Find answers to common instructional technology questions across key areas:

These sections provide guidance for accessing resources, troubleshooting issues, and effectively using available technologies to support teaching and learning.

Support and Service

Find answers to common questions about instructional technology services, software access, consultations, workshops, and support available to faculty.

Most instructional technology software available to faculty can be accessed through OneLogin. After signing in, click on mySMCCD: All Portal Apps, then you will see the applications and services available to your account.

Some software tools may not appear in OneLogin because they are accessed directly through Canvas or require a separate setup process. Examples include DesignPLUS, WeVideo, Pronto, Padlet, and other Canvas-integrated tools.

If you are looking for a specific application or need help accessing it, please contact a CTTL Instructional Technologist.

Yes. We can help with setup, basic configuration, and ideas for how to use a tool in your course. This can be done through a quick consultation or a longer session if needed. Please contact the ITS Help Center

If you have questions about how to use a tool or how to apply it in your course, CTTL is happy to help: fill ou our CTTL Contact Form.

For technical issues, such as access problems or errors, please contact ITS for support.

It depends on what you are trying to do. For example, Padlet works well for discussion and brainstorming, WeVideo (PlayPosit) is useful for interactive video, and Panopto supports lecture recording. If you are unsure, feel free to reach out to us through thte CTTL Contact Form and we can talk through what might work best for your course.

Many instructional technology tools are available directly through Canvas, while others can be accessed through OneLogin. After signing in to OneLogin, you will see the applications available to your account.

Some tools, such as DesignPLUS, WeVideo, Pronto, and Padlet, may not appear in OneLogin because they are accessed through Canvas or managed separately by Skyline. If you need help accessing a specific tool, please feel free to reach out to CTTL at skylineCTTL@smccd.edu.

If you need assistance with Canvas, instructional technology tools, Canvas accessibility, course media, or other technology-related teaching questions, submit a support request through the CTTL Contact Form or contact the Instructional Technologist. We will work with you to identify the best solution or connect you with the appropriate campus resource if needed.
Yes. Individual consultations are available for faculty who would like personalized assistance with Canvas, instructional technology tools, course design, accessibility, AI, instructional media, and other teaching technologies.

Yes. The Instructional Technology team offers workshops throughout the year on Canvas, instructional technologies, AI, accessibility, and other teaching technologies.

In addition to workshops, our Instructional Technologists may attend division meetings to share important technology updates, introduce new instructional tools and features, and keep faculty informed about services and resources that support teaching and learning.

Canvas

Learn how to manage your Canvas courses, request course services, import content, and get the most out of Canvas for teaching and learning.

If you are teaching multiple sections of the same course, the Instructional Technology team can combine (cross-list) them into a single Canvas course. This allows you to manage course content, assignments, announcements, and grades in one place while maintaining student enrollments in their original sections.

To ensure a smooth transition, we recommend submitting a Cross-Listing / Combine Course Sections Request before students begin participating in the course.

A Canvas sandbox course provides a safe space to build, redesign, or experiment with course content without affecting your live courses or student enrollments. Sandbox courses are available upon request and are ideal for developing new courses, testing instructional technologies, or preparing content before the semester begins. To request a sandbox course, please complete the Canvas Sandbox Course Request form.
Canvas allows instructors to copy content from a previous course or sandbox into a new course shell. You can copy an entire course or select specific content, such as modules, assignments, quizzes, discussions, and pages.

To import content, go to Settings > Import Course Content, select Copy a Canvas Course, search for the course using the CRN number, select the course, and click Add to Import Queue.

If you need assistance with the course import process or are unsure which content to copy, please feel free to contact the Instructional Technologist.

External tool

Learn how to request new publisher tools and third-party integrations, understand the approval process, and access instructional technology tools that work with Canvas.

If your textbook includes a publisher platform, homework system, e-book, or other digital tools that need to integrate with Canvas, please contact the Instructional Technology team before planning to use the tool in your course.

New integrations must go through a district review and approval process before they can be installed in Canvas. The Instructional Technology team will help coordinate the process with ITS, including security, privacy, accessibility, and technical compatibility reviews.

The review process typically takes 6–10 weeks and may take longer depending on the vendor and the information provided. If you are considering a publisher tool for an upcoming semester, we recommend contacting us as early as possible. For example, if you plan to use the tool in a fall course, you should begin the process during the summer or earlier to allow sufficient time for review and implementation.

Many publisher platforms and third-party instructional tools have already been reviewed and are available in Canvas. Before requesting a new integration, contact the Instructional Technology team. We can help determine whether the tool is already available or whether a new review and approval process is required.

No. Faculty cannot install Canvas integrations or external tools independently. All new integrations must complete the district's review and approval process before they can be added to Canvas.

If you're interested in using a new instructional technology tool, contact the Instructional Technology team and we'll help guide you through the process.

Before a new tool can be added to Canvas, it must be reviewed for security, privacy, accessibility, technical compatibility, and other district requirements. Some tools may also require additional agreements or vendor documentation before approval can be completed.

Because multiple departments participate in the review process, approvals typically take 6–10 weeks and may take longer depending on the complexity of the request.

Video tool

Explore district-supported video tools for recording, editing, captioning, and sharing instructional videos in Canvas.

We recommend using Panopto, the district-supported video platform, to create and share instructional videos in Canvas. You can record videos directly from Canvas using the Panopto Video button in the Rich Content Editor or upload existing videos to your course.

Panopto integrates seamlessly with Canvas, securely stores your videos, and automatically generates captions.

If you need assistance recording or publishing videos, please contact the Instructional Technologist.

Panopto is the recommended method for adding videos to Canvas. After recording or uploading your video to Panopto, you can embed it directly into Pages, Assignments, Discussions, Announcements, Quizzes, and other Canvas content using the Panopto Video button in the Apps menu of the Rich Content Editor.

Embedding videos through Panopto provides a better viewing experience than uploading video files directly into Canvas. Panopto also automatically generates captions, which you can review and edit for accuracy before publishing your video.

Both Zoom and Panopto can be used to create instructional videos.

Many instructors find it easiest to record using the Zoom tool in Canvas. If you record to the cloud, your recording is automatically copied to your Panopto account, where you can organize your videos, edit captions, and embed them into your Canvas course.

You can also record directly in Panopto, which is a good option for creating screen recordings, demonstrations, narrated presentations, or other pre-recorded instructional videos.

If you're unsure which option is best for your teaching needs, please contact the Instructional Technologist.

Yes. Instructional videos should include captions to help ensure your course content is accessible to all students.

Panopto automatically generates captions for uploaded and recorded videos. We recommend reviewing the captions for accuracy before publishing your videos.

Yes. Panopto includes basic editing features that allow you to trim the beginning or end of a recording, remove unwanted sections, update captions, and replace presentation slides without re-recording the entire video.

If you need assistance editing your videos, please contact the Instructional Technologist.

If you would ike students to interact with a video by answering quiz questions, viewing embedded documents, visiting links, or participating in discussions while they watch, consider using WeVideo.

WeVideo allows you to create interactive video lessons that can be embedded in Canvas. You can also connect WeVideo activities to the Canvas Gradebook so student scores are automatically recorded.

If you're interested in using WeVideo, please contact the Instructional Technologist to learn more

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

Find information about district-supported AI resources, how to access Google Gemini, and where to find guidance for using AI in teaching and learning.

At this time, there are no AI tools integrated directly into Canvas.

The District provides faculty and students with access to Google Gemini for Workspace through their district account. To access Gemini, sign in to OneLogin and launch the Google Gemini application.

Faculty may choose whether or not to use AI tools in their teaching. If you have questions about accessing Gemini or would like additional information about available AI resources, please contact CTTL or Instructional Technologist.

No. At this time, the District does not have any AI tools integrated directly into Canvas.
Yes. Faculty and students have access to Google Gemini for Workspace through their district Google accounts. Gemini can be accessed by signing in through OneLogin.

Yes. The District has developed guidance to help faculty make informed decisions about using AI in teaching and learning, including considerations related to privacy, academic integrity, copyright, and responsible AI use.

Please refer to the AI Guidance section of the AI Community of Practice for the latest recommendations.

The District's AI Community of Practice website provides resources to help faculty learn about AI in teaching and learning. Topics include curriculum integration, instructional resources, guidance and ethics, and district-supported AI tools.

Visit the AI Community of Practice website to explore these resources.