Academic Technology Solutions (ATS) Blog
The latest news on teaching with technology
Help Students Cultivate Scholarly Habits by Engaging with Art (Even Outside of the Museum!): “Habits of Mind” Blog Series, Part Three
“Dispositions…arguably are the key to helping learners mobilize their mental powers. Art assists in a natural way. Looking at art invites, rewards, and encourages a thoughtful disposition, because works of art demand thoughtful attention to discover what they have to...
Make Your Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides More Accessible with Grackle Workspace
As of July 24, 2024, Grackle Workspace (referred to henceforth simply as “Grackle”), a tool to enhance digital accessibility within Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, is available within the UChicago Google Workspace. Those with access to UChicago’s Google Workspace –...
Disassemble Big Ideas for Greater Student Understanding Using Concept Maps: Habits of Mind Series, Part Two
UChicago’s well-known undergraduate Core Curriculum serves the goal of “cultivat[ing] in students a range of insights, habits of mind, and scholarly experiences.” This series of blog posts highlights ways in which technology can support those valuable habits of mind....
Implement Student Accommodations in Canvas
Introduction The academic accommodations students can receive from Student Disability Services include course flexibility, exam accommodations, note-taking assistance, alternative format conversions, and interpreting and captioning services. Thankfully, Canvas offers...
New Features and Updates in Poll Everywhere
Poll Everywhere, UChicago’s supported polling software tool, has launched new features and updates to streamline the polling process and make it more user-friendly. The first feature is Auto Roster Sync, which enables faculty and instructors to synchronize course...
Assess Programming Assignments with Gradescope
Gradescope is a powerful online feedback and assessment tool that is integrated in UChicago Canvas and supports many types of assignments, from paper-based to digital. In this post, we’ll be taking a closer look at Programming Assignments. If you’re new to Gradescope,...
Use Commonplacing to Help Students Better Understand Difficult Texts: Habits of Mind Series, Part One
Image by StartupStockPhotos from Pixabay Many educators would agree on the value of close, careful reading, engaged discussions, and writing that thoughtfully incorporates primary sources, but it can be challenging to support students in achieving these goals. This is...
Text-to-Speech Is for Everyone
The academic life is filled with reading. Whether you are a student with copious amounts of coursework, or a professional academic balancing teaching, research, and keeping up with current literature, reading is central to success. While reading can be enjoyable,...
What’s New in Canvas-Summer 2024
The author wishes to thank his colleagues on the ATS Learning Design Team for their feedback, and Digital Pedagogy Fellow Kinley LaBerge for valuable assistance in the compilation of this post. Canvas has implemented features over the past months that can provide...
Use the Redesigned Canvas Discussions and Announcements
The author wishes to thank ATS instructional designers Michael Hernandez, Joe Olivier, and Cheryl Walker, whose suggestions improved this post. Canvas Discussions and Announcements have recently been redesigned. The new designs offer improved functionality and more...
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