This year, Blackboard’s Teaching and Learning Conference was held online, featuring a range of topical discussions. Further details of the programme can be found here: TLC Europe.
Our colleague Matthew Deeprose contributed two well-received presentations, firstly explaining how custom changes to the look and behaviour of our Blackboard increase its accessibility for all users, and then exploring how building in extra guidance for editors in Blackboard has helped staff in developing their courses and becoming more independent. With the recent need to deliver more teaching and learning online, both of these are especially important and both of Matt’s presentations can be accessed here: http://go.soton.ac.uk/bb.
Matt’s contribution not only to the University’s Blackboard experience but also to the wider global community of users has been recognised with his appointment to the Blackboard Community Leadership Circle. Matt’s innovations and input have benefitted users here and far beyond. This role gives him a platform to further this impact.
The University’s Blackboard & VLE Awards present an opportunity to improve the experience of staff and students here. Presenting the work we do at various conferences has allowed us to share this with others. Blackboard’s TLC event includes the announcement of the year’s Catalyst Award winners.
Founded in 2005, the Blackboard Catalyst Awards recognizes and honors innovation and excellence in the Blackboard global community of practice, where millions of educators and learners work every day to redefine what is possible when leveraging technology.
Blackboard Community
Alongside teams from CEU San Pablo University, Northumbria University, the University of Derby, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Lincoln, and Valencian International University we were delighted to receive one of this year’s awards. The catalyst award, for our work in the Training and Professional Development category, recognises the impact this event and the follow-up activities have made over eight years. This is something that we are keen to build upon further.