LEDstudio Blog

When we think about accessibility, the conversation often starts with fixing what already exists by adding alt text, checking color contrast, captioning videos, remediating PDFs, or running an accessibility scan in Canvas. But one of the most helpful accessibility decisions happens even earlier. What format should this content be in? Before uploading a file to […]

If you’re like me, you’ve probably been using AI over the last year to help refine emails for clarity or brainstorm lesson plans. Exploring AI tools is definitely a journey of discovery. It takes some time to test what works, but it’s incredibly rewarding when you find the ones that click. Recently, I started experimenting […]

Peerceptiv is a peer review tool that allows instructors to facilitate structured peer review for assignments, presentations, and group projects. With a wide variety of configuration options, instructors can create customized learning experiences that fit their course goals. Peerceptiv supports several assignment types, including: How Does It Work? Students upload a variety of assignment types, […]

With so much current attention focused on AI and accessibility, it may seem odd to revisit hybrid course design. But high-quality hybrid teaching remains one of the most flexible and effective approaches for supporting student learning and engagement. Hybrid courses blend synchronous face-to-face instruction with asynchronous online learning experiences. At VCU, hybrid courses intentionally combine […]

We are excited to announce that the Adobe Education Institute (AEI) is back from June 8th to 11th, and all faculty and staff are invited. The Adobe Education Institute is a free, virtual professional development global conference designed to support faculty and staff in enhancing teaching, learning, and digital skills. This year’s event has more […]

When the VCU Common Book was announced for the 2025-2026 school year as a book on AI, “The Coming Wave” by Mustafa Suleyman, I pitched that our department, LEDstudio, host an event for faculty to dive into that topic. I had really enjoyed participating in the book club style gatherings that Massey Cancer Center hosted […]

Why Do Stories Stick? You may remember sitting through training sessions, lectures, or presentations packed with useful information only to forget most of it by the next day. But tell us a story and something different happens. We do not just remember information, we remember experiences. Like the overwhelmed first-year teacher trying to manage a […]

When faculty think about course design, they naturally focus first on content: readings, lectures, discussions, and assignments. These are, of course, the foundation of any learning experience. However, the underlying course structure is a sometimes neglected but deeply important consideration as well. Before students can engage meaningfully with ideas, they have to understand how the […]

When integrated intentionally, technology expands possibility — supporting creativity, flexibility, access, and meaningful learning experiences across modalities. Beyond Efficiency: Technology as Possibility Technology has become such a familiar part of teaching that it’s often discussed in terms of tools, platforms, or requirements. But when we step back, technology offers something far more powerful than efficiency […]

Gamification brings game‑design principles into course design to boost student engagement, motivation, and persistence. By weaving in elements like progression and meaningful rewards, you can transform traditional course structures into experiences that feel more energizing. This post highlights a few simple strategies you can use to make your course more enjoyable for students. Gamification doesn’t […]