Reflection prompts, grading tips, and new digital accessibility professiona
It’s week 10—we’re almost there! |
As the term winds down, we’ve pulled together a handful of timely tools and thoughtful resources to support you through finals and into the summer. From classroom reflection prompts to grading tips to a new microcredential on digital accessibility, we’re here to help you wrap up strong.
Do you have a teaching question? Book a consultation or reach out—we’re here to make these last few weeks as smooth as possible.
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| Questions to ask yourself before challenging conversations |
Teaching right now means holding space for difficult conversations—often when our own capacity is stretched thin.
Use these reflection questions to help prepare before a tough conversation and make it as connective and productive as possible.
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| Get support! Talk with us about classroom dialogue and student well-being |
Want to foster productive discussions or create a more supportive classroom climate? We can help you incorporate trauma-informed practices that prioritize student care.
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New microcredential: Make your course materials more accessible |
The new Digital Accessibility for Instructional Content microcredential supports faculty in making course content more inclusive, usable, and aligned with international web standards and cognitive accessibility principles. This self-paced experience helps you:
- Assess your instructional content for accessibility barriers
- Learn practical strategies grounded in established standards and current research
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Receive personalized feedback through a consultation or usability check
- Implement improvements to make your materials more accessible for all learners
By the end, you’ll have a stronger foundation for accessible course design—and a microcredential to show for it.
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June 6 – Last day of classes
June 9 – Final exams begin
June 17 – Final grades due (Banner closes at 5 p.m.)
June 19 – Juneteenth (University closed)
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End-of-term grading checklist |
Make sure everything’s in order before submitting final grades:
✔️ Ensure grades are calculated correctly.
Double check that your syllabus matches your Canvas gradebook.
How to weight final grades →
✔️ Enter zeroes for any missing work.
Canvas doesn’t count unsubmitted assignments as zero by default.
How to apply a missing submission policy →
✔️ Record all extra credit.
Ensure the extra credit you want to give students is factored in correctly. You can add extra credit by creating an assignment set to zero points. This Canvas Tech Tip - Extra Credit video shows how to set up an extra credit column for both a points-based and a weighted gradebook.
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What we're reading this summer |
Looking for a thoughtful read to spark reflection or refresh your perspective? Our team put together a short list of books we’re excited about—from academic reads to novels we love. Here’s a sneak peek:
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“This book is about accepting that our lives have finite amounts of time, and that while that is sad, it is also beautiful. I think about it often since reading it last summer, and it gave me a lot of really meaningful ideas to reflect.”
— Kendra Woodstead, Teaching and Pedagogical Support Specialist
📚 Keep an eye out for our fulI summer reading list in our next newsletter!
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The Office of Academic Innovation
Portland State University
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