News

Distance Up Close Newsletter Banner Image

Welcome to the ODL newsletter, which informs faculty about the latest in online design and instruction, teaching and learning technologies (including Canvas), and training and workshop opportunities.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

2024

January/February 2024: Easy Fix course accessibility campaign, online graduate program rankings, outstanding online student, Quality Initiative instructor spotlight, and consultations and workshops

2023

November/December 2023: Spring 2024 Testing Center services, student course evaluation reminder, online learning opportunities for veterans, Quality Initiative instructor spotlight, and ChatGPT and AI resources

September/October 2023: Testing Center soft reopening, updated Quality Matters rubric, course evaluation survey prep, Quality Initiative instructor spotlight, and National Distance Learning Week’s AI workshops

July/August 2023: Fall proctoring services, new FSU Testing Center website, Canvas resources, Quality Initiative instructor spotlight, course quality webinars, and Annoto and Flip training

May/June 2023: Fall course exams at FSU Testing Center, extension of Annoto pilot, Universal Design for Learning tips, New Quizzes update, FSU emergency module, and ChatGPT summer webinars

March/April 2023: Spotlighting online quality-certified instructors, student perspective on course quality, course evaluation resources, scanning services, and ODL media production services

January/February 2023: FSU Course Evaluation module, best online program rankings, new online nursing program and certificates, student technology funding awards, and professional development for faculty

2022

November/December 2022: Student writing tool, Excellence in Online Teaching award winner, vlogging video kit, program licensure, accessible equation editor, and New Quizzes transition update

September/October 2022: Preparation for student course evaluations, Excellence in Online Teaching award winner, scanning services, National Distance Learning Week, and professional development training opportunities

July/August 2022: Pilot for video collaboration tool, Excellence in Online Teaching award winner, instructor checklist for fall, training on course quality, media production services, and new online programs and certificates

May/June 2022: Media production shoot in Mexico, Excellence in Online Teaching award winner, quick tips for course quality, technology funding awards, New Quizzes summer training

March/April 2022: Engaging students in course evaluations, scanning services during finals, PDF accessibility tool, New Quizzes transition, student engagement tools, and discounted IT certification

January/February 2022: New Quizzes extended timeline, top-ranked online graduate programs, new video technologies, training opportunities, engagement and file cleanup tools, and course evaluation updates

2021

July/August 2021: Online quality design and Canvas orientation courses, technology funding awards, FSU Libraries’ eTextbook program and alterative textbook grants, and FSU Testing Center and scanning services

March/April 2021: Video production tutorials, interactive video tool PlayPosit, annotation tool Hypothesis, social learning tool Yellowdig, Ally and accessibility fixes, and ODL Technical Support team

January/February 2021: PlayPosit pilot, Ally resources, online graduate program rankings, flex course strategies, spring Testing Center services, and annotation and collaboration tools

 

2020

September/October 2020: Remote teaching video recordings, media production support, new online workshops, Testing Center services, Ally pilot results, and licensure & certification portal


January/February 2020: Online program rankings, virtual teaching and learning conference, Testing Center procedural updates, Kaltura conference takeaways, and course template updates

 

2019

November/December 2019: New student-centered website, Testing Center certification, Quality Matters workshop, Zoom web conferencing, proctored testing fees, and spring Canvas training


September/October 2019: Open educational resources, library services for distance learning faculty, Follett Access textbook program, FSU virtual computer lab, and Testing Center exam scheduler tool


July/August 2019: Quality course design, Quality Matters rubric, course template, online teaching tips, streaming media course reserves, FSU Emergency Module, and Kaltura video display bug fix


May/June 2019: Ally pilot update, course content and accessibility, universal design for learning guidelines, Student Disability Resource Center, assistive technology, and color contrast analysis tool


March/April 2019: Online retention strategies, online student support course, internships, distance library services, reading and writing online tutoring, and new Kaltura media storage policy 


January/February 2019: Testing Center leadership, spring course evaluations, online evaluation response rates, online program rankings, using course dates in Canvas, and Gradebook tips

 

2018

November/December 2018: Helping out with hurricane recovery, updated proctor request system, online STEM labs, fall finals, Canvas spring training, and Kaltura Personal Capture recording tool


September/October 2018: Learning Online @ FSU, scanning services, academic integrity, discussion boards, Kaltura video storage policy, and open textbook workshop


July/August 2018: Prepping for the fall semester, rapid-drop scanning services, fall Canvas workshops, InstructureCon presentation, Collaborations tool, and technology tips


May/June 2018: Blackboard retirement, summer training, technology funding awards, course introduction videos, Canvas mailing lists, SpeedGrader, and technology tips


March/April 2018: Course evaluation process, Canvas user survey, spring finals schedule, universal design for learning guidelines, and Accessibility Checker and New Gradebook tools


January/February 2018: Online program rankings, state authorization, resources for course accessibility, Canvas training, attendance tool, and technology tips

 

2017

November/December 2017: Fall finals week, study tips for students, online mentor training course, Canvas training in the Republic of Panama, Canvas boot camps, BigBlueButton, and technology tips


September/October 2017: Canvas Week campus-wide training, Canvas migration progress, course migration assistance, Canvas tips for instructors and students, Turnitin, and fiscal talking points


August 2017: Kaltura Media automatic captioning, state authorization update, Design Tools, Canvas training opportunities, technology tips, and back-to-school reminders for instructors


July 2017: Summer online course evaluations, Canvas training opportunities, one-on-one technical support consultations, and technology tips