Web Tools - Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning

A person wearing a bright yellow hoodie sits at a desk using a laptop, smiling and gesturing with their hands as if recording a spoken response to a video. They are wearing wireless earbuds. On the desk are papers, a calculator, a smartphone, a notebook, a coffee mug, and a small potted plant. The background shows a softly lit living space with shelves and decorative items.

When should you use VoiceThread? Choosing the right tool for media sharing and interaction

April 22, 2026 CITL Best Practices, News, Resources, Teaching, Technology Trends, Tips, Web Tools

Video content can be an integral part of any course, but especially asynchronous online classes. How you share that content—and to what end—matters. There are

Five adults standing side by side against a plain background, smiling and holding colorful speech bubble signs in different shapes, suggesting conversation or discussion.

When should you choose Yellowdig? Choosing the right tool for engagement

April 22, 2026 CITL Best Practices, Newsletter, Resources, Teaching, Technology Trends, Tips, Web Tools

How do you decide which digital engagement tool to use in your courses? Ideally, you would start with the pedagogy: what do you want students

A woman wearing headphones sits on a beanbag chair with a laptop, raising her arms in excitement inside a modern, glass-walled building.

Online Learning Tool Review updates and announcements

April 13, 2026 CITL News, Teaching, Web Tools

The Online Learning Tool Review, which CITL launched last fall, is now complete. The final decisions reflect not only the data collected but also feedback

Young woman taking an online exam on a laptop with a webcam.

New feature: Respondus Monitor offers second camera option to improve exam security

April 6, 2026 Kevin Harris News, Teaching, Technology Trends, Web Tools

Respondus, the maker of LockDown Browser and Monitor, has recently released a new option that can require students to use a second camera to record

A flat, pastel-colored illustration showing a computer monitor with a simplified Blackboard interface on the screen. A woman with long dark hair stands in front of the monitor, pointing toward the layout blocks. Above the scene, large text reads “New changes to Blackboard layout and navigation,” with a white arrow pointing to the right. Stylized leaf shapes frame the background, creating a clean, modern look.

Blackboard’s new look for 2026!

December 10, 2025 Kevin Harris News, Resources, Teaching, Technology Trends, Web Tools

On January 8, 2026, a few areas of Blackboard will receive a visual refresh. These changes will be part of the Blackboard January update and

Excited older man raising fists in celebration and looking at laptop screen.

How you can make quick PDF fixes in Anthology Ally right now

October 13, 2025 CITL Best Practices, News, Resources, Teaching, Technology Trends, Tips, Web Tools

Adapted from an article originally published to the Anthology Community Blog by Mindy Mekhail, Director, Product Marketing, Anthology PDFs are among the most frequently used file types

Data monitoring and analysis on desktop, tiny people with magnifying glass research graph

CITL launches review of key online learning tools

October 6, 2025 CITL News, Technology Trends, Web Tools

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,

What's New in Blackboard on laptop screen - Laptop sitting on desk with hands touching keyboard - Huskie dog on flower pot and coffee cup in background on desk

What’s New in Blackboard – Fall 2025

August 22, 2025 Kevin Harris News, Technology Trends, Web Tools

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

Open pedagogy banner: Three smiling NIU students

Departments recognized as leaders in course materials affordability

May 5, 2025 CITL News, Resources, Web Tools

This spring, NIU’s Course Materials Affordability Task Force (CMAT) presented the third annual Affordable Course Materials (ACM) Department Awards. These awards are part of the task force’s Leading Impact

Diverse group of people on laptops with AI and speech bubbles

AI in the classroom: Lessons learned from one institution’s AI affiliate program

April 16, 2025 Amanda Hirsch Best Practices, News, Resources, Teaching, Technology Trends, Tips, Web Tools

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

Robot caught in a flashlight. Artifical intelligence plagiarism, cheating and ai detection concept.

AI detectors: An ethical minefield

December 12, 2024 Amanda Hirsch Best Practices, Resources, Teaching, Technology Trends, Tips, Web Tools

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

Video media player on laptop screen. Vector illustration

Upcoming Changes to YouTube Embed Player: Increased Ads from August 1st 2024

July 8, 2024 CITL News, Teaching, Technology Trends, Tips, Web Tools

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