Tip of the Week
Each week, ODEL provides interesting and helpful posts on educational technology and online education.
Faster accessible math in Word
Week of 06/15/2026
Updating course math materials for accessibility is faster than ever using Microsoft Word’s native equation tools. Word's built-in equations integrate with screen readers like JAWS and NVDA, and these same efficient workflows now work in PowerPoint. The resulting ...
Week of 06/22/2026
Whether you use PowerPoint or Google Slides, bringing your decks into Canva is an efficient way to update your course materials. With Canva Pro’s Brand Kit, you can lock in your logos, fonts, and colors for future projects. This visual consistency makes your slides ...
Simplify Video Creation with Google Vids
Week of 06/08/2026
If video editing with Camtasia feels overwhelming, Google Vids offers a simpler alternative. You can easily generate short videos directly from text inputs right in your browser. The tool features several preset AI avatars with high-quality voices and fluid audio ...
OLC Elevate 2026 virtual conference is free
Week of 06/01/2026
No travel budget? No problem. Through the UH West Oʻahu institutional membership to the Online Learning Consortium (OLC), you can attend the fully virtual OLC Elevate 2026 conference for free. This year’s event aims to deliver actionable insights on digital ...
Embedding Google Slides in Lamakū
Week of 05/25/2026
Updating your course materials in Lamakū? Consider embedding your Google Slides instead of uploading them. This keeps your presentations fully interactive—meaning your animations, videos, and links will work for your students. Plus, any updates you make to the ...
Crafting an AI policy for your course
Week of 05/18/2026
Developing an artificial intelligence policy is essential for guiding students through the ethical complexities of modern academic work. Including your AI expectations in your syllabus provides students with clear directions on using these tools appropriately while ...
Build custom study tools with Gemini and NotebookLM
Week of 05/04/2026
UH users can quickly create quizzes using Gemini or NotebookLM, a skill students can also master to enhance their own study sessions.In Gemini, select Thinking mode to tackle this complex task. You can integrate resources from Google Drive, NotebookLM, or local file ...
RISE to improve online discussions
Week of 04/27/2026
If your online course discussions feel stagnant, consider whether your prompts truly invite dialogue. Questions with a single correct answer often result in repetitive posts that offer little room for engagement. Next, employ a consistent discussion framework to ...
Gemini modes make the difference
Week of 04/20/2026
AI models deliver tiered responses tailored to the specific complexity of a task, determined by the user's selection of Standard, Reasoning, or Agentic modes. Gemini users can optimize their workflow by choosing the appropriate setting—Fast, Thinking, or ...