Written By: Dr. Warren Galas Moyao
The University of Baguio (UB) School of Criminal Justice and Public Safety (SCJPS) strengthened its commitment to technology-enabled and quality education through the “Blackboard Ultra in Action: A Hands-on Workshop for Effective Teaching and Learning,” held on July 23, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at A809. The face-to-face faculty training workshop was attended by 25 faculty members and staff. It was facilitated by Dr. Warren Galas Moyao as part of the university’s Blackboard LMS Faculty Training Workshop Series in support of the institutional Blackboard LMS Rollout Implementation Program.
The workshop provided faculty members with an engaging, practical, and hands-on opportunity to develop their proficiency in using the updated Blackboard Learn Ultra environment. Rather than limiting the session to demonstrations, participants worked directly on their personal laptops and followed step-by-step activities involving course navigation, content organization, learning module development, assessment creation, gradebook configuration, and the integration of supplementary web resources and collaboration tools. This approach allowed participants to immediately apply what they learned to their own Blackboard course accounts.
The activity began with attendance registration followed by an energetic warm-up dance led by Dr. Moyao, creating a welcoming and interactive atmosphere for the participants. Throughout the session, faculty members actively explored the different features of Blackboard Ultra while exchanging practical insights and experiences. Faculty members who had attended previous training sessions also shared useful tips and reminders with colleagues who were unable to participate in earlier sessions, turning the workshop into an opportunity for peer-to-peer learning and knowledge sharing.
A notable highlight of the workshop was the collaborative support extended to newly hired faculty members and senior faculty who encountered challenges in navigating the new platform. Experienced faculty members assisted their newly hired colleagues in becoming familiar with the system, while individualized technical and peer support helped senior faculty members work through difficulties with the new tools. This collaborative environment demonstrated that digital transformation is not simply a matter of introducing new technology but also of building a supportive academic community where faculty members learn from and assist one another.
The workshop culminated in a comprehensive output check to ensure that participants could successfully translate the training into actual course development. Faculty members created and uploaded essential Blackboard Ultra components, including learning modules, class activities, quizzes, and supplementary web links, into their respective course accounts. The completion of these outputs provided tangible evidence of the participants’ hands-on engagement and readiness to utilize the platform in their teaching.
The activity contributes directly to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): Quality Education by strengthening educators’ capacity to deliver effective, engaging, and technology-supported learning experiences. It likewise supports SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure through the meaningful adoption and utilization of digital learning technologies, while its emphasis on peer mentoring, collaboration, and knowledge sharing reflects SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Through the workshop, SCJPS demonstrated that effective digital transformation begins with empowered educators. By equipping faculty members with practical skills, encouraging collaboration, and ensuring that technology is purposefully integrated into teaching and learning, the University of Baguio continues to advance an educational environment that is responsive, innovative, and prepared to meet the evolving needs of 21st-century learners.
