Learning Technologies Blog

New Ultra Feature Alert

Coming up in early April 2026, Blackboard will have additional options for assignments submission options, so I just thought I'd give y'all a preview so no one freaks out. You will see these new options under your assignment settings, with a new section called...

Offline Submissions Confusion

So this is a problem that has been brought to the attention of, well, a lot of people: a faculty has an assignment done offline, but with grades to be posted in the gradebook. Said faculty creates the assignment in Blackboard, then check the "Collect Submissions...

Accessibility Beyond Ally: Canva Edition

Last semester, we all got an email from Wendy Parks informing us that the college had started a Canva Pro pilot program at the college. I have been using Canva for a long time and this is where I create all my presentations (but Canva does a lot more than that),...
Helping Students Navigate the LMS

Helping Students Navigate the LMS

How well do your students know how to use Blackboard? The answer will probably vary from student to student and class to class. Some students will have used it before while others won’t. Some students may be new to it but will be more tech savvy than others. How can...

Using the ARI Tool: An Overview of the Basics

Using the ARI Tool: An Overview of the Basics

The ARI (Academic Records Integration) tool is used throughout the semester anytime you need to submit verifications or grades for your students. That makes it a pretty central part of your course management throughout the year. Knowing how to use it and why things...

Blackboard Integration Guide: Edpuzzle

Blackboard Integration Guide: Edpuzzle

Here at COD, we have a wide variety of tools that are integrated into Blackboard to make them easier and more seamless to use in courses. However, while we have a lot of tools available, many faculty and staff might not know what they are, how to use them, or how to...