December 2024 | Issue 5

Monthly News from CETL

As we approach the close of another semester, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support of the Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning (CETL). Your participation in our events and dedication to professional growth inspire everything we do.

To celebrate the end of the term, we invite you to stop by CETL once your grades are submitted on December 18th for some well-deserved goodies. For our colleagues downtown, don’t worry—we’ll bring some treats to you!

Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to share that we’ll be offering targeted support in January to help you launch the spring semester successfully. Plus, we have an array of fresh and engaging learning opportunities planned for the new year! Stay tuned for more details.

Thank you for all you do to support our students and each other. Wishing you a restful and joyful holiday season!

Warm regards,

Brianne L. Jackson, Ph.D.

Dean of Teaching & Learning

Spring 2025 Canvas Course Sites

Spring 2025 Canvas course sites have been created and you should see them within Canvas. Please remember, if you are scheduled to teach a spring 2025 course and do not see it within Canvas, reach out to your Dean or Department Chair to ensure that you are listed as the instructor of record in SIS. If you have confirmed that you are listed as the instructor of record and you still do not see your course listed in Canvas please email canvas@reynolds.edu. Student enrollment will be turned on December 13, meaning you will not see students in your spring 2025 course until that time.

If you would like to request your courses be combined into one Canvas course site you must first email your Dean for authorization. They will then email canvas@reynolds.edu with their approval. CETL cannot combine any courses without your Dean’s approval and all requests to combine courses must be received by December 20 for any course beginning on January 13.

Save the Date: CETL Winter Party

Preparing for New Accessibility Requirements

Coming soon, course materials must align with updated accessibility standards to ensure they are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust (POUR), meeting the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 A and AA standards. These changes, driven by upcoming ADA Title II revisions, emphasize equitable access for all learners. Workshops, resources, and individualized support will be provided in the coming semesters to help you make your courses fully compliant and accessible. Stay tuned for more details!

More information can be found on the following resources:

Faculty Reading Corner: TILTing Lab Reports

Evaluating Assignment Performance to Apply the Transparency in Learning and Teaching Framework in a Community College Physics Course

A recent study explored the use of the Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TILT) framework to improve student engagement and success in a community college physics course. By adapting a specific component of physics lab assignments, the study highlights how TILT can support critical skill development and reduce barriers for underserved and non-native students.

Please note: This article is accessible from an on-campus network or if faculty log-in to the VCCS portal.

Arnold, R., & Hodgson, A. (2023). Embracing AI: Perspectives on artificial intelligence in education. Tales of Assessment and Learning Excellence, 2023, pp. 1-15.

Read the Article

In Case You Missed It: Program Health & Assessment FLO Recordings

Missed a session of our Faculty Learning Opportunity (FLO) series on Program Health & Assessment? You can now watch recordings of these engaging workshops on our YouTube Channel! Topics include guided discussions with faculty on enrollment, learning outcomes, retention, curriculum mapping, program completion, and results analysis—all using Watermark to support program health and assessment planning. Don't miss this chance to gain valuable insights and strategies to enhance your program's success!

View the Recordings

Teaching Tactics: Conquering Exam Stress for Students

We all know how stressful exam time can be. When we let our stress levels get too intense for long periods of time, it can have negative effects on our physical and mental well-being. But stress itself isn't all bad. If we understand the science of what's happening in our bodies when we feel stressed, we can learn to keep those feelings balanced and make them work for us. So how do we do that? Watch this video for scientific tips on how to tame your stress and let it do its job - preparing you for the challenge ahead!

Immediate Canvas Support

The CETL team is always here to support you, but we understand that sometimes you need Canvas assistance right away. That’s where the Help menu in the Canvas Global Navigation Menu comes in! Faculty and students can access live chat and phone support, report a problem, explore the Training Services Portal, watch webinars, and connect with the Canvas Community. These resources are available 24/7 to ensure you have the help you need when you need it most.

As always, you can reach out to CETL at canvas@reynolds.edu or 804-523-5612 to request Canvas assistance. Please note that our inbox and phone is not monitored outside of business hours or on weekends.

Canvas Release & Deploy Notes

CETL regularly curates recent Canvas updates that we believe are most relevant to your teaching and learning needs. Each update is carefully selected to ensure faculty are informed about new tools and features that can enhance course delivery and student engagement. Stay up to date with the latest improvements to make the most of your Canvas experience!

New Quizzes: Question Bank Migration on Course Copy

Instructors can migrate Classic Quiz question banks to New Quiz item banks by using the Convert content to New Quizzes checkbox, previously labeled Import existing quizzes on the Course Copy and Import Course Content pages. Additionally, the Tooltip text is updated.

This update allows Instructors to transfer question content from Classic Quizzes to New Quizzes without using quiz migration, greatly improving efficiency and saving valuable time.

Canvas Release Notes (2025-01-18)

SpeedGrader: Improved SpeedGrader Experience

SpeedGrader is updated for faster load times and enhanced stability. Additional interface updates include:

A streamlined interface for the Section drop-down menu
A clearer and more prominent No Submission alert
An improved interface for courses without content
The Submission Status is updated to a drop-down menu
Rubrics are automatically displayed in the traditional view
Media attachments and submission comments are moved and the delete icon is changed.

Canvas Release Notes (2025-01-18)

TILT & Growth Mindset Support

CETL would like to remind faculty to reach out to Jennifer Hitchcock with any questions about applying TILT or growth mindset strategies in your courses.

For more information on TILT and growth mindset strategies, please check out the following CETL curated resources

Request Support

Missed a FLO? We Got You Covered!

CETL understands that many faculty juggle teaching with other commitments and may not always have the flexibility to attend our Faculty Learning Opportunities (FLOs) during regular working hours. That's why we make every effort to record as many FLOs as possible, allowing you to access valuable professional development on your own time. Be sure to check out our library of recorded sessions to stay engaged and enhance your teaching skills when it fits your schedule!

Visit our FLO Recordings Library

Visit CETL's YouTube Channel

LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor Webinars

Date/Time

Description

This comprehensive training webinar is intended for instructors who plan to use LockDown Browser and/or Respondus Monitor with online exams. The session provides a detailed demonstration of both applications, including enhancements that make Respondus Monitor even more effective and easy to use.