Refresh your courses, recharge your ideas, and explore new tools

This summer is the perfect time to tune up your courses, explore new teaching strategies, and refresh your instructional technology. Whether you want to streamline your Canvas course, experiment with AI tools, improve student engagement, create multimedia content, strengthen instructional continuity, or learn new classroom technologies, the Summer 2026 Academic Technology workshop series offers something for everyone.

Tuesday Tune Ups begin June 1

Academic Technology’s Tuesday Tune Ups! begin June 1, 2026 and continue for 12 weeks over the summer. These focused, hands-on sessions are designed to help faculty explore new tools, practice with instructional technologies, and prepare courses for the fall semester.

Faculty can choose from a wide variety of sessions designed to inspire fresh ideas and support teaching success, including workshops on Canvas, Adobe Express, lecture capture, AI applications, instructional continuity, and more.

Take a look at the summer schedule.

Instructional continuity and Canvas Insights

This summer, Academic Technology will also offer workshops focused on instructional continuity, including how faculty can prepare for unexpected technology disruptions and maintain communication with students during service interruptions. 

Several sessions will highlight Canvas Insights, CSUN’s home-grown faculty tool that provides access to gradebook information and student communication features outside of the Canvas environment. Faculty will learn how to access Canvas Insights through Canvas and, when needed, through the CSUN Portal; review available student grade and assignment information; use current class enrollment data; apply filters to identify students who may need outreach; and email students directly through the tool. 

These workshops will help faculty develop practical continuity strategies, including downloading important course materials, identifying alternate communication methods, and preparing backup plans for assignments, assessments, and finals.

Artificial Intelligence workshops

Several workshops will focus on Artificial Intelligence and its growing role in higher education. Faculty can begin with AI Basics, an introductory session exploring what AI is, how it works, and how it can support teaching and learning responsibly. 

Those looking to deepen their skills can attend AI Advanced: AI Fluency, which emphasizes practical problem-solving, evaluating AI-generated content, and integrating AI into authentic coursework. 

Additional AI-focused sessions include: 

• Save Time with GenAI, which explores productivity strategies using generative AI tools. 
• ChatGPT: Practical Tips & Academic Use Cases, focused on prompting and classroom applications. 
• AI Syllabus Statements, which helps faculty develop clear and effective AI-use policies for their courses. 

Faculty will also have opportunities to explore AI-enhanced creative and learning tools through sessions on AI in Adobe Express and NotebookLM and Chatbots with Students.

Canvas workshops

Canvas workshops will support both new and experienced users of the university’s learning management system. Canvas Basics introduces the fundamentals of course setup, modules, assignments, communication tools, and grading workflows. 

Faculty interested in assessments can attend Canvas New Quizzes, which explores quiz creation, question banks, accommodations, and best practices for effective online testing. 

Additional Canvas-focused offerings include Integrating eFolio into Canvas, which supports student reflection and portfolio development; MS Teams in Canvas, which helps improve course communication and collaboration; and the Canvas Template workshop, which highlights the collaboratively developed CSUN Canvas Template grounded in quality teaching, accessibility, and equity-minded practices.

Multimedia, lecture capture, and classroom technology

Faculty interested in multimedia and lecture capture technologies will have several opportunities to build video and classroom technology skills. 

The Panopto Lecture Capture Workshop introduces recording, editing, and sharing instructional video content using Panopto, including accessibility tools and video organization features. 

Faculty can also explore more advanced video editing techniques in workshops focused on the Panopto Video Editor, including trimming videos, improving captions, adding interactive content, and enhancing accessibility. 

The Classroom Tech: Lecture Capture workshop provides hands-on experience with classroom technology systems, including room touch panels, Zoomintegration, projection controls, cameras, and audio tools to support hybrid and flexible teaching environments.

Creative media, portfolios, and professional learning tools

Workshops on graphics in Adobe Express and Adobe Podcast will introduce easy-to-use media creation tools for instructional content and communication. 

Canvas eFolio will support digital portfolio creation and reflective learning practices. 

Faculty can also explore LinkedIn Learning and discover ways to curate learning pathways, integrate professional skill-building into courses, and support career readiness for students.

Get ready for fall

Take advantage of the summer months to refresh your courses, experiment with new technologies, and build confidence with tools that support student success. Academic Technology workshops are designed to be practical, supportive, and inspiring, helping you start the fall semester with fresh ideas and renewed energy.