Blackboard Resources for Faculty

Hello! On behalf of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), welcome to Athens Technical College. To help you get started, I wanted to ensure you have a few resources at your fingertips.


 Screenshot showing Blackboard login icon from okta dashboard.

Instructors can access Blackboard from OKTA: Athenstech.edu > Student & Staff Login > Blackboard app. 



If you are unable to access Blackboard through OKTA, please submit an IT Support Request, contact your program or department chairperson, or reach out to your division's administrative assistant.

 



Minimum Use of Blackboard

Athens Technical College requires all instructors to use the learning management system (LMS) for all course shells: on campus (face-to-face lecture and labs), blended, and online classes. Listed below are the minimal requirements for on-campus (face-to-face) courses.   All faculty members should use the Blackboard course shell for the following purposes, although extensive use of Blackboard is encouraged. Complete details are available in our Faculty Handbook (Intranet > Departmental Sites > Academic Affairs > Faculty Handbook).

 

  1. Gradebook - All faculty members are required to use the provided electronic gradebook in all classes. The Blackboard gradebook should be maintained throughout the semester to keep students aware of their progress. Ideally, grades should be updated within ten days of the assignment due date.
  1. All courses must include a course overview and introduction documents, such as the instructor's syllabus (using Simple Syllabus is required), a course pacing guide, faculty contact information, a link to the Blackboard Orientation, directions for getting started, and a link to college resources. The Start Here Module is provided in your Blackboard course with placeholders for each required document. For more information, refer to the Blackboard Ultra Template Start Here Checklist.
  2. Minimum use for announcements includes class cancellation notices and Continuation of Instruction assignments. Announcements are encouraged to communicate important dates and deadlines.
  3. If applicable, information must also be included in all courses for virtual classroom links, publisher content sites, and information for Respondus LockDown Browser.

 

Distance Education courses (Blended and Online) require course content to meet seat-time minimums; therefore, more extensive use of Blackboard is required. Please contact your program/department chairperson or division dean for clarification.


ADA Compliance

Department Chairs are responsible for providing master courses for all courses. Adjunct faculty are usually not responsible for creating course content. However, this may vary by program/department. Before adding or removing any content from your course, please consult with your division dean or program/department chairperson. All course content must fully comply with ADA Title II, WCAG 2.1, level AA requirements.

 

Blackboard Support

Screenshot showing Blackboard support icon from okta dashboard.Two resources are available for Blackboard issues: the CTL Solution Center and Blackboard Support Request. Both resources are available to students and faculty.  


Solution Center: This knowledge base has solution articles based on frequently asked questions and is accessible to faculty and students. You can search the articles by keyword or browse by category.


Blackboard Support Request: If you can’t find an answer to your question in the Solution Center, you can submit a Blackboard Support Request from your OKTA dashboard. 


If you don't see the Blackboard Support Tile when you log in to OKTA, submit an IT Support request in OKTA or contact your program/department chairperson.


Learning Management System (LMS)

We use Blackboard SaaS, Ultra Course View as our LMS. If you are not familiar with the Blackboard Ultra platform, you can find some helpful information to get you started setting up your classes using these links:

Training Resources

Once you have gotten your feet wet, browse the Blackboard Ultra training resources available in the CTL Solution Center, on the TCSG / GOLD Training Page, and on Blackboard Help. Blackboard Ultra training is conducted through the Department of Georgia Online Learning and Development (GOLD) at TCSG. You will receive emails from Shauna Maher at GVTC regarding Ultra Training webinars and recordings as they become available.  


TCSG offers two training courses: Ultra Teach and Ultra Build. You can self-enroll in these two courses by going to TCSG’s Blackboard page. On the Institution Page, click the link under GOLD Self-Enrollment Opportunities.

 

  • Ultra Teach Training is a self‑paced course on the TCSG platform that prepares instructors to teach confidently in Blackboard Ultra. The training includes interactive modules, curated resources, knowledge checks, and hands‑on projects. Participants apply skills in a separate practice shell called You’re the Instructor, where they build content, communicate, grade, and monitor student progress. Each module features guided instruction, a review quiz, and a required project submission before unlocking the Module Test. Key topics include course structure, communication tools, assessments, the Gradebook, and student progress tracking. The program builds practical skills for effective Ultra course facilitation.
  • Ultra Build Training is a flexible, self-paced course on the TCSG platform featuring interactive modules, practical resources, and authentic activities that help build course design confidence and creativity. This course prepares instructors to design, build, and maintain high-quality Blackboard Ultra courses. Participants explore instructional design principles, navigation and tools, course structure, accessibility, assessments, engagement strategies, AI-assisted design, and maintenance practices to create accessible, organized, and learner-centered learning environments that support consistency, interaction, and student success. Through the Build_Sandbox course on the college Blackboard, participants gain hands-on experience applying these new skills.

 

Athens Tech offers ABCD1000 for all faculty. On the Athens Tech Blackboard page, select Organizations from the left side menu. ABCD1000 should be available. If you don't see it under Organizations, please submit a Blackboard Support Request for enrollment.

 

  • ABCD1000 is a self-paced training organization designed to introduce faculty to Athens Technical College and resources for designing, building, and improving their Learning Management System (LMS) Master course(s). ABCD1000 serves as an example of best practices in course design, how to apply Athens Tech’s minimum use expectations, and showcases the tools available in the LMS. The organization consists of four modules (Athens Technical College, Building with the LMS, Course Design, and Delivery) with more specific units inside each module. Completion time estimates are given within each module's Overview and Checklist document. These times may vary among participants due to previous knowledge, familiarity with concepts being presented, and optional practice activities.


Professional Development

Our Professional Development Guidelines are found on the Intranet > Faculty/Staff Development. All training you complete can be credited to your professional development log. Directions for recording your participation are available in this Solution Center article: Faculty Staff Development Add Your Own.

 

If you have any questions or need assistance, please submit a Blackboard Support Request from OKTA. Again, welcome to Athens Technical College. Have a great semester!

 

Missy Lockhart

Director, Online Learning

Cross Registration / TCSG Connect Administrator and Liaison

Learning Management System Support

Office: J-302-B, Athens Campus 

706-355-5080 / mlockhart@athenstech.edu