Turnitin Draft Coach will be available in Microsoft Word to all University students (and staff) from the start of Semester 2 – Monday 9th February. Over the past few months, we’ve been working with DTS, Library, Study Advice and Policy colleagues, and engaging with senior School T&L colleagues to prepare for its rollout. What is…Continue Reading Launch of Turnitin Draft Coach similarity checking for students
Feature highlights Welcome back! These are some of the Blackboard Ultra features and updates released early January 2026. Updates will be automatically available within your courses, organisations and content menus. You’ll find more detailed release notes below. Expanded Answers for True False Tests Questions Formatting change for Student Multiple Choice Questions Expanded True False…Continue Reading Blackboard Ultra Release Updates – January 2026
From Thursday 8 January 2026, you’ll see a refreshed design when you log into Blackboard with some discreet changes and tweaks to course menus and navigation. These updates are part of a regular improvement cycle and are designed to make things clearer, faster loading, and more user-friendly in response to your feedback. There are no changes to your course content. All your materials, tools,…Continue Reading Blackboard is Getting a Refreshed Look – Coming January 2026
In the recent CQSD webinar, Supporting students from winter break to assessment success, the Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) team shared a range of light-touch, flexible ideas for keeping students connected to their modules over the winter break via Blackboard. This post summarises the key suggestions and links to “how to” guides for the tools demonstrated….Continue Reading TEL tips: Supporting students from winter break to assessment success
Feature highlights These are some of the Blackboard Ultra features and updates released in December 2025. Updates are available within your courses, organisations and content menus. You’ll find more detailed release notes below. Set Release conditions for content Discussion participation requirements Audio and Video Assignment feedback Table of contents now for instructor view Set release…Continue Reading Blackboard Ultra Release Updates – December 2025
On Friday 14th November 2025, a group of CQSD colleagues, including members of the TEL and OC teams, volunteered at Reading’s ReadiFood foodbank as part of the University’s commitment to community engagement. The team delivered food and toiletry items collected within CQSD, and then spent the morning sorting donations (mainly…Continue Reading CQSD TEL colleagues volunteer at local foodbank for community engagement
Feature highlights These are some of the Blackboard Ultra features and updates released in November 2025. Updates are available within your courses, organisations and content menus. You’ll find more detailed release notes below. Bulk-change points in a Blackboard Test Gradebook navigation and export improvements Create your own badges in Achievements Bulk Change Points in…Continue Reading Blackboard Ultra Release Updates – November 2025
On Tuesday 18th November 2025, the University of Reading will join institutions worldwide for Blackboard’s annual Fix Your Content Day. This day-long competition is part of our ongoing commitment to inclusive teaching and learning. A ‘fix’ is when the accessibility score of a file (or piece of content) on Blackboard is improved using Blackboard’s in-built…Continue Reading Blackboard’s ‘Fix your Content Day’, 18th Nov 2025: A global competition to improve accessibility
There has been a change to Padlet’s share setting terminology (23/10/2025). The new terminology is more intuitive and removes the previously confusing labels ‘Secret’ and ‘School only’. Previous share settings panel New share settings panel The new terminology is: Visitors with a link (previously called ‘Secret’) University of Reading members (previously called ‘School only’). To…Continue Reading Changes to Padlet share setting terminology
Embedding accessibility in academic practice has been the focus of an EDI initiative within the Institute of Education. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the importance of digitally accessible materials, and offer a series of workshops for staff and students on creating accessible Blackboard courses. “Academics might often upload materials without thinking about how…Continue Reading Small Steps, Big Impact: Embedding Accessibility in Academic Practice