Tech inspired tips, tricks, and inspirations in “byte-sized,” know-how chunks hosted by APSU Distance Education.
Join one of our dynamic 30-minute sessions this semester!
Closing the Loop: Effective Academic Feedback Strategies in D2L
Date: February 5, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM CT
This presentation offers a comprehensive overview of feedback mechanisms within D2L Brightspace, including the Gradebook, Assignments, Quizzes, and the Quick Eval tool. Participants will learn how to create, manage, and release feedback, so it is visible and accessible to students, while applying best practices to deliver timely, effective feedback that supports student learning and instructional efficiency.
Grammarly: Exploring the Latest Features for Improved Writing
Date: February 12, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM CT
Our Grammarly Customer Success Manager, Laura Barker, will join this TechBytes session to introduce new Grammarly features available to APSU faculty. The session will cover Grammarly's writing surface in Docs, including the built-in AI agents that support the writing process, as well as Authorship, a feature that provides visibility into how text was created and revised. We’ll focus on how these tools can support writing instruction, academic integrity, and transparent conversations around AI use in coursework.
Session TBA
Date: March 5, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM CT
Concourse Syllabus: Faculty Essentials for Streamlined Syllabus Management
Date: April 9
Time: 11:30 AM CT
APSU is standardizing syllabi with Concourse to ensure consistency and compliance across courses. In this quick virtual training, faculty will learn how to access, edit, and save syllabi directly in D2L. Join us to streamline your syllabus process and get set up for success!
Spring Recordings
Barnes & Noble First Day 101: How Course Materials Work in D2L
This presentation is designed for Barnes & Noble First Day faculty users and showcases how the program integrates with the LMS using LTI 1.3. It covers how First Day works in D2L and outlines the available courseware delivery methods, including digital, physical, mixed, and publisher-hosted materials, to help ensure students have access to required content by the first day of class.
Past Semesters
Vendor Webinar: Instructor Training on Respondus LockDown Browser
This training webinar is designed for instructors using LockDown Browser with online
exams. It covers how to prevent digital cheating, configure advanced settings, integrate
external tools securely, understand the student experience, and apply best practices
for success. A Q&A session is also included.
Turnitin AI Detector
AI detectors are not the single golden solution to combat unapproved AI usage in written
assignments. They are one piece, one data point contributing to the overall puzzle.
The Distance Education staff discusses other pieces in the AI puzzle including suggestions
for addressing AI writing in your courses, the Turnitin AI writing detector tool,
and exploring the detector’s results.
Vendor Webinar: Unleashing the Power of Honorlock
Our Customer Success Manager, Nataly Lopez, returns for a comprehensive training session
and provides updates on the proctoring solution!
Accessibility First: Enhance Your Course with Panorama
This session shows how Panorama, integrated within D2L, helps faculty develop more
accessible course materials. Learn how this powerful tool automatically scans documents,
provides accessibility reports, and generates alternative formats for diverse learning
needs. With new ADA regulations taking effect in April 2026, now is the time to ensure
your courses meet compliance standards.
Level Up Your Course Content with D2L Creator+
Our Senior Instructional Designers lead a training session on Creator+, a D2L tool
that brings interactivity to your course content. They cover tool basics, best practices
for using elements and layouts, and share examples and templates to help instructors
get started.
Getting Started Right
This insightful session provides essential resources to help faculty and students
get started successfully by highlighting key strategies and resources to enhance D2L courses.
AI and Online Instruction
This session explores techniques for adapting course requirements and assignments
to either incorporate or deter AI usage, along with ideas for leveraging AI in course design.
Accessibility Essentials: Ensuring Inclusive Online Content
The Instructional Design team discusses the importance of accessibility in digital
content. Gain an understanding of the essential requirements for making digital content
accessible and watch some demonstrations of some of the most effective tools for evaluating
and enhancing accessibility. This interactive workshop equips faculty with knowledge
and skills to meet accessibility standards.
Engage & Elevate: Mastering Regular & Substantive Interaction
Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) in Distance Education courses is a federal
requirement. In this session, Dr. Anna Carrie Webb provides an overview of RSI. She
also addresses faculty questions and scenarios regarding the regulation.
The 411 on the AOQF
Distance Education created the APSU Online Quality Fundamentals (AOQF) to promote
continuous improvement of online course quality, capitalize on faculty expertise,
and increase participation in course reviews. Learn more about the five fundamentals,
being an AOQF Peer Reviewer, and the success of the program's launch.
Fall 2025 Semester Wrap-up & Updates
In this wrap-up presentation, we focus on the key priorities for the upcoming semester.
Additionally, we will provide important updates and reminders regarding D2L Brightspace
and our technological tools.
Spring 2025 Semester Wrap-up & Updates
In this wrap-up presentation, we explore Distance Education updates, focusing on important reminders and the latest advancements with our tech tools and LMS.
Best Practices for the D2L Gradebook
This webinar focuses on key elements of setting up a Gradebook in D2L while highlighting
best practices that will simplify grading workflow, ensure accurate grade calculation,
and enhance students’ understanding of their course grades.
Master Your Media: Unlock the Power of D2L's Media Library
Media Library offers simple features for media creation, storage, and streaming to
any of your courses from a centralized repository in D2L. This native D2L tool can
be used to record audio, screen capture, and/or camera inputs for course content,
assignment directions, feedback to students, and more. Alexandra Rotzer, Instructional
Technology Specialist, demonstrates how to create recordings, organize media with
effective naming conventions, and generate captions – all without leaving D2L or downloading
an application.
D2L Updates
Our LMS team explores the latest updates within D2L Brightspace, specifically the
Locker tool within Groups, the revamped Enrollment Experience and the functionality
for assigning Grade Exemptions. This presentation offers valuable insights into leveraging
these updates to optimize your teaching and learning workflows.
D2L Insights Dashboard
In this session, we cover the Insights Dashboard available to instructors and administrators. Brightspace Insights, integrated with the D2L Brightspace Data Platform, offers user-friendly reporting visualizations for a comprehensive overview of users within the learning environment. This empowers instructors to effectively track, assess, and monitor student progress.
The D2L Gradebook & Turnitin
The D2L support team covers the nuances of the D2L gradebook and answer any questions
you may have about this complex but helpful tool. Also, learn about Turnitin and
how the tool can help with academic integrity and expedite paper and other text-based
assignment grading.
Group Work and Peer Reviews in D2L
This session demonstrates how you can increase student participation and active learning
in your online course by using the Group tool in D2L. In addition to fostering collaboration
and increasing engagement in your online course, explore other strategies for incorporating
partnered and small group opportunities, like peer reviews using the Discussion Boards
tool.
Media Mastery: Navigating the YuJa Transition
Access to YuJa Media Management will end on December 16. Transitioning your course
media may feel overwhelming, but this TechBytes session guides you through the process
step by step. It also covers the D2L Media Library—a built-in, centralized tool for
creating, storing, and sharing media within your courses. We also highlight additional
media licenses available to faculty that can enhance and elevate your course content.
Getting Started with Camtasia
Casey Seiter from TechSmith covers the the complete video creation workflow, from
recording to production and export. In this webinar, he demonstrates how to properly
prepare for your recording or screencast. Get an overview of the interface and basic
editing features like cuts, adding text to your video, and other tips and tricks.
Getting Started with Snagit
Casey Seiter from TechSmith covers the basics of Snagit to help you become more efficient
and comfortable using its various features. In this webinar, he goes over using the
different capture methods, the most useful editing and annotating tools, and sharing
and organizing your captures.
Vendor Webinar: Tutor.com Faculty Training
This Tutor.com session covers best practices, outreach resources, a live demonstration
of the Tutor.com learning environment, and the benefits of online tutoring in improving
student success.