As you prepare to kick off a new semester, TLOS is excited to share a range of opportunities, updates, and resources designed to support your teaching and elevate your students’ learning experiences. Whether you’re looking to refine your course design, explore new technologies, or enhance accessibility, we’re here to help you start the semester strong. 

1. Attend TLOS Tune-Up on August 15: Enhancing Courses with Instructional Technology
   Need some help getting your courses ready for fall semester? TLOS is here to help! Bring your questions and curiosity, and join your TLOS colleagues at our University Mall office on August 15, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This day of workshops, one-on-one consultations, and informal conversations will help make this semester a great experience for you and your students. Refreshments will be provided from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more and register today!

2. Create accessible digital content
   Many faculty members have requested additional resources to help them meet the Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for digital accessibility by spring 2026. To help, TLOS has partnered with Deque Systems and WebAIM to provide all students and employees access to new digital accessibility training. All courses are self-paced with no exams, and most take about an hour to complete. If the courses you are teaching this fall could include accessible document design assignments, we’ve made it easy to link to any of the new courses from your Canvas sites. Check out Virginia Tech’s accessibility portal site for additional resources, including frequently asked questions about ADA Title II compliance.

3. Register for AI Essentials for Teaching and Learning–August 20 or 21
   Join the TLOS team on August 20 or August 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., to build confidence, capacity, and curiosity around using artificial intelligence (AI)—no technical background required. This one-day hybrid event is designed to help participants discover the core skills, concepts, and conversations shaping higher education in the age of AI. Four 60-minute interactive workshops will explore these critical topics: AI literacy, effective prompting, practical teaching workflows, and designing AI-conscious courses. The series will offer research-informed strategies, space for reflection, and real-world examples tailored to the Virginia Tech community. Two dates are available; choose either day to complete the full program. Attend in person at the TLOS University Mall office or on Zoom. Lunch will be provided. Register for August 20  or August 21.

4. Review the latest Canvas updates
   We’ve collected an overview of the latest Canvas updates and features released since last semester. Check out the new Course Setup Tutorial with guided help for building your course, a Dyslexia-friendly font option, handheld device detection in Respondus Monitor, and more.

5. Apply for the Accessibility Professional Certification Grant Program
   Become an accessibility expert—apply today for a grant that covers your costs to become a credentialed accessibility professional. The deadline to apply is August 15 at 5 p.m.

6. Submit a proposal for a Technology-Enhanced Learning Grant 
   Have an innovative teaching idea? Submit a proposal for a Technology-Enhanced Learning Grant to support the design, implementation, and evaluation of innovative approaches to teaching and learning using technology. The deadline for proposals is September 12, 2025.

7. Request assistance with instructional media and video
   TLOS supports high-quality video production in a classroom, studio setting, or the field for course-based instruction, employee training, research, engagement, and marketing. Our Do-It-Yourself (DIY) studio allows you to walk in, turn on the lights and camera, sign in on the computer, and start recording. Our Production on Demand (POD) studio offers a soundproof, modular space ideal for smaller projects that require more support than the DIY studio but don’t need the full capabilities of our larger video production studio. If you are interested in checking out these services, schedule a meeting with one of our instructional media experts or reserve time in our studios.

8. Stay informed: Archiving old Canvas courses began in July
   Canvas is the digital hub for teaching and learning at Virginia Tech. With more than 10 years of course information stored in the system, an archiving solution is needed to maintain contracted storage limits and improve system performance. Canvas sites used to support for-credit courses that were taught before 2021 will be archived on a rolling basis throughout fall semester. Canvas sites that were created manually will not be archived.

9. Protect Zoom meetings by managing AI bots
   Third-party AI bots in Zoom meetings may introduce security and privacy risks. Your Virginia Tech Zoom account includes the Zoom AI Companion, which offers many of the same features as these external bots. Learn more about how to manage unwanted AI bots and how to use Zoom’s AI features.

10. Try out the TLOS Tool Finder
    Explore the tools available in Virginia Tech’s digital learning ecosystem to discover ways to include them in your courses. Sort the tool cards by category and select a card to learn more about how that tool can be used to enhance teaching and learning. 

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