December 2023 Newsletter

As we quickly come up to the end of the semester, we wanted to make sure you're supported and prepared. In this newsletter, you'll find resources to help you close out the semester and prepare for the spring semester; you'll also learn about a new tool we are launching campus wide, Gradescope and upcoming professional development opportunities. Look for our January Newsletter that will highlight all we are offering in the Spring Semester!

Digital Learning Holiday Hours

Digital Learning will be here to help you through December 19th, so don't hesitate to stop into our virtual support drop-in room, or schedule an appointment with us through our bookings website (located in the help icon of Canvas). We will be taking time off and shutting down drop-ins from December 20-January 1 for the Holiday shutdown. If you have a pressing issue, you can email us at uno.its.digitallearning@unomaha.edu and someone will get back to you at our earliest convenience.

We will be back in the office January 2nd to help with all your course needs. In addition to our normal hours, we will be offering extended drop-in hours from 4-7 on the following Mondays and Tuesdays:

• Mondays: 1/8, 1/22, 1/29
• Tuesdays: 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30

Below are some resources to help you finish out the semester:

• Final Grade Import into MavLink
• Extending Course Access for Incompletes
• Finding UNO Course Evaluations
• Managing Your Canvas Dashboard

The list of links below are tech tips to help you build and prepare your course for spring semester courses! A list of all Tech Tips can be found on our Future-Focused EDU Canvas Tech Tip Page,

• Look over the Beginning of the Semester Checklist
• Wanting to use a past Canvas course? Learn how to Import a Canvas Course
• Wanting to use individual items from past courses? Learn how to Copy Individual Items between Canvas Courses
• Building from scratch? Learn how you can Build Courses Quicker in Canvas!
• Check out Canvas Design Studio for inspiration and Canvas templates
• Import Templates from Canvas Commons
• Double check all videos are working in your course (VidGrid and Canvas Vimeo videos have been replaced and updated.
• Creating new quizzes or exams? Learn how you can Build Quizzes and Tests Quicker Using the Akindi Test Importer
• Use the Canvas Link Validator to check for broken links.
• Watch our 6 Quick Tips for Making Accessible Courses video.
• Check the Canvas Accessibility Checker
• Needing to make videos or video quizzes? Check out the YuJa Video Resource Page.
• Check for accessibility and learn how to use YuJa Panorama

Improving the Accessibility of your Canvas Course

Starts January 1st!

In this Humanizing course, you'll learn how to improve accessibility in your Canvas course and how to use the tools available to help you get there. This course will provide you with the opportunity to improve current courses and jump start the new semester! Interested but not sure if it's for you? Check out a few of the testimonials from our first cohort below:

"Even if you think your class is accessible, this course is bound to teach you something you do not know. I highly recommend it."

“This course provided me with information that was straight-forward, easy to follow, with assignments that helped me integrate what I was learning in a real-world environment. Feedback was friendly, personalized, and very helpful.”

“This course has changed my teaching forever!”

This non-credit course is offered online using the Canvas LMS, over a 6-week period. It is asynchronous, but not self-paced. You should plan to spend about 3-5 hours per week. Participants receive a $300 stipend for successfully completing all discussions and assignments.

NEW TOOL - Gradescope!

Beginning in Spring 2024 a new tool, Gradescope, will be available for all instructors to use at UNO. Gradescope is an integrated Canvas tool that allows you to save time while grading and provide better feedback to your students for both online and in-person assessments.

General Information Sessions

Join us for a Gradescope general information session; in these sessions, we will provide you with an an overview and demonstration of how Gradescope works. This is a great opportunity to see the tool and learn how it can be a useful addition for your teaching toolkit.   

• Register for Session 1: Tuesday, December 19 from 9-10am 
• Register for Session 2: Thursday, December 21 from 1-2 pm

Below is a list of workshops we will be offering when we get back from the fall break! Register today by selecting the links below!

• YuJa Quick Byte: Advanced Editing, Tuesday, January 9 from 10-1030am
• YuJa Quick Byte: Video Quizzes, Wednesday, January 10 from 10-1030am
• YuJa Quick Byte: Analytics and Gradebook, Thursday, January 11 from 10-1030am
• Gradescope Basics, Thursday, January 11 from 1-2pm
• Using Canvas Analytics to Enhance Student Engagement and Retention, Tuesday, January 16 from 10-11am
• YuJa Panorama, Wednesday, January 17 from 10-11am
• Gradescope Basics, Wednesday, January 17 from 1-2pm
• Revolutionize Your Grading Workflow: Unleash the Power of SpeedGrader and Gradebook, Thursday, January 18 from 10-11am
• AI Panel Discussion: Detection Tools, Syllabus Statements, and More, Thursday, January 18, 2024 from 1:00-2:00pm

Grant Application Deadline is February 1st!

Three times a year, the Office of Digital Learning awards grants for faculty to develop or improve the online delivery of one of their courses; the next approaching due date is for courses that are marked for Fall 2024 course delivery. Click the button below to learn more and apply for a grant today!