Teaching with Technology: October 2026

Ensure Canvas course due dates are accurate using the bulk update tool

Accurate due dates on Canvas assignments, quizzes, and graded discussions are essential as students rely heavily on automated system notifications to keep track of their coursework. Unless an activity does not specifically require a deadline, adding a due date is one of the most effective ways to guide student engagement and time management.

The Academic Technology team has consistently encouraged instructors to verify that all graded coursework has deadlines aligned with the current term. A frequent issue occurs when course materials are imported from previous semesters without updating the deadlines. A recent internal report analyzing published learning activities in Canvas revealed that more than 20% currently lack a valid due date for this Fall 2026.

Please review your course sites to ensure all learning activities have up-to-date deadlines. To streamline this process, use the bulk due date update tool to adjust assignment, quiz, and discussion dates across your entire course at once, including any differentiated deadlines for specific sections, groups, or students. Keeping these dates current helps ensure students receive timely reminders and stay on track.

FeedbackFruits updates

Automatic captions and improved rubric imports

Machine-generated captions are now automatically created for any audio or video recorded or uploaded within FeedbackFruits activities (like Interactive Video/Audio or student Peer Review submissions), with the option for instructors to edit them before publishing. Additionally, importing rubrics now maintains exact point values (including decimals), criterion ordering, and rating levels—saving you setup time and ensuring your Canvas rubrics transfer seamlessly.

Kaltura updates 

Updated resource list for recent user interface (UI) upgrades in Kaltura

After recent UI upgrades in Kaltura in Canvas and MediaSpace, we have updated relevant resources. Check out the following resources for the most up to date information:

• Kaltura MediaSpace: Preserve Media Content
• Kaltura v7 Player Features (formerly “Kaltura Player v2 vs Player v7 Comparison”)
• Kaltura: Edit Captions (formerly “Find and Edit Captions”)
• Kaltura: Manage and Moderate Kaltura Media Gallery
• Kaltura: Add Media Using Kaltura in the Canvas Rich Content Editor
• Kaltura: View and Search Video Contents in the Media Gallery
• Kaltura: Add, Remove, and Import Videos in the Media Gallery
• Kaltura: Manage Video Permissions
• Kaltura: Use Chapters to Navigate Within Videos
• Kaltura: View, Download, and Manage Media Flavors

Updates to other resources are in process.

Professional video production at no extra cost

Did you know video production specialists are available to faculty and instructional staff at no extra cost? Whether you want to record polished lecture videos, feature subject-matter interviews, or film hands-on demonstrations, our team is here to help with full-service recording and editing.

Popular Video Services:

• Lecture Recording: Seamlessly integrate presenter video with presentation slides.
• Interviews: Professional setups to capture expert conversations.
• Learning Glass Board: Create dynamic visual explanations while facing your audience.
• On-Location Demonstrations: On-site filming for practical, real-world instruction.

Studio Locations & Remote Support:

• West Bank Campus: Main production studio.
• East Bank Campus: Specialized studio setup for interviews.
• Other Campuses: Remote production services available to UMC, UMD, UMM and UMR.

Explore the Academic Video Production website to see examples of our work and to request a consultation.

Register for the 2026 UMN annual Digital Accessibility Summit

All UMN faculty and staff are invited to attend the UMN Digital Accessibility Summit, held via Zoom on Oct. 21, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (lunch break from noon-1 p.m.). The Digital Accessibility Summit is a space for our university community to celebrate the accessibility progress we’ve made together, share insights and strategies, and learn actionable ways to create inclusive digital experiences. Take time to connect, reflect, and look ahead with colleagues from all campuses. 

Event schedule

• 10-10:45 a.m.: Building an Inclusive Campus: Progress, Priorities, and the Road Ahead
  • Speakers: Khaled Musa, Luke Kudryashov, DM Lavoie, Neal Sorensen
• 11 a.m.- noon: Beyond the Deadline Panel: Building Sustainable Accessibility into Unit Workflows
  • Panelists: Kelly Auxier, Becky Nortebon, Micki Fasteland, and Paul McLagan
• 1-1:45 p.m.: Under the Hood: Engineering Accessible Docs, Slides, and Sheets
  • Speakers: Kalli-Ann Binkowski and Amanda Schmit
• 2-3 p.m. Impact in Action Panel: Elevating Teaching and Learning Through Accessibility
  • Panelists: Students Charlie Kroells and Lasya Makinedi; Instructors Anna Milone and Steven Saliterman

Register on the ODA events page today!

Canvas site design that works: Principles from Hall of Fame award recipients

Tuesday, Oct. 27; 11 a.m.- noon (via Zoom)

Come hear advice from instructors who were award recipients for the Canvas Course Site Hall of Fame for the 2025-2026 academic year. Instructors will share practical, award-winning strategies for organizing and designing your Canvas course site for clarity, consistency, and student success. Registration is required for this session.

Check out more events across all TeachingSupport partners.