Blackboard Ally Launch Webinars

As part of the launch of the Blackboard Ally feature we have organised a series of guest speakers over the coming weeks.

Week 1

Claire Gardner, Derby University and Chair of the Blackboard User Group

Monday 23rd at 2.00pm

Claire Gardener is a Senior Learning Technologist (Digital Learning Systems) within the Digital Solutions and Services team at the University of Derby. Claire has functional oversight of the University digital learning technology, that includes Blackboard, Turnitin, Panopto. Claire is also a lead for digital accessibility at the University. Claire has nearly 20 year’s experience in learning technology and has worked in roles in both Further and Higher Education.

Claire is active in the Blackboard community and co-chairs the European Blackboard Ally User group. She won a Blackboard Catalyst award for Community Engagement in 2020 and in 2019 was part of the team that won a Catalyst award for Inclusive Education. Claire has delivered several conference presentations and most recently led a webinar for AbilityNet.

Book week 1 here

Week 2

Kate Molloy, National University Ireland Galway

Monday 30th May at 2.00pm

Kate Molloy is a Learning Technologist with the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching at NUI Galway and is currently the NUI Galway lead on the Irish Universities Association Enhancing Digital Teaching and Learning project. Kate has worked extensively around inclusive teaching and learning and was part of the National Forum funded Inclusive Learning at NUI Galway project. Kate was instrumental in the pilot and subsequent mainstreaming of Blackboard Ally at NUI Galway. She facilitates the National Forum’s open course, Universal Design for Teaching and Learning, at NUI Galway.

Book week 2 here

Week 3

Tracy Galvin, Queen’s University Belfast & Jen McParland, Open University

Thursday 9th June at 1.00pm

Tracy and Jen will discuss their THRIVE framework in this session, breaking down different elements to address with regards to accessibility.

Book week 3 here

All webinars will be recorded and stored on the ODL SharePoint site after the events.