Online Learning Service (OLS) and ITS are committed to providing a diverse set of resources for Syracuse University instructors as Syracuse University transitions from original to ultra course view. We appreciate that the challenges and pressures facing faculty mean that an individual's support needs and timeline may be different than their colleagues' needs. OLS is providing a variety of synchronous training opportunities with different styles and timelines in addition to asynchronous materials available anytime. Our intent is to provide a suite of resources so that faculty can have support in the format that helps them most.
With a large number of instructors and classes making the transition, OLS has limited capacity for extensive one-on-one training, but we are working to expand our capacity for individualized consultations. The earlier an instructor opts-in to teaching in ultra course view and completes group training, the better we will be able to schedule an individual meeting with you about your courses.
Keep your eye on this space for additional information about training opportunities and events, some of which will including stipends for agreeing to teach your course in the ultra format in advance of the Fall 2024 semester.
Upcoming Events
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Mondays | 9:00 - 10:00 AM | Monday Office Hours | Open time with Online Learning Services staff for instructors to ask questions and get support on ultra courses. Hosted on Zoom: https://syracuseuniversity.zoom.us/j/99215387414 | Tuesdays | 2:00 - 3:00 PM | Tuesday Office Hours | Open time with Online Learning Services staff for instructors to ask questions and get support on ultra courses. Hosted on Zoom: https://syracuseuniversity.zoom.us/j/96710631791 | On-going |
| Ultra Essentials Course | This one-week, asynchronous training course is designed for a group of instructors from a department, program, school, or college to go through together in a collaborative, guided working environment. The ideal group size is 10-15 individuals who are enrolled in a training course delivered through Blackboard Ultra itself. Each cohort is assigned a facilitator from the OLS team that actively monitors the online course, participates in Blackboard discussions, answers questions, and makes individualized suggestions based on instructional needs and goals. Each session begins with a live, one-hour Zoom workshop. Participants then have a week to work through the Blackboard training modules on their own time, interacting with colleagues and the course facilitator through Blackboard discussions and messages, if they choose. Near the end of the week, there will be another live Zoom Q&A session with the facilitator. When the one-week course is complete, OLS staff will no longer actively monitor the Blackboard training course, but instructors will retain access to the course training materials for reference and review. OLS will run this training for groups of instructors on request. Please email help@syr.edu with list of instructors you have organized to participate along with suggestions about the best dates for the cohort. The training is designed to run Wednesday-Wednesday, but other schedules can be accommodated. |
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Past Events
Documentation
Tutorials
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Orientation CourseThe orientation course enrolls instructors in a Blackboard ultra course from the perspective of a student to give them a sense what an ultra course can be like and to provide access to video tutorials on how to use various instructional features of the ultra course view. Those enrolled also receive their own ultra course "sandbox" — an ultra course where they are enrolled as instructor for them to experiment with the new view and to create content in the ultra format that can later be copied to an ultra course they are teaching. Instructors can request access via the overview page. |
Live Support Meetings
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Office HoursThroughout the transition, OLS will be hosting office hours regularly via Zoom. Some of these hours will be open to any campus instructor, while others will be limited to a particular user group. The days and times for current office hours are at the top of this page along with a Zoom link to join. Individual ConsultationOnline Learning Services is adding additional staffing resources to consult with faculty on the transition to teaching in the ultra format. Interested instructors should join and explore the Ultra Course View Orientation and then email help@syr.edu to schedule a time to discuss your courses with a staff member. |
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WorkshopsOnline Learning Services will host a variety of workshops to assist instructors in using the new view. Upcoming events will be posted at the top of this webpage. Events will be recorded where possible and posted here. Lunch and Learn EventsUltra courses will be a regular focus of online Lunch and Learn presentation hosted by ITS throughout the transition. These events are recorded with the recordings being provided to participants. Please refer to the monthly "Technology Tips" email from ITS for information about upcoming events. Registrants will receive links to event recordings where available. On April 28th, 2023, Online Learning Services hosted an event featuring a panel of faculty members that are already teaching in the ultra format, for them to share their experience of the transition. The (including the audio and chat transcript).
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New Faculty OrientationBeginning with the Fall 2024 semester, new faculty will receive courses in the ultra format. Online Learning Services is creating resources specifically for new faculty to provide information about using Blackboard at Syracuse University and to help them understand the suite of computing resources provided by ITS. Teaching Squares and Faculty Learning CommunitiesFor faculty that organize a group of colleagues that are interested in making the transition to ultra courses together, Online Learning Services will provide customized training and support or group facilitation. Depending on the size of your group and your desired time commitment, OLS has a number of models they can provide to help structure groups around the topic of teaching and learning with technology. For more information email help@syr.edu with some information about the size of your faculty group and interest for a consultation and assistance on creating a group. |