The IT Governance review board for instructional technologies.
About ETAC
The Educational Technology Advisory Council (ETAC) is the advisory body to IT Directors on educational technology system recommendations and changes, unless said changes are determined to be critical decisions that require review by the IT Gov Committee and CIO. For critical votes, a quorum of ETAC members must be present. All other votes will be taken by members who are present.
Upcoming Topics
Brightspace integrations will be reviewed by the council and topics will be added. See you in September.
Major Meeting Updates / Outcomes
Key Updates
ReadSpeaker Enhancement in Brightspace
An enhanced version of ReadSpeaker is scheduled to be added to the system on May 15th, 2026
- Expands text-to-speech functionality to more areas within Brightspace
- New “read button” will reach additional system areas
- Enhancement provides broader accessibility support for students
Brightspace Change Plan – Project Sites Migration
Major reorganization of approximately 300 project sites scheduled for May 15th, 2026
- Existing project sites will maintain functionality but lose ability to enroll new learners
- New request process being developed in ServiceNow for continued project site access requiring learner enrollment
Brightspace System Changes – May 15th Implementation
Multiple system changes scheduled for May 15th. More details can be found at our website: https://its.uri.edu/tls/brightspace-improvements-2026/
New Content Experience Naming Convention Changes:
- Transition from “lessons” to “modules and submodules” terminology
New Content Experience Visibility Settings:
- Updated visibility controls for course content
Tech Day Planning Announcement
Expanded scope for upcoming Tech Day event:
- Event now open to external participants
- Will include universities beyond URI
- Broader educational technology community engagement
Council Administration
Meeting Notes
October 23 ETAC Notes || December 23 ETAC Notes. || February 24 ETAC Notes || March 24 ETAC Notes
April 24 ETAC Notes || September 24 ETAC Notes || October 24 ETAC Notes || November 24 ETAC Notes
February 25 ETAC Notes || March 25 ETAC Notes || April 25 ETAC Notes || September 25 ETAC Notes || October 25 ETAC Notes || December 25 ETAC Notes || February 26 ETAC Notes || March 26 ETAC Notes || April 26 ETAC Notes
ETAC Chair (25-27): Alicia Vaandering, Library, Assistant Professor
Members (Italicized are non-voting members)
- Abbot, Sophia, ATL, Faculty Development Specialist
- Coyne, Robert, Physics, Associate Teaching Professor
- Fariello, Gabriele, IT, CIO
- Gray, Kevin, IT TLS, Project Leader & Brightspace System Administrator
- Harper, Allison, Kinesiology, Teaching Professor
- Hervé, Jean-Yves, Computer Science, Associate Professor
- Kogut, Stephen, Pharmacy, Professor
- Larson, Sarah, Nutrition & Food Sciences, Associate Teaching Professor
- Lavan, Christopher, ATL, Associate Vice Provost
- Lester, Ian, Pharmacy, Manager of Technology Services
- McGwin, Jim, Business, Adjunct Professor
- McGough, Ellen, Physical Therapy, Professor
- Peno, Kathy, Education, Professor
- Portman-Daley, Joannah, ATL, Associate Director of Online Education and Instructional Technology
- Rogers, Michelle, IT TLS, Director of IT Teaching and Learning Services
- Ramsdell, Paige, Disability Services, Assistant Dean
- Sharpes-Smith, Heather, Executive Director, URI Online
- Vaandering, Alicia, Library, Assistant Professor