KU Center for Online and Distance Learning

Welcome back, Jayhawks!

Enjoy our Summer 2026 issue of Connections, the CODL newsletter.

CODL Summer Newsletter Header image with KU logo and Jayhawks # CODL Connections Summer 2026 # Accessibility Corner: Support & Training Opportunities Need help with digital or course accessibility issues? Accessibility Office Hours are offered every Wednesday from 1-3 p.m. Stop by in person (Anschutz AIC 321) or connect v...

As the use of AI becomes more and more prevalent in the workforce, university instructors have begun implementing its use into their courses. This video offers guidance on how to properly inform students of how the instructor has used it in the course, and how students can potentially use it for coursework.

Generative AI Guidance for Instructors As the use of AI becomes more and more prevalent in the workforce, ...

Curious about Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI)? We have the details!

Regular and Substantive Interaction The US Department of Education has stipulated that online courses must provide a plan for how instructors will regularly and substantively interact with thei...

Teaching Tip: Adding Live Sessions to Asynchronous Courses

Thinking about adding a few synchronous sessions to your asynchronous course? Research and student feedback suggest that occasional live sessions can strengthen instructor presence and help students clarify difficult concepts. The key is to keep them purposeful and flexible. Students tend to prefer sessions that are short (about 50 minutes or less), structured, and interactive, focusing on activities such as Q&A, guided discussion, or explanation of challenging assignments rather than additional lecture. Because many online learners also balance work and family responsibilities, it is also helpful to make sessions optional and provide recordings so all students can benefit.

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Video Tips for Online Course Instructors

Did you know that adding lecture videos directly to Canvas is not a best practice?

Why? Canvas is not designed to function as a video server. Directly uploading video files to Canvas leads to issues with closed captioning and the ability to share the video with others outside the university. Uploading videos through the KU server (MediaHub) will allow for video sharing, captioning, and quick edits.

How should you add video to your Canvas class? Just upload your videos to your KU MediaHub account, or use the embedded uploader in Canvas. Doing so will reduce file sizes and caption videos automatically.

Below are helpful links for successfully uploading videos to your course.

Upload and share a video in MediaHub: https://mps.ku.edu/upload-and-share-video-mediahub

Adding Kaltura Media to your Canvas course: https://canvas.ku.edu/courses/385/pages/adding-kaltura-media-to-your-canvas-course

CODL’s Media Coordinators are available to help instructors create engaging, accessible content for online courses. Contact us at [email protected] or 785.864.1000 to learn more or schedule an appointment.

Adding Kaltura Media to your Canvas Course: Canvas Resources

PowerPoint is great for slides, but not for video. To create video content that is clear, engaging, and accessible, instructors are invited to contact CODL at 785-864-1000 or [email protected] and a Digital Media Coordinator will help you create professional online lecture videos.

1. PowerPoint Is Not a Video Editor
2. Animations Don’t Always Translate Well
3. Audio Sync Issues Are Common
4. Poor Compatibility Across Devices
5. Lack of Creative Flexibility
6. File Sizes Can Be Huge and Sluggish

Thanksgiving break is on the horizon. 🥧

Instructor Course Design Tip: Color!

Searching for color palettes for your courses, but don't know where to start? Check out https://coolors.co/ for color sets. To ensure that your selected colors meet accessibility standards, use a color checker on webaim.org, figma.com, or a similar resource.

Coolors - The super fast color palettes generator! Generate or browse beautiful color combinations for your designs.

Happy Halloween from the frighteningly festive CODL crew!