AI @ SHSU - Harnessing AI in Blackboard

Harnessing AI in Blackboard: How Faculty Can Save Time and Enhance Teaching

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a topic of much discussion these days, and it’s transforming higher education. Blackboard has integrated AI-powered tools designed to help faculty streamline course design, grading, and student engagement. These tools don’t replace instructors; they empower them by reducing repetitive tasks and providing creative support. The result? More time for teaching, mentoring, and connecting with students.

This article explores the AI tools available in Blackboard and how faculty can leverage them to improve productivity and efficiency.

AI Design Assistant: Your Course-Building Partner

Building a course from scratch can be time-consuming. The AI Design Assistant simplifies this process by generating course structures, content, and assessments based on your input.

Key Features:

  • Course Structure Suggestions: Enter your course title and objectives, and the AI will propose a logical module layout.
  • Content Creation: Generate discussion prompts, journal topics, assignment instructions, and authentic assessments aligned with Bloom’s Taxonomy.
  • Rubric Generation: Create grading rubrics tailored to your assignments.
  • Question Banks: Automatically generate quizzes and test questions.
  • Image Integration: Suggest or create images for course banners and module thumbnails using Unsplash or AI-generated visuals.

Why It Matters:
Instead of spending hours organizing modules and writing prompts, faculty can start with AI-generated content and customize it to fit their teaching style. This tool is especially helpful for new instructors or those teaching multiple courses.

AI Conversations: Engaging Students in New Ways

Beyond efficiency, AI can enhance learning experiences. AI Conversations enable instructors to create interactive dialogues, role-playing scenarios, and Socratic questioning exercises.

Benefits:

  • Encourages critical thinking and reflective learning.
  • Adds depth to discussions by simulating real-world scenarios.
  • Supports active learning strategies without requiring extensive preparation.

Practical Tips for Faculty

Here’s how you can integrate these tools into your workflow:

  • Start with AI, Finish with Your Expertise: Use AI-generated content as a foundation, then refine it to match your course objectives and tone.
  • Enhance Visual Appeal: Quickly add relevant images to modules for a polished look.
  • Maintain Academic Integrity: Always review AI-generated content for accuracy, bias, and accessibility compliance.

AI in Blackboard is not about replacing instructors—it’s about empowering them. By automating routine tasks and providing creative support, these tools free up time for what matters most: teaching, mentoring, and engaging students. Faculty who embrace these tools will find themselves better equipped to meet the demands of modern higher education while maintaining the human connection that defines great teaching.

Interested in learning about any of these tools?  SHSU Online offers regular monthly webinars and by-appointment sessions to support instructional use in Blackboard.