A comprehensive resource by Instructional Design, Engagement and Support team designed to inspire, inform, and elevate your educational practices. Updated monthly, the EdTech IDEAS Digest brings together the latest in technology, strategy, and thought leadership to help you stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of education.
The Digest features three core categories: Trends, Best Practices & Tools, and Point of View.
Featured article
Bring Your Lectures to Life With Canvas Studio
Canvas Studio is a powerful multimedia tool built into Canvas that streamlines the way educators and students interact with video content. It supports content organization and protection, enabling educators to manage their multimedia resources efficiently and safeguard their intellectual property. Instructional Designers Sadaf Rathod and Kevin McKenna provide some ideas on how leveraging Canvas Studio can enhance student engagement and comprehension, making it an invaluable tool for modern teaching practices.
Trends
Stay informed with data-driven insights into global trends in education and skills development. Dive into charts, graphs, and key findings to gain a broader perspective and shape your own strategies with confidence.
The AI Wake-Up Call for Universities: Key Insights from the 2025 EDUCAUSE Survey
An EDUCAUSE survey summarizes current sentiments and experiences related to strategy and leadership, policies and guidelines, use cases, the higher education workforce, and the institutional digital divide.
April 28, 2025
Bridging Gaps in Video Education
Based on findings from two industry surveys, we will highlight key trends and offer recommendations for effective video learning.
March 3, 2025
Higher Education Needs to Continue to Experiment to Meet Learners Needs
McKinsey & Company has published a report that emphasizes the need for both private and public sector leaders to support the development of adaptable skills across all stages of learning, from early childhood to lifelong education.
January 27, 2025
Best Practices and Tools
Explore in-depth reviews of advanced educational technologies and real-world applications of EdTech solutions. Gain practical advice through checklists, frameworks, and actionable recommendations to make learning more engaging and effective.
Bring Your Lectures to Life With Canvas Studio
Canvas Studio is a powerful multimedia tool built into Canvas that streamlines the way educators and students interact with video content. It supports content organization and protection, enabling educators to manage their multimedia resources efficiently and safeguard their intellectual property.
May 19, 2025
Power Up Your Online Course: Proven Tools for Student Engagement
Student engagement is one of the most pressing challenges in online learning. Without physical presence, many instructors struggle to create meaningful interactions and encourage active participation. So, how can online learners stay engaged?
April 22, 2025
Canvas SpeedGrader Now Detects Plagiarism
Plagiarism detection feature is now available for Canvas assignments, simplifying the grading process by eliminating the need for creating Turnitin assignments and offering instructors a single, integrated feedback experience through SpeedGrader.
April 17, 2025
Point of View
Gain fresh perspectives from thought leaders in the educational industry, including voices from UMass and beyond.
Engaging Minds: The Power of Active Learning in the Classroom
Student engagement can be tricky whether you're in a traditional face-to-face class or teaching online. It is one of the most pressing challenges in online learning. Even with physical presence, many instructors struggle to create meaningful interactions and encourage active participation. So, how can learners stay engaged?
April 28, 2025
How Choosing the Right Learning Technologies Enhances Educational Effectiveness
Gamification, AI tutors, microlearning — these and other educational technologies are widely discussed today. However, integrating them into teaching effectively — and determining whether they should be used at all — can be challenging. Slava Yurchenkov, Manager of Instructional Design at UMass Amherst, explains what educational technologies are and how to apply them in course design.
February 24, 2025
From Tool to Temptation: AI’s Impact on Academic Integrity
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the educational landscape, offering tools that personalize learning, automate routine tasks, and expand access to knowledge. With years of research, teaching, and service in the field of educational technology, Dr. Torrey Trust provides a vital perspective on emerging technologies and how they influence learning.
January 27, 2025