1. We are aware that the tool has some loading issues on Google Chrome Browser (v85) and, for some, Safari – a fix is in development. Please use Firefox instead.
2. Faculty who teach Original courses can test the new tool as it works the same as Ultra courses. 
3. Faculty should NOT convert their live Original courses or previously taught Original courses to Ultra to test this tool. If you wish to try the tool specifically in Ultra, please open an RT to clone your course.
4. This new tool only supports bulk creation and enrollments. It does NOT create any group spaces for students, control content delivery, or filter groups in the gradebook.
5. Future development for conditional availability to release content to groups and smart views for groups in the gradebook is on the Ultra roadmap for SP/SU2021. 

• Joshua Maltby, Account Executive (MD/DC)
• Tim Henningsen, Senior Solutions Engineer
• John Michael Scott, PhD., Product Manager for Blackboard Ally
• Dr. Mariann Hawken, eLearning Manager, UMBC Division of Information Technology

Today's talk is Why being respectful to your coworkers is good for business by Christine Porath. Looking to get ahead in your career? Start by being respectful to your coworkers, says leadership researcher Christine Porath. In this science-backed talk, she shares surprising insights about the costs of rudeness and shows how little acts of respect can boost your professional success -- and your company's bottom line.

Please see below recommended resources for enhancing traditionally taught courses with Labster below:    

• A teacher’s introduction to the flipped classroom 
• Blended learning: What is it and why should you try it? 
• How to use blended learning in your classroom 
• Simulations in learning: Bridging theory and practice 
• 5 lessons that will prepare your students for real lab work 
• My Labster Experience: Kambiz Hamadani, California State University 
• Webinar: Flipped teaching 
• My Labster Experience: Caroline Smith, University of Westminster 
• My Labster Experience: Ana Barral, National University 

USM OnTrack WEBSITE 

New Online Resources:  Understanding Students’ Readiness to Learn 

Last spring’s move to emergency remote teaching may impact how ready students are to learn coming into classes this fall. With the help of a readiness assessment working group from across the USM, we have produced a set of resources that can help faculty to assess students’ readiness to learn. Focusing on students’ knowledge, motivation, and feelings, these resources aim to provide faculty with simple strategies they can employ at the start of the fall semester to give them insights about where students are, which in turn can help them to adjust instruction to address any challenges students might be having. We encourage you to share the overview document and companion web links with your faculty.  

Today's talk is The unforeseen consequences of a fast-paced world by Kathryn Bouskill. Why does modern technology promise efficiency, but leave us constantly feeling pressed for time? Anthropologist Kathryn Bouskill explores the paradoxes of living in a fast-paced society and explains why we need to reconsider the importance of slowing down in a world that demands go, go, go.

Today's talk is 10 ways to have a better conversation by Celeste Headlee. When your job hinges on how well you talk to people, you learn a lot about how to have conversations -- and that most of us don't converse very well. Celeste Headlee has worked as a radio host for decades, and she knows the ingredients of a great conversation: Honesty, brevity, clarity and a healthy amount of listening. In this insightful talk, she shares 10 useful rules for having better conversations. "Go out, talk to people, listen to people," she says. "And, most importantly, be prepared to be amazed."