Innovation through Evidence-Based Course Design
Celena Kusch ACUE, Calendar, Faculty Development, GenAI, Online Learning, Technology

Blackboard Day 2027: Sustaining the Human Work of Teaching

Join us January 6, 2027 for our 8th Annual Blackboard Day

  • in The Learning Center in the Library Annex, Room 289,
  • by accessing Zoom in the CAIFS PD Course, or
  • by using the Zoom Link!

Register Now

9 am to 9:45 am

Welcome and Blackboard LMS Updates

Your Blackboard (Bb) Course Experience
Join the Blackboard Support Team to learn what is new in the Blackboard Learn Ultra Road Map for Spring-Fall 2027. Look for new AI Pulse Quiz Conversations, Gradebook upgrades, updated Content Editor, enhanced Groups and Rubric features, and more! Facilitator: Eric Gudmundson, Senior Manager, Blackboard LMS Solutions Engineering Team

10:00 am to 10:45 am

Blackboard and AI: Designing Ethical Foundations for Learning

Build Ethical Foundations. Student sits at a table with a contemplative expression. Screenshots of two AI Conversations with historical personas and a photo of a person writing reflections in a notebook. Blackboard Advanced.

How can we help students develop essential ethical foundations for AI use without taking time away from the content and competencies at the heart of our courses? This hands-on session introduces a four-week framework for creating AI-aware assignments that integrate AI literacy while keeping course learning outcomes front and center. Explore practical strategies for setting clear expectations for AI use and engaging thoughtfully with AI personas in Blackboard to build academic integrity. Facilitator: Dr. Celena Kusch, Executive Director, Academic Innovation & Faculty Support.

10:45 am to 11:30 am

Assessing What Matters in the Age of AI

Group of people in animated conversation around a table with a giant lightbulb symbolizing ideas floating above them

As artificial intelligence reshapes higher education, how can faculty ensure that assessments continue to measure meaningful student learning? This session explores how AI challenges traditional approaches to assessment and invites faculty to reconsider what students need to know, demonstrate, and accomplish. Participants will reflect on strategies for designing meaningful assessments that emphasize critical thinking, disciplinary knowledge, and authentic learning in an AI-enabled world. Facilitator: Dr. Jonathan Clemens, Professional Learning and Development, Risepoint. Dr. Clemens earned his Ph.D. in the history of science and technology from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and presents regularly on the impact of AI in higher education and instructional design.  

11:30 am to 12:30 pm

Lunch and ACUE Effective Teaching Practices Pinning Ceremony and Presentation of High-Quality Online Teaching Certificates

Join us for lunch, sponsored by Blackboard, and celebrate the achievements of USC Upstate faculty who have completed the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) Effective Teaching Practices program and  the USC Upstate High-Quality Online Course Design Program. Facilitator: Dr. Lillian Reeves, Director of Transformative Pedagogy

12:30 pm to 1:15 pm

Blackboard for Course Delivery

Deliver Engaging Courses. Blackboard Basics. Screenshots of Blackboard Announcement interface and a screenshot of a feedback reminder automation
Great course design can set up your students for success, but great course delivery requires ongoing announcements, reminders, and small gestures that build connections between students and instructors. Explore the pillars of great course delivery and the Blackboard tools that can streamline and support your instructional practice. Facilitator: Dr. Yamil Ruiz, Director of Online Learning and Program Support

1:30 pm to 2:15 pm

Go for Green: Using the Latest Ally Features to Create Accessible Courses

Screenshot of Ally Alt Text Generator in the Ally interface in Blackboard
In this session, learn about the latest developments and new features coming to Ally in 2027–including adding alt text to images within PDFs, auto-tagging PDFs, and more! Ask your accessibility questions, get pointers, and apply the Ally Accessibility tool to make your courses 100% accessible and meet the WCAG 2.1 AA federal accessibility standards for all instructional materials. Facilitator: Dr. Katie Grinnell, Ally Product Engagement Manager.
 
 
 

2:15 pm to 2:45 pm

Using YuJa Lumina Videos for Student Engagement

Screenshot of YuJa video editor showing captions panel for editing
High-quality, human-edited captions and audio descriptions form the bedrock of accessible video use. Learn more about YuJa’s latest tools for editing and sharing video content to engage all of your students. Facilitator: Diana Hernandez, YuJa
 

2:45 pm to 3:00 pm

Wrap Up

 

A human head silhouette filled with brightly colored gears to illustrate critical thinking.
Lillian Reeves ACUE, Faculty Development, Student Success, Uncategorized

Teaching Critical Thinking is Essential

Critical thinking is a common cornerstone of education, emphasized across K-12 and higher education standards – from Common Core to NGSS to NACE and AACN. Yet, while it’s widely recognized as essential, students are rarely taught how to think critically in explicit, structured ways. This post offers some practical guidance for faculty to intentionally cultivate critical thinking in their courses. Or, if you want to take a deeper dive, consider completing ACUE’s short course (less than an hour), “Developing Students’ Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills,” on evidence-based ways to bring more critical thinking skills to your teaching. If you don’t have an ACUE Commons account yet, contact me at reeveslg@uscupstate.edu to get started! Learn more about ACUE’s Critical Thinking Short course here.

Continue reading “Teaching Critical Thinking is Essential” →
Group of students celebrating at sunset by throwing their graduation caps.
Lillian Reeves ACUE, Faculty Development, Student Success, Uncategorized

That’s a Wrap! 5 Ways to End the Academic Year

As the semester comes to a close, I often think about what successes I had in my courses, which students really surprised and inspired me, and where I might adjust my design and delivery to cultivate more of that excitement, potential, and promise among learners. If you find yourself feeling the same way, check out the suggestions below to bring your year to an intentional close and start looking ahead to Fall 2025! 

Continue reading “That’s a Wrap! 5 Ways to End the Academic Year” →
Two people collaborating at a table with laptops, chargers, and tea cups.
Lillian Reeves Active Learning, ACUE, Faculty Development, ICYMI, Student Success, Technology, Uncategorized

Get Started with the ACUE Learning Lab Today!

What is the ACUE Learning Lab? USC Upstate’s year-long partnership with the ACUE Learning Lab provides faculty with access to 11 evidence-based Quick Study Courses, offering best-practice guidance to enhance student success and engagement.

What are Quick Study Courses? Quick Study Courses are comprised of short, effective videos and implementation guides collaboratively developed with subject-matter experts. Once faculty have engaged with the content, they are prompted to complete a short reflection.

How long does it take to complete a Quick Study Course? The courses are self-paced, and can be completed in 1-2 hours.  

Continue reading “Get Started with the ACUE Learning Lab Today!” →