On May 4 the Faculty Center for Professional Development launched CSI’s first cohort of the NEW Blackboard Basics course introducing CUNY instructors to the various features and tools of the Blackboard platform for their teaching. The course is a multi-part, self-paced overview of all of the activities and tools needed to become proficient in the general use of Blackboard. Faculty who successfully complete the course, receive a certificate of completion that will enable them to move into the higher-level Blackboard courses being prepared for launch in June and July, including the SPS OnlineTeaching Essentials course being offered as part of CUNY’s Online Initiative.
Our first cohort consisted of 42 faculty members enrolled via CUNY’s Online Initiative. Upon successful completion of this first introductory cohort, we are now excited to announce that we are expanding and offering the course on a weekly basis starting Monday, May 18, and opening enrollment to it campus-wide. For more information on this exciting new opportunity, please attend one of the ten course introductory overview sessions being held next week. In the introductory sessions, we will explain what the Intro to Bb course is in full and how you can enroll in it, as well as answer any questions you may have.
There is no sign-up needed to attend, simply choose one of the sessions listed below and click on the access link provided anytime within 15 minutes of the start of the session. Once clicked, Blackboard Collaborate will appear at the top of the screen. It will show the specific overview session you are joining and offer a place for you to type your name (please enter both your first and last name). Select Join Session after typing your full name.
| Session Title | Date | Time | Access Link |
| Getting Started: An Introduction to the NEW Bb Basics Course at CSI | Mon 5/11 | 10:00am | Enter HERE |
| Getting Started: An Introduction to the NEW Bb Basics Course at CSI | Mon 5/11 | 4:00pm | Enter HERE |
| Getting Started: An Introduction to the NEW Bb Basics Course at CSI | Tue 5/12 | 10:00am | Enter HERE |
| Getting Started: An Introduction to the NEW Bb Basics Course at CSI | Tue 5/12 | 4:00pm | Enter HERE |
| Getting Started: An Introduction to the NEW Bb Basics Course at CSI | Wed 5/13 | 10:00am | Enter HERE |
| Getting Started: An Introduction to the NEW Bb Basics Course at CSI | Wed 5/13 | 4:00pm | Enter HERE |
| Getting Started: An Introduction to the NEW Bb Basics Course at CSI | Thu 5/14 | 10:00am | Enter HERE |
| Getting Started: An Introduction to the NEW Bb Basics Course at CSI | Thu 5/14 | 4:00pm | Enter HERE |
| Getting Started: An Introduction to the NEW Bb Basics Course at CSI | Fri 5/15 | 10:00am | Enter HERE |
| Getting Started: An Introduction to the NEW Bb Basics Course at CSI | Fri 5/15 | 4:00pm | Enter HERE |
For questions about any of the information sessions listed above, please contact Kristen Lindtvedt at kristen.lindtvedt@csi.cuny.edu.
Please note: Due to the fluid nature of things, we ask you not rely on our Center phone extensions, as all Faculty Center phones are not currently being forwarded. However, staff will be present within this Hub and on email from 9:00am to 8:00pm, Monday to Friday, so please use these formats, as well as the text and chat options provided where applicable.
By Kristen Lindtvedt
