Create Accessible Course Materials
When course materials — readings, videos, slides, websites, etc. — are accessible, all students benefit.
Students with disabilities can engage with your course materials without barriers, often using assistive technologies such as screen readers or closed captioning.
Even students without disabilities often use more than one device — such as a phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop — and…
Teaching with Non-Supported Platforms
As stewards of PSU’s digital learning environment, the Office of Academic Innovation (OAI) is always exploring new teaching and learning platforms, applications, and resources. We take a risk-minimization approach to accessibility, with the goal of full inclusivity.
How does an application become adopted campus-wide?
Before any software is adopted campus-wide, it must be rigorously tested…
Introduction to Universal Design for Learning
This brief introduction to Universal Design for Learning (UDL) provides an overview of the framework and practical UDL examples. UDL is a flexible pedagogical framework to minimize barriers and increase accessibility for the fullest range of students possible. A ramp allows the full range of people to access a building while a stairway allows only some. In the same way, UDL asks us to trade…
Building an Effective Syllabus and Syllabus Template
An effective syllabus is both relevant and accessible for all students. Along with complete information, it needs organization and formatting that works well in assistive devices.
To help you get started, OAI has an accessible syllabus template with PSU policies and other common elements. It’s organized with Microsoft Word’s heading structure and uses accessible formatting. Keep the…
Generative AI for Teaching
In this curated teaching with AI guide, you will find a variety of sources to support your exploration of generative AI for teaching. We cover tools like ChatGPT, build your understanding of their capabilities, and help with strategizing their integration into your courses. It's crucial to recognize that generative AI tools are in a constant state of evolution, and this resource will be…
DEI in STEM
What are diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how are they related to higher education? You have probably encountered these terms a lot over the past few years. Although they are popular, their application varies depending on the situation. Overall, the primary goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion work are to:
Promote the value of a wide variety of identities, abilities, value…
Teaching Strategies for Digital Class Meetings
Digital class meetings are sessions that some or all students attend via Zoom or another virtual meeting platform. Such meetings may be recorded for students to also use asynchronously. Digital class meetings are most often associated with these delivery methods:
Online - Scheduled Meetings: Online courses with required meeting times
Hybrid: Fewer in-person class sessions with more…
Canvas Course Checklist
From basic settings to content organization, this course design checklist outlines the top tasks to make sure your Canvas course is ready for students. Completing all will elevate the quality of your Canvas course and ensure your students can navigate your course materials with ease.
For an editable version of this checklist, make your own copy (File > Make a copy) of this Google…
Canvas Tutorials
Canvas PSU Learning Management System Canvas by Instructure is PSU’s learning management system (LMS). Canvas features may be used to support in-class, hybrid, or for fully-online teaching. This page covers support articles within the Canvas LMS. Additional learning resources are available with Canvas Guides for PSU, or you can schedule a training session with OAI staff. Back to All…
Add Captions to MediaSpace Videos
Back to MediaSpace Tutorials There are two main ways to add captions to your MediaSpace videos: request service-generated captions, or generate machine captions. Learn more about these options below.
You can request service-generated captioning for any Kaltura MediaSpace video you plan to use for teaching. We particularly recommend captioning any video you'll use more than once. You don't…