As NIU moves forward with our transition to Ultra Course View, CITL is increasing our support to help faculty prepare. While we have provided a long window to prepare for the December 31, 2023, deadline for migration, you can make the transition to Ultra Course View in any upcoming semester. The Blackboard Ultra Transition Academy is a great opportunity to make that transition now with the ongoing support of a CITL staff member or Ultra Ambassador as your partner!
Dates
May 16 – June 5, 2022Additional offerings are planned for fall 2022
Overview
The Blackboard Ultra Transition Academy consists of four components:
- Three-week online course on how to use Ultra Course View and best practices for creating an intuitive and user-friendly experience for your students
- Ongoing consultation with a dedicated partner; either a member of the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning team or a faculty member serving as an Ultra Ambassador
- Your commitment to teach using the Ultra Course View in the next semester
- Membership in the ongoing Teaching with Ultra Community at NIU (via Microsoft Teams)
Faculty who complete the online course, commit to teaching the next semester in the Ultra Course View, and make significant progress in developing their course in the Ultra Course View will receive a $500 stipend, a certificate, and a digital badge.
Eligibility
- Open to all faculty (including tenured / tenure-track, clinical, research, visiting, and instructional faculty) as well as staff who regularly teach. Unfortunately, teaching assistants are not eligible.
- Limited to faculty who have not taught with Ultra Course View in the Fall 2021 or Spring 2022 semesters.
- Limited to 1 stipend per person (the course can be repeated but the stipend will only be paid once)
- Funding is limited, so acceptance in the academy is not guaranteed.
Application
The priority deadline for applications is April 15; applications received by then will be reviewed and notifications of acceptance will be sent by April 22. Applications are welcome after April 15, if there is space available, and notifications of acceptance will be sent within one week of submission.
Ultra Ambassadors
We are also looking for faculty who are experienced with teaching in the Ultra Course View to serve as mentors for their colleagues by becoming an Ultra Ambassador, which consists of the following:
- Attend an Ultra Ambassador kickoff session (virtual, recorded)
- Participate in the three-week online course as a mentor
- Serve as a partner to 1-2 faculty members through a few in-person or virtual meetings (at the discretion of you and your partner) and email exchanges
- Record a 3-5 minute course tour video to share how you have taught with the Ultra Course View
- Membership in the ongoing Teaching with Ultra Community (via Microsoft Teams)
Faculty who serve as an Ultra Ambassador can expect to spend 2-3 hours a week as a partner from May 16 – June 30 and will receive a $500 stipend. Pending availability of funding, Ambassador positions may be renewable for Fall 2022.
Eligibility
- Open to faculty (including tenured / tenure-track, clinical, research, visiting, and instructional faculty) and staff.
- Must have taught at least 1 semester (preferably at least 3 courses) with the Ultra Course View in Fall 2021 or Spring 2022.
- Unfortunately, teaching assistants and members of CITL are not eligible.
Apply to Be an Ultra Ambassador!
