August 2026 JUMPSTARTS

New to Blackboard or looking for a refresher? This workshop provides an introduction to Blackboard's core features and tools. Learn how to navigate your course, upload content, communicate with students, create assignments, and utilize the most commonly used course management features. This session is ideal for faculty who are new to Blackboard or who would like a review before the semester begins. 

Sessions: 

Monday, August 17, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries 

Tuesday, August 18, 2026 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries 

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM | 💻 Virtual 

Friday, August 21, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | 💻 Virtual 

Monday, August 24, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries 

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM | 💻 Virtual 

Thursday, August 27, 2026 | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries 

Friday, August 28, 2026 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | 💻 Virtual 

To register for any workshop, please email actech@hartford.edu. 

Blackboard's newly redesigned Gradebook offers a more streamlined and flexible grading experience. In this session, you'll learn how to navigate the new interface, manage and organize grades, create calculations, use grading workflows, and provide timely feedback to students. Whether you're new to Blackboard or transitioning from the previous Grade Center, this workshop will help you make the most of the updated tools.  

Sessions:  

Mon, Aug 17, 2026 | 3:00 PM-4:00 PM | Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries 

Tue, Aug 18, 2026 | 3:00 PM-4:00 PM | Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries  

Wed, Aug 19, 2026 | 7:00 PM-8:00 PM | 💻 Virtual  

Fri, Aug 21, 2026 | 11:00 AM-12:00 PM | 💻 Virtual  

Mon, Aug 24, 2026 | 11:00 AM-12:00 PM | Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries  

Tue, Aug 25, 2026 | 3:00 PM-4:00 PM | Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries  

Tue, Aug 25, 2026 | 7:00 PM-8:00 PM | 💻 Virtual  

Thu, Aug 27, 2026 | 2:00 PM-3:00 PM | Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries  

Fri, Aug 28, 2026 | 3:00 PM-4:00 PM | Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries  

To register for any workshop, please email actech@hartford.edu. 

Kaltura is the University's video platform for creating, managing, and sharing media content. This introductory workshop will demonstrate how to record and upload videos, organize media, add videos to Blackboard courses, and share content with students. No prior experience is required.  

Sessions:  

Mon, Aug 17, 2026 | 6:00 PM-7:00 PM | 💻 Virtual  

Tue, Aug 25, 2026 | 2:00 PM-3:00 PM | Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries  

Thu, Aug 27, 2026 | 6:00 PM-7:00 PM | 💻 Virtual  

To register for any workshop, please email actech@hartford.edu. 

Discover how Microsoft Teams can support teaching and learning both inside and outside the classroom. This workshop explores instructional uses of Teams, including course communication, file sharing, online meetings, virtual office hours, collaboration spaces, and integration with Microsoft 365 tools. Learn practical strategies for using Teams to foster engagement, streamline communication, and support student success.  

Sessions:  

Mon, Aug 17, 2026 | 7:00 PM-8:00 PM | 💻 Virtual  

Tue, Aug 25, 2026 | 1:00 PM-2:00 PM | Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries  

Thu, Aug 27, 2026 | 7:00 PM-8:00 PM | 💻 Virtual  

To register for any workshop, please email actech@hartford.edu. 

Learn how Blackboard Assignments and Rubrics can support efficient grading and clear expectations for students. This session covers creating assignments, configuring submission settings, building and attaching rubrics, grading student submissions, and providing meaningful feedback. Participants will leave with practical techniques for improving consistency, transparency, and efficiency in student assessment.  

Sessions:  

Fri, Aug 21, 2026 | 12:00 PM-1:00 PM | 💻 Virtual  

Wed, Aug 26, 2026 | 3:00 PM-4:00 PM | Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries  

To register for any workshop, please email actech@hartford.edu. 

Need assistance preparing your Blackboard courses for the semester? Stop by our Blackboard Drop-In Hours for individualized support with course setup, content organization, assessments, gradebook questions, Kaltura integration, and other Blackboard-related topics. Faculty may attend for as little or as much time as needed. No appointment is necessary for in-person sessions. Faculty interested in a virtual consultation should email actech@hartford.edu to schedule a virtual drop-in appointment.  

Sessions:  

Mon, Aug 17, 2026 | 11:00 AM-3:00 PM | Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries  

Tue, Aug 18, 2026 | 6:00 PM-8:00 PM | 💻 Virtual (Appointment Required)  

Wed, Aug 19, 2026 | 10:00 AM-1:00 PM | Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries  

Thu, Aug 20, 2026 | 10:00 AM-4:00 PM | Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries  

Thu, Aug 20, 2026 | 6:00 PM-8:00 PM | 💻 Virtual (Appointment Required)  

Fri, Aug 21, 2026 | 1:00 PM-4:00 PM | 💻 Virtual (Appointment Required)  

Mon, Aug 24, 2026 | 12:00 PM-4:00 PM | Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries  

Mon, Aug 24, 2026 | 6:00 PM-8:00 PM | 💻 Virtual (Appointment Required)  

Tue, Aug 25, 2026 | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM | Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries  

Wed, Aug 26, 2026 | 10:00 AM-3:00 PM | Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries  

Wed, Aug 26, 2026 | 6:00 PM-8:00 PM | 💻 Virtual (Appointment Required)  

Thu, Aug 27, 2026 | 10:00 AM-1:00 PM | Woods Classroom, Harrison Libraries  

Fri, Aug 28, 2026 | 10:00 AM-2:00 PM | 💻 Virtual (Appointment Required) 

Faculty interested in a virtual consultation should email actech@hartford.edu to schedule a virtual drop-in appointment.  

If none of our workshop times or topics fit your needs, we’re happy to meet with you individually. Faculty and staff can schedule a one-on-one appointment for tailored support with Blackboard Ultra, course design, Organizations, or other academic technology tools. Appointments are available in-person or virtually via Microsoft Teams—whichever works best for you. Let us know what you’d like to focus on, and we’ll match you with the right team member to assist you. 

Email us at actech@hartford.edu to schedule your appointment.