to life. Whether you're teaching case studies, fostering collaborative problem-solving, or preparing students for professional interactions, this tool empowers you to craft impactful learning experiences. Recommended: Completion of Getting Started with Blackboard Ultra training.
Thursday, October 16, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Wednesday, October 29, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Virtual)
Thursday, August 21, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM (Virtual)
Tuesday, September 30, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Tuesday, October 14, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Virtual)
Tuesday, October 21, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Virtual)
Kaltura works like an in-house YouTube, allowing faculty to upload videos to a media library quickly and easily, then link to them from Blackboard and other websites. Faculty who are flipping the classroom, teaching online, using video clips in instruction, or working with student video projects should plan to attend this special information session about Kaltura. Kaltura Capture is a simple, convenient tool that can capture your voice, the action on your computer screen, and webcam video to create lecturettes. You can use it to record audio podcasts, video lectures, or narrated presentations and demonstrations. This session will guide you through the process of recording a narrated screen capture, editing it, and publishing it to Blackboard. Video and audio files should never be added directly to Blackboard; instead, instructors should be using Kaltura. If you require a 1:1 assistance to set up Kaltura, email actech@hartford.edu, and we will be happy to arrange either a face-to-face or virtual appointment.
Monday, September 22, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Thursday, October 16, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Virtual)
Wednesday, October 22, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Virtual)
Microsoft Teams is a video-conferencing application that now integrates with Blackboard. It is a platform that can be employed for remote instruction, office hours, or collaborative group work in your courses. Microsoft Teams can be accessed via a desktop application or a browser and is available on mobile devices as well. In this session, we will show you how to set up a Teams Meeting in your Blackboard course, how to navigate the Teams interface, how to share files or documents with students, and how to share screens. We will also show you how to set up groups so your students can work on collaborative activities together. If you require a 1:1 assistance to set up Teams, email actech@hartford.edu, and we will be happy to arrange either a face-to-face or virtual appointment.
Thursday, August 21, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Virtual)
Tuesday, August 26, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Monday, October 20, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM (Virtual)
Tuesday, November 11, 10:00 - 11:00 AM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Learn about the different ways you can store and share your files at the university. We'll explain the uses and benefits of OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, Network Drives, and Local Drives in simple terms. Discover the best practices for each option to keep your data organized, secure, and easy to access.
Monday, November 17, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM (Virtual)
Dive into the expansive suite of Microsoft applications in this informative workshop. Learn the key functions and practical uses of popular tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, and more. Whether you're a beginner or looking to enhance your productivity, this session will demystify each app's purpose and show you how they can streamline your work and personal tasks. Join us to unlock the full potential of Microsoft's powerful software ecosystem!
Wednesday, August 27, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Wednesday, October 1, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Wednesday, October 29, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM (Virtual)
Monday, December 1, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Blackboard Organizations at UH are designed for communicating with students outside of traditional courses—ideal for sharing information with majors, supporting student clubs, managing campus programs, or building community sites for staff and students. This workshop introduces staff to the basics of using Organizations in the Ultra interface, including how to structure content, post announcements, manage membership, and share resources. Whether you're coordinating advising, supporting co-curricular initiatives, or creating a central hub for student engagement, this session will help you make the most of Blackboard Organizations. Please join us for an information session.
Have a quick question about Blackboard? Need help with a specific feature or troubleshooting an issue? Stop by one of our Blackboard Drop-in sessions for on-the-spot support and guidance. These informal, come-and-go sessions are perfect for faculty and staff who need personalized help with Ultra Course View, content setup, grading, communication tools, or Organizations. No registration or agenda—just bring your questions! Drop-ins are available in person or virtually via Microsoft Teams for your convenience.
Friday, August 22, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Friday, August 22, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Virtual)
Monday, August 25, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Monday, August 25, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Virtual)
Tuesday, August 26, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM (Virtual)
Thursday, August 28, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Thursday, August 28, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM (Virtual)