Blackboard Learn course assembles academic tech resources

PULLMAN, Wash. – WSU Learning Innovations is compiling its many how-to resources in a single Blackboard Learn course space.

“We’re creating an overview of every type of technology that we currently promote for use in instruction,” said Ruth Gregory, emerging technology and multimedia specialist.

Kripa-and-Ruth
Kripa Sundararajan and Ruth Gregory.

The course space will be available May 16. To join, fill out this brief form, and Learning Innovations staff will register you in the course.

Among the help available in the space will be information on using Blackboard Learn features, the podium tools in general university classrooms and technology in an active learning classroom setup. Other topics include accessibility, video conferencing and creating multimedia using such programs as Panopto, VoiceThread and Office Mix.

“It’s a place for faculty to learn about and try out different tools at whatever time fits their schedules,” said Kripa Sundararajan, a graduate assistant at WSU Academic Outreach and Innovation who is helping create the course space. “And the course is designed to reflect some of the lessons it contains.”

The new course space – called the Learning Innovations Academic Technology Community – offers two other important attributes, Gregory said.

“Faculty can share and discuss how they are using the academic technology tools in different ways, which can often spark innovation,” she said. “And there will be instructions on how to use the tools for both instructors and students. Faculty can simply download those instructions and insert them in their own course spaces.”