As you are finishing up preparations for the fall semester, UD Information Technologies (UDIT) would like to remind you about services and tools that support your teaching. Explore pre-semester to-dos, technology tools for teaching, research-related announcements, and a roundup of important announcements from UDIT.
3 things to do before the fall semester
- Request UD Capture for your classroom by August 21
UD Capture classroom recording is an opt-in lecture capture service and will only record your class if you have submitted a UD Capture Request for the current semester. To ensure your first class session is recorded, submit the request form by Thursday, August 21. Requests made after this date will be honored, but may be delayed. If your course has multiple instructors, each individual must indicate their consent on the webform in order for it to route to the UD Capture team. Still having trouble submitting the webform? Be sure that you have made a Yes/No selection for each course listed. Please be aware that a number of classrooms were upgraded to the new UD Capture +Zoom standard over the summer, so it’s important to review the list of UD Capture-enabled rooms. - Check for your fall Canvas courses
Fall Canvas courses were created on July 29. Review the Canvas Course Information for a New Term page for information about how to check for your courses, make change requests, and prepare for the semester. - Download the UDIT Canvas template ’25 fall
The UDIT Canvas template is designed to help you organize your course content quickly, and enable students to focus on the content instead of how to find it. You can preview and download the fall template from Canvas Commons.
Academic Tech Tool Support
How to request classroom technology support
In centrally-scheduled classrooms, you can now request immediate support by pushing the Classroom Tech button on the new classroom phone. (Dialing ‘0’ will no longer connect you to the Classroom Technology team.) As always, you can also call (302) 831-3546 from another device to reach the Classroom Technology team. Any non-urgent requests can be sent to our Ask IT Support Center at askIT@udel.edu.
Classroom Orientations: August 19-21
Attend a UDIT University Media Services orientation to UD’s classroom spaces to learn how to connect your laptop to the display equipment and operate the technology in the room. Sessions will be held August 19, 20, and 21 in 116 Willard.
Come anytime between 10AM to 2PM to Willard 116. These sessions will cover the capabilities of your assigned room, what adapters you’ll need, how to manage student presentations, and how to get classroom technology support.
Please RSVP and bring your device.
Keep Calm and Teach On (KCTO): August 19-21
Registration is now open for UD’s long-standing Keep Calm & Teach On (KCTO) workshop series designed to help faculty prepare for the upcoming fall semester. Summer KCTO runs from August 19th to 21st and features just-in-time sessions on improving the student experience, exploring cutting-edge classroom technology resources, and strategies for teaching and learning with AI. View the schedule and register for the sessions that interest you.
Digital Accessibility Cafe Series begins Sept. 9
The fall 2025 Accessibility Cafe Series is designed to enhance our institutional commitment to digital accessibility and high-quality course design. These 30-minute sessions, beginning September 9th and running through November 13th, will provide hands-on guidance to help you effectively employ these essential accessibility resources. Check the Workshops calendar for upcoming sessions!
The ATS Welcome Bar: instructional technology support when you need it!
The UDIT-ATS Virtual Welcome Bar is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, and on Wednesday from 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM, no appointment needed. In addition to the Virtual Welcome Bar in Zoom, our consultants are also available for in-person drop-in support in Pearson 116, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. If you require assistance outside of our operating hours, please submit a help request.
Teaching in a computer lab
Instructors using a computer lab will need to confirm that the needed software and versions are installed. Contact askit@udel.edu or your departmental IT team to verify that the lab is ready for your class.
Individual classroom orientation
UMS Classroom Technology is offering individual classroom orientation for any faculty member. Make an appointment with Juley Dricken (JDricken@udel.edu) and a UMS Classroom Technician will meet a faculty member at their assigned classroom and provide a one-on-one orientation and computer connection test to make sure everything is ready and working.
Video Production Services
Our Video Production team can help create high-quality videos for your research or lectures. We provide complete HD multi-camera production capabilities in the field and in the studio, and can provide full-scale program development including script writing, shooting, animation, and editing. Learn more or submit a request.
Prep Your Tech
Computer updates
Be sure to update the operating system and other applications such as Office and Zoom on your computer before the first day of classes. These updates may cause delays if they have to be run at the beginning of class.
Adapters and cables
Make sure you have the right cables or video adapters to connect your device to classroom technology. If you are in a centrally-scheduled classroom, you can schedule a one-on-one Classroom Orientation session to test out all of your gear, identify what adapters you may need, and get hands-on support from our Classroom Technology team. To reserve an orientation, please email Juley Dricken (JDricken@udel.edu). If you are in a department-managed classroom, reach out to your departmental IT Professional for any troubleshooting.
Research Related
Software licensing request process
To request licenses of select UDIT-supported software products including ENVI, Esri, SAS, and SPSS, use the request form in UDeploy. You can find information about the request process and a list of the impacted software products in this knowledge base article.
High Performance Computing (HPC) for class and research Use
The DARWIN HPC system is available at no cost for appropriate class and research use by submitting an Education Allocation, Startup Allocation, or Research Allocation request, respectively. First time users are encouraged to reach out to our Research Cyberinfrastructure staff to ensure DARWIN is adequate for your needs and Caviness HPC stakeholders should submit an Education Allocation request for all class use as well. Please allow a minimum of two weeks for processing any allocation request.
Research Computing Office hours
Beginning Wednesday, August 27th, IT-RCI staff are offering general research computing office hours every Wednesday @ 11am – noon each week in room 002C Smith Hall Conference Room, or virtually via Zoom, providing assistance and answering questions related to Linux/Unix, high-performance computing, storage, GIS, data and data management, security, networking, scientific applications, software installs and more.
Linux/Unix and HPC workshops
In October, IT-RCI will be offering a workshop series including Introduction to Linux/Unix, Introduction to HPC and other workshops. For more information and updates, visit the IT Research CyberInfracture website. If you would like to suggest a workshop topic, please complete this form.
Good To Know
Generative AI Pilot Program
We’re excited to announce the launch of UD’s Generative AI Pilot Program—an initiative to explore how GenAI tools can enhance teaching, research, and administrative operations.
Why Participate?
- Identify meaningful opportunities where generative AI can add value
- Evaluate current tool capabilities and limitations
- Inform UD’s long-term AI strategy and resource planning
Interested teams can submit proposals through the Generative AI Pilot service request form. UDIT will evaluate submissions to determine feasibility, assign appropriate tools, and provide licensing support for approved projects.
UD Capture upgrades
As a reminder, several UD Capture classrooms have been upgraded to include Zoom capabilities such as remote participation and wireless screen sharing (no more adapters!). These classrooms are called “UD Capture +Zoom” rooms and offer the tools needed for a hybrid teaching environment. Visit our UD Capture Classrooms page to see which rooms have been upgraded, or look for stickers in your classroom next to the touch panel.
- Instructions for how to get started with UD Capture +Zoom in the classroom.
- Instructions for UD Capture Classic rooms.
- Learn more about the differences between UD Capture Classic and UD Capture +Zoom.
Gradescope Adopted!
After a two-year pilot, Gradescope, an online grading platform for scanned paper-based assignments and bubble sheet assessments, has been adopted for Canvas. If you are interested in learning more about Gradescope, register for this vendor-led workshop on August 20 at 12 PM during KCTO Summer 2025. Thanks to all the faculty who supported the pilot!
Video Learning Classroom Studios are available
The Learning Classroom Studios (located on the 3rd floor of Pearson Hall) are staffed with full-time technicians to assist with complex video needs. Each room is designed for full-class interaction between instructors and students through audio, video, Zoom, and course content. Space is available for full-semester classes and single recording sessions. Request a tour or reserve a classroom studio.
Tech Talk Tuesdays
Join your colleagues for a lunchtime in-person discussion and demonstrations of emerging technologies influencing the future of higher education. Throughout the academic year, we’ll gather on the third Tuesday of each month in 116 Pearson Hall unless otherwise noted. For more information, a list of this year’s topics, and registration, see our Tech Talk Tuesdays webpage.
Google/M365 Storage
UD Information Technologies (UDIT) is continuing work on its data storage project in order to meet new storage limits set by both Google and Microsoft. Many individuals who were above the maximum storage limit for these services have worked to reduce and migrate their data in order to stay within the established storage limits.
To learn about additional initiatives that are underway to help UD manage its institutional data storage limits, read this InsideUD article. For more information on the project and how to monitor your data storage, see the Project Overview.
IT Service Status page
Bookmark our Service Status page (udel.edu/it/status) in the Service Portal! Scheduled and unplanned outages of UDIT supported services will be reported through this page.
Smith Hall Ask IT Service Desk
The Smith Hall Service Desk will be open with printing, student loaner devices, and other computing services available. Visit the Ask IT site for more information and hours of operation.
