ITSpotlight is designed to keep the campus up to date on ITS activities and services.
Posted September 09, 2026
by IDLT
Prioritizing Accessibility Improvements with Ally
This session is designed for instructors and faculty and is also useful for system administrators, instructional designers, accessibility professionals, and others who support faculty and Ally adoption.
Choose the session time that works best for you:
You’ll learn how to use Ally as a guide on the side&...
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Posted September 09, 2026
by IDLT
Upcoming Webinars for LockDown Browser, Respondus Monitor, and More
LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor: Protect the Integrity of Online Tests
Dates: September 2, 10, 17, 22, 30
Learn about our newer features, like a second camera for added exam security, switching to Excel and Word during online exams, and exams that only use screen recording (no webcams).
Respondus 4 and the Test Bank Network: Quickly Create Online Exams
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Posted September 09, 2026
by IDLT
What’s New in Blackboard Ultra: Gradebook
Blackboard Ultra is here and has changed the visuals of all our online learning content, but it also changed some workflow practices that every instructor should be aware of. The Gradebook looks different and requires some different actions as you review, evaluate, and provide feedback on your students’ submissions.
Post Grades is a new step in the grading process . All grades must be posted for students to see their gr...
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Posted September 09, 2026
by IDLT
Beyond AI Detection: Creating Assessments that Promote Learning
Generative AI has changed the assessment landscape in higher education. Faculty are increasingly asking questions such as:
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Posted August 12, 2026
by IDLT
If you recently converted your course from Blackboard Original to Ultra, you may notice a Coursework folder at the top of your Content page. While this folder was automatically created during the conversion process, it is often not needed in Ultra and can add an extra layer of navigation.
In Ultra, you can organize your course content directly on the main Content page using learning modules or folders. Instead of keeping everything inside the Coursework folder, consider moving th...
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Posted August 12, 2026
by IDLT
As a new semester approaches, the following tips may be useful for faculty.
Blackboard and Course Management:
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If you are teaching multiple sections of the same course and want them in one Blackboard shell, please request that your sections be merged before starting work in your Blackboard courses.
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Posted July 08, 2026
by ITS
Summer is the perfect time for SIUE faculty and staff to perform a little digital housekeeping. With fewer meetings, classes, and campus activities competing for attention, taking a few minutes now can improve productivity and reduce stress when the fall semester arrives.
Start by reviewing your OneDrive and Outlook storage. Delete outdated files, archive old emails, and organize important documents into clearly labeled folders. A well-organized digital workspace makes it easier to locate...
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Posted July 08, 2026
by IDLT
As SIUE continues its transition to Blackboard Learn Ultra, many instructors are copying content from Original courses into the Ultra Course View. While most materials transfer smoothly, a quick review can help ensure your course is organized, accessible, and ready for students.
Below is a streamlined post-conversion checklist to help you finalize your course with confidence.
Focus on Course Organization
Ultra is designed for a more streamlined, student-centered experience,...
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Posted June 10, 2026
by IDLT
Over the next few weeks, the YuJa Lumina Video Platform will introduce several enhancements designed to make video management, accessibility, and playback more efficient for both instructors and students. Here’s a quick look at what’s coming:
Easier Caption Editing—Right from the Video Player
You’ll soon be able to edit captions directly within the Video Player sidebar—no need to open the full Video Editor. This streamlined workflow makes it f...
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Posted June 10, 2026
by IDLT
With Fall 2026 courses now available, all courses at SIUE are being delivered in Blackboard Ultra. This transition provides an opportunity to refresh, rebuild, or redesign your course using updated tools, many of which can save you time while enhancing the learning experience for students.
New in Ultra: Generative AI Tools
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Posted May 13, 2026
by IDLT
For instructors who want greater control over the level of security during an exam, Respondus Monitor now supports a second camera, adding an additional video angle. The extra visibility helps deter the use of unapproved resources.
To utilize this feature, students do not need to purchase an additional webcam; however, they do need a second device that can scan QR codes. Most iOS and Android mobile devices are supported. Some computers may also work if the browser, camera, and QR rea...
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Posted May 13, 2026
Unsolicited job offers, internships, and estate sale emails are always fraudulent. These types of attacks are used by attackers to exploit a sense of urgency, financial need, an amazing opportunity, or just curiosity. These messages always request personal information, upfront payments, or direct financial transactions and originate from unverifiable or spoofed sources. They may seem to originate from an siue.edu email account, either spoofed or compromised, but the actual tr...
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Posted May 13, 2026
ITS will be modernizing the System Access Request (SAR) process soon! In the coming weeks, the current Qualtrics form and email approvals will be replaced with a modern request form and automated approvals - similar to the Absent Request app. If you have any questions, please contact the ITS Help Desk.
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Posted April 08, 2026
by IDLT
IDLT has been hard at work supporting faculty through the transition to Blackboard Ultra and promoting accessible course design. Here’s a summary of current initiatives and available resources.
Blackboard Ultra Resources
KB Articles & Guidance
We’ve launched a comprehensive Ultra Transition Guide and Feature Comparison article in the ITS Knowledge Base covering what’s changing in Ultra, what stays the same, and how to get started. This article, and oth...
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Posted April 08, 2026
by IDLT
Accessibility is most effective when technology and human insight work together. This engaging panel discussion explores how AI-driven tools are reshaping accessibility in higher education while highlighting the continued importance of reflection, ethical decision-making, and human judgment in course design.
IDLT highly recommends this webinar, as it offers practical ideas and timely strategies that connect directly to the accessibility and course improvement work many faculty ar...
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Posted March 11, 2026
by IDLT
As previously announced in campus communications, Blackboard at SIUE is transitioning all courses to the Blackboard Ultra experience, with full adoption required by Fall 2026. To support you through this process, IDLT has launched an ITS KnowledgeBase transition guide that walks through what’s changing, what remains the same, and how to begin working in Ultra.
Available Support Resources
In addition to the new self-paced trainings, we offer:
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Posted March 11, 2026
by IDLT
Need help getting your course content ready for the April 24 ADA Title II compliance deadline? Remediation assistants are available to assist with remediating course materials to improve digital accessibility. This service is for help with Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, PDF, and contentectly input to Blackboard. and select other files. Remediation assistants cannot assist with remediation of items that require content knowledge expertise including but not limited to image alt t...
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Posted February 11, 2026
by IDLT
As previously announced in campus communications, SIUE is transitioning fully to the Blackboard Ultra course experience, with the Original view being retired by Fall 2026. While this change is required, it is designed to be a smooth and well-supported transition. Ultra offers a streamlined layout, improved accessibility, and a more consistent learning experience, making courses easier to build, navigate, and maintain.
Current resources to help you prepare:
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Posted February 11, 2026
by IDLT
Respondus Monitor is a fully automated online proctoring solution that works alongside LockDown Browser to help support academic integrity during online exams. Using a student’s webcam, Monitor records the testing session and flags potential concerns, allowing instructors to review key moments rather than watching entire videos.
Recent enhancements make Respondus Monitor more flexible and accurate than ever, including improved sensitivity levels, Respondus Vision for better...
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Posted January 14, 2026
by IDLT
Respondus is hosting several webinars throughout January for faculty who want to learn more about LockDown Browser, Respondus Monitor, and/or the Respondus 4 test authoring tool. The webinars will provide demonstrations of the tools and how to utilize them in your Blackboard courses.
If you plan to use any of these tools this semester, please consider registering for one of the upcoming Respondus webinars at this link: Respondus Webinars - Registration
ITS provides support for...
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