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All Courses Now in Blackboard Ultra
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College of DuPage has completed transitioning to the Ultra version of Blackboard. All courses for the Spring 2026 term now appear in Ultra.
If you have not yet set up your courses for the Ultra Course View, please review the asynchronous training resources below. These can help you get started and understand the basics prior to the start of the term. If you prefer in-person training, we are offering several kickoff sessions on Ultra. We will also be staffing support labs during kickoff for any questions or individual concerns you may have about your courses.
We kindly request that you take advantage of these learning opportunities and start setting up your courses BEFORE making an appointment with Learning Technologies. Due to the large volume of courses still needing setup in Ultra, we anticipate a high volume of support requests and wait times for support will be longer. The earlier you get started, the quicker we will be able to respond and assist you with any questions you may have.
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Ultra Asynchronous Training
If you want to learn about Ultra but can't make it to one of our trainings you can register for one of our asynchronous online courses and learn at your own pace.
You can choose from a PDH option or one that offers the same information without the PDH component.
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Blackboard Ultra Open Lab
LT Open Labs are ready for all your Ultra questions. During the Spring 2026 Term, labs will be in SRC 3007 on:
- Mondays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
For Ultra questions outside of lab hours, we prefer you make an appointment by emailing learningtech@cod.edu.
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Ultra Training for Spring 2026
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We're here to help you learn all about Ultra this term! Sign up now for one of our upcoming training sessions:
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Blackboard Ultra: Converting Your Course
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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.
- January 27 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
- April 29 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
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Blackboard Ultra: Gradebook
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Covers an overview of the Ultra Gradebook and how to set up your Gradebook to ensure that you and your students have a successful term.
- February 4 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
- March 18 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
- May 15 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
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Blackboard Ultra: Building a Course in Ultra
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A guided walkthrough on how to build a course optimized for the Ultra experience. Learn how to build an outline, add content and assessments, and even copy items from Original courses.
- February 10 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
- May 5 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
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Blackboard Ultra: Creating Tests and Assignments
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Learn how to build tests and assignments in Ultra. We will discuss the benefits of using tests and assignments for online submissions in Blackboard and learn how to create your own test or assignment manually or using the AI tool.
- February 24 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
- April 15 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
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Getting Started with the Term
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Use the following checklist and linked resources to ensure that content in your Blackboard course shell is ready for students by the first day of your course. Note that some links below require you to log in with your COD credentials.
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We're excited to start the term with you at Kickoff. We'll be offering several sessions throughout the week. Please note: All Zoom session links can be found in the full kickoff breakout schedule. Here's where you'll find us:
Wednesday, January 21
Blackboard Ultra Open Lab
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in SRC 3013
Open support lab for questions and setup assistance for Blackboard Ultra.
Building Your Course in Blackboard Ultra
1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. on Zoom
Spring is here and all College of DuPage courses are being offered in the Blackboard Ultra Course view. This session provides a guided walkthrough on how to build a course optimized for the Ultra experience. Learn how to build an outline, add content and assessments, and even copy items from Original courses.
Accessibility as Care: Making Your Blackboard Courses Accessible
2 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. on Zoom
Ally is a new tool in Blackboard that helps you connect with care by making course materials more flexible and accessible for all students. In this session, you’ll learn how Ally generates alternative formats, surfaces accessibility scores, and offers step-by-step guidance, enabling you to prioritize accessibility fixes that make an immediate difference for your learners.
Blackboard Ultra Gradebook
3 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. on Zoom
Our Gradebook 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 term.
Thursday, January 22
Blackboard Ultra Open Lab
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in SRC 3013
Open support lab for questions and setup assistance for Blackboard Ultra.
Make Your Documents Accessible with Panorama DocHub
2 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. on Zoom
Panorama DocHub is your new workspace for digital accessibility. It provides staff with a central, cloud-based space to upload documents and presentations, view their accessibility scores, and identify barriers that require attention. In this interactive session, you’ll practice using DocHub’s guided feedback workflow to address common accessibility issues. Bring a frequently accessed document or presentation to work on and leave with a more accessible version you can share with care.
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Level Up Your Accessibility This Term
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There's no better time to learn how to improve the accessibility of your courses! We have lots of sessions this term:
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On Demand: Blackboard Ally Course Accessibility Report Training
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Learn more about the Ally Accessibility Report! You can choose from two versions-- one offers PDH (perfect for faculty looking for PDH hours) and one doesn't. Information and registration information can be found below.
This training introduces faculty to practical methods for identifying, resolving, and prioritizing accessibility issues in their course materials using Blackboard Ally. It highlights common barriers for students, quick wins, and strategies for utilizing the Course Accessibility Report, empowering instructors to make steady, meaningful progress on accessibility without becoming overwhelmed.
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Introduction to Blackboard Ally
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Introduces faculty to practical methods for identifying, resolving, and prioritizing accessibility issues in their course materials using Blackboard Ally.
- January 29 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
- February 26 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
- April 7 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
- May 13 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
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Overview of Accessible Media
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This training provides a comprehensive overview of accessible media in the context of higher education. Designed for faculty and staff, the session covers the importance of making digital content—such as videos, documents, and websites—accessible to all students, particularly those with disabilities.
- February 6 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
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Creating and Remediating Accessible Documents
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Guides participants through the steps to create an accessible Microsoft Word document. This includes items such as document structure, headings, hyperlinks, alternative text for images, etc.
- March 12 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in SRC 3007
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Creating and Remediating Accessible Presentations
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Guide participants through the steps to create an accessible Microsoft PowerPoint presentation file. This includes items such as slide headings, hyperlinks, reading order, alternative text for images, etc.
- March 19 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in SRC 3007
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Introduction to Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
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Introduces Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a framework that helps educators create inclusive learning environments by offering multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression.
- March 24 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
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Introduction to Evaluating Websites for Accessibility
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Introduces faculty and staff to the essential skills needed to evaluate and improve the accessibility of websites and online resources used in higher education. Participants will learn how to assess their websites for compliance with accessibility standards, such as WCAG and identify common barriers that may prevent users with disabilities from navigating content effectively.
- April 23 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
- May 1 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
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New YuJa Training Sessions
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Recording a Video in YuJa
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Video content can boost student engagement, build instructor presence, and provide alternative ways for students to learn. YuJa makes creating those videos simple.
In this session, you’ll learn how to record with your webcam, capture your screen, or combine both for more dynamic content. We’ll highlight quick tips for making polished looking videos, important settings for recording in YuJa, and walk through how to share your finished video in your course. By the end, you’ll see just how easy it is to create effective instructional videos with YuJa in a few simple steps.
- February 12 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
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Captions make your videos more accessible and more effective for every student. Captions can help all students stay focused, search video content, and learn more effectively.
In this session, you’ll discover how easy it is to add and edit captions to your videos in YuJa. We’ll walk through auto-captioning, quick caption editing tools, and how to share your finished video in your course all in just a few simple steps. Creating and Remediating Accessible Content in Blackboard Ultra
- February 18 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
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Register for Spring 2026 Foundations
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Spring sessions for Foundations of Online Teaching are now open for registration! You can choose from Part 1 or Part 2.
Foundations of Online Teaching Part 1
February 2, 2026 to March 8, 2026
This five-week, online course is designed to promote instructor development and enhance instructor engagement whether you are teaching NET, Hybrid, or VCM courses. Participants explore techniques and best practices for online course development and instruction.
This course is highly participatory in nature, combining practical hands-on learning with engaged discussion.You will be required to complete independent activities due each week, develop a course module, and participate in weekly discussions to successfully complete this course.
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Foundations of Online Teaching Part 2
April 6, 2026 to May 10, 2026
This five-week, hybrid course is designed to build on the skills that were developed in Foundations of Online Teaching Part 1 but can also be taken if you would like to enhance a course you have already developed.
Using the OSCQR Rubric, participants will develop their entire course structure and complete at least two units of work. This course will tackle more advanced topics regarding content development and assessment building.
This hybrid course is highly participatory in nature, combining practical hands-on learning with engaged discussion and meet twice on Zoom on Thursday at 6pm of weeks 2 and 4.
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PD Opportunity: Spring ION Courses
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Sign up now--the first session of ION courses begins January 20th. ION offers a huge variety of course options including:
- Advanced AI
- Instructional Design Principles
- Creating Accessible Videos
- Cultural Responsiveness in the Classroom
- Using OER to Support Instruction
Visit the ION site for the full list of courses and registration.
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Make an Appointment with LT
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Need a little extra help with structuring your courses? Have specific questions about Blackboard? Looking to make your courses more accessible? We have support for that! Visit our appointments site to book a 30-minute session (either virtual via Teams or in-person) with one of our team members.
Not sure who you need to meet with? You'll find an explanation of what each type of support covers so you can choose what's right for your needs. If you're still not sure, please email us at learningtech@cod.edu and we'll route you to the right person.
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New Posts on the LT Blog!
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Christine Monnier is back to blogging for LT! Check out her latest posts (most recent at the bottom, newest are bolded):
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Contact Learning Technologies
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