Sign-In with Email! (and don’t forget to sign-out)
This summer the VCU Instructional Computing Services team will be transitioning ALL centrally-managed classroom computers to a new endpoint management platform called Microsoft Intune. While this change involves the team reinstalling the Windows 11 operating system on every computer, it also means some changes to the way you will need to sign-in. For more information […]
Top Hat Summer Camp: The Curiosity-Driven Classroom
In the age of AI, the real challenge isn’t getting answers from students. It’s getting them to engage and think. Join us for the 2026 edition of Top Hat Summer Camp, a two-part webinar series focused on designing learning experiences that drive curiosity, participation, and deeper thinking. Grounded in three core pillars—mattering, participating, and thinking—you’ll […]
Canvas Cyber Security Incident
Instructure confirmed that Canvas is back up and running. VCU Technology Services is continuing to check the VCU Canvas instance for integrity issues. While Canvas is currently available, users are advised to exercise caution and avoid clicking unknown links or downloading unrecognized files. Please contact [email protected] if you discover any suspicious files, messages, and/or links […]
Top Hat Training – January 2026
Do you have a question about setting up your Top Hat course(s) for Spring? Join one of Top Hat’s drop-in virtual Office Hour sessions! Each session will run for 90 minutes – feel free to join anytime! Participants will be admitted one-by-one to ask questions individually. The dates are: Please register here to receive the […]
Automatic Logoff
Over the last two semesters (Fall 2024 and Spring 2025) the VCU Instructional Computing Services team has observed a recurring challenge many instructors have been facing in our centrally-supported classrooms; logging in (and by extension, logging off). While this is something most of us do multiple times a day nearly every day of the week […]
Top Hat Engage Virtual Edition
Top Hat Engage Virtual Edition is a free summer webinar series designed to help instructors re-energize their teaching and address challenges like declining reading habits, managing large classes, and improving student affordability through low- or no-cost course materials. The series takes place on June 18 and July 17 and features sessions led by faculty, including a keynote from […]
Updated (2:35pm) – Top Hat Single Sign-On Restored!
Update (2:35pm) – The VCU Shibboleth team has implemented the new certificate for Top Hat Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication and this has been tested with the VCU CAS portal. Authentication services have been restored. Update (1:50pm) – Top Hat’s engineering and support teams have identified the issue with Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication and have reached […]
Top Hat Training Sessions!
Technology Services and Academic Affairs are excited to partner with Top Hat to offer a series of virtual training sessions (via Zoom) for VCU faculty to explore Top Hat, our student engagement platform. With VCU’s institution-wide license, Top Hat is free for students. Whether you are new to Top Hat or looking to enhance your […]
Don’t forget to sign-out (of the computer)!
We’ve recently received some calls and tickets from instructors in centrally-managed classrooms stating they are unable to sign-in to the podium computer because another user is already signed-in. For more information about VCU’s centrally-managed classrooms and the computers provided for instructors and students to use, please visit the VCU Classroom Technology website at https://classroomtech.vcu.edu/resources/classroom-computers/. The […]
TopHat Summer Camp
Top Hat is offering its annual faculty development series called Summer Camp. Delivered in weekly installments throughout July, Summer Camp offers a mix of keynote speakers and faculty-led sessions with a focus on learning to use Top Hat. This year’s featured keynotes include Teaching a Great First Day of Class with Dr. James Lang, and […]