Canvas Updates
Canvas’ Record/Upload Media function being removed
The functionality to Record/Upload Media from the Rich Content Editor (RCE) will no longer be available for use after January 1, 2026. There are a number of reasons that this problematic functionality is going away, primarily for accessibility reasons. See Important Changes to Media Uploads in Canvas for more information on how to update your workflow if you currently use this method to add media to Canvas.
FeedbackFruits updates
New feature launch: Feedback on Feedback by Teachers
FeedbackFruits has a new feature called Feedback on Feedback by Teachers which lets you help students improve their peer-to-peer feedback skills directly. With this new option, you can review the feedback comments students provide to one another during peer learning activities.
Adding this review step to any activity, allows you to assess the quality of the peer feedback using rubrics, scales, or your own comments. This turns the feedback process into a structured opportunity for students to learn feedback improvement skills, rather than considering them a static final outcome.
To use this new option, add it as a Learning Step at the bottom of any compatible activity. Read the FeedbackFruits September release notes for more information.
Registration now open for Navigating the GenAI Landscape: A UMN forum for exploration and discovery
Register today for this University-wide online forum on Friday, October 24th that will foster discourse and promote the responsible adoption of AI tools within the University system. The program will feature a keynote address, opportunities to attend panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and high-energy, “lightning round” 15-minute presentations following four tracks:
- Teaching and Learning
- Research
- Administrative and University Operations
- Getting Started with AI
AI literacy training for instructors and students
Students and instructors have new online, self-paced training opportunities around AI literacy.
- Gen AI + U: An Instructor’s Guide to AI Literacy
- This course was created for University of Minnesota instructors to develop essential AI literacy by transitioning from foundational concepts to a critical understanding of ethical issues when considering the use of UMN-approved Generative AI tools.
- GenAI+U: A Student Learning Experience
- This student-facing training was created to provide tools to be an effective, ethical, and responsible user of GenAI. Instructors may wish to share this resource with their students.
Generative AI and Gemini Training Series
The University is offering a series of training sessions for all faculty, staff, and students who are interested in using generative AI for their teaching, learning, and work at UMN. The series will cover Gemini tools such as Gems and Deep Research, NotebookLM, and prompting techniques. These courses are delivered by industry leaders. UMN staff will be available to answer questions.
New font available in Canvas to support users with dyslexia
Each user in Canvas can turn on a setting to use a dyslexia-friendly font in their account area. The setting changes all UI elements and content to use a dyslexia-friendly font for that person across all areas of Canvas. The setting can be turned on or off as needed by the each user by clicking on your account icon in the global menu. A radio button at the bottom of your account settings menu can be switched on or off to control the font.
The importance of color contrast
Choosing the right colors and contrast isn’t just about aesthetics—it helps you communicate more effectively and ensures your content is accessible to everyone. Color is a powerful tool in visual communication, but can often be misused. And no, this doesn’t just apply to designers!
Need a refresher in this core principle of digital accessibility or want to dive deeper? Explore tips and resources at z.umn.edu/accessibility-contrast or check out how to use Color in Google docs and in UDOIT in Canvas in Accessible Bytes to apply best practices to your documents, presentations, web pages and courses today!
Spotlight
Apply for the Emerging Technology Faculty Fellows Program
Are you a University of Minnesota faculty or P&A instructor interested in enhancing student learning and engagement with the use of Generative AI? Apply for the Emerging Technologies Faculty Fellowship: Teaching and Learning with Generative AI. In this funded, 18-month program, fellows will address this central question:
As a fellow, you will become part of a multidisciplinary learning community dedicated to understanding and applying GenAI in the University of Minnesota context.
Program goals and focus
Fellows will address two primary goals in this program:
- Enhance GenAI literacy
- Provide guidance to all University of Minnesota campuses on effective GenAI practices.
Fellows will be encouraged to focus their projects on one of four key themes:
- Disciplinary-based career readiness
- Using GenAI to develop critical thinking skills
- Using GenAI to support formative assessment and student feedback
- Using GenAI to scaffold learning experiences.
Eligibility and expectations for participation
This program is open to all teaching faculty and P&A positions with course teaching responsibilities at any of the University of Minnesota campuses. Accepted fellows are required to teach a course in the Spring or Fall 2026 semester. Previous Emerging Technology Faculty Fellows are not eligible for the 2026 fellowship.
Accepted fellows are expected to be highly engaged, with active participation in bi-monthly virtual sessions beginning January 12, 2026. As a fellow, you will develop and refine a project proposal and select a university-supported AI tool to achieve your goals.
The program, funded by Teaching Support, will award each project a $5,000 stipend, contingent on meeting program expectations. This funding can be used for software, conference registration and travel, salary and fringe for TAs, GAs, or RAs, or to supplement faculty or instructor salaries.
Throughout the program, fellows will have opportunities to present outcomes and findings both within the cohort and to the broader university community, deepening the University of Minnesota’s collective knowledge about integrating GenAI into teaching and learning.
How to apply
The application deadline is November 7, 2025. Applicants will need to submit a project proposal, a statement of support from your department chair or associate dean, and a current CV. The proposal should describe the project, its alignment with program goals, its impact on your discipline, and how you will use the program resources.
Ready to get started? Visit the call for applications webpage for more information or email [email protected].