Happy New Year and happy new semester! As the spring semester begins, we’re sharing a collection of our TLOS Top 10 updates, resources, and opportunities to support your teaching, course management, and professional development. We encourage you to review the items most relevant to you and take action where needed to ensure a smooth semester ahead.

1. Tell Us About How You Use LinkedIn Learning
   TLOS is gathering data on how LinkedIn Learning is being used at Virginia Tech. Please take a few minutes to respond to this short survey to let us know how you use LinkedIn Learning.

2. Prepare for Enhanced 2FA with Respondus LockDown Browser
   Virginia Tech is upgrading to enhanced 2-factor authentication (2FA), and methods such as SMS messages and phone calls will eventually be phased out. Please instruct your students to set up a new 2FA device or method now to avoid issues later: Enrolling, Adding, Managing, or Removing a Duo 2FA Device.
   
   To help students test their setup, create a practice exam in your course before administering your first assessment using Respondus LockDown Browser or Respondus Monitor. This helps confirm both the technical setup and the student experience are working correctly. Reminder: If you used Respondus in a Canvas course that you copied to this semester, you must open the Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) tool from your new Canvas course at least once. This step establishes the connection for the new course. If you skip this step, students will get errors and will not be able to access the assessment. For additional best practices see Using Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor (for Instructors).

3. Review the Latest Canvas Updates
   We’ve collected an overview of the latest Canvas updates and features released since last semester. Learn about Scheduled Feedback in the Gradebook, a new View Hidden Grades Indicator, and more.

4. Start Learning About Panopto
   To meet the evolving needs of faculty, staff, and students, Virginia Tech has selected Panopto as the university’s new video content management system (VCMS). Panopto, which will replace Kaltura, will provide interactive video, lecture capture, streaming media, mobile compatibility, video storage, and integration with other Virginia Tech tools like Canvas and Zoom. Enhanced features include support for audio descriptions, a video analytics dashboard, and customizable system settings. Panopto will be available in early 2026 for use in training and to facilitate the transition from Kaltura. Video content stored in Kaltura will be migrated to Panopto, and videos embedded in Canvas course sites will be relinked. Kaltura will remain available through the end of the spring 2026 semester. Learn more about the Kaltura to Panopto transition.

5. Note Upcoming Changes to Your Canvas Course List
   As we shared in May 2025, Canvas sites used to support for-credit courses that were taught prior to 2021 are being archived. Following our course archiving standard, we have copied all courses up through the fall 2021 semester into our course archive (roughly 50,000 courses). By mid-February, we will remove all courses from fall 2021 and earlier from Canvas. After the removal, you will only see courses from 2022 forward in your “All courses” list. Only officially provisioned courses are included in our archiving process, so manually created courses from before 2022 will still be available. If you discover you need content from an older (archived) course, you can ask for a course to be unarchived.

6. Update References to Canvas Credentials 
   Canvas Credentials (originally known as Badgr) has been renamed Parchment Digital Badges. This rebranding is the first step in streamlining Canvas’ digital credentialing offerings and services, with future enhancements to come. While vt.badgr.com redirects to vt.badges.parchment.com, please begin updating any references to the older name and URL in your course materials. To learn more about the change, see Instructure’s blog post.

7. Use the Digital Accessibility Playbook
   Creating accessible digital content can seem overwhelming, but making a plan can help you break down, organize, and prioritize the tasks. The Digital Accessibility Playbook (DAP) is designed as a central space for exploring and applying digital accessibility practices at Virginia Tech. DAP modules can be completed at your own pace and tailored to your specific accessibility needs. Each module provides a combination of resources, action steps, and practical strategies for building accessible course content. In addition, the DAP includes a discussion board where you can collaborate and share insights with colleagues across the university community.

8. Register for Professional Development Opportunities
   TLOS Professional Development Network (PDN) workshops cover a range of topics including accessibility, inclusive pedagogy, outreach and engagement, assessment, teaching and learning, and research. Both online and in-person options are available. Need information about a learning tool or strategy right now? Check out the TLOS Tool Finder or complete a self-paced workshop.

9. Schedule an Online Consultation
   Do you have a question about one of our services or an innovative idea for incorporating technology into your courses? TLOS offers consultations to help you. Topics include accessibility, Zoom and Canvas features, generative AI, data analytics, and many more.

10. Subscribe to the PDN Monthly Workshop Spotlight Newsletter
    Subscribe to the monthly newsletter from the TLOS Professional Development Network (PDN) that highlights upcoming workshops. Recipients of this newsletter will be among the first to learn about new workshop opportunities.

Contact us at tlos@vt.edu with questions, concerns, or to share an idea.