Tech inspired tips, tricks, and inspirations in “byte-sized,” know-how chunks hosted by APSU Distance Education.
The updated schedule will be posted soon. Stay Tuned!
Fall 2025
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.
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.
Media Mastery: Navigating the YuJa Transition (opens new window)
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 (opens new window)
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 (opens new window)
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.
Level Up Your Course Content with D2L Creator+ (opens new window)
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.
Vendor Webinar: Instructor Training on Respondus LockDown Browser (opens new window)
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.
Past Semesters
Turnitin AI Detector (opens new window)
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 (opens new window)
Our Customer Success Manager, Nataly Lopez, returns for a comprehensive training session
and provides updates on the proctoring solution!
Getting Started Right (opens new window)
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 (opens new window)
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 (opens new window)
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 (opens new window)
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 (opens new window)
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.
Spring 2025 Semester Wrap-up & Updates (opens new window)
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 (opens new window)
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 (opens new window)
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 (opens new window)
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 (opens new window)
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 (opens new window)
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 (opens new window)
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.
Vendor Webinar: Tutor.com Faculty Training (opens new window)
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.