LEARN@PolyU Blackboard Introduction for Class Instructors

Date: 5 Sep 2025 (Fri)

Time: 10:00 - 11:45

Venue: Online

Target Audience: All staff

Medium of Instruction: Cantonese

Objectives:

By the end of this workshop, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Ultra Course View, mastering its key differences and advantages compared to the Original View. They will learn to create and organize engaging course content using modules and multimedia, set up assignments with seamless Turnitin integration, and build tests efficiently with AI-assisted tools. Additionally, participants will develop skills to manage grades and provide feedback effectively, leverage the AI Design Assistant to generate course structures and test questions, and incorporate and generate images to enhance course materials, ensuring a dynamic and enriched learning experience.

What You Will Learn:

• Navigating the Ultra Course View interface
• Creating announcements and content modules
• Setting up assignments and tests
• Using the gradebook and feedback tools
• Exploring AI-powered features for course design and assessment
• Best practices for structuring courses based on syllabus input

Agenda:

1. Ultra vs. Original: Key Differences
   - Overview of the Ultra and Original course platform interfaces
   - Comparison of navigation, user experience, and functionality
   - Key features exclusive to Ultra (e.g., streamlined design, mobile responsiveness)
2. Creating Content & Modules
   - Step-by-step guide to building course content in Ultra
   - Organizing content into modules for better student engagement
   - Adding multimedia and interactive elements to modules
3. Assignments, Turnitin & Tests
   - Setting up assignments: Options, deadlines, and submission settings
   - Integrating Turnitin for plagiarism checks: Setup and interpretation
   - Creating and managing tests: Question types, randomization, and timers
   - Troubleshooting common issues with assignments and tests
4. Grades & Feedback
   - Navigating the gradebook in Ultra: Setup and customization
   - Entering and managing grades efficiently
   - Providing effective feedback to students (text, audio, or video options)
   - Automating grade calculations and syncing with external systems
5. AI Design Assistant: Structure & Questions
   - Introduction to the AI Design Assistant tool for course creation
   - Structuring courses with AI: Templates and automated suggestions
   - Crafting effective prompts to generate relevant content or questions
   - Reviewing and editing AI-generated content for accuracy
6. Image Insertion & Generation
   - Inserting images into course content: Supported formats and best practices
   - Using the platform’s image generation tools (if applicable)
   - Guidelines for copyright and accessibility compliance
   - Tips for optimizing visuals to enhance learning
7. Q&A and Wrap-Up
   1. Open floor for participant questions and clarifications
   2. Summary of key takeaways from the session
   3. Next steps: Additional resources, support channels