Workshops

Monday, August 12, 2024 - 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Academic Technology Office, Harrison Libraries
Monday, August 12, 2024 - 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Virtual)
Monday, August 19, 2024 - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Starbucks, Harrison Libraries
Monday, August 19, 2024 - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Virtual)
Wednesday, August 21, 2024 - 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (Virtual)
Thursday, August 22, 2024 - 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Academic Technology Office, Harrison Libraries
Thursday, August 22, 2024 - 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Virtual)
Friday, August 23, 2024 - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Starbucks, Harrison Libraries
Friday, August 23, 2024 - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Virtual)

This is an orientation and drop-in clinic for Blackboard, the application used to put courses online. If you’re new to Blackboard, you’ll learn strategies for organizing your Blackboard course, review the many tools and features available in Blackboard, and start adding course content items like your syllabus and web links to your course. Be sure to bring a digital version of your syllabus and/or other course materials; this is designed as a hands-on seminar. If you’re using Blackboard already, or need an orientation, feel free to drop in with a question or for troubleshooting. All of these sessions will be virtual and you can click the link to join the workshop at the time of the session. If you require a 1:1 assistance to set up your course, email actech@hartford.edu, and we will be happy to arrange either a face-to-face or virtual appointment.

Come Learn the New Blackboard - Ultra Workshops

A newer, more modern version of Blackboard called Ultra Course View is currently being rolled out at the University of Hartford and the Office of Academic Technology, Teaching, and Learning over the next year. In spring 2025 all spring Blackboard courses will be created in Ultra. Faculty are encouraged to attend special Ultra training now so they can begin to transition their courses.

The following in-person trainings will be held in the Woods Classroom in Harrison Libraries on campus and lunch will be provided. Be sure to RSVP to actech@hartford.edu ahead of time so a sandbox can be created for you. We appreciate at least a week’s advance registration so we have a final number for lunches.

Session 1: Monday, July 22, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Session 2: Friday, August 16, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Each of the following is a 2-part, 2-day, 2-hours each day, offered virtually on Microsoft Teams. Participants need to attend both parts one and two. Be sure to RSVP to actech@hartford.edu ahead of time so a sandbox can be created for you. A week in advance is best, but at a minimum, register 24 hours prior to the workshop.

Session 1: Tuesday, July 9 and Wednesday, July 10 – 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Session 2: Tuesday, August 6 and Thursday, August 8 – 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Session 3: Tuesday, August 13 and Thursday, August 15 – 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

For more on Ultra Course View, watch  Blackboard Learn Ultra: It’s never been easier to teach and learn

Instructors with questions about the transition to Blackboard Ultra are encouraged to contact the Office of Academic Technology, Teaching, and Learning at 860.768.4661 or actech@hartford.edu.

Monday, August 5, 2024 - 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Virtual)
Thursday, August 15, 2024 - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Virtual)
Monday, August 19, 2024 - 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Virtual)
Wednesday, August 21, 2024 - 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries
Tuesday, August 27, 2024 - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries

Video and audio files should never be added directly to Blackboard; instead, instructors should be using Kaltura (the new replacement for Ensemble).  Kaltura works like an in-house YouTube, allowing faculty to upload videos to a media library quickly and easily, then link to them from Blackboard and other websites. Faculty who are flipping the classroom, teaching online, using video clips in instruction, or working with student video projects should plan to attend this special information session about Kaltura.  Kaltura Capture is a simple, convenient tool that can capture your voice, the action on your computer screen, and webcam video to create lecturettes. You can use it to record audio podcasts, video lectures, or narrated presentations and demonstrations.  This session will guide you through the process of recording a narrated screen capture, editing it, and publishing it to Blackboard. All of these sessions will be virtual and you can click the link to join the workshop at the time of the session.  If you require a 1:1 assistance to set up Kaltura, email actech@hartford.edu, and we will be happy to arrange either a face-to-face or virtual appointment.

Wednesday, August 7, 2024 - 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Virtual)
Tuesday, August 13, 2024 - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Virtual)
Wednesday, August 21, 2024 - 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries
Wednesday, August 21, 2024 - 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Virtual)
Thursday, August 29, 2024 - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries

Microsoft Teams is a video-conferencing application that now integrates with Blackboard.  It is a platform that can be employed for remote instruction, office hours, or collaborative group work in your courses. Microsoft Teams can be accessed via a desktop application or a browser and is available on mobile devices as well. In this session, we will show you how to set up a Teams Meeting in your Blackboard course, how to navigate the Teams interface, how to share files or documents with students, and how to share screens. We will also show you how to set up groups so your students can work on collaborative activities together. All of these sessions will be virtual and you can click the link to join the workshop at the time of the session.  If you require a 1:1 assistance to set up Teams, email actech@hartford.edu, and we will be happy to arrange either a face-to-face or virtual appointment.

Tuesday, July 23, 2024, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Virtual)

Learn about the different ways you can store and share your files at the university. We'll explain the uses and benefits of OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, Network Drives, and Local Drives in simple terms. Discover the best practices for each option to keep your data organized, secure, and easy to access.

Monday, August 19, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Tuesday, August 27, 2024, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries)
Thursday, August 29, 2024, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Virtual)

Dive into the expansive suite of Microsoft applications in this informative workshop. Learn the key functions and practical uses of popular tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, and more. Whether you're a beginner or looking to enhance your productivity, this session will demystify each app's purpose and show you how they can streamline your work and personal tasks. Join us to unlock the full potential of Microsoft's powerful software ecosystem!