{"id":5188,"date":"2020-03-02T12:56:44","date_gmt":"2020-03-02T12:56:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/tel\/?p=5188"},"modified":"2020-03-02T13:05:57","modified_gmt":"2020-03-02T13:05:57","slug":"blackboard-users-conference-durham-6-8-january-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/tel\/2020\/03\/02\/blackboard-users-conference-durham-6-8-january-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Blackboard User’s Conference – Durham, 6-8 January 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Image<\/p>\n

On 6-8 January 2020, Durham University hosted its 20th annual Blackboard User’s Conference. In line with the recent changes in regulations governing the accessibility of websites and apps<\/a>, this year’s event was themed ‘Access All Areas’. A small number of\u00a0 UoR TEL and Digital Technology Services (DTS) staff attended the conference which has become a key event in the Blackboard community’s calendar. Among useful sessions on the two day\u00a0programme<\/a>\u00a0this year were: digital accessibility and Blackboard’s accessibility Ally tool;\u00a0<\/a>assessment rubrics; experiences of the new Blackboard Learn Ultra interface; using Padlet for collaborative and inclusive learning (including the use of an escape room activity!); use of MS Teams, and using learning capture to support active learning.<\/p>\n

Katie Piatt (University of Brighton) used the Nearpod tool<\/a> to enable the audience to participate\u00a0 in her keynote speech about playful learning<\/a> in relation to\u00a0 Blackboard. Katie shared how Brighton has achieved positive student engagement and feedback about the use of Blackboard in T & L by including fun, topical, interactive activities and using changing images to keep the look of modules fresh.<\/p>\n

Key messages for our staff:<\/p>\n