|
|
Welcome! What's happening in the world of FASE EdTech this month? As we head into the Fall term, we are excited to relaunch a series of hands-on Learning Together Sessions to help FASE instructors get their Quercus courses ready (see Tip 01), both in person and online. What's happening over the next few months? Presenting at faculty meetings and orientation sessions, along with consultations will begin to pick up (book a 1-1 consultation) which we always look forward to because it’s an opportunity to meet with new and returning faculty and discuss how to make things a bit easier or more effective with the tools that are available (see Tip 02). For those who prefer meeting in person, we are happy to meet in our ETO Office or the Media Studio (see Tip 04). Meanwhile, the ETO will be ramping up on post-production for the Dynamics course which includes video recording sessions in the ETO studio using a lightboard (see Behind-The-Scenes). If you do one thing after reading this newsletter, consider signing up for an upcoming Start Strong session. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1. Start Strong this fall with your Quercus course |
|
| |
| The sessions will be offered both online via Zoom and in person at the ETO Filming Studio for flexible, personalized support. To register for the in-person sessions, select the session date from the Bookings calendar link. Session 1: Build and Organize Your Course
In Person: Monday, August 24 (2:00–2:30 p.m.) and Tuesday, September 1 (2:00–2:30 p.m.) – select your preferred date from the calendar.
Online: Tuesday, August 25 (10–10:30 a.m.) and Wednesday, September 2 (10–10:30 a.m.) – select your preferred date from the calendar. Session 2: Assess and Grade in Quercus
In Person: Thursday, August 27 (2:00–2:30 p.m.)
Online: Friday, August 28 (10–10:30 a.m.) Session 3: Assess and Grade in Crowdmark
In Person: Wednesday, September 2 (2:00–2:30 p.m.)
Online: Thursday, September 3 (10–10:30 a.m.) Session 4: Communicate with Your Students
In Person: Thursday, September 3 (2:00–2:30 p.m.)
Online: Friday, September 4 (10–10:30 a.m.) |
|
| Connect: The Start Strong: Learning Together sessions are interactive and they will not be recorded. If you can’t make a session, and are interested in this topic, please book a consultation. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2. Review the latest Quercus Updates (August 2026) |
|
|
| This month’s update highlights the new Quercus Portfolio tool, the ePortfolios (Legacy) retirement update, the new Crowdmark grading interface, and Quizzical’s upcoming retirement in August 2026. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quercus Update: The new Canvas Portfolio tool is now available in Quercus, providing instructors with a way to support portfolio-based learning activities. The retirement date for Quercus ePortfolios (Legacy) has also been extended to December 30, 2026. Crowdmark Update: The new Crowdmark grading interface officially replaced the legacy grading interface on July 15, 2026 and is now the default for all Crowdmark courses. Quizzical Update: Quizzical is reaching the end of its life cycle in August 2026, and will no longer be actively supported.
|
|
|
Engage: If you’re interested in using a new tool or have questions about how to transition from a retired tool, contact the ETO (fase.edtech@utoronto.ca) to discuss how we can support your teaching and assessment goals. |
|
|
|
|
3. Read our new guide to multi-factor authentication (MFA) for in-person Quercus assessments |
|
|
|
|
|
Behind-The-ScenesRecording in the ETO StudioOver the summer months we recorded several instructional videos using the lightboard and the green screen. Prof. Fatemeh Jazinizadeh collaborated with the ETO to produce a series of instructional videos that will be included in a digital textbook that is being developed for a core first-year engineering course. The lightboard format let her work through equations and diagrams in real time while facing the camera. Prof. Karen Smith made use of the studio's green screen and teleprompter to record a new short course joining the Centre for Climate Science and Engineering's existing library of e-learning modules. Unlike the lightboard approach, this production followed a fully scripted format, with instructor-provided visuals composited in during post-production. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prof. Fatemeh Jazinizadeh used the lightboard to explain the system of particles. |
|
|
| The green screen and teleprompter set-up for Prof. Karen Smith’s video series on climate change. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you’re curious to learn more about creating reusable video content in the studio for your FASE course, email the ETO at fase.edtech@utoronto.ca and we would be happy to set-up a consultation with you. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4. Visit the ETO Offices and Filming StudioTo help visitors navigate to the ETO Office and Filming Studio ahead of their in-person consultations or recording sessions, we've put together two walkthrough videos guiding you step-by-step from arrival to our door. Featuring ETO team member Marisa, the videos were shot using our new gimbal which allowed for smooth, flexible motion shots throughout the walk. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quick tech tipUse Copilot to Improve the Accessibility and Readability of Quercus PagesClear, well-structured Quercus pages can make course content easier for students to read and navigate. Microsoft Copilot can help you reorganize and refine your content with accessibility and readability in mind. Try it:Open the U of T–protected version of Microsoft Copilot. Provide Copilot with the content you want to improve, such as a Quercus page, assignment instructions, weekly learning materials, or an announcement. Only upload documents you have permission to use and share. Try a prompt such as: Review and revise this content for a Quercus page. Improve its accessibility and readability using the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 as a reference. Use descriptive headings in a logical hierarchy, short paragraphs, meaningful link text, and bulleted or numbered lists where appropriate. Use clear, concise language while maintaining the original meaning. If you generate HTML, use only HTML elements and attributes supported by the Canvas HTML Editor Allowlist. Review the revised content before adding it to Quercus. Check that the information is accurate, the heading structure makes sense, links are descriptive, and any images have appropriate alternative text.
|
|
| Tip:Copilot can help identify opportunities to improve the structure and readability of your content, but it does not replace an accessibility review. After adding your content to Quercus, use the Rich Content Editor Accessibility Checker to check your page. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Faculty questions of the weekEach week we answer a real question that we've received about Quercus and other Academic Toolbox and media tools, keeping the questions timely and relevant to you. You can select a question to read the full inquiry and response or see all previous faculty questions of the week. Read the faculty questions of the week |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Worthwhile clicks from the web |
|
| Looking for something to read/watch/listen to? Each month we round up things that we've interacted with that we think are worth sharing: Why Good Evidence Sometimes Fails to Change Our Minds | The Science of Learning From the blog: “Simply presenting compelling evidence is rarely enough to change professional thinking. Genuine conceptual change requires something more.” This blog presents three challenges that professional educators face when they are resistant to conceptual change. Learning in the Age of Algorithmic Video | The Learning Dispatch From the article: “Video learning is now embedded in a thicket of habits that simply were not part of the laboratory paradigm from 30 years ago and which will seem alien to anyone over a certain age.” This article examines what we know about how students watch videos now and discusses how the science designed to evaluate the effectiveness of instructional videos must catch up. Designing a Course Students Want to Screenshot | Faculty Focus From the article: “When a student opens a course page and the layout is consistent, the visual hierarchy is clear, and the typography is readable, they spend less mental energy orienting themselves and more mental energy on the content.” A professor shares a breakdown of how she thoughtfully designed her Canvas courses to give students a consistent, recognizable experience from the moment they opened the page.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| A picture is worth a thousand words, or at least whatever we can fit in the description! Here are a few photos taken by the ETO team during the summer months: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Boardwalk to Lake Huron (Inga Breede) |
|
|
|
| Strawberry picking (Yun Wu) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ETO headshots (Left to right: Marisa, Anna, James) |
|
|
|
| A great shot of espresso (James Zhan) |
|
|
|
| The perfect fit (Anna Limanni) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
