Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · 5d

It’s an honor to be named to the 2026 #GSV150 list! The annual report recognizes the most transformational growth companies shaping the future of digital learning and workforce skills. Congratulations to all organizations recognized!

View the full list: www.asugsvsummit.com/gsv-150?0314...

Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · Sep 17

🎉 Higher Listenings is back with Season 3!
In our season opener, Dr. Michelle Miller joins us to talk about building classes where motivation flows from connection, not compliance. Small shifts, big impact, and more joy in the classroom.
🎧 Listen now: linktr.ee/higherlisten...

Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · Sep 2

Discover Top Hat’s Ultimate Student Engagement Toolkit: your go-to resource packed with evidence-based strategies to energize your classroom.

What's inside:
👉 Ready-to-use lesson plan templates
👉 Team-building activities
👉 Tips to ethically apply AI

Access now: bit.ly/3JCa3uR

Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · Aug 28

AI is transforming higher ed. The question isn’t if it belongs in the classroom, but how.

Our Chief Academic Officer, Brad Cohen, shares how AI can help personalize learning and empower student success in The Toronto Star.

Read the full story: www.thestar.com/business/new...

New school: What artificial intelligence means for higher education

As generative AI and other tools become ubiquitous, universities are reevaluating traditional forms of teaching and assessing student performance.

www.thestar.com

Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · Aug 26

Feeling more like a classroom cop than an educator? You’re not alone.

Join Dr. Michelle Miller, author of "Minds Online," on Sept. 18 at 2 PM ET as we explore how ‘Same-Side Pedagogy’ leads to greater trust, motivation and collaboration in the classroom.

RSVP now: bit.ly/4oUUVsi

Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · Jul 24

Assessment should teach, not just test. That’s why we’re excited to bring the OpenClass IP — and founder Alec Kretch — to Top Hat! The acquisition will advance our mission to support deeper learning through personalized, authentic assignments.

Read the full announcement: tophat.com/blog/opencla...

Top Hat Acquires OpenClass IP and Welcomes Founder to Team

Top Hat acquires OpenClass IP and welcomes founder Alec Kretch to expand authentic, AI-powered assessment for real-world learning

tophat.com

Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · Jul 11

Top Hat's AI-powered assistant, Ace, just became even more powerful!

Faculty can now generate AI-powered examples tailored to student interests and offer personalized practice that turns mistakes into learning opportunities.

Discover Ace today: bit.ly/4lPCxPw

Top Hat Ace: Expanded AI Makes Active, Personalized Learning More Accessible

The latest enhancements to Ace’s capabilities help educators create more relevant and effective learning experiences, with greater confidence.

bit.ly

Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · Jul 8

Hey educators! 👋 Ready to boost student engagement this fall? Our refreshed Student Engagement toolkit is packed with resources including:

👉 Tips to encourage responsible #AI use
👉 Templates to kickoff syllabus design and course prep
👉 On-demand talks from #highered's biggest names

bit.ly/4lBSKaK

Top Hat's Ultimate Student Engagement Toolkit to Maximize Course Success | Top Hat

Unlock student engagement student engagement strategies to elevate your course, maximize classroom impact, and foster an equitable learning environment. Start transforming your teaching today!

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Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · Jun 17

We're proud to announce a new partnership with @universityofga.bsky.social! Our agreement will allow students and faculty to access Top Hat at no cost. This initiative reinforces UGA's dedication to high-impact teaching and student affordability.

Read more: bit.ly/44i4oSd

#HigherEd #UGA

University of Georgia Equips Faculty and Students with Free Access to Top Hat

New license agreement provides all students and faculty with free access to Top Hat, reinforcing UGA’s strategic focus on affordability, student success, and innovation in teaching

bit.ly

Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · Jun 10

We’re honored to be named Courseware Solution Provider of the Year in the 2025 EdTech Breakthrough Awards! A huge thank you to our team and the thousands of faculty who inspire us every day. tophat.com/press-releas...

Top Hat Named Courseware Solution Provider of the Year

Top Hat, the leader in student engagement solutions for higher education, has been named the 2025 Courseware Solution Provider of the Year.

tophat.com

Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · Jun 3

#highered #webinaralert #mcmasteru

Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · Jun 3

Keeping students engaged in a large lecture isn’t easy—but it’s far from impossible. On June 18, join Dr. Michelle Cadieux (@mcmasteruniversity.bsky.social) for a conversation on how she turned her 500+ person course into a vibrant learning community with over 90% attendance.

RSVP: bit.ly/3HbIsPP

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Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · May 27

Is teaching a source of stress or joy for you? Join Dr. @sarosecav.bsky.social (author of "The Spark of Learning") at Top Hat Engage: Virtual Edition for research-backed strategies to help your classes flourish.

Join us on June 18 by signing up here: bit.ly/3HbIsPP

#teaching #edtech #Webinar

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Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · May 13

Our latest episode of Higher Listenings is all about rethinking participation, inclusion, and the true power of talking things through. Listen on your preferred platform now: linktr.ee/higherlisten...

Higher Listenings by Top Hat | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

View higherlistenings’s Linktree to discover and stream music from top platforms like Spotify here. Your next favorite track is just a click away!

linktr.ee

Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · May 13

If students can get answers from #AI, what are we doing in the classroom? Dr. @toddzakrajsek.bsky.social’s answer starts with a personal trainer... and ends with a whole new take on classroom discussions.

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Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · May 2

Tune into the latest episode of #higherlistenings this weekend! We share how flexible, mission-aligned technology isn’t just supporting learning—it’s quietly shaping outcomes where it matters most: in the classroom.

Listen now: linktr.ee/higherlisten...

#podcast #edtech #highereducation

Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · May 2

We sit down with two inspiring educators at California State University, San Bernardino who share how they charted a 3% decline in drop, fail, withdrawal and incomplete rates since using a Top Hat Interactive eText.

Read their story: bit.ly/4jCmF23

How a Top Hat eText Improved DFWI Rates By 3% in Public Speaking

How two professors moved their DFWI rates from 14 to 11 percent with the help of an Interactive Top Hat eText.

bit.ly

Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · May 2

“Top Hat helped reduce exam anxiety. Because each chapter has built-in questions that check for understanding, we have been able to eliminate formal testing which allows faculty to focus more on speaking performance."

How a Top Hat eText Improved DFWI Rates By 3% in Public Speaking

How two professors moved their DFWI rates from 14 to 11 percent with the help of an Interactive Top Hat eText.

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Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · Apr 28

"As a user or partner, you can trust that we're following the best global practices to manage risks and keep your information safe," says Que Sengmany, Director of Information Security.

Check out our latest post to learn more: bit.ly/430ZXux

#ISO27001 #CyberSecurity #IT

Top Hat is Now ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Certified!

At Top Hat, we take the protection of user data extremely seriously. That’s why we’re proud to be ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certified!

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Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · Apr 28

Big news: Top Hat is now officially ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certified! 🎉 This is the gold standard for information security management worldwide.

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Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · Apr 8

"We knew we wanted to bridge the gap between student readiness and employer needs."

Dr. Corey Clem of Texas Tech University shares how a customizable Top Hat eText prepares students for the workplace *and* saves learners more than $275,000 since adoption. #textbook #highered

bit.ly/3FWBn5b

How a Custom Top Hat eText Prepares Students for Their Careers

By authoring a customizable Top Hat eText, this professor has saved students more than $275,000 on course materials. Read more.

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Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · Apr 4

Dr. Hommel shares why bravery might be the most underrated teaching skill of all.

Listen to the full episode on your preferred streaming platform: linktr.ee/higherlisten...

#teaching #podcast #highereducation

Higher Listenings by Top Hat | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

View higherlistenings’s Linktree to discover and stream music from top platforms like Spotify here. Your next favorite track is just a click away!

linktr.ee

Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · Apr 4

Innovation doesn’t always need a master plan. Sometimes, it just takes guts. In our newest #HigherListenings episode, we chat with Dr. Demian Hommel—teaching fellow @oregonstate.edu, serial risk-taker, and unshakable optimist.

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Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · Apr 3

Did you know nearly 20% of people worldwide are recognized as #neurodivergent? We share 12 ways to make your course more inclusive during Autism Acceptance Month.

Read now: toph.at/25n

#autismawareness #teachingtips #highered

A 12-Point Checklist to Support Neurodivergent Students | Top Hat

It’s more critical than ever for faculty to find effective ways to support neurodiversity in education. Learn how.

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Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · Mar 28

In this episode, Dr. McGuire shares why reflection questions (even the ones she once resisted!) can unlock the mindset shift students need most.

Listen to the full episode: linktr.ee/higherlisten...

#HigherEd #EquityInEducation #Metacognition #StudentSuccess #TeachingStrategies

Higher Listenings by Top Hat | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

View higherlistenings’s Linktree to discover and stream music from top platforms like Spotify here. Your next favorite track is just a click away!

linktr.ee