Spring '24 Faculty Resources

Overview

Queensborough Community College recommends faculty be prepared to utilize CUNY's Learning Management System - Blackboard - for delivery of course material online.

The Office of Academic Affairs has developed this document to support faculty to be proactive in planning for a possible transition to online course delivery. The document has the following components:


Current Technology Support

A summary list of existing procedures and instructions to access the Blackboard system.

Blackboard

Information about CUNY Learning Management system and a summary list of tools available through Blackboard.

Additional Training and Support

List of additional training opportunities and support that have been made available for a smooth transition.

Course Development

Steps to set up a virtual classroom and a checklist that can be used as a guide through the process.

Support at a Department Level

A description of the resources available at a Department level and the role of the designated Lead instructor.

Contact and Resources

List of technology resources and links to training material, as well as information for local support.

Current Technology Support

  • All faculty members at Queensborough Community College have an active Blackboard account. Faculty and students can login using their CUNYFirst credentials through the CUNY Login page

  • All active courses have a Blackboard course shell generated automatically at the beginning of the semester. Courses are hidden from the student view until they are made “available” by the instructor. Here are the step-by-step instructions to make the courses “available”.

  • As an alternative method of communication, faculty can use their QCC email to communicate with their students. Faculty and Staff email.

  • In the event of closing, faculty can set their Collaborate virtual classrooms to switch from face-to-face instruction to online instruction.

  • Training sessions on Blackboard and Blackboard Collaborate will be offered online to anyone interested in learning how to use these technologies. Register for Blackboard and Blackboard Collaborate Training

  • Recorded Webinars are also available to anyone interested in learning more about Blackboard.

Blackboard

What is Blackboard? Blackboard is a web-based platform that allows faculty to develop and deliver education. This platform provides a user-friendly way for faculty to place course materials, interactive and collaborative activities, and assessments into a password-protected online environment.

What is a Blackboard course? A course in Blackboard is a self-contained area that is comprised of course content, assignments, online activities, students, and instructors. Blackboard provides students with an intuitive way to interact and collaborate with other students along with course materials.

Blackboard offers a wide variety of tools and third party-integrations that support both synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Here is a short list of the most common tools in Blackboard.


Synchronous Tools

Synchronous tools enable real-time communication and collaboration.

Tool Description

Blackboard Collaborate Ultra

Video Conferencing/Application Sharing

Collaborate allows for the sharing of presentations and information. Permits in-depth discussions with higher-touch interactions

Zoom University Licenses

The University has secured an enterprise license for the use of ZOOM. The license covers all CUNY faculty and staff (up to 49,000) and all students (capped at 320,000). If you wish to use Zoom for your online classes or online office hour, go to cuny.zoom.us, click on Sign In and sign in using your CUNYFirst credentials.


Asynchronous Tools

These tools allow people to connect together at each person's own convenience and own schedule.

Tool Description

Announcements

Announcements are an ideal way to post time-sensitive information critical to course success.

Assignments

The Assignment tool in Blackboard allows you to collect and grade student assignments electronically.

Discussion Board

In discussions, you can share thoughts and ideas about class materials.

Content Containers/ Folders/ Learning Modules

A learning module is a container for organized collections of content.

Tests

The tools enable you to create online tests and surveys using different question types such as multiple-choice, opinion scale,True/Falseor short answer.

Video Lectures/Camtasia Micro-lectures

Video lectures are considered an effective means for delivering course content and infusing teaching presence in the virtual environment. Note: Videos should not be uploaded directly to Blackboard. Videos should be hosted in any external video hosting environment, such as YouTube. The link can be shared through Blackboard.

VoiceThread

VoiceThread is a Blackboard third-party application that allows you to place collections of media like images, videos, documents, and presentations at the center of an asynchronous conversation

Zoom University Licenses

The University has secured an enterprise license for the use of ZOOM. The license covers all CUNY faculty and staff (up to 49,000) and all students (capped at 320,000). If you wish to use Zoom for your online classes or online office hour, go to cuny.zoom.us, click on Sign In and sign in using your CUNYFirst credentials.

Additional Training and Support

Course Development - Quick Transition to Online Instruction

The “Transition to Online Instruction" checklist has been designed to assist instructors in the transition to a quick conversion from face-to-face to fully online instruction.

Support at a Department Level

Designated Lead Instructors

Each Academic Department will appoint a Designated Lead Instructor. The Designated Lead Instructor will serve as the first tier for Blackboard support. They will also be available during the Open Lab Hours to assist other instructors in the transition to a quick conversion from face-to-face to fully online instruction.

Set up remote access to essential resources

Academic Departments can utilize Blackboard Organizations as a repository site for courses with multiple sections. These organizations can be configured for student self-enrollment. Contact the Office of Educational Technology (OET) for more information. Email: bbsupport@qcc.cuny.edu

Contact and Resources

Office of Educational Technology (OET)

The Office of Educational Technology (OET) provides faculty consultation, training and support for a wide range of educational applications.

Contact OET to:

  • Learn more about existing educational technology resources and support
  • Learn more about the additional training and workshop opportunities
  • Schedule a one-on-one consultation
  • Learn more about the pre-steps for this plan.

Email: bbsupport@qcc.cuny.edu

Training Material

These User Guides provide useful information on how to get the most out of Blackboard. The information presented in a variety of text and video formats will help you perform many common Blackboard tasks.

Campus Cultural Centers

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Kupferberg Holocaust Center Opens in a new window

The KHC uses the lessons of the Holocaust to educate current and future generations about the ramifications of unbridled prejudice, racism and stereotyping.

Russian Ballet performing at the Queensborough Performing Arts CenterOpens in a new window
QPAC: Performing Arts CenterOpens in a new window

QPAC is an invaluable entertainment company in this region with a growing national reputation. The arts at QPAC continues to play a vital role in transforming lives and building stronger communities.

Queensborough Art Gallery exterior in the afternoonOpens in a new window
QCC Art Gallery

The QCC Art Gallery of the City University of New York is a vital educational and cultural resource for Queensborough Community College, the Borough of Queens and the surrounding communities.