July 2026 Academic Technology Newsletter

Welcome to the July edition of the Academic Technology Newsletter! This month, we're celebrating innovation and collaboration across CSUN, from welcoming Kari McCoy back as our Doctoral Fellow in Academic Technology to highlighting CSU's AI in July series and CSUN-developed AI workshops available through the CSU AI Commons. You'll also find resources to help you prepare for the future of digital accessibility, including an overview of the CSU Accessible Technology Initiative and how CSUN is supporting accessible teaching, learning, and technology across campus.

As the fall semester approaches, we've packed this issue with professional development opportunities to help you start strong. Explore workshops on ChatGPT for teaching and research, Canvas New Quizzes, the CSUN Canvas Template, AI Ignite, Panopto lecture recording, writing AI syllabus statements, and a variety of accessibility-focused sessions from the Universal Design Center (UDC). Whether you're refreshing a course, experimenting with AI, or making your materials more accessible, there's something for everyone!

Congratulations to Kari McCoy on being selected for a second term as the Doctoral Fellow in Academic Technology. Building on the success of her previous fellowship, Kari is launching a new project that will advance innovative teaching and learning at CSUN. Stay tuned as she partners with faculty to explore new approaches and develop resources that support student success.

Looking for practical ways to use AI in your teaching or everyday work? CSU AI in July brings together faculty and staff from across the CSU to share real-world examples, innovative approaches, and actionable tips for using AI to support student success, streamline workflows, and explore new possibilities.

Did you know that the CSU offers CSUN AI workshops through the CSU AI Commons? Developed by CSUN faculty, these sessions feature practical teaching strategies, real-world examples, and hands-on guidance to help you confidently integrate AI into your teaching, research, and everyday work.

The CSU system approaches digital accessibility through the Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI), a systemwide framework that guides campuses in creating accessible instructional materials, websites, and technology procurement. Learn how CSUN puts ATI into practice across campus.

The update to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II takes effect on April 26, 2027! The Chancellor’s Office and our own Universal Design Center (UDC) offer a variety of resources to help you reach your accessibility goals. Accessibility Made Easier: New Tools & Workshops

For faculty, led by a CSU faculty member. Bring your questions about accessibility; share and learn from your colleagues.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has been updated with new requirements for course materials. These changes take effect April 26, 2027. This workshop for staff in academic departments will help you help your faculty prepare.

Cidi Labs is thrilled to announce that they will host their first UDOIT Summer School for Educators on August 12th & 13th from 11:00 AM to 12 PM MT each day. These live sessions are designed specifically for educators and course designers who want to improve accessibility in their Canvas courses – no previous remediation experience is required.

Find more professional development opportunities on the Academic Technology workshop calendar. Can't make it to a workshop? Book an appointment with one of our team members.

Explore Canvas New Quizzes and learn how to build engaging assessments, use question banks, and leverage auto-grading features to save time.  In this workshop, participants will explore quiz-building tools, question types, item banks, and settings that support academic integrity and student success. Faculty and staff will also learn how to use auto-grading features, feedback options, and quiz analytics to streamline grading workflows and improve the assessment experience for students.

Hosted by Charles Mahoney, M.Ed.

Want better, more reliable answers from ChatGPT? Curious about classroom and research use cases? Need tips for verification and ethical AI use? Come spend some time with Charles Mahoney, M.Ed.  to learn how to get the most out of your ChatGPT experience.

Hosted by Kacee Williams, M.Ed.

This workshop reviews the CSUN Canvas Template developed collaboratively with Academic Technology, Faculty Development, and Faculty Fellows. The template has also been created with CSU’s Quality Learning and Teaching Standards, equity-minded teaching, and Universal Design and accessibility principles in mind. In this clinic you will learn how to import the Canvas Template into your Canvas course and learn best practices for migrating previous course content into the CSUN Canvas Template.

Hosted by Herbert Serrano, MLIS

Spark new ideas in this fast-paced, interactive workshop designed to inspire creativity and innovation in your teaching practices.

Hosted by Instructional Technology Staff

Learn how to start recording instructional video content for your Canvas courses using Panopto! Whether it’s a class recording, lecture, lesson, or demonstration, this workshop will show you how to access Panopto as your primary video platform. You’ll learn how to sign in with CSUN credentials, record directly in your browser or via the desktop app, navigate Panopto’s viewer and “My Folder” system, and explore its simple yet versatile video editor with built-in accessibility features.

Hosted by Joyce Marie Brusasco, EdD

Address AI in your course syllabi.  This workshop provides faculty with practical language, examples, and resources for defining permissible and prohibited uses of AI. Participants will explore approaches for guiding responsible student use, ensuring academic integrity, and co-creating clear AI statements with their classes.

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.

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