Welcome to the Fall 2025 edition of Technology Roundup! This resource is released every Spring and Fall semester to keep our community of educators informed on the latest available instructional technologies that are supported by the university.
Table of Contents
- AI Resources
- Tech Tools for Active Learning
- Tech Tools for Collaborative and Cooperative Learning
- Tech Tools for Creating and Working with Content
- Tech Tools for Immersive Learning
- Classroom Technology Resources
AI Resources
Last year, a task force led by IS&T and the TLC collaborated with faculty, students, staff, deans, and governance groups to develop a guiding framework on the responsible and ethical uses of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in academic, research, and operational settings. This framework can be found on IS&T’s website: Generative AI @ WCU – A Guiding Framework
The TLC has also curated a collection of generative AI topics, including its impact on the classroom and potential instructional uses. Check out the Generative AI page of the TLC website to browse these resources.
Tech Tools for Active Learning
Active learning is an educational approach that emphasizes student active engagement and participation in the learning process. This may involve activities such as group discussions, problem-solving exercises, hands-on activities, and case studies. Using the tools listed below, educators can design learning activities in which students can actively discover, process, and apply concepts they are learning.
H5P
H5P is an online tool that allows users to build interactive learning activities that can be embedded into D2L Course Module Pages or anywhere that supports HTML. H5P’s D2L integration allows faculty to connect H5P activities to the D2L Gradebook and generate completion reports.
Check out some examples of what H5P can do: H5P Examples and Downloads
H5P in Action
Check out this episode of the ODLI on Air podcast to learn how Dr. Kim Johnson, an Associate Professor in the Mathematics department here at WCU, uses H5P in her instruction: Using H5P to Support Inclusion and Equity-Minded Course Design with Dr. Kim Johnson
H5P Basics Workshop – Spring 2026
The Teaching and Learning Center will be offering an H5P Basics Workshop this Spring:
- When: Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 11:00am – 12:00pm ET
- Where: Online, via Zoom
If you have any questions about this workshop, please contact Jessica Drass at jdrass@wcupa.edu.
H5P Resources
Creator+
Creator+ is a suite of tools available in D2L that allows instructors to easily add dynamic content and interactive activities directly to their course module pages. With its easy-to-use tools and integration into existing workflows, creators can develop dynamic content and media that enhance learning comprehension and engagement for both instructors and learners.
Please note that, unlike H5P, Creator+ activities will not connect to the gradebook in D2L or generate reports.
Creator+ Resources
Visit the D2L Course Design Resources Site to view live samples and access Creator+ tutorials.
Poll Everywhere
Poll Everywhere is an online audience response system that allows instructors to engage students through live polling, surveys, Q&As, quizzes, word clouds, and more! Poll Everywhere’s D2L Integration allows instructors to import Poll Everywhere Data to the D2L Gradebook.
If you are interested in using Poll Everywhere, submit a Poll Everywhere Request in ServiceNow to get access to a Presenter account.
Poll Everywhere Resources
Tech Tools for Collaborative and Cooperative Learning
Collaborative and cooperative learning are educational approaches that emphasize teamwork and interaction among students to achieve shared learning goals. These methods promote communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. The following tools are excellent options for supporting collaborative and cooperative learning activities.
Hypothesis
Hypothesis is a social annotation tool that is integrated directly into D2L and allows you to create active reading assignments. Social annotation can help deepen engagement with course materials, improve comprehension, and foster a community of learning. Instead of a separate discussion board, you and your students can add comments, questions, and highlights directly onto web pages, PDFs, and other online content, transforming passive reading into an active, social, and collaborative process.
Spring 2026 Teaching Circle: Active Reading and Social Annotation with Hypothesis
This spring 2026 teaching circle will focus on exploring and implementing Hypothesis to design activities and/or assignments that deepen student engagement with course readings and foster collaborative learning.
Hypothesis Resources
Padlet
Padlet is an online collaboration tool that allows users to create virtual boards where they can post and organize content, such as text, images, videos, and links. Padlet’s user-friendly interface and customizable templates make it a versatile tool for various activities, including group projects, discussions, and presentations. D2L integration is available for this tool.
Padlet Resources
Don’t forget to submit a Padlet Integration Request in ServiceNow if you plan to use Padlet in D2L this semester!
VoiceThread
VoiceThread is an interactive multimedia platform that allows users to create and share collaborative presentations and discussions that may incorporate images, documents, videos, and audio commentary. VoiceThread’s D2L Integration allows instructors to add VoiceThread Assignments to the Content section of their D2L Course Site that link to the Gradebook.
Check out this VoiceThread Overview video for a brief demonstration of this tool:
VoiceThread Workshop – Spring 2026
This Spring, the Teaching and Learning Center will be hosting an Introduction to VoiceThread Workshop for WCU faculty interested in learning more about the tool.
- When: Thursday, February 26, 2026, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
- Where: Online, via Zoom
If you have any questions about this workshop, please contact Jessica Drass at jdrass@wcupa.edu.
VoiceThread Resources
Don’t forget to submit a VoiceThread Integration Request in ServiceNow if you plan to use the D2L integration in any of your courses this semester!
Tech Tools for Creating and Working with Content
Creating and working with content from a faculty perspective involves designing and delivering instructional materials that engage students and facilitate learning. This might include graphics that illustrate important processes or concepts for increased understanding, instructional videos, and other multimedia. The following tools are great choices for supporting creating and working with content in your courses.
D2L Homepage and Module Page Templates
A library of D2L homepage and module page templates is available for all WCU faculty to copy from the D2L Course Design Resources site.
D2L Course Design Resources
Visit the D2L Course Design Resources site to access style guides and instructions for copying a homepage or module page template to your own course.
Need help copying or customizing a template? Contact your favorite instructional designer or the TLC (tlc@wcupa.edu) via email, or use the TLC Bookings Calendar to schedule a consultation.
Adobe Express
Adobe Express is a user-friendly graphic design tool that allows users to create a wide range of visual content, such as presentations, flyers, graphics, and videos. This tool enables both beginners and experienced designers to produce professional-quality designs quickly and easily. Adobe Express also offers collaboration features, making it ideal for educational and team projects where multiple users can contribute to and edit designs.
Adobe Express Resources
All faculty and students may access Adobe Express using their WCU credentials, as outlined in this knowledgebase article – Adobe: Access Student Express
For support with this tool, contact the IS&T Help Desk.
Tech Tools for Immersive Learning
Immersive learning is an educational approach that uses technology to create engaging, interactive environments that simulate real-world experiences. Leveraging tools like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and simulations allows students to actively participate in their learning process, providing them with hands-on experiences that enhance understanding and retention of complex concepts. Learn more about some tools available at WCU to support immersive learning below.
Meta Quest 2 VR Headsets
The Teaching and Learning Center has a class set of 20 Meta Quest 2 VR headsets available for loan. Faculty members who would like to facilitate in-class VR scenarios or activities may contact Jessica Drass at jdrass@wcupa.edu to make a reservation.
360 Camera
The Teaching & Learning Center also has a 360 camera that can be used to produce custom AR and VR learning experiences. If you are interested in exploring ways that AR and VR may be applied in your instruction, reach out to your favorite instructional designer or contact the TLC at tlc@wcupa.edu.
360 Video in Action
Check out this episode of ODLI on Air to learn how some of our Nursing faculty leverage 360 video in their instruction: ringing Empathy to Nursing Education using 360 Video with Dr. Nancy Barker & Dr. Danielle Yocom
ThingLink
ThingLink is a digital platform that enables educators to transform static images and virtual environments into interactive learning experiences. The platform allows faculty to deliver immersive content that recreates real-world professional settings and complex environments. Students can explore complex environments as they engage with embedded multimedia content to bridge the gap between theory and application. For example, students might navigate through food service operations, explore a surgical unit with embedded expert commentary, or tour public health facilities with specifications highlighted at key points and layered throughout the experience. The opportunities are endless.
ThingLink Pilot
The College of Health Sciences has procured a limited number of ThingLink licenses for faculty interested in piloting ThingLink in their courses for the Spring semester. If you are interested in learning more and taking advantage of a license, please complete the interest form linked below. This pilot is open to all WCU faculty members, however priority will be given to interested CHS faculty.
If you have any questions about the ThingLink Pilot, please contact Jessica Drass at jdrass@wcupa.edu.
ThingLink in Action
Check out this case study that explains how WCU’s Dr. Michael Holik uses ThingLink with students in the Nutrition program: How ThingLink VR Learning Experiences Bridge Theory and Practice for Nutrition and Dietetics Students
Classroom Technology Resources
Many classrooms across campus are equipped with projectors, screens, microphones, and cameras. Check out the Classroom Technology Directory to learn what technology is available in your classroom.
For personalized training on classroom technology, request a one-on-one Multimedia Consultation through ServiceNow.
Contact Registrar Space Management to request a room with specific technology
