News

Review semester end resources in the latest issue of the RTL Update.

Pronouns in bCourses launching Spring 2026

As part of the Gender Recognition and Lived Name Policy, starting with the Spring 2026 semester, pronouns will display for users in bCourses who have opted to share them. Pronouns are sourced from official campus systems of record (CalCentral and/or UC Path) and will automatically be updated in bCourses in the same way that lived names are synced.

In the latest issue of the teaching newsletter, we explore Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs) and how to best use them.

Starting October 31, 2025, advertisements may start displaying on any YouTube video embedded in bCourses. This is due to a change in how the bCourses vendor (Instructure) works with YouTube. Before playing the video, viewers will see a message letting viewers know that ads may be displayed before, during, or after the video. These ads are controlled by YouTube and cannot be disabled in bCourses by instructors, students, or admins.

Update September 19, 2025: Google has removed the “Homework Help” feature from Canvas pages with the latest Chrome update. However, the functionality can still be accessed by manually launching "Search with Google Lens" from the Chrome settings menu or using the "Ask Google about this page" option in the browser URL bar.

In the latest issue of the teaching newsletter, we explore teaching resources with accessibility in mind.

In the latest issue of the teaching newsletter, we offer resources and tips for making the first week of class meaningful.

Review RTL's Learning Paths and additional resources to support the instructional commuity with semester start in this mid-August edition of the RTL Update.

Review updates and resources to support the instructional community for semester start in the August RTL Update

Review our summer edition of the RTL Update and don't forget to check out the RTL Media Library for all past newsletter issues.

Review updates and resources to support the instructional community in the April RTL Update.

Reivew the latest RTL Update themed Navigation AI in Teaching and Learning at Berkeley. We share a few strategies, campus resources, and upcoming events centered on AI for the instrucitonal community.

Last year, RTL implemented a new classroom technology standard and began to install “Flex Classrooms” with accessibility improvements in mind.

New improvements include:

• Ceiling microphones which, if unmuted by the instructor, give remote captioners the ability to hear student questions. Ceiling microphones also allow for the use of a microphone without having to physically touch the shared body pack and mic clip, something that concerned many in 2021.

Introducing the new podcast, Finding Space, where UC Berkeley students, educators, and staff from the disability community tell their stories and call the campus community in on acts of advocacy and disability justice. Learn more on the Finding Space webpage and listen to the premiere episode.

Review updates from Research IT in the Spring 2025 newsletter.

Research, Teaching, and Learning (RTL) will be operating on modified schedules for campus curtailment during the winter break, Monday, December 23 through Wednesday, January 1. See details below. Emails and requests received during this time will be answered when the campus reopens on January 2, 2025.

Team Member Evaluation assignmentsin Peerceptiv allow students to provide anonymous feedback on the participation and contributions of their group members. Sync existing groups from bCourses, provide a rubric, and this assignment can be set up in <5 minutes.