SHSU Online Newsletter

A close-up of a laptop connected to a Refreshable Braille Display sitting on a gray desk. The braille display is black with blue buttons and tactile braille pins raised in the center. The laptop screen shows a webpage with various tiles and images.

New Trends in Online Education

What the New DOJ Rule Means for Online Teaching at SHSU

The Department of Justice has introduced a new rule that reshapes expectations around accessibility in online teaching. This article breaks down what it means for SHSU courses and what instructors can do now to stay aligned and prepared.

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ONLINE PROGRAM INSIGHTS

Beyond Cognitive Load: The Emotional Labor of Adult Online Learners

When we think about student effort, we often focus on cognitive load, but adult online learners are balancing far more than information processing. Explore how emotional labor shows up in online learning and what instructors can do to better support adult students.

A group portrait of seven members band. They are dressed in matching black western shirts with decorative silver patterns on the shoulders, jeans, and cowboy hats. Several members hold instruments, including an accordion and a snare drum. They are smiling and laughing together against a tan wooden wall decorated with two metal fish skeleton art pieces.

Voices of Online Students

Finding Purpose Again: Juan Ramirez and his Online Bearkat Journey

After stepping away from higher education, Juan Ramirez found his way back through SHSU Online. Share in his journey of rediscovering purpose, balancing life and learning, and what being an online Bearkat has meant for his future.

A logo with a white scalloped circle in the center against a blue pixelated background. Inside the circle, the text "SIMPLE SYLLABUS" is written in black, accompanied by a minimalist red geometric icon on the left.

TRAINING/ FACULTY DEVELOPMENT

Refresh Your Syllabus with Simple Syllabus

A refreshed syllabus can make a big difference for instructors and students alike. Explore how Simple Syllabus simplifies updates and supports clearer course communication.

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Tools and Services

Your “Ally” in Blackboard: Latest Enhancements, Student Access, and the Spotlight on Title II

Accessibility tools are changing fast. Explore the latest Blackboard Ally updates, what they mean for students, and how Title II factors into the bigger picture.

Two men wearing black aprons with the "SH Dietetic Internship" logo working in a professional kitchen. The man on the left is holding a metal mixing bowl, and the man on the right is looking toward a workspace with fresh vegetables, including green bell peppers and carrots.

NEW TRENDS IN ONLINE EDUCATION

Bearkats in the Kitchen: Cooking, Nutrition, and Collaboration Come Together at SHSU

From shared recipes to shared goals, Bearkats in the Kitchen brings students together to explore nutrition, teamwork, and connection beyond the classroom. Learn how collaboration and cooking create meaningful campus experiences.

A close-up, slightly blurred shot of a computer monitor displaying the ChatGPT interface.

NEW TRENDS IN ONLINE EDUCATION

Advancing AI Readiness Across the Texas State University System

The Texas State University System is taking coordinated steps toward responsible AI adoption. Explore how collaboration, planning, and shared standards are shaping AI readiness across institutions.

A close-up, angled shot of a computer screen showing a learning management system's grading interface.

TRAINING/FACULTY DEVELOPMENT

BB GRADEBOOK: ADVANTAGES OF EARLY SET UP

A little prep goes a long way. See how setting up your Blackboard Gradebook early can save time, reduce confusion, and create a clearer experience for both instructors and students throughout the term.

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Staff news

SHSU Online Welcomes a New Video Producer

SHSU Online adds fresh talent to its media team! Discover how the newest Video Producer is stepping in to create engaging content and bring new energy to online learning experiences.

A woman with dark hair and glasses, wearing a blue and white floral patterned blouse, sits at a desk in a classroom or office setting. She is looking toward someone off-camera with a slight smile.

NEW TRENDS IN ONLINE EDUCATION

Celebrating Excellence in Online Teaching: The SHSU Online Katalyst Awards at #DES26

SHSU Online spotlights innovation and impact in online teaching with the Katalyst Awards. See how faculty are inspiring learning and sharing best practices at #DES26.

A crowded outdoor campus plaza at Sam Houston State University. Students are walking in various directions. In the center stands a large white statue of Sam Houston. To the right, a basketball is captured mid-air near a hoop. Trees and campus buildings are visible in the background under bright sunlight.

NEW TRENDS IN ONLINE EDUCATION

Mobility, AI, and Demographics in 2025: A New Global Landscape for Higher Education

Global higher education is shifting fast. Explore how AI, changing student mobility, and demographic trends are reshaping where and how students learn worldwide.

Two female students engaged in a friendly conversation in a brightly lit, white-walled hallway. The student on the left has long brown hair and wears a denim jacket. The student on the right has curly dark hair and is wearing a black-and-white striped shirt and khaki pants, gesturing with her hand while she speaks.

Staff news

SHSU Online Launches New Student Success & Growth Team

SHSU Online strengthens support for students with a new success and growth team, focusing on personalized outreach, enrollment, and strategies to help learners thrive from start to finish. Meet the new team!