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Introduction to Blackboard Ally

This training introduces faculty to practical methods for identifying, resolving, and prioritizing accessibility issues in their course materials using Blackboard Ally. It highlights common barriers for students, quick wins, and strategies for utilizing the Course Accessibility Report, empowering instructors to make steady, meaningful progress on accessibility without becoming overwhelmed.

Overview of Accessible Media

This training provides a comprehensive overview of accessible media in the context of higher education. Designed for faculty and staff, the session covers the importance of making digital content—such as videos, documents, and websites—accessible to all students, particularly those with disabilities.

Participants will learn about key accessibility standards and best practices, including captioning, screen reader compatibility, and accessible design. The goal is to empower educators and administrators to create more inclusive learning environments and ensure that all students have equal access to educational resources.

Creating and Remediating Accessible Documents

This hands-on workshop will guide you through the steps to create an accessible Microsoft Word document. This includes items such as document structure, headings, hyperlinks, alternative text for images, etc. Ensuring documents are accessible will allow all students to make full use of Blackboard Ally to download alternative formats. We will also show you tools to check your current documents for accessibility using both Microsoft Word and Blackboard Ally, and how you can make changes to your documents to improve their accessibility.

Creating and Remediating Accessible Presentations

This hands-on workshop will guide you through the steps to create an accessible Microsoft PowerPoint presentation file. This includes items such as slide headings, hyperlinks, reading order, alternative text for images, etc. Ensuring presentation files are accessible will allow all students to make full use of Blackboard Ally to download alternative formats. We will also show you tools to check your current presentation files for accessibility using both Microsoft Word and Blackboard Ally, and how you can make changes to your presentation files to improve their accessibility. Note that this workshop will not address making your live presentation more accessible.

Introduction to Evaluating Websites for Accessibility

This training introduces faculty and staff to the essential skills needed to evaluate and improve the accessibility of websites and online resources used in higher education.

Participants will learn how to assess their websites for compliance with accessibility standards, such as WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), and identify common barriers that may prevent users with disabilities from navigating content effectively.

The session will cover free and easy-to-use tools for accessibility testing, along with practical strategies to address common issues like color contrast, keyboard navigation, and screen reader compatibility. By the end of the training, participants will be equipped to create more inclusive, accessible online environments for all students.

Introduction to Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

This training introduces Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a framework that helps educators create inclusive learning environments by offering multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression.

Faculty and staff will explore how UDL principles can be applied to course design, teaching methods, and assessment strategies to accommodate diverse student needs.

Participants will learn how to provide flexible learning opportunities that support all learners, including those with disabilities, English language learners, and students with varied learning styles.

By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with practical tools and strategies to enhance accessibility and student success through UDL.

Blackboard Ally Course Accessibility Report Training

This training introduces faculty to practical methods for identifying, resolving, and prioritizing accessibility issues in their course materials using Blackboard Ally. It highlights common barriers for students, quick wins, and strategies for utilizing the Course Accessibility Report, empowering instructors to make steady, meaningful progress on accessibility without becoming overwhelmed.

There are two versions of this training. One version requires deliverables and can count for PDH. 

Blackboard Ultra: Gradebook

Offers an overview of the Ultra Gradebook and how to set up your Gradebook to ensure that you and your students have a successful term.

Blackboard Ultra: Building Your Course in Ultra

Spring is here and all College of DuPage courses are being offered in the Ultra Course view. This session provides a guided walkthrough on how to build a course optimized for the Ultra experience. Learn how to build an outline, add content and assessments, and even copy items from Original courses

Blackboard Ultra: Converting Your Course to Ultra

Our Converting your Course session will include a guided walkthrough on how to transition your content from Original Course View to Ultra Course view and how to add new content from other sources. You can then take what you have learned and begin transitioning your content into the Ultra Course view. Stick around after the session to ask more questions or get hands on help from Learning Technologies.

Blackboard Ultra: Creating Tests and Assignments

Learn how to build tests and assignments in Blackboard Ultra! Join Learning Technologies to discuss the benefits of using tests and assignments for online submissions in Blackboard and learn how to create your own test or assignment manually or using the AI tool.  

Blackboard Ultra Hands-On Support Lab

Need some help? Want to ask questions about Ultra? Our open support labs are here to ensure you get the best possible start with Ultra. No registration needed! 

Please note: these lab times sometimes overlap with sessions we are holding on Ultra. We may be temporarily unavailable but will do our best to accomodate any walk-ins! 

Editing YuJa Captions

Captions make your videos more accessible and more effective for every student. Captions can help all students stay focused, search video content, and learn more effectively.

In this session, you’ll discover how easy it is to add and edit captions to your videos in YuJa. We’ll walk through auto-captioning, quick caption editing tools, and how to share your finished video in your course all in just a few simple steps. Creating and Remediating Accessible Content in Blackboard Ultra

Foundations of Online Teaching – Part 1

This five-week, online course is designed to promote instructor development and enhance instructor engagement whether you are teaching NET, Hybrid, or VCM courses. Participants explore techniques and best practices for online course development and instruction.

This course is highly participatory in nature, combining practical hands-on learning with engaged discussion. You will be required to complete independent activities due each week, develop a course module, and participate in weekly discussions to successfully complete this course. 

Foundations of Online Teaching – Part 2

This five-week, hybrid course is designed to build on the skills that were developed in Foundations of Online Teaching Part 1 but can also be taken if you would like to enhance a course you have already developed.

Using the OSCQR Rubric, participants will develop their entire course structure and complete at least two units of work. This course will tackle more advanced topics regarding content development and assessment building.

This hybrid course is highly participatory in nature, combining practical hands-on learning with engaged discussion and meet twice on Zoom on the Fridays of weeks 2 and 4.