[For Librarians: The purpose of this module is to familiarize faculty with the foundational tools that will promote their success at the institution. This guide does not cover all of the tools possible, it just highlights the ones that are likely to make the most impact. Review each section and update with your university-specific information. There are bracketed components in most sections that need updating.]
Educational technology includes the tools, platforms, and services that support the delivery of instruction—both in-person and online. This section introduces the core technologies available at our institution, including communication tools, creativity tools, and more. Knowing what’s available can help you teach more efficiently and confidently. The following items will be covered:
There are many ways to communicate with students, but the two most common are announcements and emails.
Announcements
Use announcements to engage students through regular updates visible on the course home page. The Announcements widget lets you create, manage, and pin important messages so they stay at the top. For guidance, see Mapping the Perfect Announcement.
Emails
Emails allow you to connect with students individually or as a group, often directly within the learning management system.
Pro Tips
For clear, effective announcements or emails:
Overview
Feedback is vital for professional growth. Surveys—unlike quizzes—are not for evaluation but for gathering insights on instructional content and teaching practices.
Three Key Tips
Listen to feedback. Input helps guide improvement.
Identify issues. Learn where you excel and where you need to grow.
Look for solutions. Feedback may suggest fixes directly or indirectly (e.g., if students say a course felt disorganized, consider improving its structure).
Tool Options
[Insert your tools here]
[Qualtrics]
[Poll Everywhere]
[LMS Surveys]
Use Cases
Collecting feedback supports continuous improvement:
Identify effective strategies and address learning barriers.
Discover what students value to foster inclusivity.
Monitor progress through regular formative surveys.
Encourage student self‑reflection and instructor self‑assessment.
Build trust by showing student voices matter and modeling constructive feedback.
Building the Survey
Keep surveys concise, clear, and unbiased. Ask one question at a time, avoid leading language, and use straightforward wording to improve response accuracy and completion rates.
Distributing the Survey
Test surveys before launch, use multiple channels, time outreach strategically, and consider incentives to boost participation.
Analyzing Results
Review questions and responses for alignment with goals. Identify strengths and improvement areas, note outliers, and use insights to create an action plan for refinement.
Overview
There are several university-supported video creation tools: [Insert those tools here]. These tools serve different functions, depending on the need of the faculty member.
Video Use Cases
Instructional videos and video assignments can greatly enhance the student experience by providing dynamic, interactive, and creative opportunities to learn. Videos can:
Below is a list of potential video use cases that could enhance teaching and learning.
Below are some ways the video use cases could align with university-supported tools.
To record like a pro, check out the document below which provides information about what to do before, during, and after you record.
The Major Tools in Generative AI
AI tools and subscriptions change and are updated often. Check the tool's website for specifics.
Chat GPT has several versions. Some for free, some require a subscription.
Requires registration with minimal information.
Requires a Google account, which can be obtained for free. Also creates images.
Uses a version of]ChatGPT. Requires a Microsoft account. Also creates images.
Requires registration or can use your Google account.
When Students Ask: “Why Do I Have to Do the Work?”
As an educator, you may hear: Why do I have to do this when AI can do it?
Two key responses:
College isn’t just about learning content—it’s about learning to think. Doing your own work builds reasoning and problem‑solving skills that last a lifetime.
AI can generate answers, but employers hire you to evaluate those answers. Without subject knowledge, you can’t judge whether AI output is correct or useful. College gives you that background so you can use AI effectively in the future.
What Is Turnitin?
Turnitin is a plagiarism‑detection tool in Canvas that also flags AI‑generated text. It provides two indicators:
Similarity Score: Shows how much of a submission matches published work, web content, or Turnitin’s repository. A high score alone doesn’t prove plagiarism—review reports carefully and consult colleagues before acting.
AI‑Writing Indicator: Shows the percentage of text likely generated by AI. This is not proof of misconduct but can prompt further discussion with the student or department.
Offering students an easy way to book time with faculty is a time-saver. [Insert tool(s) here] is beneficial because it connects with your calendar and shares your up-to-date availability. Those who might want to book with you can sign up for a slot of time and it goes directly to both parties calendars. As you begin navigating the university tools, consider these facets of any booking tool.
Creative tools, such as the Adobe Suite or Canva can provide new ways of engaging students while also enhancing learning and teaching.
Use Cases for Adobe Creative Suite
According to the International Society for Technology in Education (2022), educators who frequently assign work that involves creativity are more likely to observe higher-order cognitive skills, such as problem solving, critical thinking, and connections across disciplines.
Read more about this more from ISTE here: 5 Reasons Why it is More Important than Ever to Teach Creativity
Below are potential projects aligned with Adobe tools.
Here are some more specific use cases for Adobe Express:
The use of creative assignments promotes an inclusive, student-centered learning environment. These teaching and learning strategies promotes:
Learn more about these ideas and more through CAST's Universal Design for Learning Framework