Instructional Media Lab

From TikTok to Classroom Standards: Making Classrooms More Connected and Engaged

Two students working posting post-it notes on wall.

In the sixth meeting of the Instructional Innovation Fellows (IIF) this March, Li Hou and Kelsey Whipple presented on the topics of using Tik Tok in Chinese language learning to make language learning more relevant and connected to students and the importance of collaboratively creating classroom standards to promote safe and inclusive learning communities respectively.…

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Wrapping up your Spring 2023 semester

Lightbulb in a thought cloud on a chalkboard

At the end of each semester, we recommend instructors take steps to preserve their course contents from the Learning Management System (Moodle or Blackboard), and archive student work and grades. Download any Zoom recordings Zoom recordings are only kept within the system for 120 days after they were made. To keep them longer, you’ll need…

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May 2023 Moodle News

Sunflower background with forest at the back an a caw at the front

This month’s Moodle news include Requesting Moodle and Echo360 courses, Moodle Tip of the Month, Moodle updates and downtimes, and Moodle Help and Resources. 

May 2023 Blackboard News

moodle cow with flower crown in a field of wildflowers

This month’s Blackboard news include Requesting Blackboard and Echo360 courses, Blackboardd Tip of the Month, Blackboard updates and downtimes, and Blackboardd Help and Resources. 

Welcome to Canvas – Sandbox and Training Course Announcement

With the recent announcement of the move to Canvas as the single UMass LMS, we’re excited to help you ease into learning the new LMS and get started. Canvas is a user-friendly learning management system that allows you to create engaging online course content and activities. View the multi-year transition plan. Ask a Canvas question (canvastransition@umass.edu)…

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April 2023 Moodle News

Sunflower background with forest at the back an a caw at the front

This month’s Moodle news include Requesting Moodle and Echo360 courses, Moodle Tip of the Month, Moodle updates and downtimes, and Moodle Help and Resources. 

April 2023 Blackboard News

The Moodle cow in a field of yellow flowers on a sunny day.

This month’s Blackboard news include Requesting Blackboard and Echo360 courses, Blackboardd Tip of the Month, Blackboard updates and downtimes, and Blackboardd Help and Resources. 

Empowering Students through Knowledge Co-Creation: Innovative Approaches to 21st-Century Learning

an instructor high fiving a student.

On a bright and crisp morning on March 8th, 2023, the 5th meeting of the Instructional Innovative Fellows convened at Bartlett Hall. Three innovative fellows shared their unique approaches to teaching, centered around promoting learners’ agency and co-creating educational resources for 21st-century learning. Kelsey Whipple proposed utilizing the University Museum of Contemporary Art (UMCA) to…

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ChatGPT and Emerging Technologies- How IDEAS Innovation Fellows are Embracing Change in Their Teaching

a small robot looking up at the camera

This Spring, the  Instructional Innovation Fellowship (IIF) meetings resumed with exciting discussions on how to embrace technology, including A.I. tools and social media, to give students agency in their learning, and promote critical thinking skills and professional readiness. In our fourth meeting since the fellowship launched in the Fall 2022 semester, Elizabeth Mikesch showcased her…

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March 2023 Blackboard News

Cow bust in the snow with a light blue hat and scarf

This month’s Blackboard news include Requesting Blackboard and Echo360 courses, Blackboardd Tip of the Month, Blackboard updates and downtimes, and Blackboardd Help and Resources. 

March 2023 Moodle News

Cow bust in the snow with a light blue hat and scarf

This month’s Moodle news include Requesting Moodle and Echo360 courses, Moodle Tip of the Month, Moodle updates and downtimes, and Moodle Help and Resources. 

Instructional Innovation Fellowship: Looking Ahead to 2023

Group of Instructors seated around a table , and one presenting at a podium.

As we get ready for the Spring 2023 semester here at IDEAS, we are reflecting on last year’s programs. In this blog, we look back at the Instructional Innovation Fellowship (IIF) launched in Fall 2022, and the various projects that fellows implemented in their classrooms to engage students in creative ways and promote learning. We…

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