In our next deep dive into the top five student challenges, we examine the persistent issue of mental health. With most students reporting struggles, we share their voices and offer concrete strategies for instructors to create a more supportive learning environment. The Link to Exhaustion In an earlier post, we explored systemic exhaustion reported […]
The data tells a consistent story: in Fall 2024, 54% of respondents in the Ball State Student Satisfaction Survey reported that the cost of course materials impacted their academic experience. In Spring 2025, that number held at 53%. (A note on timing: these surveys were conducted before the full implementation of the First Day program, […]
By Leilani Mascio Student exhaustion and mental health create a perfect storm, eroding a key ingredient for success: motivation. In our deep dive into student challenges, we examine why 71% of our students report in the 2025 Student Satisfaction Survey struggling to complete schoolwork. Their comments reveal this isn’t about laziness: it’s about systems, relevance, […]
Each year, one faculty member receives the Rawlings Outstanding Distance Education Teaching Award in recognition of their dedication to online students through innovative teaching. Assistant Teaching Professor of Information Systems and Operations Management, Dr. Lakshika Kuruppuarachchi, is the 2025-2026 Rawlings Outstanding Distance Education Teaching Award recipient. “I’m truly honored and grateful to receive […]
Ball State faculty can access resources to remediate course content to align with ADA Title II digital accessibility requirements in our Digital Accessibility site, part of the Teaching Innovation Team Public Resources Canvas Community. What is the ADA Title II New Rule? Read a detailed discussion of the updated New Rule accessibility requirements in this […]
Looking to stay up to date on Canvas? Here are the highlights of new Canvas features from this summer. For a comprehensive list of Canvas updates, see Instructure’s Canvas Releases page. New Quizzes SpeedGrader and Assessment Enhancements Interface and Course Settings Security Share Your Feedback on Canvas Features Participate in the Instructure Community and share your Canvas feedback, ideas, collaborate with others, and find answers […]
Ball State faculty can find updates to the May 11 ADA Title II compliance deadline in our Digital Accessibility site, part of the Teaching Innovation Team Public Resources Canvas Community. As you prepare your course for accessibility, access resources to remediate your content to align with the updated requirements. What is This New Rule? What […]
Learn how to foster student agency and connection by integrating peace-centered pedagogy into your classroom. When I first began teaching, my father passed along an influential piece of advice he had received from my mother: “Be the teacher you wish you’d had.” What do our students need today? What does the world need from our […]
Learn about how Ball State University’s Teaching Innovation Team is joining a multi-year research study to examine the use of AI in curriculum design. Ball State University’s Teaching Innovation Team, part of the Division of Online and Strategic Learning, was recently selected to participate in the QM+iDesign Human–AI Collaboration in Online Program Design initiative, a national, multi-year research study led by Quality […]
In this video blog, learn about Canvas IgniteAI, new AI features available in Canvas for faculty and students. We also share an important update about transitioning to New Quizzes in Canvas. This video will be presented at the virtual, 2026 Teaching and Technology Summit Thursday, March 19. Check out the full program here. Watch the 15-minute video with captions. New AI Features in Canvas Canvas now offers a suite […]
