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.
Featured AI Blog Posts:
- 2025 AI Syllabus Considerations
- AI in Action @ WCU
- Enhancing Classroom Learning with AI-Generated Podcasts: A-Step-by-Step Guide
- Student Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence in Education and Beyond Podcast
- A Case to Make Space for Generative AI in the Classroom
- Using AI for Simulation: A Needs Assessment Project
- Increasing AI Literacy Hands-On with ChatGPT and Claude
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 Resources
What’s New?
Site License
We are pleased to announce that the TLC has procured a site license for H5P. This gives us the ability to add an unlimited number of Authors to our account, who may then create interactive activities that can be embedded or linked in D2L courses and connected to the gradebook.
The D2L integration is now available universally in our organization, so there is no longer a need to request H5P connection to your D2L courses each semester!
Contact the Teaching & Learning Center at tlc@wcupa.edu to be added to our account as an author.
New Login Procedure – Single-Sign-On (SSO)
Single-Sign-On (SSO) is now enabled on our account, which means that users should sign into H5P at wcupa.h5p.com using their normal WCU credentials (the same email address and password that you use to access D2L). Check out this knowledgebase article for step-by-step instructions – H5P: How to Sign In
Smart Import
The Smart Import feature allows users to quickly create interactive content based on provided educational materials. Smart import uses AI and natural language processing to scan existing instructional content—such as text documents, presentations, web pages, and videos—and generate dynamic H5P content that can be tailored to your preferences.
Check out these resources to learn more about Smart Import:
- Smart Import Introduction and Video Tutorial
- Smart Import Step by Step Tutorial
- Smart Import – Customization
Student Authoring
WCU’s H5P license now supports student authoring, which allows students to create interactive content that can be posted in D2L discussion boards and assignment folders. Check out the Student Authoring article from H5P’s website to learn more.
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.
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!
What’s New?
Grade Passback
Padlet’s Grade Passback feature allows Teachers to grade posts directly from a Padlet board and automatically sync them to the gradebook in D2L. Check out this knowledgebase article to learn how to setup a Padlet assignment with Grade Passback enabled – Padlet: Grade Passback
Padlet TA
Padlet TA is a collection of AI-powered tools designed to assist with tasks like generating lesson plans, worksheets, presentations, and more! It is intended to help streamline lesson preparation and provide personalized content for classrooms.
This video provides a brief overview of Padlet TA and its features:
Check out this article from Padlet’s Help Center for additional information: What is Padlet TA?
New Table Format
Padlet Boards now have a new table format option that allows users to turn a Padlet into an interactive spreadsheet with multimedia, comments, and smart column types. Check out this post from the Padlet Gazette to learn more: Meet the new table format
New Video Features
Users can now upload custom captions, download auto-captions (now supported in 99 languages), and trim videos directly in Padlet! Check out this post from the Padlet Gazette to learn more: Using Padlet for video discussions
Improved Screen Recorder
Padlet has released a new and improved version of the screen recorder tool. Check out this post from the Padlet Gazette to learn more: Our screen recorder just got a major upgrade
Padlet Analytics
You can now track total views, unique visitors, and engagement time for your padlets. Just open your board or sandbox, click the three dots in the action bar, and select “Details.” Check out this post from the Padlet Gazette to learn more: Analytics for your Padlets
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 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.
Immersive Learning in Action
Check out these episodes of the ODLI on Air Podcast to learn how some of your colleagues at WCU have incorporated some of these immersive learning technologies in their instruction:
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
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[…] the curated list of university-supported technology tools designed to enhance your teaching. Tools like Poll Everywhere, Padlet, and H5P offer interactive […]