Available Academic Tools

Teaching isn't reliant on technology, but the right tools can enhance the experience and transform the learning environment. This article provides an overview of academic technology and tools supported at St. Edward's University.

Use this article to:

  • Identify the technology available in classrooms
  • Learn about tools integrated into Canvas
  • Find specialized tools for research, multimedia, generative AI, and more

Access online technology training via LinkedIn Learning or request a consultation by emailing support@stedwards.edu.
This article covers:

Classroom Technology

All St. Edward's classroom spaces are equipped with a standard set of technology including a computer, projector, video camera,  and microphone  based on the usage of each room. View the list of classroom technology and campus-licensed software applications available for installation on university-owned computers.

Learning Management System (Canvas)

Canvas is the university's official learning management system. Courses, instructors, and students are synced automatically via Banner.

Use Canvas to:

  • Post syllabi, assignments, and readings
  • Facilitate discussions and quizzes
  • Manage grades

Resources:  Canvas Guides | Request one-on-one training at support@stedwards.edu.

Attendance Tools

Canvas supports:

Instructional Technology recommends Qwickly, but compare both tools to choose the best fit for your course.

Resources:  Qwickly Setup Guide | Canvas Roll Call Guide

Quizzing Options

Canvas offers two quizzing tools:

  • Classic Quizzes (enabled by default)
  • New Quizzes (more features; enable via course settings)

Resources: Canvas Quiz Best Practices | New Quizzes Overview

Online Proctoring

Honorlock allows students to take proctored exams on-demand within Canvas. Sessions are recorded.

Resources:  Honorlock Guide

Publisher Content Integrations for Canvas

Canvas integrates with major publishers:

Enable tools via Navigation or Modules in Canvas. Student costs vary by textbook.

Resources: Visit publisher sites for documentation.
 

Turnitin (Plagiarism Detection)

Integrated into Canvas Assignments, Turnitin provides originality checking and grading tools.

Resources: Turnitin Assignment Setup Guide

Digital Publishing Tools

Use Google Sites to create class websites, blogs, or student journals.

Resources: Google Sites Guide | Request a consult at support@stedwards.edu.

Generative AI Tools

View Getting Started with AI to get started.

Highlighted Tools:

  • Google Gemini – Chat-based AI inside Google Workspace
  • Google NotebookLM – AI-powered notebook and study guide generator
  • Rumi – Canvas-integrated AI writing and policy tool

Resources: Gemini Guide | NotebookLM Guide | Rumi Faculty Guide | Student Guide to Using Rumi

Many tools on campus now include AI features. IET staff maintain a non-exhaustive list of AI-enabled products in use on campus. Some tools (like the Zoom Meeting AI Companion) have articles to help you use them. Search "AI" to find all of our articles about AI at St. Edward's. 

Mapping Tools

  • ArcGIS: Geographic Information System for mapping and spatial analysis. ArcGIS is available on all lab and classroom computers. Faculty and staff with university-owned computers can request licenses by emailing support@stedwards.edu.
  • Social Explorer: Combines demographic data with visualization tools. Log in to Social Explorer using your SEU email address. You will receive a code via email that you can use to set up your account.

Resources: ArcGIS Intro | ArcGIS Pro Essential Training | Global Community of ArcGIS Users | Social Explorer Help Center

Multimedia Creation Tools

The Digital Media Center (DMC) supports digital media creation and usage for education, scholarship and creativity. It offers in-person consultations and online resources for audio, video, images and interactive media. Tools for video, audio, images, and design include

  • Adobe Express: Alternative to Canva
  • ​​​​​​​Adobe Creative Cloud Suite: Adobe Creative Cloud is available on all lab and classroom computers. Faculty and staff with university-owned computers can request licenses for Adobe tools (e.g., Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere) by emailing support@stedwards.edu. ​​​​​​​ 

Resources: ​​​​​​​Adobe Express Guide | Adobe Creative Cloud Access Instructions | Access tutorials via LinkedIn Learning or DMC consultation. ​​​​​​​

Polling/Audience Response Systems

Poll Everywhere allows for live polling via web or mobile devices.

Resources: Poll Everywhere Knowledge Base Article | Poll Everywhere Support | Request access via support@stedwards.edu.​​​​​​​

Presentation and Lecture Capture Recording

Panopto, integrated into Canvas, records lectures from classrooms or personal devices. All Zoom recordings are backed up to your Meetings Folder in Panopto.

Resources: Panopto Overview | For usage outside of Canvas, please contact Instructional Technology via support@stedwards.edu.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Academic Research Tools

St. Edward's provides access to both resources and software to support the research process. Munday Library provides access to over a million resources, including ebooks, journal articles, specialized databases, streaming videos, images and archives. Explore with the library catalog, save and share collections. Try simple and advanced search engines. Some research software tools are available university-wide, some have limited licenses, and some must be licensed individually. Our guide covers how to access each and available training and documentation for survey tools, quantitative and qualitative data analysis tools, citation managers, and discovery tools.

Highlighted AI Tools: 

  • Elicit: AI Research Assistant (free and paid licenses not provided by the university)
  • Research Rabbit: Like Spotify for research

Resources: Munday Library | Guide to Accessing Research Technology

Social Annotation

Faculty can assign social annotation tools for collaborative text analysis, engagement and student connections around online texts.

  • Hypothesis: An open-source application integrated into Canvas, allowing sentence-level note-taking or critique on online content like news, blogs, scientific articles, etc. Students can add links, images and videos to their annotations.
  • Perusall: A collaborative e-book platform with annotation features. Students can ask questions, respond to each other (in threads, Facebook-style) and share perspectives while annotating passages in readings.

Resources: Hypothesis Canvas Integration |Perusall Integration Guide

Videoconferencing

  • Zoom (Pro license for all All St. Edward's faculty, staff, and students with cloud recording capabilities)
  • Google Meet (Access through Google Apps)

Classrooms are equipped with cameras and microphones.

Resources: Using Zoom | Request training via Instructional Technology

Other Tools & Support

If you're unsure where to start or need help with any tool, email support@stedwards.edu. Instructional Technology is here to help you succeed.

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