Academic Technologies pilots and updates

gradescope-logo.jpg

This fall, Academic Technologies is excited to announce two pilot programs for faculty: one for Gradescope, an online grading platform, and another for testing accessibility checker tools. Faculty interested in participating should contact Kate McCown, director of Academic Technologies, at kmccown@nebraska.edu.

Gradescope Pilot
Gradescope is an online grading platform designed to streamline the grading process for instructors and improve feedback delivery for students. Gradescope supports a variety of assignment types, including exams, homework, and programming projects. It allows instructors to grade assignments more efficiently with features such as AI-assisted grading, rubric-based grading, and the ability to handle handwritten or scanned student submissions. Gradescope integrates with Canvas to sync grades and assignments. While particularly popular in STEM fields, it can be used across various disciplines to enhance the grading experience.



Information about an upcoming Learning Series session on Gradescope can be found below.

Accessibility Checker Tools Pilot
Academic Technologies is looking for at least a dozen faculty to test the accessibility checker tools Blackboard Ally, Design Plus U Do It, and YuJa Panorama in their courses. These tools help faculty ensure that digital content meets accessibility standards, making it usable by all students. By the end of the semester, ITS aims to select one of these tools for purchase based on feedback from participating faculty.

Learning Series
This fall, Academic Technologies will once again offer its popular Learning Series. Each session is one hour long, held on Zoom, and covers a different topic from its technology portfolio each week.

  • So, I Keep Hearing about New Quizzes Sept. 4, 1:30-2:30 p.m. – This session will provide a crash course on Canvas's next-generation quizzing platform, detailing the differences from Classic Quizzes, available question types, and how settings and accommodations work. Register online.

  • Gradescope Sept. 10, 1-2 p.m. – This session will showcase Gradescope, a new tool available for faculty to pilot in fall 2024. A representative from Gradescope will provide a demo, and Allan Donsig and Joshua Brummer will share their experiences using Gradescope in the mathematics department. Register online.

  • All about the Canvas Gradebook Sept. 19, 2 -3 p.m. – This session will discuss and demo the Canvas Gradebook, provide quick tips, and answer common questions. Register online.


All sessions will be recorded and made available online in the Academic Technologies shared folder on YuJa.

For a synchronous online or in-person session on a specific topic, contact nusupport@nebraska.edu to schedule a one-on-one help session or a departmental presentation. Academic Technologies can provide small-scale and custom training sessions for any faculty or staff group on campus.

Want to stay in the loop for campus technology news? Join the IT-TIPS email list.

Contact Amy Barry at amybarry@nebraska.edu or Kate McCown at kmccown@nebraska.edu with any questions.