We recently welcomed more than 20 new faculty to the Faculty Hub for a series of programs designed to help them get oriented to teaching and scholarship at the University of Richmond. As part of that programming, I had the opportunity to introduce them to the growing collection of digital pedagogy tools available at UR.
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It’s an exciting time. Our digital toolkit has never been more robust. We have a new, modern LMS in Canvas that opens up new possibilities for organizing learning experiences and communicating with students. Faculty now have University Google accounts, making it easier to collaborate and create alongside students. And we continue to explore emerging tools that can support new approaches to teaching, learning, and scholarship.
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But during that session, I also told our new faculty that two of my favorite educational technologies are still the whiteboard and the movable tables in a classroom.
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New technology creates new possibilities, but the goal isn’t to use technology simply because it’s available. It’s to choose the tools—digital or otherwise—that help us create meaningful moments for learning.
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I’m excited to work with you this academic year as we explore what these new tools make possible while continuing to be intentional about when, where, and why we use them.
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Coming Up in the Faculty Hub
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...And beginning Friday, August 28 (meets Fridays through December 4)
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I’ve been reflecting on conversation as both a means of learning and a way for students to demonstrate understanding. This piece from Derek Thompson in The Atlantic gave me some useful framing for that idea. Drawing on Walter Ong’s work on orality and literacy, it explores how different modes of communication shape not just how we share knowledge, but how we think and learn.
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For me, it raises an interesting question for teaching, particularly in an AI-enabled environment: Are we giving students enough opportunities to talk through what they know? Writing remains essential, but conversation asks students to explain, respond, make connections, and adapt their thinking in real time. I’m interested in thinking more intentionally about how we create those moments—and how conversation might increasingly complement written work as evidence of learning.
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Resource Spotlight: Transitioning to Canvas Site
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Still getting comfortable with Canvas? The Transitioning to Canvas site brings together resources to help you get up and running, including short tip sheets and recorded workshops on Modules, Assignments, Discussions, Quizzes, grading and feedback, and more. You can also access the self-paced Growing with Canvas course, find upcoming workshops, or connect with someone for one-on-one support. Whether you’re building your first Canvas course or looking to take the next step, this is a great place to start.
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We are always looking for new and exciting projects and collaborations. Feel free to contact us.
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