Erin Bell – CETL

Teaching Writing and Critical Thinking with AI

Posted on August 19, 2024 (September 3, 2024)

Big Picture What price your ‘AI-ready’ graduates? Perhaps we should be promoting AI resilience instead 10 reasons why AI might be overrated The political preferences of LLMs Why I’m Banning Student AI Use This Year Evaluating the efficacy of AI content detection tools in differentiating between human and AI-generated text AI-Detectors Don’t Work—Here’s Why GenAI […]

Using Multi-Media Content: Applications and Software

Posted on July 29, 2024 (July 29, 2024)

Video Recording/Editing DaVinci Resolve DaVinci Resolve is the world’s only solution that combines editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio post-production all in one software tool! Its elegant, modern interface is fast to learn and easy for new users, yet powerful for professionals. https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve OpenShot OpenShot is a cross-platform video editor, with support […]

Ideas for Active Learning Assignments

Posted on July 11, 2024 (July 15, 2024)

Engaged learning ideas are plentiful, but from time to time, instructors may seek inspiration for their classroom practices. Below, we offer a list of active learning assignments and activities that may be used in class Integrating these activities and assignments into the curriculum can enhance student engagement, deepen understanding, and promote critical thinking and collaboration. […]

What Are Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)?

Posted on May 23, 2024 (April 11, 2025)

Understanding WCAG and Building Course Content The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to make web content more accessible to all learners and users. The mission of W3C is to ensure that the web is for all humanity and that all web content is designed for […]

End of Semester — A Time for Reflection and Growth

Posted on April 17, 2024 (September 25, 2024)

By Dr. Erin Bell, Assistant Director of Educational Development There is much to accomplish at the end of the semester. Instructors are moving through grading examinations and other assessments, bringing closure to course outcomes, and inputting final grades, but this time can also be a period centered on reflection and growth. As we close out […]

Kick Off Rubric Creation with Blackboard AI

Posted on March 14, 2024 (March 18, 2024)

By Russell Davidson, Associate Director for Digital Education Blackboard has introduced an array of AI-assisted tools to enhance ultra-style course sites. If you have utilized the stock image search to add a course banner following our February 2024 newsletter, you have already interacted with one of these AI features, as the default image search keywords […]

Accessibility and Design Resources

Posted on March 11, 2024 (April 11, 2025)

Instructors must ensure course materials (including course documents such as PDF and MS Word documents) are accessible to all learners. To check materials for accessibility, instructors can utilize resources and tools including those posted below. […]

Banners Bring Color to Your Ultra Course Site

Posted on February 6, 2024 (February 6, 2024)

By Russell Davidson; Associate Director for Digital Education By design, Blackboard’s Ultra style course sites limit some of the customization found in the classic-style sites. Consistent navigation among course sites means students don’t have to re-learn how to locate resources and tools in every course. Adherence to a black-and-white color scheme avoids potential usability issues […]

Prompt Construction for Generative AI: Getting Started

Posted on February 5, 2024 (May 1, 2025)

An effective way to understand how to utilize technology such as ChatGPT or Google Bard is to engage in experiential, hands-on exploration of the tools. The CETL has provided some guidelines to help instructors explore and effectively utilize generative AI. One of the critical components of using generative AI is effectively writing prompts. To begin […]

Using AI as a Resource In and Outside of the Classroom

Posted on November 15, 2023 (January 16, 2024)

By Dr. Erin Bell, Assistant Director of Educational Development Much of the current academic discourse about ChatGPT and other large language models (LLMs) has focused on addressing/confronting its use by students. There are myriad viewpoints and approaches for utilizing AI within the context of a course as well as prohibiting its use. Both approaches have […]

Author: Erin Bell

Posts by Erin Bell