Instructional technologies provide many opportunities to support assessment and track student performance in Blackboard.
The following articles provide details describing the best practices we regularly publish to support our pedagogical community of practice.
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Creating Accessible PDFs: 4 Tips for Success
Ensure your digital PDFs are inclusive for all learners.
PDFs are a staple of academic life, used for everything from syllabi to complex research articles. However, without intentional design, they can create significant barriers for students using...
Posted: July 28, 2026, 12:15 PM
10 Ways to Make Your Slide Decks Accessible
Same principles apply to PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Canva
Slide decks get built fast. A lecture the night before, a workshop the morning of -- we’ve all done it. Accessibility is often the first thing to slip when you're racing a deadline. But a few...
Posted: July 21, 2026, 10:30 AM
5 Steps to More Accessible Google Docs
Start building inclusive Google Docs for all readers today
Imagine a student opening a Google Docs syllabus with a screen reader. They expect to easily skip from section to section. Instead, they hit a wall of text. Why? Because simply making text bold...
Posted: July 14, 2026, 10:50 AM
5 Tips for Accessible Word Documents
Small changes, big impact for everyone.
Microsoft Word is one of the most common tools used for creating flyers, handouts, syllabi, readings, and assignments. It’s also one of the most common sources of accessibility problems in...
Posted: July 7, 2026, 12:15 PM
3 Tips for Making Your Synchronous Meetings Accessible
Accessible meetings benefit every participant involved.
Let’s enhance meeting productivity for all attendees! Whether you are hosting a departmental meeting, conducting a 1:1 check-in, or moderating a large-scale event, the organization and execution...
Posted: June 30, 2026, 12:00 PM
5 Tips for Posting Accessible Images & Stories to Social Media
Build social media habits that include everyone.
Social media is one of the most powerful tools departments use to share news, celebrate achievements, and build community. It’s also one of the most consistently inaccessible corners of...
Posted: June 23, 2026, 3:27 PM
7 Accessible Practices for Creating and Sending Email
Accessibility starts before you hit send.
Email is one of the most universal communication tools we have at UMBC, and one of the most commonly overlooked places where accessibility breaks down. Whether you’re sending a department update,...
Posted: June 16, 2026, 12:30 PM
5 Tips for Creating Clear and Accessible Links
“Click here” doesn’t tell anyone where they’re going.
Links are everywhere -- in syllabi, announcements, email, assignments, websites, and Blackboard pages. They’re one of the most useful tools for connecting students to resources and one of the most...
Posted: June 9, 2026, 1:20 PM
DoIT Welcomes 3 New Staff to Instructional Technology
It is my pleasure to both introduce and welcome the three newest members of the Instructional Technology team in DoIT: Chimaobi (Mobie) Nwaokomah (pictured at left), Laura Wyatt, and Collin...
Posted: August 12, 2019, 11:06 AM
DoIT Welcomes Susan Biro as Online Learning Coordinator
I am pleased to announce that Dr. Susan Biro has accepted UMBC’s Online Learning Coordinator position in the Division of Information Technology (DoIT). She will start full-time on Wednesday, May...
Posted: May 1, 2019, 8:19 PM