Educational Technologies for Fall 2026

Posted in News

As many of us begin the traditional start of the academic year, we invite you to take a look at the new developments in educational technologies and training opportunities at Georgetown.

Canvas Updates

  • Canvas Learner Dashboard: Canvas is changing the student Dashboard experience on August 15th. The new Dashboard allows students to further customize their Dashboard. If students prefer the original “course card” Dashboard experience, after August 15th students will be able to switch to this view by clicking on the “Courses” tab on the new Dashboard and Canvas will remember this selection for the future.
  • Canvas Links to Course Navigation: Instructors can now easily take any URL link and put it in their course main navigation menu. This tool replaces the inconvenient and awkward old Canvas redirect tool, and can be quite useful. 
  • Canvas Enhanced Rubrics: This update enhances the rubric creation process for instructors, allowing drag-and-drop functionality and better visibility into where rubrics are being used. Other key updates include rubric import and export capabilities and draft and archived rubrics. 
  • Canvas SpeedGrader Update: This update improves the SpeedGrader experience for instructors and TAs who teach large courses or who have complex assignments by improving the performance of the SpeedGrader for faster load times and enhanced stability.
  • Canvas Differentiation Tags: This new feature for instructors and TAs with a confusing name is actually a powerful tool for assigning exams and other work to different student groups with different due dates or other features.

Other Tool Updates

  • Mentimeter: Mentimeter is an online polling tool that allows faculty to create presentations (similar to PowerPoint Presentations) that are interactive and allow students to answer questions and polls anonymously using any device. The number of participants is unlimited. 

Upcoming Events and Trainings

  • Digital Learning Consultations Aug. 20:Join the Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship (CNDLS) and UIS ed tech staff for snacks and one-on-one consultation time. Get your course on Canvas, ask questions about tools, learn what’s possible! Please RSVP if you plan to attend and indicate your modality. The Zoom consultation link may be joined between 11 am and 4 p.m.
  • AI for Teaching and Learning Summer Bootcamp Aug. 17-18: Join CNDLS for an intensive-style program designed to both build faculty AI literacy and provide tools and time for redesigning assignments and integrating AI into course design. Participants will gain hands-on experience with AI tools, explore ethical frameworks and develop practical strategies for teaching and research. The hybrid bootcamp will take place Aug. 17-18, 2026, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. Morning coffee and lunch are included for in-person participants and will be held in the Hoya Hotel, Salon H. Register by Aug. 15, 2026.
  • Self-Paced AI Training: Explore the Georgetown Applied AI Microcredential for Georgetown faculty, staff and students. This course is meant to help you make thoughtful, informed choices about AI in your teaching, learning and research practices. You’ll explore how artificial intelligence intersects with these three areas. You may take the full course, assign it to students or use individual modules in your own teaching or work. Those who successfully complete all modules and assignments can earn a digital badge.
  • Training and Consultations on Teaching, Technology and Teaching With Technology: Faculty and staff can reach out to CNDLS for help witheffective and practical teaching techniques, ranging from pedagogical choices to implementing technology tools. For quick help, “Ring our Doorbell” by filling out this form, and a CNDLS staff member will reach out to schedule a consultation within the hour. More information is available on the CNDLS website.

General Questions and Support

If you have questions or require support:

  • For technical support with Canvas, please email: canvas-help@georgetown.edu
  • For general tech questions, including issues with GUExperience, Zoom, NetID or classroom technology on the Hilltop (including the Medical Center), please email: help@georgetown.edu
  • For help with classroom technology on the Hilltop Campus, please email cets@georgetown.edu
  • For all requests for technology support on the Capitol Campus, please email: caphelp@georgetown.edu