There are many considerations when choosing and building a new LMS for UIC.
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In our second student newsletter of the year, we will share the results of the LMS review, outline the next steps, and discuss our perspective on the transition.
We'll also explore graduate students' views on the use of digital applications in higher education, share our thoughts on Notebook LM, Google's latest AI innovation, present the findings from the Grammarly survey conducted in the fall, plus share a new Grammarly resource, and invite both new and returning users to participate in our final Grammarly survey before we decide on the full adoption of this application at UIC.
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In our second student newsletter of the year, we will share the results of the LMS review, outline the next steps, and discuss our perspective on the transition.
We'll also explore graduate students' views on the use of digital applications in higher education, share our thoughts on Notebook LM, Google's latest AI innovation, present the findings from the Grammarly survey conducted in the fall, plus share a new Grammarly resource, and invite both new and returning users to participate in our final Grammarly survey before we decide on the full adoption of this application at UIC.
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Exciting LMS Update: Here Are the Results of Our Survey |
Exciting LMS Update: Here Are the Results of Our Survey |
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We conducted a campus-wide survey concerning whether Anthology's Blackboard Ultra or Instructure's Canvas seems best suited to UIC's needs. Following campus visits, survey results revealed a strong preference for Canvas, with 70% of staff and 73% of students favoring this platform. While final approval from the provost’s office is pending, the university aims to begin teaching courses in the new LMS by summer 2026. The transition plan involves system integration, data security testing, and a year-long adaptation process to support faculty and students. UIC is committed to ensuring a seamless migration by maintaining familiar tools, introducing new solutions, and providing extensive support and resources.
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We conducted a campus-wide survey concerning whether Anthology's Blackboard Ultra or Instructure's Canvas seems best suited to UIC's needs. Following campus visits, survey results revealed a strong preference for Canvas, with 70% of staff and 73% of students favoring this platform. While final approval from the provost’s office is pending, the university aims to begin teaching courses in the new LMS by summer 2026. The transition plan involves system integration, data security testing, and a year-long adaptation process to support faculty and students. UIC is committed to ensuring a seamless migration by maintaining familiar tools, introducing new solutions, and providing extensive support and resources.
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Grammarly Survey Unveils Widespread Adoption, Positive Impact, and Areas for Improvement |
Grammarly Survey Unveils Widespread Adoption, Positive Impact, and Areas for Improvement |
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This past fall UIC surveyed students, staff, and instructors' experience using Grammarly. With 292 responses, 85% use Grammarly regularly, finding it user-friendly and beneficial for error reduction, clarity, confidence, and skill development. However, users noted areas for improvement, particularly concerning generative AI features, learning opportunities, and customization. On balance, users are highly satisfied with Grammarly's performance on most everyday writing tasks.
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This past fall UIC surveyed students, staff, and instructors' experience using Grammarly. With 292 responses, 85% use Grammarly regularly, finding it user-friendly and beneficial for error reduction, clarity, confidence, and skill development. However, users noted areas for improvement, particularly concerning generative AI features, learning opportunities, and customization. On balance, users are highly satisfied with Grammarly's performance on most everyday writing tasks.
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New Resource: A Student Guide to Using Grammarly
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LTS has published a student-oriented guide for using Grammarly responsibly in academic writing, emphasizing the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and higher education. Our guide is structured around writing stages — pre-writing, drafting, revising, and editing — and provides a framework for understanding acceptable AI-use, stressing adherence to institutional policies. We want to recognize Grammarly's role in improving communication and bridging language proficiency gaps while also addressing concerns about its generative AI capabilities.
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LTS has published a student-oriented guide for using Grammarly responsibly in academic writing, emphasizing the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and higher education. Our guide is structured around writing stages — pre-writing, drafting, revising, and editing — and provides a framework for understanding acceptable AI-use, stressing adherence to institutional policies. We want to recognize Grammarly's role in improving communication and bridging language proficiency gaps while also addressing concerns about its generative AI capabilities.
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Take the Spring 2025 Grammarly Survey |
Take the Spring 2025 Grammarly Survey |
As the number of students at UIC using Grammarly continues to rise, we want to make sure we have a solid grasp on how UIC flames feel about it. Check the Features section for a summary of the previous survey's results, then make your voice heard in our Spring 2025 Grammarly survey!
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As the number of students at UIC using Grammarly continues to rise, we want to make sure we have a solid grasp on how UIC flames feel about it. Check the Features section for a summary of the previous survey's results, then make your voice heard in our Spring 2025 Grammarly survey!
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NotebookLM: AI Tools for Reading Comprehension |
NotebookLM is a new tool by Google with the potential to majorly enhance students' study practices. Its key features include AI-powered synthesis, summary, and organization of source material into products like study guides, briefings, and FAQs. It can generate podcasts that survey a text or texts, and it can answer student queries based on the text or texts. Limitations include potential impacts on student agency, simplification of complex topics, and data privacy concerns.
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| Ed Tech for Grad Students: Doing More with Less |
At LTS, we were curious about how grad students at UIC use educational technology. Are they forward thinking, embracing the newest tools as fast as they come out? Or has their training made them skeptical of new tools? We asked a few grad students from across STEM and humanities disciplines what tools they used to manage their busy programs.
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NotebookLM: AI Tools for Reading Comprehension |
NotebookLM is a new tool by Google with the potential to majorly enhance students' study practices. Its key features include AI-powered synthesis, summary, and organization of source material into products like study guides, briefings, and FAQs. It can generate podcasts that survey a text or texts, and it can answer student queries based on the text or texts. Limitations include potential impacts on student agency, simplification of complex topics, and data privacy concerns.
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| Ed Tech for Grad Students: Doing More with Less |
At LTS, we were curious about how grad students at UIC use educational technology. Are they forward thinking, embracing the newest tools as fast as they come out? Or has their training made them skeptical of new tools? We asked a few grad students from across STEM and humanities disciplines what tools they used to manage their busy programs.
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INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS FOR TEACHING & LEARNING
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