The AI Grading Tool Dividend: Reinvesting Time to Meet RSI and UDL Standards (Flex Spring 26)

January 15, 2026 By

Date/Time: Thursday, January 15, 2026
11:00 am - 11:50 am

Canvas Logo w Gradebook Icon

Thursday, January 15, 2026

11 – 11:50 pm

Location: Please use this Zoom meeting link to join the event

Presented by: Lori Hokerson, Universal Design and Accessibility Coordinator; Alice L Dieli, Instructional Development Coordinator

Flex credit: 1 hour

The new Canvas AI Grading tool is coming, promising to save faculty valuable time by providing automated feedback to students. However, machine-to-student feedback alone does not meet the need our students express for individual communication with their teachers, nor does it maintain compliance with ACCJC standards to ensure our courses incorporate Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI)—a requirement the Canvas AI Grading tool feedback cannot fulfill.

So, in this session, we will turn this technological change into a pedagogical opportunity. First, we will provide a quick, non-hands-on overview of the AI Grading tool’s functionality, focusing on how to maximize the “AI Dividend”—the time saved in the gradebook.

Then we will explore practical, high-impact ways to reinvest that time into meaningful interactions that:

  • Enhance Equity and Access by integrating Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles into our feedback and assessment strategies.
  • Fulfill ACCJC RSI requirements (e.g., provide personalized feedback, participate in guided discussions).

You will walk away with clear instructions for the AI Gradebook tool, actionable strategies for improving student retention and engagement, and a customizable Crosswalk Checklist that helps you align your feedback methods directly with RSI and UDL to make meaningful connections with all students.

This activity meets State PD Guidelines A, B, & C; ARC Strategic Goal 1 Students First and Goal 3 Exemplary Teaching, Learning, and Working Environment; ARC Professional Development Competencies: Equity-minded Service, Effective Communication, and Technology Proficiency.

Attendance at this professional development activity is limited to LRCCD employees and invited participants.