Learning Technologies Making Teaching with tech super awesome
Ally logo on laptop with accessibility symbols
Ally Is Live in Blackboard! 
You now have access to Ally, Blackboard’s integrated accessibility tool. Ally allows students to download alternative formats of course content as well as making it easier for instructors to see what elements of a course need modifications to improve accessibility.
 
You can learn more about Ally at one of our upcoming training sessions (listed below) or visit our Ally site. 
Learn More About Ally
Ally Level Up Champion
Recordings Now Available from Level Up Your Accessibility Day
Couldn't make it to an accessibility training? We've got you covered with recordings from all of our Zoom-based sessions. 
 
 
If you have questions after watching, please reach out to us at learningtech@cod.edu.
Register Now for Upcoming Accessibility Trainings
Registration is now open for some additional accessibility trainings! 

Intro to Accessible Content in Blackboard

Designed for educators new to accessibility, this workshop offers a practical overview of digital accessibility, laying the foundation for inclusive teaching. You’ll learn core concepts around disability, explore common barriers students face online, and understand how ADA Title II connects to everyday course design choices. With that context, we’ll transition into Blackboard and demonstrate easy first steps, such as structuring content, adding alt text, checking color contrast, and utilizing built-in accessibility tools.
 
  • Wednesday, December 10 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
 
These sessions are PD eligible. 
Register in Cornerstone
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Course Removal Starts January 2026
With the move to a SaaS model of Blackboard, the College gained more room to store Blackboard courses. However, this storage, while larger than before, isn't unlimited and in order to stay within our storage limits, we will need to resume the process of removing old courses from Blackboard.
 
Going forward, we will only be storing seven terms of courses and will be removing courses at the end of each term to stay within this limit (don't worry, we'll always let you know when this will be happening). We are currently planning to remove the following from Blackboard: 
  • All Blackboard course shells from FALL 21 to SPRING 23
  • Old/Unused zDev shells 
 
This cleanup will happen between terms the first week of January 2026. If you would like to see if you have any courses that will be removed, we have created a term in Blackboard called "To Be Removed." Sort your course list by this term. If you cannot see this term as an option, you have no courses slated for removal. 
 
If you DO have courses that will be removed and would like to preserve them, you can export your course content. 
Once exported, you can use this file to copy content into a new course or zdev shell or simply store it for your personal records. 
 
If you have any questions or need assistance with this process, please let us know! 
 
Blackboard Lea
Ultra Training and Updates
Last Chance: Fall 2025 Ultra Training Sessions
The Fall 2025 Term is winding down. That means just a few more months before all courses will be in Ultra. To ensure you're "Ultra-ready" for spring, we recommend signing up for one of our Ultra trainings. There are only a few sessions left, so register ASAP to secure your spot.   
 
Can't make it? We also have asynchronous training you can do on your own and support labs where we can answer all of your Ultra questions! 
Blackboard Ultra Gradebook
This session will cover an overview of the Ultra Gradebook and how to set up your Gradebook to ensure that you and your students have a successful course.
 
  • Wednesday, December 10 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Zoom 
Register for Blackboard Ultra Gradebook
Converting Your Course to Blackboard 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.
 
  • Tuesday, December 16 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom 
 
Register for Converting Your Course to Blackboard Ultra
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Ultra Asynchronous Training
Want to learn about Ultra but can't make it to one of our trainings? You can now register for one of our asynchronous online courses! You can choose from a PDH option or one that offers the same information without the PDH component. 
Learn More and Register
Decorative-- three people on computers
Blackboard Ultra Open Lab 
LT Open Labs are ready for all your Ultra questions this fall.
 
From August 27 through December 19 find us in SRC 3013 on:
  • Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
  • Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
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Make an Appointment with an Instructional Designer
Need a little extra help with structuring your courses or have specific questions about course design in Ultra? We've got Instructional Designers for that! We now have a request form that allows you to book a 30-minute session (either virtual via Teams or in-person) with one of our Instructional Designers. 
 
Before booking a 30-minute appointment with an instructional designer, we strongly encourage you to complete Blackboard Ultra training (available in both live and self-paced formats). These sessions will give you the foundation you need so our meeting time can focus on your specific questions and course needs.
Request a Virtual Appointment
Request an In-Person Appointment
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New Posts on the LT Blog!
Christine Monnier is back to blogging for the Fall Term! Check out her latest posts (most recent at the bottom, newest are bolded): 
 
Joke of the Week
How much does Santa pay to park his sleigh? Nothing, it's on the house!
Contact Learning Technologies
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