The Blackboard Ultra interface provides a consistent and user-friendly experience across all courses, offering ample opportunities for customization to make each course unique and visually appealing. This session will equip faculty and instructional designers with practical strategies and tools to enhance their Blackboard Ultra courses by leveraging customized banner and learning module images, AI tools, and user-friendly design platforms.

Participants will learn how to create visually dynamic course environments that engage students. We will demonstrate how to create and integrate customized banners and icons using user-friendly platforms, including Canva, Adobe Express, and Visme, along with a menu of additional design tool options. Further, we will showcase use cases of AI tools, such as prompts in ChatGPT, to generate basic HTML code (no coding knowledge needed) that you can copy into your courses for additional customization.

Attendees will also be introduced to the internal icon library and HTML generator we have developed. Lastly, we will highlight Ultra course examples from various academic programs to empower educators to design compelling visual content that enhances course aesthetics and functionality.

In this session, we will share information about the Affordable Learning and Open Educational Resources (OER) Initiative, aimed at decreasing the cost of course materials to students at the University of Louisville (UofL). We will discuss the origins of initiatives, course notes implementation and impact, and students’ savings data from the Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters. Additionally, we will share our experiences of using open textbooks in the Humanities (History), Physical Sciences (Biology), and Social Sciences (Business Communications) fields and discuss the benefits and challenges of adopting open textbooks and the impact of using open and affordable course materials on students’ engagement and success.

Research shows that textbook costs negatively impact student behavior and success. Furthermore, textbook costs disproportionately affect historically underserved students. For example, Jenkins et al. (2020) found that textbook costs are a significant barrier to most students, but “those barriers were found to be even more significant among historically underserved college students” (p.2). Conversely, the adoption of open textbooks increased success and decreased stress for all students, benefiting those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds and historically underserved populations the most (Colvard et al., 2018).

In addition to learning about the Affordable Learning and OER initiative at UofL, and presenters’ journeys in adopting and adapting open textbooks, the attending will learn about state-wide support and resources available to them through the state-wide Affordable Learning KY initiative.

With limited time in the classroom, academic librarians often have to find innovative ways to teach information literacy (IL) topics to students. One way to present and/or supplement instruction on IL concepts is through Instructional videos. Join us as we discuss what elements make an instructional video effective and share our experience in using the platform Powtoon to create engaging and accessible videos for our first-year seminar courses. Come learn about the benefits and drawbacks of video creation through Powtoon as we demonstrate some features of this platform, such as AI script writer, custom characters, templates, and collaborative creation. We will also show some of our instructional videos made via Powtoon.

Looking for creative ways to energize your classroom and foster student connection using cutting-edge technology? In this hands-on session, you'll explore four engaging AI-powered ice breakers designed to spark interaction and excitement among your students.

The session will include “AI Bingo”, where students fill in their bingo cards by completing AI powered activities with a partner. Additionally, we will test your students' powers of observation in “Genuine or Generated”, a fun challenge where students discern whether are real or AI-generated. Then, try out “2 Truths and AI”, a twist on the classic game where the lie is AI-created, and students must work in groups to try and identify the lie. Finally, dive into “AI-llustrate Me”, where students create AI-generated images that represent their hobbies or interests, encouraging creativity and self-expression.

This session will give you practical, AI-infused activities that can be easily integrated into your classroom, helping you break the ice in a fresh, AI-forward way. By the end of the workshop, you'll not only have new tools to energize your class but also a deeper understanding of how AI can enhance classroom engagement. Participants will leave this session with ready-to-use strategies for building connections through fun, AI driven learning experiences!

This presentation explores an innovative project in an advanced tax course where students leverage generative AI to draft tax memoranda and verify the conclusions using professional tax research tools. In groups, students analyze provided facts, create tax memoranda with AI assistance, and ensure accuracy through diligent verification. The project culminates in a reflective exercise where students assess their prompts, AI responses, and the verification process, leading to deeper insights into the strengths and limitations of AI in tax research. This method not only enhances students' research accuracy and critical thinking skills but also prepares them for the practical challenges of modern tax practice.

Any learning experience must include the instructor's presence, and this is especially true of courses delivered asynchronously online.  How can instructors put more of their presence into courses, and why does this matter? This presentation will explore the Garrison Community of Inquiry model and its impact on student outcomes at a small, private university.

As online education continues to evolve, understanding how to design courses that promote student persistence is crucial for higher education institutions. This session at the Kentucky Convergence Conference 2024 delves into a research study that explores the impact of online course design on undergraduate student persistence.

By examining the concept of persistence, this study provides valuable insights into how integrated online learning materials can foster student engagement, academic assimilation, and social acceptance. Key findings from the study highlight the following: Preference for Asynchronous Learning, The Vital Role of Student-Instructor Interaction, Value of Multimedia Resources and Peer Engagement, and Community-Building Activities.

These findings are particularly relevant for institutions aiming to enhance their online education offerings. The session will underscore the importance of culturally responsive pedagogy, the presence of engaged and supportive instructors, interactive learning environments, and robust institutional support systems.

Attendees will gain practical strategies and innovative approaches to designing effective online courses that support student persistence and success. By focusing on these key areas, higher education institutions can better address the challenges of online learning and promote positive outcomes for their students.

Join us for this insightful session to learn how to create impactful online learning experiences that meet the needs of diverse student populations and contribute to their academic success.

Though AI has been around for some time, there has been much written about making one’s assignments “AI-resilient” since it burst on the scene back in 2022.  Complimenting this need has for those of us teaching in the KCTCS collection of colleges a need to demonstrate students doing things within the courses that we are teaching.  What I hope to do in this presentation is to show some examples of what I have tried to do in my introductory astronomy class (AST 101) as well as my two lecture-based physics classes (PHY 201, PHY 203 – College Physics I and II).  I will not only show what the assignments are but present some preliminary results for all three courses.

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized various sectors, including education. Generative AI, a subset of AI, has shown significant potential in developing intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) designed to enhance learning experiences through personalized tutoring and scaffolding. ITS systems can adapt to individual learner needs, offering customized feedback and support that traditional educational methods lack. Early studies have demonstrated the potential of AI to enhance learning outcomes, improve engagement, and provide scalable educational solutions (Grassini, 2023).

In this session, we will report the results of a mixed methods pilot study that explores using Khan Academy's Khanmigo, a generative AI-powered tutor, to teach complex scientific concepts. Specifically, it focuses on lunar phases, a fundamental concept in astronomy and science education. By functioning as an intelligent tutor and providing scaffolded learning experiences during the study, Khanmigo can offer tailored educational support that adapts to the unique needs of each learner. We measured the impact of Khanmigo on learner engagement, comprehension, cognitive load, and overall educational experience.

Besides presenting the results of the pilot study, the session will be organized as a dialogue and idea-sharing session between the presenters and the audience. Different uses of generative AI for learning will be discussed.

Lastly, this study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on AI in education, offering valuable perspectives on the potential and challenges of using generative AI as an intelligent tutor. The findings will inform future developments in educational technology, guiding the design of more effective and personalized learning tools.

Can we develop or adjust college courses into a more globalized material considering the current social issues and/or our demographic demands? Why is this relevant? Making courses global is a strategy that can prepare students for the workforce teaching them beyond content, providing an understanding of different conjunctures and realities from global and transnational perspectives. It fosters the integration of the 10 CPE Essential Skills and the Kentucky Graduate Profile. This presentation will present some of the results learned at the World View program developed by the University of North Carolina and some principles for implementation at BCTC.

How many times have you explained a task only to realize people still don’t understand? Have you ever responded to an email asking for a screenshot so you could understand what was being asked? We have all been faced with communication errors created by technical jargon, industry terminology, product-specific terminology, etc.

In this session we will test participants’ identification of an array of educational technology terms and icons, discuss the similarities and differences among those ids, and look at why those are significant in technology training. Then, participants will craft an on-the-spot explanation to a common question asked by many new to a university or college. Partners will pair off and discuss the similarities and differences in the explanation looking for keywords that may lead to the misunderstanding. Then as a group the participants will discuss the importance of language choice during technology trainings. Finally, in small groups participants will have the opportunity to receive related feedback on a job aid or other training guide they created for use at their institution.

Participants should bring one printed or digital job aid or other training guide they have created.

Participants will leave this session with a clearer understanding of the importance of word choice and suggestions for during a training session or in training documentation.

Join us for an immersive session on integrating AI tools into teaching, where you'll gain insights from real classroom exercises and experiences. We’ll explore practical applications of AI technologies such as ChatGPT, Gemini, AI image creators, Diffit, and MagicSchool, and discuss how these tools can transform your teaching practice.

The session will highlight specific assignments and exercises used with pre-service teachers to demonstrate effective integration of AI into future classrooms. Attendees will see firsthand how these activities are designed and implemented, and observe students’ reactions to discovering AI, often for the first time.

Through interactive demonstrations, you’ll experience the exact exercises used in the classroom and learn how to adapt them for your own teaching. We will also discuss strategies for creating dynamic, engaging assignments that leverage AI to enhance and personalize the learning experience.

Participants will leave with a collection of actionable exercises and strategies, enriched by real-world feedback and student responses from these activities. Discover how AI can revolutionize your educational approach and provide your students with innovative and engaging learning experiences.

In our current Higher Educational environment of increased data-driven decision-making, colleges and universities are using data analytics to increase operational efficiency and strategic planning. This presentation, "Process, Policies, and Institutional Data," explores how Higher Educational Institutions can effectively leverage institutional data by developing processes adjacent to well-defined policies. Let us examine how data governance frameworks and institutional policies can effectively standardize best practices for data management and utilization.

As video content continues to be a dominant form of instruction in higher education, ensuring that videos are both engaging and pedagogically sound is crucial for student success. This session will provide practical strategies for creating high-quality educational videos that foster active learning and increase student engagement.

Drawing from established multimedia learning theories, participants will explore principles such as cognitive load, dual coding, and personalization to enhance the instructional quality of videos. We will also discuss the dos and don'ts of video recording, such as maintaining concise video length, pacing content effectively, ensuring clear visuals, and avoiding overly complex or distracting elements.

Attendees will leave with actionable insights into video production techniques that they can use on their own phone or devices, as well as how to plan their video content. By the end of this session, participants will be equipped with the tools and knowledge to develop impactful educational videos that not only meet quality standards, but also align with pedagogical goals to improve student learning.

"Ungrading" is an increasingly popular topic in higher education. Applying it isn't just a matter of not assigning points, but involves rethinking the power dynamics of education. When you adopt it as a philosophy you shift the power from your hands to your students. You provide guidance and paths toward mastery while leaving room for student goals. This session will explain the main characteristics and prompt you to assess if "Ungrading" is a good choice for you and your students.

Social media platforms are widely popular, and leveraging them for active learning and interaction opportunities in online courses is not a new concept. However, generational groups engage with specific platforms differently. As of March 2023, TikTok has surpassed 150 million users in the United States alone and is particularly popular with Generation Z users. This session will answer the following questions:

• Why is this video style so appealing and what is the theory behind its impact?

• How can you create "TikTok Style" microlearning videos for your students?

• What are the best practices for creating an assignment incorporating TikTok?

• What are possible concerns and considerations when using or assigning TikTok videos?

• What are alternative technology platforms you can leverage to create similar videos?

The session will conclude with a case study highlighting how TikTok was incorporated into an ENG 101 course.

This session will examine the benefits of using a good template.  It will examine the components of a good template and how those components relate to the Quality Matters standards.  Templates are useful for any course regardless of the mode of course delivery. This session will be helpful to instructional designers and faculty.

This session will offer a brief introduction to artificial intelligence, specifically large language models like ChatGPT. There will be an overview of how to detect AI-generated content in student work and the problems with relying on AI-detectors. The session ends with some tips and strategies on how to avoid AI-generated responses in the classroom and challenges that students and teachers will face with artificial intelligence in education.

Although created by Blackboard, the Anthology Exemplary Course Program (ECP) rubric is learning management system agnostic. It is an excellent tool to self-assess the quality of your online courses. This session will provide actionable steps toward exemplary online teaching and a step-by-step resource if you want to tackle the full rubric (or to use as you support faculty).

One of the most common complaints that students have about online courses is that the experience leaves them feeling isolated and alone. Some students aren't even sure who their professor is! In this session, we'll discuss solutions for inviting students to learn by building an authentic and approachable teaching presence that prioritizes the human connection.

This presentation will demonstrate various technology tools for assessment purposes. These tools are perfect for all students but especially for students with disabilities. Google Forms, Flubaroo, Autocrat, BookCreator, Blooket, SeeSaw, Flip, Wakelet, Jamboard, Canva, Adobe Express, etc are all tools that will be discussed during this presentation.

Do you know the difference between VR, AR, MR, and XR? Why are so many colleges using them? In this presentation, you will learn what VR is, how it can benefit learning, potential pitfalls, and the reality of virtual reality.

Have you ever seen an image and associated it with something specific?  Images are great tools instructors can use to help support memory and content retention.  During this interactive training you will learn how images are processed in the brain and used to convey messages, share ideas, and teach content.  Participants will be introduced to best practice strategies and how to use images.