CIS Tailored Training by Request

Blackboard experts can present on a wide range of technical aspects. Select from the following topics to meet your group’s needs:

• Grading and the Gradebook
• Managing Group Work
• Content and Assessment Creation
• Bb Repositories and Resources
• AI Tools within Bb (test question generation, rubric creation, prompt creation, AI Conversations)
• Communication within Bb (Announcements, Messages, Class Conversations)
• Managing Users (Roster, Accommodations, Exceptions, Exemptions, Release Conditions)

Unlock the full potential of Blackboard in this practical, insightful session! Whether you're looking to create greater efficiency in managing your course or enhancing the student experience, our Blackboard administrators will guide you through lesser-known features, smart settings, and powerful tools that can make a big impact. Discover time-saving tips, strategies for improving the learner’s experience, and creative ways to elevate your course setup and delivery.

Faculty will be led through the extensive data that resides in their Blackboard course. This data can aid the instructor in adjusting instructional strategies where needed or intervening with students falling below desired performance levels or who are not actively engaging in the course.

Blackboard experts can attend your department or group meeting to provide insight into various Blackboard capabilities, answer questions, and give a sneak peek into what will be coming to our LMS.

A hands-on workshop to help faculty optimize their course layout and navigation.  Hosted in a computer lab, participants can work with Blackboard experts on a course they choose to improve clarity around course requirements, boost student engagement, and streamline the overall learning experience. Move your Blackboard course shell from being a content container to a learning catalyst!

This workshop introduces five key strategies for aligning course media with learning objectives. You’ll learn how to choose effective delivery methods, find, and incorporate existing content, organize your material into manageable segments, select the right video style, and prepare your content for instructional success. The session also includes an overview of CIS’s Instructional Studios—purpose-built spaces that make it easy to create high-quality educational media.

“Fix it in post” is a common Hollywood saying that suggests you can clean up poor-quality media after it’s recorded. But why not get it right from the start? The Fix it in Pre! workshop introduces a practical pre-recording checklist tailored for Panopto. You'll learn how to avoid common recording issues and consistently produce high-quality content every time you hit record.

DIY media creation can be costly, time-intensive, and can involve a significant learning curve. CIS has a suite of turnkey, user-friendly, self-service Instructional Studios designed to make pro-level recordings and hosting virtual meetings easy. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to reserve and use the Lightboard Studio, the Video Studio, the Voice-over Studio, and the new Podcast Studio, each designed for a specific type of content creation and delivery. 

As generative AI tools become common in education and the workplace, educators face new challenges and opportunities in guiding students toward responsible use. This workshop provides practical strategies for setting clear expectations, designing ethical AI-integrated assignments, and building a classroom culture that supports academic integrity. Participants will explore real examples, examine emerging frameworks, and walk away with adaptable syllabus language, discussion prompts, and coaching techniques to foster critical thinking and ethical AI use in student work. Perfect for faculty across disciplines, this workshop can be customized to fit the needs of your department or group.

Are your students fully understanding your assignments, or does clarity only come after the grades are in? The Transparency in Teaching and Learning (TILT) framework, introduced by Winklemas, offers a research-backed approach to making assignments clearer and more purposeful for students. By implementing small but meaningful changes, instructors can help students grasp the "how" and "why" behind their work, enhancing learning outcomes and reducing misunderstandings. In this session, explore the TILT framework and see firsthand how "TILTing" an assignment can drive student success and persistence.

In a world of instant answers, algorithm-driven content, and AI-assisted thinking, nurturing genuine critical thinking in students is more urgent and challenging than ever. This workshop offers actionable strategies to help students move beyond surface-level responses and engage in deeper analysis, reflection, and connection. Participants will explore assignment and discussion design techniques that foster curiosity, intellectual risk-taking, and thoughtful evaluation across all disciplines.

A syllabus is more than a contract; it’s a powerful tool for setting the tone, building trust, and supporting student success from day one. This workshop guides instructors through the process of designing a student-centered syllabus that is clear, inclusive, and aligned with course goals. Participants will explore research-based strategies for increasing transparency, fostering engagement, and making expectations accessible to all learners. Whether building a new course or refreshing an existing one, this workshop offers practical tips, sample language, and design templates to help you create a syllabus that reflects your values and supports your students.

Want to help students connect course content to the real world? This interactive workshop explores how to embed experiential learning into your courses and programs by aligning student learning outcomes with practical, career-relevant skills. Participants will identify discipline-specific applications, write clear and measurable outcomes, and consider strategies for fostering engagement through authentic, hands-on learning experiences. It is perfect for departments looking to strengthen career readiness and student motivation across the curriculum.