10-week summer Generative AI tool pilot program
A new Next.IU pilot is designed to gather faculty feedback on ChatGPT, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and Google Gemini tools, as well as the Canvas AI early adopter program. It's limited to 100 instructors, and the priority deadline is June 6th.
For more details, read the Taking Note column by Anne Leftwich, Associate Vice President for Learning Technologies.
New rules concerning Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act
On April 24, 2026, all digital course materials, including content in the Canvas learning management system, must comply with new federal rules around accessibility. Review the "Minimum digital accessibility guidelines for IU courses" IU Knowledge Base article to ensure your materials meet the new requirements.
Need help? Reach out to your local teaching center, or schedule a consult with IU's Assistive Technology and Accessibility Centers.
Microsoft in Minutes: Granting access to files and folders
Be sure to read this in-depth explanation of the two ways that you can grant someone permission to edit or view a file in Microsoft 365: Share links and Direct access. Both methods can grant access to a file, but there are some significant differences between the two—particularly in how someone accesses the file or folder you've shared.
Read the file access column here.
Eighth annual CITL summer reading list
Check out some of the Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning (CITL) staff's favorite teaching and learning focused books they've read over the past academic year. For summer 2025, they've shared five great titles (available as ebooks from IU Libraries) on documenting teaching, generative AI, and relationship rich teaching.
Get the full reading list here.
CITL blog post: Is over-reliance on GenAI undermining your course goals?
If so, consider a scaffolded in-class writing assignment with Canvas and LockDown browser. John Robison, lecturer in Philosophy, devised a successful new model for multi-day in class writing where students are prevented from accessing or copying/pasting from programs outside of his Canvas assignment.
Learn more about Robison's approach to teaching critical thinking in the age of AI.
Congratulations to the 2025 XRI Faculty Fellow grant recipients!
Fifteen faculty from across IU received Extended Reality Initiative (XRI) Faculty Fellow Grants to support the development and implementation of XR technologies in their courses. Representing a range of disciplines, the XRI Fellows will help introduce students to using these emerging technologies to enhance their studies and inspire their future careers.
Read about the XRI Fellows and their projects here.
Microsoft Teams Rooms are here
Meeting virtually just got easier. IU is implementing Microsoft Teams Rooms (MTRs) in school and department conference rooms across the university to foster better communication and collaboration for those in the room and connected remotely. With a Teams room, using the technology in the room is more straightforward.
Learn more about Microsoft Teams Rooms.
How to avoid retyping long passwords: Consider using passkeys
Instead of relying on a long string of characters that you must remember and type, passkeys* are encrypted, stored on your devices, and unlocked through biometric authentication or a secure PIN.
Learn about what they are and whether they're for you.
* Note: While IU has not yet implemented passkeys for IU Login, you can use them with the password manager 1Password, which offers a free four-year subscription to current IU students, faculty, and staff. (Log in to the IU Knowledge Base for details.)
Use your words to create imagery in Adobe Firefly
No design skills needed! If you can describe what you're looking for, but don't quite know how to create it—let Adobe Firefly help. Firefly uses generative AI models that can turn inputs (prompts) like text and images into new content.
Learn how to make your creative vision a reality with Firefly.