Advanced release conditions customize Ultra content in May Improvements to gradebook calculations, reduce animations With the latest update to Ultra in May, instructors can design a learning pathway where students must demonstrate proficiency in multiple content areas (e.g., at least 80% mastery on separate assessments) before they can move on to new subject matter. This ensures that students have a solid foundation in critical topics, enhancing preparedness as they progress to more challenging topics. By setting multiple performance criteria, instructors can tailor the learning experience for a diverse student population. The first phase of this update will support AND criteria (e.g., test 1 AND test 2 are required criteria). Later in the summer, the second phase is expected to support OR criteria.

Image 1: Example of setting AND criteria in advanced release conditions panel
Image 1: Example of setting AND criteria in advanced release conditions panel

Assessment & Grading Enhancements
Image 2: Example of adding per-question feedback when grading by question.
Image 2: Example of adding per-question feedback when grading by question.
Accessibility
  • Recognizing the diverse needs of our user community, Ultra has improved its accessibility by supporting the “prefers-reduced-motion” setting. Users who opt for reduced motion settings will experience less animation, with panels snapping into place rather than sliding, creating a more comfortable and distraction-free learning environment.
    • Mobile:
      • iOS: Accessibility > Motion > Reduce motion (on)
      • Android: Settings > Accessibility > Remove Animations (on)
    • Laptop/Desktop:
      • Windows: Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects > Animation effects (off)
      • Mac OS: System Settings > Accessibility > Display > Reduce motion (on)
Content Improvements & Engagement
  • A new safeguard prevents the push of content from Original to Ultra courses, reducing the risk of data corruption. Instructors must initiate content copying from an Ultra course. 
  • Enhancing the utility of Forms, instructors can now reuse questions when creating or editing a form.
  • Instructors can assign a Form to a Group and allow multiple attempts. This feature supports collaborative learning and continuous improvement, enabling students to refine their understanding and responses based on previous attempts and feedback.
Faculty should see the latest updates in Ultra courses around May 2-3, 2024. The next update to our Ultra test environment will take place on May 7, 2024; release notes are posted to the What's New in Ultra that same week. Faculty who are interested in test driving new features before they are released to production should open an RT ticket to request early access. Please watch the FAQs, including the What's New with Ultra page, and myUMBC for additional information about Ultra. 

Connect with Instructional Technology
As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:
Thumbnail-image: New to Ultra
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For employees enrolled in the MD State Retirement & Pension system, the schedule of Pre-Retirement seminars and webinars is available for April - June 2024.

These pre-retirement seminars are a valuable planning tool for all eligible members and their spouses, provided by the MD State Pension Agency via the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC). Employees who attend should be within 8 years of retiring.

Please register for an in-person seminar or webinar using this link: http://www.ccbcmd.edu/ceed-preretirement-state or by calling 443-840-5059. Please provide the course number when registering. 

*NOTE: all seminars and webinars run from 9:00am - 4:00pm.


Webinar Dates (virtual):


Seminar dates (in-person): 


To register for a seminar or webinar, please go to: http://www.ccbcmd.edu/ceed-preretirement-state or call 443-840-5059.

If you have any questions or need assistance with registration, please contact Sarah Moore at scullip@ccbcmd.edu. 

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We invite you to take a moment out of your day to read our first issue. Also, feel free to download a copy to digitally share with your colleagues or print a few copies to place in the gathering spaces in your office. 



]]> We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new Human Resources & Strategic Talent Management (HRSTM) newsletter, The Insider! As part of our ongoing efforts to keep everyone informed and... https://umbc.box.com/s/1jdugwh51y72vyu5qyqfwndyc32qo22r Document https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/attachments/784a7602b870774d4e82b837ee154562/69fc5328/news/000/140/568/273d012e26cdb781981f6aa754f56f81/March-April 2024.pdf?1712239870 https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/140568/guest@my.umbc.edu/b1c2e8b613ff9d95a7d632e264b7d2f9/api/pixel Training https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/training https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xsmall.png?1281010946 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/original.png?1281010946 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xxlarge.png?1281010946 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xlarge.png?1281010946 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/large.png?1281010946 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/medium.png?1281010946 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/small.png?1281010946 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xsmall.png?1281010946 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xxsmall.png?1281010946 Training 3 0 true Thu, 04 Apr 2024 10:51:07 -0400 Thu, 04 Apr 2024 10:51:24 -0400 April is Financial Literacy Month Sign up for MSRP webinars to learn more!

(MSRP = Maryland Supplemental Retirement Plans)

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Webinars will be presented by MSRP Educators and Key Speakers on important topics such as:

  • Credit/Debt Management
  • State Retiree Health Benefits
  • State Employee Pension and Retirement Benefits
  • Social Security Planning
  • Estate Planning

ALL WEBINARS ARE APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES IN LENGTH. 

Any employee can attend an MSRP webinar, regardless of your retirement plan. 

Register for as many webinars as you would like to attend throughout the month. MSRP will send you a reminder email with a Zoom link one business day prior to the webinar. 

Click here for the schedule and to Register for webinars 




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Additionally, the software library used to perform calculations in calculated columns and the overall course grade changed to BigFraction. When calculating an average of three assessments, BigFraction will properly calculate whereas the former software library, BigDecimal, would round down. The new software library ensures calculations compute as expected. 

Feedback Improvements
Assessment & Grading Enhancements
  • Instructors can now select Duplicate to quickly copy an existing question within a test, assignment, form, or question bank, eliminating the need for manual duplication.
  • The default point value for test questions is reduced from 10 to 1. Any newly created questions will have a default point value of 1. 
  • The flexible grading interface now displays a single grade pill to provide a more intuitive grading workflow. A single grade pill improves visibility and efficiency, allows instructors to switch between a student's attempts during grading, and prevents accidental grade overrides.
  • The Attempt Log indicates whether a submission is manual or automatic to provide instructors with deeper insights into student behaviors and better track student progress. 
Engagement
Content Improvements
Last month's update to the AI Course Design Assistant featured a context picker for test question generation, allowing instructors to select content in a course to inform AI generation of test questions. In April, the context picker is extended to other generation workflows including learning module structures and suggested prompts for assignments, discussions, and journals. For example, instructors can select an Ultra document or file attachment and the AI Course Design Assistant will scan the resource before generating a proposed output. In the case of a syllabus, the tools can better propose a structure that aligns to the course schedule by using the instructor's existing content. All AI tools are optional and only available to instructors.

Image 1 Example of context picker workflow where the course syllabus has been selected.
Image 1: Example of context picker workflow where the course syllabus has been selected.

Faculty should see the latest updates in Ultra courses around April 4-5, 2024. The next update to our Ultra test environment will take place on April 9, 2024; release notes are posted to the What's New in Ultra that same week. Faculty who are interested in test driving new features before they are released to production should open an RT ticket to request early access. Please watch the FAQs, including the What's New with Ultra page, and myUMBC for additional information about Ultra. 

Connect with Instructional Technology
As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:
Thumbnail-image: New to Ultra
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Change happens all the time, whether we choose it, or it chooses us. Changes in leadership, priorities, structures and processes, like those that we have seen at UMBC, can be challenging, each initiating a transition that requires us to look beneath processes to understand the human side of change. In the end, it's our people who will make change happen and we need the right combination of knowledge, skills, and strategies, as well as a common language to understand, cope with, and adapt to change. 

Introducing the FranklinCovey Change: How to Turn Uncertainty into Opportunity Program. This engaging learning experience will provide practical skills and strategies to help us understand and manage our reactions, learn how to navigate change both functionally and emotionally, and will introduce a model that makes the change process predictable. Modules are included for different populations, both individual contributors as well as managers and leaders who need to proactively lead and support their people.
 
There are three options for programming: 
  • 3-Part Program for Managers & Leaders (6 hr. overall program)
  • Change Conversations - For Individual Contributors & Leaders (2 hr. programs)
  • Change Book Discussion (1 hr./week, 5 weeks)

Change Conversations Sessions: The total time commitment is 2 hours.  Please choose from the following dates/times below:
Monday, April 29th:
Session 1: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Session 2: 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 9th:
Session 3: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Monday, May 13th:
Session 4: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Register for Change Conversations here. 


NAVIGATING & LEADING CHANGE FOR MANAGERS and LEADERS: The total time commitment for Managers and Leaders is 6 hours. The 3 modules have been scheduled separately so as to ease the leader's calendar.  Materials will be provided. Please plan to attend all sessions below:

Session 1: May 13, 2024 1:00-3:00 p.m. - Navigating Change
Session 2: May 16, 2024 9:00-11:00 a.m. - Leading Change Part 1
Session 3: May 16, 2024 1:00-3:00 p.m. - Leading Change Part 2
Register for Navigating & Leading Change here. 


Change: The Book Discussion
This deep dive into the FranklinCovey Change: How to Turn Uncertainty into Opportunity is open to all faculty and staff.

We will meet on Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. via Webex, from May 7th-June 4th.
Register for the book discussion here.

]]> Change happens all the time, whether we choose it, or it chooses us. Changes in leadership, priorities, structures and processes, like those that we have seen at UMBC, can be challenging, each... https://hr.umbc.edu/navigating-leading-change/ Flyer https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/attachments/0c1a2a53d55e40289f00eeee8db7714b/69fc5328/news/000/139/899/b1650b43e72f1af74c31d61bc621ecec/UMBC Change 2024 - Navigating & Leading Change Flyer.pdf?1710351396 https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/139899/guest@my.umbc.edu/5b9e3535a263ad3a923d1f0fd01ad9d4/api/pixel Training https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/training https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xsmall.png?1281010946 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/original.png?1281010946 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xxlarge.png?1281010946 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xlarge.png?1281010946 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/large.png?1281010946 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/medium.png?1281010946 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/small.png?1281010946 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xsmall.png?1281010946 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xxsmall.png?1281010946 Training https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/899/e88c0fb255926a3f708c22be812b4a37/xxlarge.jpg?1710332785 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/899/e88c0fb255926a3f708c22be812b4a37/xlarge.jpg?1710332785 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/899/e88c0fb255926a3f708c22be812b4a37/large.jpg?1710332785 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/899/e88c0fb255926a3f708c22be812b4a37/medium.jpg?1710332785 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/899/e88c0fb255926a3f708c22be812b4a37/small.jpg?1710332785 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/899/e88c0fb255926a3f708c22be812b4a37/xsmall.jpg?1710332785 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/899/e88c0fb255926a3f708c22be812b4a37/xxsmall.jpg?1710332785 2 0 true Fri, 15 Mar 2024 13:13:22 -0400 Be An Investor: Tips on Ways Your Money Can Work for You Navigate to Financial Wellness in 2024! State of Maryland MetLife webinar

Be An Investor: Tips on Ways your Money Can Work for you
Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 11:00am (1 hour)

From establishing goals and managing risk to building a portfolio and dealing with market volatility, there is something for everyone to learn about investing and making the right financial moves. 

Register here

]]> State of Maryland MetLife webinar Be An Investor: Tips on Ways your Money Can Work for you Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 11:00am (1 hour) From establishing goals and managing risk to building... https://metlifefinancialwellness.cventevents.com/event/c1c69efd-fb81-472e-91d9-9a9bd1864d99/regProcessStep1?i=sElPHe4w3k-rh14U_IQtVA&locale=en-US https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/139951/guest@my.umbc.edu/98121e24d0b67c9937495a81da0f6632/api/pixel benefits Training https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/training https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xsmall.png?1281010946 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/original.png?1281010946 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xxlarge.png?1281010946 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xlarge.png?1281010946 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/large.png?1281010946 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/medium.png?1281010946 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/small.png?1281010946 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xsmall.png?1281010946 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xxsmall.png?1281010946 Training https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/951/0693e64e06b8171ba41c7166f146a32d/xxlarge.jpg?1710424784 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/951/0693e64e06b8171ba41c7166f146a32d/xlarge.jpg?1710424784 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/951/0693e64e06b8171ba41c7166f146a32d/large.jpg?1710424784 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/951/0693e64e06b8171ba41c7166f146a32d/medium.jpg?1710424784 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/951/0693e64e06b8171ba41c7166f146a32d/small.jpg?1710424784 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/951/0693e64e06b8171ba41c7166f146a32d/xsmall.jpg?1710424784 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/951/0693e64e06b8171ba41c7166f146a32d/xxsmall.jpg?1710424784 3 0 false Thu, 14 Mar 2024 10:06:54 -0400 Ultra Adoption by Faculty Eclipses Original for SP2024 Instructional Technology ready for Ultra migration support

In the final nine months of UMBC's Ultra migration, the overall faculty adoption rate continues to grow. For the spring 2024 term, Original course usage decreased by 33% between fall 23 and spring 24. Overall, Ultra adoption increased to 69.49% this semester, representing 1091 courses out of 1567 available in UMBC's Blackboard site. 

In addition, more departments and programs have opted in to using Ultra as the default course experience for students, allowing faculty to quickly prepare their courses. Two weeks before the SP2024 semester started, Ultra course availability to students outpaced Original courses by a margin of 63% to 2%.

Ultra continues to bring more than 200 enhancements to the gradebook, content creation, and assessments. Unique to Ultra are progress tracking reports and the AI Course Design Assistant tools, designed to facilitate course development and improve student engagement with course materials. These updates offer a more intuitive and feature-rich platform for both faculty and students.

Preparing For Ultra Course Migration

While it is possible to convert courses from Original to Ultra, DoIT's Instructional Technology team recommends starting fresh. This approach allows for copying content from Original or rebuilding courses from the ground up to ensure an optimal experience for both faculty and students. Starting fresh in Ultra enables you to take full advantage of the platform's new features and design capabilities.

UMBC remains committed to ensuring a smooth transition for its December 31, 2024 timeline for completion of Ultra course migration.

Connect with Instructional Technology

As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:

---

UMBC is committed to providing a consistent learning experience for everyone. The last day we will support Blackboard Original is December 31, 2024. Please check out our training and support: umbc.edu/go/ultra

]]> In the final nine months of UMBC's Ultra migration, the overall faculty adoption rate continues to grow. For the spring 2024 term, Original course usage decreased by 33% between fall 23 and spring... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/posts/139602 https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/139602/guest@my.umbc.edu/d05fe49c3afdc0e2031f780b2bd168a7/api/pixel blackboard hawken ultra-experience ultra-migration Instructional Technology https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/original.png?1446126703 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/large.png?1446126703 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/medium.png?1446126703 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/small.png?1446126703 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxsmall.png?1446126703 Instructional Technology https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/602/05b8d5fedf8ffb6a47af2dc4aa4e9f2e/xxlarge.jpg?1709655030 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/602/05b8d5fedf8ffb6a47af2dc4aa4e9f2e/xlarge.jpg?1709655030 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/602/05b8d5fedf8ffb6a47af2dc4aa4e9f2e/large.jpg?1709655030 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/602/05b8d5fedf8ffb6a47af2dc4aa4e9f2e/medium.jpg?1709655030 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/602/05b8d5fedf8ffb6a47af2dc4aa4e9f2e/small.jpg?1709655030 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/602/05b8d5fedf8ffb6a47af2dc4aa4e9f2e/xsmall.jpg?1709655030 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/602/05b8d5fedf8ffb6a47af2dc4aa4e9f2e/xxsmall.jpg?1709655030 4 0 true Tue, 12 Mar 2024 14:43:17 -0400 Wed, 13 Mar 2024 10:47:08 -0400 Select Course Materials and Tech Tools For Upcoming Terms Leverage CMI, OER, and available technologies for Fall 2024

Instructors have many options available when they select course materials each term. As you select materials for the upcoming term, will you participate in the Course Materials Initiative (CMI), incorporate technology tools, or adopt Open Educational Resources (OER)? 

Course Materials Initiative

The Course Materials Initiative (CMI) provides access to digital course materials through Blackboard. The digital course materials include ebooks and courseware such as WebAssign, MindTap and ALEKS, if applicable, from publishers under contract with UMBC. The course materials are integrated into Blackboard via VitalSource (the common digital platform) for all participating courses and sections. A course materials charge is included on the student bill when they have registered for a participating course or, for some courses, after the CMI Status Change Deadline. Students can elect not to participate in CMI and obtain their own access to materials.

For more information about the Course Materials Initiative program, please contact Jocelyn Ochoa-Garcia (ochoa1@umbc.edu) at the UMBC Bookstore.

Technology Tools

Blackboard supports a variety of third-party tools through Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) integrations. These integrations support single-sign on between third-party content or services and improve instructor/student efficiency by streamlining usage or synchronizing grades. In addition to publisher tools, instructors may incorporate content using CourseArc, Google, Library Reserves, Microsoft, Panopto, Poll Everywhere, and VoiceThread. 

Occasionally, instructors may have an interest in integrating a new technology in their Blackboard courses. New integrations must be reviewed through a formal Procurement process to ensure the tool meets standards for security, privacy, data retention, and accessibility, even if the technology does not have any associated financial cost. As a reminder, students should only access technologies via SSO or LTI integrations in Blackboard to remain in compliance with UMBC cloud computing requirements. 

Request support with technology tools:

Open Educational Resources (OER)

Open Educational Resources are teaching, learning, and research materials in any medium (digital or otherwise) that are released under an open license that permits no-cost or low-cost access, use, adaptation, or redistribution (UNESCO, 2002). OER can include textbooks, syllabi, supplementary materials, quizzes, assessment rubrics, homework, or labs. 

Explore how you can adopt OERs for your course:

Contact OER co-chairs Erin Durham (edurham@umbc.edu) or Susan Biro (sbiro@umbc.edu) for more information on OER at UMBC.

Reminders

Course material adoptions for Summer/Fall are due the third Friday in March. Summer and fall textbook adoptions should be submitted by April 24th to permit compliance with USM Board of Regents policy. For inquiries related to course materials, contact textbook@umbc.edu.

Connect with Instructional Technology

As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:

Thumbnail-image: decorative 
 ]]> Instructors have many options available when they select course materials each term. As you select materials for the upcoming term, will you participate in the Course Materials Initiative (CMI),... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/139740/guest@my.umbc.edu/547e077064c1062245fa10c6b273e1c9/api/pixel bookstore cmi course-materials-initiative lti oer open-educational-resources sp24 textbooks Instructional Technology https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/original.png?1446126703 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/large.png?1446126703 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/medium.png?1446126703 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/small.png?1446126703 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxsmall.png?1446126703 Instructional Technology https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/740/cd266978d25255573ea29cc6d5340608/xxlarge.jpg?1709845326 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/740/cd266978d25255573ea29cc6d5340608/xlarge.jpg?1709845326 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/740/cd266978d25255573ea29cc6d5340608/large.jpg?1709845326 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/740/cd266978d25255573ea29cc6d5340608/medium.jpg?1709845326 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/740/cd266978d25255573ea29cc6d5340608/small.jpg?1709845326 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/740/cd266978d25255573ea29cc6d5340608/xsmall.jpg?1709845326 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/740/cd266978d25255573ea29cc6d5340608/xxsmall.jpg?1709845326 2 0 true Mon, 11 Mar 2024 08:36:21 -0400 Ultra Courses to Support Additional Level of Nested Folders Availability to begin after spring break

Designed for mobility, Ultra supports a condensed hierarchy for content nesting on the main course content page. Student preference and support were the primary purpose for Blackboard to reduce the number of folders that can be nested from unlimited in Original to two in Ultra. Many faculty adopted the streamlined approach to redesign and organize their courses for efficient access. 

Two levels of folders, however, could be somewhat limiting for certain types of courses and organizations. Beginning in mid-March, Ultra will support an additional level of nested folders to faculty as they develop and teach their Ultra courses. The top level applies to either learning modules or folders, and within this top level, two additional levels are then supported. This change aims to provide faculty with greater flexibility in organizing course materials, especially for complex topics that require a more hierarchical content structure.

Image 1: Example of nested folders featuring addition level, starting with a Learning Module at the top
Image 1: Example of nested folders featuring addition level, starting with a Learning Module at the top to allow for visual identity and creativity in the course outline.

Image 2: Example of nested folders featuring additional level, starting only with folders
Image 2: Example of nested folders featuring additional level, starting only with folders.

The new folder settings will be available in Ultra courses after spring break.

Preparing For Course Migration to Ultra

While it is possible to convert courses from Original to Ultra, DoIT's Instructional Technology team recommends starting fresh. This approach allows for copying content from Original or rebuilding courses from the ground up to ensure an optimal experience for both faculty and students. Starting fresh in Ultra enables you to take full advantage of the platform's new features and design capabilities.

Connect with Instructional Technology
As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:
Thumbnail-image: New to Ultra
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