December 2025 EdTech Tips

In this Issue

Here we go! Read the entire newsletter or jump to the tip you're interested in:

1. Wrap up your Quercus course at the end of the term

2. Start Strong for Winter 2026

3. Read what the ETO learned at ProFusion 2025

Don't miss our regular features: Quick Tech Tip | Faculty Questions of the Week | Worthwhile Clicks from the Web | Through Our Lens

Hello << Test First Name >> << Test Last Name >>,

What's happening in the world of FASE EdTech this month? As we approach the University’s holiday closure, the Education Technology Office (ETO) is putting the finishing touches on a few special projects, and providing support to any instructors who are wrapping up their Fall course (see Tip 01) or planning ahead for the Winter term (see Tip 02).

What's happening over the next few months? We’re always looking for ways to improve our production process (see Tip 03) which is especially important for the next few months as we’re scheduled to record a few special captures this month including a lecture panel discussion, a client testimonial video, and more videos for the Construction and Development course, all of which will be edited in the new year.

Holiday Closure Reminder: The EdTech Office will be closed for the university holiday break from December 24, 2025, and will reopen on January 5, 2026. We’ll respond to all inquiries received during this period as soon as we’re back in the new year. If you need support during the closure, especially with Academic Toolbox tools (Quercus, Crowdmark, etc.), please refer to the self-directed guides on the EdTech support site  or contact Quercus Help (q.help@utoronto.ca) for assistance.

See you in the new year!

1. Wrap up your Quercus course at the end of the term

The ETO’s Start Strong: Learning Together returns in preparation for the Winter 2026 term. This series of hands-on workshops aims to help FASE instructors get their Quercus courses ready for the next term.

Quick Tech Tip

Staying organized with the Quercus Gradebook

The Quercus Gradebook keeps all your grading in a secure, online space, so you don’t have to juggle spreadsheets or worry about lost files. It also makes sharing feedback easy – students can see their grades and feedback as soon as you post them.  

Benefits for instructors:

• Keep all grades and feedback in one place

• Grade quickly using SpeedGrader

• Easily flag missing or late work

• Choose when grades and feedback become visible to students  

Benefits for students:

• Access to grades and feedback

• Indicators for work that’s due or missing

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

If a student drops the course or changes sections, their grades and submissions disappear from your Gradebook.

That’s why it’s important to export a copy of your Gradebook regularly, especially after grading assignments and again at the end of the term. It only takes a few minutes and it ensures you have a complete record in case you need it later.

NOTES:

1. Letter grades are not included in the Gradebook export.

2. By default, the Quercus Gradebook Grade Posting Policy is set for manual release of grades, meaning that grades and comments stay hidden from students until you post them.

In the beginning of November, Inga, Marisa, and James attended the ProFusion Expo, a free annual photo and video imaging event, to see some of the latest advancements in audiovisual technology and to learn from and connect with other AV professionals.

Faculty questions of the week

Each 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 on the question to read the full inquiry and response or see all previous faculty questions of the week.

Read the faculty question of the week

How can I check for colour contrast in PowerPoint? (November 20, 2025)
I heard that colour contrast is important for accessibility; is there a standard to use for slide decks? What are some tools that I can use to make sure that my slides meet those standards?

How can I prevent students from different tutorial sections from joining the same self sign-up group in a cross-listed Quercus course? (November 6, 2025)
My course has one lecture and several tutorial sections cross-listed into one Quercus shell. Students need to self sign-up for a group assignment –how can I ensure students only join groups within their own tutorial section?

New ETO Technical Guide

We update and create new technical guides as questions come in and changes are made to systems. This month, we have a new guide that explains how students can view their grades and feedback in Crowdmark after their graded assessment has been returned by the instructor: How do I view my grades and feedback in Crowdmark?

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:

• Analog Inspiration: Human Centered AI in the Classroom | Teaching In Higher Ed From the podcast: “I hope we don't abandon the decades of research that has shown the benefits of peer learning, of caring, belonging, and relationships in the classroom.” In this podcast episode, educational developer Carter Moulton talks about his Analog Inspiration (AI) card deck and human centered AI in the classroom.

• Beyond Breakout Rooms: Deepening Learning with Collaborative Whiteboards | Faculty Focus From the article: “If we can strategically find ways to use digital technologies grounded in adult learning theory, we can strengthen the learning experience, enhance learning outcomes, and bridge the gap between theory and content delivery.” This article explores how collaborative whiteboards can help in synchronous learning classrooms. 

• Knowledge is Worth Your Time | Notes from the Edge of Space-Time From the blog: “Knowledge is humanity's spiritual birthright. Making it, playing with it, revising it, sifting through it, making sense of it -- it is baked into who we are as a species.” In this opinion piece, theoretical physicist Chanda Prescod-Weinstein shares her thoughts on the importance of building knowledge through foundational coursework.

Through Our Lens

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 over the last month:

Engineering band at the Santa Parade

(Inga Breede)

Japanese Tea Festival

(Yun Wu)

Meeting Gerald Undone

at ProFusion 2025
(James Zhan)

Cat cuddles

(Maggie Laidlaw)

Lighting techniques at ProFusion 2025
(Marisa Curmi)