Welcome to the November edition of the Academic Technology Newsletter! This month, we’re excited to share a mix of insights, updates, and opportunities to support your teaching journey.

First, discover how Dr. Jimmy Gandhi is pioneering generative AI in CSUN’s Graduate Engineering Management program with CSUN colleagues. Dr. Gandhi recently presented this innovative work at the ASEM (American Society for Engineering Management) international conference.

Stay up-to-date on the latest tech news on campus, including the transition of HEERF-funded software tools and new time-saving features in Canvas, such as AI-powered discussion summaries and Smart Search. Learn how simple choices like using “Save as PDF” instead of printing can make a significant impact on document accessibility.

Looking for professional development opportunities? Check out Faculty Development’s Winter 2025 eLearning Institute, which focuses on building courses using the Quality Learning and Teaching (QLT) framework, and enhance your teaching with ACUE’s program on creating inclusive and supportive online environments.

Make sure to Save the Date for Digital Equity Day 2025 on Friday, April 25, 2025. More details to come!

Would you like to contribute to the Academic Technology newsletter? Let us know how you are using technology, and we can explore ways to feature your research in a future newsletter.

Lastly, don’t miss our upcoming workshops, including AI Prompt Engineering Essentials, designed to help you become more efficient at using generative AI, and Uploading Final Letter Grades into Portal, which will help you save time as the fall semester comes to a close.

Want to connect? Join our Zoom Drop-in Hours, make an appointment, or send us an email. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Academic Technology updates.

Discover how Dr. Jimmy Gandhi, Chair of the Manufacturing Systems Engineering & Management (MSEM) Department, along with CSUN colleagues, is helping to shape the future of engineering education! Dr. Gandhi co-authored a paper on integrating generative AI into CSUN’s Graduate Engineering Management program and showcased this work at the 2024 ASEM (American Society for Engineering Management) international conference. Read the article and learn more!

During the pandemic, CSUN utilized Federal HEERF funding to license technology platforms for remote instruction. With HEERF funding concluded, and some campus-wide licenses set to expire in 2025, Academic Technology has developed resources and training for this transition. You can learn more about which tools are going away, which tools will continue, and explore alternatives on the HEERF Software Tools Transition page.

Canvas is rolling out some exciting updates! Whether it’s using AI to summarize lengthy discussion threads, trying out the new Smart Search feature to quickly find course content, or letting Canvas automatically mark withdrawn students as “inactive,” these tools are designed to save you time. Learn more about new features in Canvas.

When it comes to creating accessible documents, small choices can make a big difference. One of those choices is how you convert your file into a PDF. Choosing “Save as PDF” instead of “Print to PDF” can have a significant impact on the accessibility of your document. You might wonder, “What’s the difference? Isn’t a PDF a PDF?” While both options create a PDF, the way they handle accessibility features in your original file couldn’t be more different. Learn more about saving to PDF.

Sign up for Faculty Development’s Winter 2025 eLearning Institute, designed to help faculty build courses in Canvas using the Quality Learning and Teaching (QLT) framework. This program includes self-paced work on your Spring 2025 course syllabus and Canvas site, a one-on-one meeting with a faculty mentor, and more. The priority application date is November 27th, so apply now!

Faculty Development invites you to enhance your online teaching skills with ACUE’s “Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Online Learning Environment” course. This fully online, asynchronous program equips instructors with evidence-based practices to foster student engagement, embrace diversity, and ensure accessibility. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your teaching!

This month, we’re proud to recognize Dr. Helen Heinrich, AVP for Academic Technology, and Dr. Paul Lazarony, AVP for Undergraduate Studies, for presenting at the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference on an innovative collaboration to support student success. We also want to highlight Kate Tipton, Universal Design Center Program Manager, for presenting at the Higher Ground Conference on using AI and cultural competence to address accessibility challenges in education. Please join us in congratulating these incredible colleagues!

Elevate your AI skills with our Prompt Engineering workshop! Learn the art of crafting prompts for AI models like ChatGPT using the innovative CARE system, and learn how to harness generative AI for creating dynamic lesson plans, assignments, and learning activities.

Did you know there’s a quicker way to record your final grades in the Portal? Managing final grades for multiple large classes can be overwhelming and time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be. Discover a simple, efficient method to streamline the process and save valuable time.

Share topics you would like to see covered in a future newsletter, give us feedback on your experience with instructional technology, or let us know of workshop resources you are interested in with the Academic Technology Feedback Form.