Welcome to the Blackboard Mailbag, where we feature a commonly asked question that has been hitting our mailbox recently: blackboard@fordham.edu. You’ll find an archive of all of the previous questions and answers on our fordham.edu/blackboard website.
Note: Features may change with future updates.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Faculty Technology Day 2025 on Wednesday, May 21st! This year’s theme explored AI through the lens of Ignatian discernment, drawing connections between technological innovation and the Jesuit values that guide our teaching mission.
Highlights of the Blackboard sessions from the day
Leveraging Blackboard’s AI Design Assistant to Enhance Faculty Efficiency
Lisa Clark, Ed.D., Associate Vice President, Academic Transformation, Anthology
This session showcased how Blackboard’s AI Design Assistant can streamline faculty workflows, making it easier to create quality content while freeing up time to focus on the human-centered aspects of teaching. Dr. Clark also shared how faculty input is shaping the future of Blackboard through user experience improvements and ethical design practices.
Real Talk: Accessibility in the Age of AI Automation
Amy Lomellini, Ed.D., Director of Accessibility at Anthology
Dr. Lomellini discussed how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and tools like Ally and the AI Design Assistant can make accessibility both practical and transformative. Grounded in cura personalis and the value of discernment, the session emphasized designing learning environments that support and include all students.
Perusall: Finally! An AI-Resistant Student Writing Platform
Shawn Hill, Instructional Technologist
Shawn Hill introduced faculty to Perusall, a powerful social annotation tool available through Blackboard. With its AI-resistant design, Perusall fosters authentic student engagement and critical thinking across text, video, images, and more—giving faculty visibility into student preparation and participation.
Thank You and Resources
We’re grateful to our presenters and attendees for an inspiring day of collaboration and learning. If you missed a session or want to revisit the resources, we will be posting the session recordings and resources next week on the Faculty Technology Day website.
For additional FAQs and resources about Blackboard, visit fordham.edu/blackboard, attend one of our workshops, sign up to meet with us on our EdTech Consultation Calendar via Zoom, or reach out to us with your availability and we will work with you to accommodate small groups and one-on-one sessions.
Have feedback or suggestions on features? Blackboard’s parent company Anthology hosts The Idea Exchange. This is a place specifically for Blackboard to track and manage enhancement requests. It allows for things like upvoting ideas and sharing development plans and statuses. You will need to create an account to access the Idea Exchange.