During the 2025–2026 academic year, Northern Illinois University will conduct a comprehensive review of three enterprise online learning tools currently integrated with Blackboard: Yellowdig, VoiceThread,
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What’s New in Blackboard – Fall 2025
Blackboard released several updates over the past few months aimed at improving teaching and learning. Below we’ve outlined the most significant updates. Additional information can
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Integrating artificial intelligence in nursing education programs
Written by Kevin Forman and Rob Piercy Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) instructional designers and NIU faculty are collaborating and integrating AI tools
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AI in the classroom: Lessons learned from one institution’s AI affiliate program
I recently listened to an episode of Derek Bruff’s Intentional Teaching podcast about an AI teaching fellows program integrated into a writing course at Boston
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AI detectors: An ethical minefield
Generative AI use has been on the rise among faculty and students. Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Adobe Firefly, and Claude, among others, have transformed how
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The digital red pen: Efficiency, ethics, and AI-assisted grading
Podcast-style Audio Overview (Created with NotebookLM) It’s late in the evening, and faculty across the country are still grading papers, leaving feedback that they hope
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Upcoming Changes to YouTube Embed Player: Increased Ads from August 1st 2024
Educators and students alike have long relied on the seamless integration of YouTube videos within Blackboard Learn to enhance the learning experience. YouTube’s rich repository
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Incorporating AI in the classroom ethically
What do you think of AI? (Redux) In the blog post “Generative-AI-resistant assignments,” we posed the question, “What do you think of AI?” Whether we
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Generative-AI-resistant assignments
What do you think of AI? Are you an AI Enthusiast/Optimist? Or are you more of an AI Realist? Or maybe you’re a member of
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David W. Raymond Award for Use of Technology in Teaching
Seeking Nominations Calling all classroom innovators! Tenured and tenure-track faculty in all content areas using technology in their classrooms may apply for the David W.
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Spring 2024 Blackboard Ultra Course View support
We are finally at the finish line – all Blackboard courses will use the Ultra Course View this semester! Don’t worry, though, because your courses
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EDUCAUSE 2023 Faculty and Technology Report
Higher education has changed due to COVID-19, new technologies, public funding, and fluctuating enrollments. How can an institution like NIU best provide instructional and technology
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