Welcome to the February 2025 edition of the Academic Technology newsletter! This month, we’re diving into exciting AI developments, new faculty resources, and hands-on workshops designed to support your teaching.

Did you know that CSUN has a newly established AI Task Force? This task force, comprised of student, faculty, and staff representatives from across the colleges and divisions, is dedicated to ensuring CSUN is prepared for the AI opportunities and challenges ahead.

More big news—CSU is bringing AI-powered tools including ChatGPT to all students, faculty, and staff! These tools will roll out soon, opening up new possibilities for teaching, research, and student engagement. A recent IT student survey shows strong interest in AI, highlighting an opportunity for faculty to guide its responsible use. Looking for an even bigger picture? The 2025 EDUCAUSE AI Landscape Study explores how AI is shaping higher education, leadership, and digital access.

Encourage your students to flex their creativity with CSUN AI Jam 2025, a competition where they’ll develop AI-driven solutions and compete for prizes. If you’re looking to boost engagement in your courses, check out the Lightboard—a fun, innovative tool for creating dynamic video lessons. Also, the "I Am Here to Help" template in Canvas Insights has been updated with even more student support resources related to the LA fires, disaster relief, and immigration services.

Mark your calendar for March 10th to 14th because CSUN’s 40th Assistive Technology Conference is back, celebrating and highlighting innovation and accessibility. Additionally, join us in welcoming Vanessa Sermeño, our new Accessibility Analyst in the Universal Design Center, who will be working to improve procurement accessibility across campus.

This month’s featured workshops include Advanced AI Tools for Teaching, Turnitin AI Detection, Video Accessibility, and Flyers and Infographics Accessibility—perfect opportunities to learn new tools and strategies.

We're excited to announce the What to do if you Receive an Assignment with a High AI Detection Score video is now on YouTube and embedded on the Academic Technology Artificial Intelligence (AI) site. If you haven't already watched it, now's your chance to learn more about high AI detection scores and share it with your colleagues.

And set a reminder for our Faculty Coffee Hour coming up on April 2! 

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.

The CSU is launching a first-of-its-kind AI initiative in partnership with top tech companies, including Adobe, Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI. This effort will provide AI-powered tools—including ChatGPT—to all 460,000 students and 63,000 faculty and staff across CSU’s 23 campuses, ensuring equitable access to cutting-edge technology for teaching, learning, and workforce readiness. With these tools expected to roll out in the coming weeks, explore how this initiative could enhance your courses and research. Read the full article to learn more.

Curious about how CSUN students really feel about AI? In addition to the annual IT survey results, a campus-wide AI student survey reveals that many students recognize the potential of AI to enhance their learning and future career prospects, giving faculty a unique opportunity to guide students in responsible and effective AI usage. Read the full report to see what your students think.

As AI continues to reshape higher education, faculty face pressing questions about its role in learning, policy, and the workforce. The newly released 2025 EDUCAUSE AI Landscape Study captures insights from institutions nationwide, exploring leadership strategies, ethical guidelines, and the digital divide in AI adoption. Dive into the latest findings and see what it means for the future of AI at CSUN. Read the EDUCAUSE AI Landscape Report.

CSUN AI Jam 2025 is calling on students to showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills in an exciting competition that explores the power of artificial intelligence. With opportunities to develop innovative AI solutions, collaborate with peers, and compete for prizes, encourage your students sign up today! Learn more about  AI Jam 2025.

Illuminate your teaching with the Lightboard in the Faculty Media Studio (UL35)! This innovative tool enables you to create engaging instructional videos by drawing on a transparent, illuminated surface, making complex subjects more accessible to your students. Learn how Teaching Assistant Chulhee Lee from the Department of Mathematics recently utilized this technology. Read more on how to Light Up Your Lessons!

Did you know the "I Am Here to Help" template in Canvas Insights has been updated? This new version includes expanded resources, including fire-related assistance, crisis intervention services, and immigration services making it easier for faculty to connect students with vital campus support. Learn how Early Alerts can help you ensure your students have access to the resources they need.

Celebrate CSUN's 40th Assistive Technology Conference from March 10 to 14, showcasing our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). This milestone event connects faculty, students, and the community with cutting-edge assistive technologies. Learn more and register today!

Join us in welcoming Vanessa Sermeño as the new Accessibility Analyst at the Universal Design Center!
In her new role at the UDC, Vanessa will oversee Procurement accessibility. Thanks to her wealth of experience and strong connections across campus, she is poised to make a meaningful and significant impact. Read more about Vanessa Sermeño.

Discover how to integrate AI chatbots, personalized content generators, and custom GPTs into your courses in this hands-on workshop with Dr. Deone Zell. Explore AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude while learning to create your own AI-powered teaching assistants and engaging learning materials tailored to your students.

Curious about how AI-generated content is shaping student writing? Join our upcoming workshop to explore Turnitin’s AI Detection score feature. Learn how Turnitin evaluates student submissions and how to interpret the results with confidence. Equip yourself with the knowledge to navigate AI-assisted essays effectively.

Join us for an essential workshop on video accessibility, where you'll learn how to make your instructional videos more inclusive for all students. This session covers key strategies for adding captions, improving audio clarity, and ensuring compliance with accessibility standards, helping you enhance both engagement and legal compliance.

Want to ensure your flyers and infographics are accessible to all? Learn why accessibility matters in digital design and discover simple steps to enhance the clarity and usability of your materials. This workshop equips you with best practices to make your visual content inclusive to reach a wider audience while meeting accessibility guidelines.

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.