May 2025

Canvas Updates 

Design Tools sidebar retirement

Starting May 22, you will no longer be able to access the legacy Design Tools sidebar. The new DesignPLUS sidebar has been the default since January 1. On May 22 it will be the only sidebar available to build content. The keyboard combination to toggle between legacy and new will not work. Consult this Good Practices article DesignPLUS for Canvas: Transition to the New Sidebar to migrate content. 

Link directly to a discussion reply

Beginning May 17, instructors who would like to share a specific thread in a Canvas Discussion with class participants can now get a direct link for that reply. In Discussions, each reply includes a copyable permalink allowing users to share a direct link to that specific reply. If the reply is part of a thread, the thread will expand to reveal all responses that will have the option to get a permalink to.

Canvas New Quizzes updates and migration process

Canvas has a number of new updates to its New Quizzes tool this month.

• Coming May 17, instructors will be able to add a block of text that is not associated with a question anywhere in a New Quiz.
• If you run Student Analysis Reports, check out the changes to the CSV available for download.

Migrating your Classic Quizzes to New Quizzes is now streamlined when you import course content into a new semester shell. During the import process, there is an option to convert content to New Quizzes. Selecting this option will take existing question banks and classic quizzes and import them as Item Banks and New Quizzes. Consider making this migration when you import course content for the fall 2025 semester.

FeedbackFruits Updates

Professor Katy Guthrie shares her success in using FeedbackFruits 

Read Extra Points Empowering Students Through Reflection and AI with FeedbackFruits Peer Review to learn how Katy Guthrie, Teaching Assistant Professor in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Sciences, uses FeedbackFruits to increase student learning in her classes, including science labs. Her experience provides valuable perspectives for instructors looking to enrich their teaching practices with technology-driven solutions.

Blog post on Navigating AI: Keeping pace with AI tools

Are you struggling to keep up with AI? Check out this Extra Points post that aims to provide clarity on the evolving landscape of AI tools and their potential applications in teaching. It categorizes AI tools into types—generative AI, chatbots, AI agents/custom AI assistants, and autonomous AI—and explains their functions use cases. Additionally, it uses an example of creating a writing assignment to illustrate how AI tools could be integrated into the teaching process.

Accessibility of Digital Content and Information Technology policy update

The updated Accessibility of Digital Content and Information Technologypolicy incorporates the new federal standard for digital accessibility: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), Version 2.1, Level AA. This updated policy will take effect April 24, 2026, which aligns with the compliance date set by federal law.

Waiting until the April 24, 2026 deadline is not advisable—accessible digital content should be a priority now. To support these efforts, the following resources are available to your faculty and staff:

• 3Rs Strategy: The 3Rs: remove, revise, and right first framework is a good place to start for everyone working to make digital content accessible.
• Digital Accessibility Resource Guide: This step-by-step guide describes how to create digital content that meets the new accessibility standards and promotes equitable access for disabled community members.
• Unit-Based Support: Each academic unit has designated Academic Digital Accessibility Liaisons (ADALs) to provide additional support. Your ADALs are the creators of your unit’s strategic plan for compliance and are aware of your local needs. These individuals should be your first point of contact for questions or assistance.
• Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA): ODA offers education, support, guidance, accessibility-checking software, and one-on-one consultation. Visit the ODA website to access resources.

If you have any questions or need further support, please reach out to your ADAL.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)

May 15, 2025; 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

The University of Minnesota is hosting a virtual accessibility event to engage in conversation, thinking, and learning about access and inclusion. This year’s theme is “Committing to Change,” which will spark conversations and enhance understanding about digital access and inclusion. Register today for GAAD 2025 to get access to the day’s events, sponsored by UMN, University of Michigan, and University of Illinois and made possible by a volunteer group of dedicated University employees.

Canvas: Gradebook Setup

August 19, 2025; 1–2 p.m.

Join Academic Technology Support Services (ATSS) consultants for a one-hour online demonstration on how to to set up your course gradebook using Canvas assignments, discussions, and quizzes; how to use Speedgrader and rubrics; how to hide and release grades; along with a few other tips to set you up for grading success.

Canvas Clinic

August 19, 2025; 9–noon

August 26, 2025; noon–3 p.m.

Get personalized help setting up your Canvas courses for the semester! The Canvas Clinic is an opportunity for faculty and instructors to get hands-on support and consultation as they work on Canvas course sites. Staff from Information Technology (IT), Library Services, and academic technologists from system campuses will be on hand to help with start-of-semester tasks and course planning assistance. Topics include setting up course sites, creating activities and assessments, and integrating media or other course resources into Canvas. Register for a 30-minute time slot to reserve an appointment time.

Digital Accessibility Series: Create an Accessible Syllabus Using the 7 Core Skills of Digital Accessibility

August 20, 2025; 9:30–10:30 a.m.

This session offers strategies, principles, practices and examples to create an accessible syllabus. Participants will have time to work on their syllabus with facilitator input towards the end of the session. Register to get your fall 2025 learning-centered syllabus ready as a core course document that is accessible, inclusive, and audience aware.

AI in Teaching Series: Crafting Your AI Syllabus Statement: Choose Your Own Adventure!

August 21, 2025; 1–2 p.m.

Whether you are an AI enthusiast or an AI skeptic, don't let generative AI be an ambiguous area in your syllabus. Register for this practical workshop that will assist faculty and instructors in making informed and practical decisions about AI use, and help you craft clear, effective syllabus statements specific to your courses. We will begin by asking faculty and instructors to clarify ideas and expectations regarding generative AI. From there, we will work with University-recommended templates to create your course-specific policies.

AI in Teaching Series: Explore UMN Generative AI tools

August 27, 2025; 1-2 p.m.

Are you interested in exploring the generative AI tools that UMN faculty, staff, and students have access to? Join Academic Technology Support Services staff members to explore how Google Gemini and NotebookLM can assist you.

Digital Accessibility Series: Explore Digital Accessibility Tools: Grackle Docs, UDOIT scan, RCE Checker

August 28, 2025; 1–2 p.m.

Register for Explore Digital Accessibility Tools to review your course content. We will demo the accessibility checker tools in Canvas (RCE checker and UDOIT) and GrackleDocs, the accessibility checker for Google Docs. Participants can use these tools on their own course content, see how the tool reports will highlight accessibility issues in files and help strategize your efforts and focus your time.

Check out more events across all TeachingSupport partners.