A wide range of university supported academic technology platforms and tools can be used to support in-person, blended, and online instruction at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Below are links to UMN systemwide resources that include support options and how-to guides.
For assistance with these platforms and tools, learn more about our UMD Academic Technology Services and Sessions.
Canvas Learning Management System
Canvas is an online platform used by faculty and staff to provide learning materials, activities, electronic gradebook and communications that may supplement a face-to-face or blended course, or deliver a fully online experience. Canvas Learning Tools can be added on to Canvas to extend the core functionality and features of the system. A searchable list of integrated learning tools is available through the University of Minnesota system.
Canvas Learning Tools can be added on to Canvas to extend the core functionality and features of the system. A searchable list of integrated learning tools is available through the University of Minnesota system.
Web Conferencing (Online Meetings)
Zoom is an online video conferencing system, featuring meeting and webinar capabilities, along with real-time messaging and content sharing. Zoom can also be accessed through the Zoom for Canvas Integration, which allows you to start and join Zoom meetings from within Canvas.
Google Meet (previously Google Hangouts Meet) is accessible through Google Calendar as a video conferencing option; it is also available at meet.google.com, but is not integrated into Canvas.
Media: Recording, Storage, and Stock Content
A wide range of media services are provided and supported through the Media Hub.
Kaltura
Kaltura is known for its multitude of capabilities such as video, audio and screen capture. It is also known for powerful search functions, video quizzes, deep analytics, and for its auto-captioning and accessibility workflows.
Kaltura can be accessed and utilized through Canvas, Kaltura MediaSpace, and through its Kaltura Capture tool.
Kaltura through Canvas
Add media directly from Kaltura to Canvas using the Canvas Rich Content Editor. Access the Canvas Rich Content Editor when editing any page, discussion, assignment, etc. within Canvas.
Canvas: Kaltura Course Tools such as My Media and/or Media Gallery can be added to Canvas course menus. These tools allow students and instructors to work with their Kaltura video content directly in Canvas instead of working through Kaltura MediaSpace.
- My Media is a collection of all the personal videos you’ve recorded and uploaded with Kaltura tools. My media is associated with your Canvas and Kaltura account, but not with any particular course. In the My Media library, users can choose to manage their media across all their courses. Kaltura also provides links and embed codes that you can use to share your media with others.
- Media Gallery is a common space to upload Kaltura videos and media within a Canvas course gallery. Once media is published to the Media Gallery all enrolled students can view videos, add comments if allowed by the instructor, and create videos to submit in response to an assignment or in a discussion in the Media Gallery.
Kaltura Mediaspace
Kaltura Mediaspace (mediaspace.umn.edu): You can upload and manage media, edit captions, share media, and find all of your Kaltura videos in one place or take advantage of some of the Kaltura’s more powerful features all from Kaltura Mediaspace. While you can access Kaltura through Canvas, this Self-Help Guide has a focus on using Kaltura through the Kaltura MediaSpace interface .
Kaltura Capture
Kaltura Capture: Kaltura’s video screen capture tool enables instructors to record a video, save it to a Canvas course or the Kaltura Mediaspace, and submit it for auto-captioning in a seamless workflow. You can access videos recorded in My Media in Canvas.
Additional Video Recording and Storage Options
- ScreenPal is an application for Mac and Windows computers that records screen activity and/or your webcam. You can record a PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation, or demonstrate a tool directly from your computer. When you’re finished, you can save the recording to your desktop, then publish the video on your YouTube channel, in a textbox using Kaltura within Canvas, in Google Drive, or on another video publishing site.
- YouTube is available to all students, faculty, staff and departments through the Google Apps suite of tools. Upload a video and share it with your class or create a shared account to promote your organization.
Stock Content
Stock Content: The University of Minnesota provides free stock images, video clips, and audio clips to students, faculty, and staff as well as vendors working on University projects. Use them to improve a presentation or class project, enhance a video, add creative elements to marketing pieces and more. There is no limit to the amount of content that can be downloaded.
Library Resources
The Kathryn A. Martin Library Catalog is a gateway to our expansive digital and physical collections. Linking to an article or e-textbook is an great way to provide quick access scholarly information and resources. Linking also fast tracks students to texts and prevents confusion.
The UMD Library provides a guide for Linking to Your Library Catalog.
Organization and Collaboration
Google Drive: With Google Drive, you can create and share files and folders online and collaborate with others on group projects. Files in Google Drive can be accessed from any smartphone, tablet, or computer. Some aspects of Google Drive are integrated with Canvas.
Exam Scoring
ITSS supports two options for exam scoring:
- Remark Test Grading Cloud
- Canvas Quizzes
Exam Originality Checking and Proctoring
- Turnitin's plagiarism prevention tool generates originality reports that show how much of a document is original, cited from other sources, or unoriginal. Students learn the importance of original writing and attribution, and foster critical thinking skills that are important to student success.
- Proctorio (Secure Exam Browser) is a flexible e-proctoring tool that gives faculty the opportunity to set up online proctoring specific to their own assessment needs. Review the UMN Proctorio web page to learn about important information to consider when choosing to use Proctorio.
- Respondus LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down your computer when taking a quiz. Canvas course site instructors manage Respondus LockDown settings from the LockDown Browser Dashboard in Course Navigation.