Request for Proposal Updates

To ensure that tools meet the evolving needs of our institution and to comply with University policy, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) periodically conducts a Request for Proposals (RFP) where offerings from different vendors are evaluated side-by-side. Below are brief updates on the three RFPs OIT is currently conducting:

  • RFP: Student Rating of Teaching: After conducting a thorough RFP, the outcome has been decided to not award a winning vendor. Instead the current contract with Explorance Blue will be extended two years, with options for an additional two years, out to January 2028. 
  • RFP: Media Management Platform: The potential vendors are narrowed to two finalists. A selection and award of a contract will be made this summer, pending Board of Regents approval. If a new vendor is awarded, an early access version of that system will be available for Fall 2022. If a vendor change were to occur, Kaltura would remain available through Summer 2023 to allow for a transition to the new system. 
  • RFP: Peer Learning Tool: Two vendor finalists are in the last stages of evaluation, having completed vendor demos and usability testing. The goal is to have a peer review learning tool available in Fall 2022.

Canvas updates

Instructure, the maker of Canvas, releases updates and deploys bug fixes to Canvas each month. May highlights include: 

  • A screenshot of the To Do list in Canvas.
    New Quizzes in To Do List
    In the Canvas Dashboard and Course Home Page, instructors can now view New Quizzes submissions that require manual grading (essay or short answer) in the To Do List. This change allows instructors to view student submissions of New Quizzes in the To Do List as soon as a student submits a quiz that requires manual grading. 
  • Icon Display in Syllabus
    In the Syllabus, assessments listed in the Course Summary are now differentiated by type. Previously, assignments, quizzes, and graded discussions displayed the same assignment icon. Now, assignments, discussions, and quizzes have unique icons. Students can tell at a glance the nature of the assessments listed in the Syllabus.
A screenshot of the Course Summary in Canvas.

See the complete list of Canvas updates released on May 21, 2022. The next Canvas release will be June 18, 2022.

Zoom update

Reminder: The current Zoom Chrome OS app was phased out as of June 1, 2022. If you use Zoom on Chromebooks and the Zoom for ChromeOS you should have been prompted to begin using the Zoom for Chrome PWA via the Chrome browser.

From professor to producer: A mindful approach to creating course video

Creating video content for your course can be time consuming, but there are things you can do to streamline your efforts and maximize your impact. Focus on the right content and follow this advice to create videos that are lasting and accessible. Check out: From professor to producer: A mindful approach to creating course video.

ECoach pilot: Can messages and nudges influence student success?

ECoach pilot

The University of Minnesota has been exploring the benefits of tailored messages, study tips, and reminders delivered to students in a timely manner through ECoach. The goal of the pilot is to explore the tool’s potential to personalize the education experience in large gateway classes. See the results and lessons learned from the ECoach pilot that has just completed its third semester having engaged 3000+ students to date.

Digital Learning Lab

The Digital Learning Lab series presents experiential, hands-on learning sessions. Two summer offerings are now open for enrollment:

  • Digital Learning Lab graphic showing a laptop with Canvas on the screen.
    June 16 11:00 a.m. to Noon: Explore Canvas Rubrics as a way to set up customized assessment criteria for grading and feedback.
  • Aug 9 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.: Explore how Canvas Groups, which makes available to students, a small version of a course, can be used as a collaborative tool where students can work together on group projects and assignments.

Enroll in one or more of the Digital Learning Labs.

August faculty development offerings open for enrollment

Teaching with Technology Retreat

Academic Technology Support Services (ATSS) invites instructors to attend one or more sessions of the Teaching with Technology Retreat. These half-day online workshops are informed by the Guidelines for Online Teaching and Design, as well as insights learned from faculty and student focus groups. These hands-on sessions offer instructors time and support as they ready their course sites for Fall 2022. See retreat topics and enroll in one or more sessions.