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October
Canva AI Skills for the Classroom
Wednesday,
October 14,
2026
| 4
- 5 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Description: Explore practical ways to bring AI into teaching and learning with this Canva-hosted
session. Learn how AI-powered tools can support creativity, enhance classroom activities,
and help educators develop new approaches to engaging students. This session is a
great opportunity for faculty interested in expanding their AI skills and exploring
how emerging technologies can be thoughtfully incorporated into their teaching. Presenter: Andrew Lopez, Canva Learning Consultant
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Using Rubrics in Blackboard as an Inclusive Practice - Part I
Thursday,
October 15,
2026
| 2:30
- 4 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Description: This two-part workshop explores rubrics as an inclusive teaching practice. In Part
1, faculty will develop or refine a rubric for an existing assignment, focusing on
transparency, alignment, observable criteria, and meaningful performance levels. In
Part 2, participants will build and use that rubric in Blackboard, providing students
with clear expectations for their work. WORKSHOP DETAILS
- Session 1: Thursday, October 15 | 2:30–4:00 p.m.
- Session 2: Thursday, October 22 | 2:30–4:00 p.m.
Presenters: Alaina Walton, Director of Academic Assessment and Dennis Fotia, Instructional Specialist Join Session:
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Beyond the Template: Build Interactive Lessons with Canva
Thursday,
October 15,
2026
| 6 p.m.
- 7 a.m.
Location: Virtual
Description: Go beyond the basics of Canva and discover new ways to create more engaging and impactful
content. This Canva-hosted session offers an opportunity to expand your design skills,
explore creative possibilities beyond standard templates, and gain ideas for producing
polished, visually compelling materials for teaching, presentations, and other professional
needs. Presenter: Janice Wintermyer, Canva Learning Consultant
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Bring real-world sources into your classroom and help students become more confident
researchers!
Friday,
October 16,
2026
| 8:30
- 9:30 a.m.
Location: E-055
Description: Join us for a two-part faculty workshop exploring how high-quality, accessible publications
can enrich student research projects. Discover practical strategies for helping students
evaluate sources, develop research skills, and apply flexible frameworks to their
own work. Designed especially for early-career faculty and those teaching first-year or introductory courses, this series offers an opportunity to explore new approaches and exchange ideas with
colleagues. WORKSHOP DETAILS
- Session 1: Friday, October 16 | 8:30–9:30 a.m. | E055
- Session 2: Friday, November 6 | 8:30–9:30 a.m. | E055
An optional follow-up consultation with the facilitators may also be offered. Space is limited, reserve your spot today! .
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Leveraging Your Precepting Course in Blackboard
Friday,
October 16,
2026
| 9:55
- 11:10 a.m.
Location: Zoom
Description: This presentation will feature a sample advising Blackboard shell and provide suggestions
for effectively organizing and uploading content related to precepting. An academic
advisor will share recommended resources and materials to include within the shell,
as well as provide participants with access to explore the sample shell, review available
content, and share information with students. Participants will gain practical strategies
for using Blackboard as a resource to support communication, organization, and the
precepting experience. Presenter: Trinee Parson Join Session: Passcode: 870862
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Blackboard Ultra's AI: Your Course Design Assistant
Wednesday,
October 21,
2026
| 10:30
- 11 a.m.
Location: Zoom
Description: Explore how Blackboard Ultra’s built-in AI tools can support course planning, content
creation, and instructional design workflows. Participants will learn practical ways
to generate learning materials, draft assessments, and streamline course development.
The session will also discuss best practices for reviewing and refining AI-generated
content to ensure quality and alignment with learning outcomes. Presented by: Abigail Laird, Instructional Designer Join Session:
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Scaffolded Interactives to Boost Systems Thinking Learning Online
Wednesday,
October 21,
2026
| 3
- 4 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Description: Here we present approaches for incorporating a series of interactives and other activities that provide real-time feedback automatically to scaffold student learning of systems thinking. Speakers: Rivka Fidel, Associate Professor of Practice, Environmental Science and Patricia
Moreira, Assistant Professor, Teaching, Learning, and Sociocultural Studies
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Using Rubrics in Blackboard as an Inclusive Practice - Part II
Thursday,
October 22,
2026
| 2:30
- 4 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Description: This two-part workshop explores rubrics as an inclusive teaching practice. In Part
1, faculty will develop or refine a rubric for an existing assignment, focusing on
transparency, alignment, observable criteria, and meaningful performance levels. In
Part 2, participants will build and use that rubric in Blackboard, providing students
with clear expectations for their work. WORKSHOP DETAILS
- Session 1: Thursday, October 15 | 2:30–4:00 p.m.
- Session 2: Thursday, October 22 | 2:30–4:00 p.m.
Presenters: Dennis Fotia, Instructional Specialist and Alaina Walton, Director of Academic Assessment
Join Session:
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Navigate Appointment Campaign
Friday,
October 23,
2026
| 9:55
- 11:10 a.m.
Location: Zoom
Description: This presentation will provide an overview of how to manage and update your availability
in Navigate and how to utilize appointment campaigns to efficiently schedule meetings
with advisees. Participants will learn how to establish their availability, create
and manage appointment campaigns, and use these tools to streamline the scheduling
process and facilitate effective communication with students. Presenter: Val Troisi Join Session: Passcode: 782308
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Be a part of STARS before it begins! | Join the Flower Darby Book Club
This year’s Keynote Speaker is author and educator Flower Darby! In anticipation of her March 30 address, join the CTLD for a faculty book club featuring
her latest publication, The Joyful Online Teacher: Finding Our Fizz in Asynchronous
Classes.
We’ll kick things off with an in-person welcome session in November, where participants will receive their complimentary copy of the book. After the
winter break, we’ll reconnect via Zoom for a series of engaging conversations exploring
Darby’s ideas and how they connect to our own teaching experiences.
Book Club Schedule
- Friday, November 20, Library Learning Commons E030: Welcome, Book Distribution & Finding Our Fizz
- Friday, January 22: Zoom Discussion
- Friday, February 5: Zoom Discussion
- Friday, February 19: Zoom Discussion
- Friday, March 5: Zoom Discussion
- Friday, March 19: Zoom Discussion
As a special culmination of the experience, Book Club participants will be invited
to take part in a faculty panel following Flower Darby’s STARS Keynote Address on
March 30, sharing insights, ideas, and perspectives inspired by the book and their
own teaching.
Space is limited to 8–10 faculty participants. .
Books will be provided by the CTLD. We hope you’ll join us as we read, reflect, and
find our fizz together!
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Check Before You Post: Accessible Word and PowerPoint files - Oct 28
Wednesday,
October 28,
2026
| 2:15
- 3:15 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Description: Creating accessible documents and presentations does not have to be complicated.
In this hands-on session, participants will learn how to use the built-in Accessibility
Checker in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint to identify and fix common accessibility
issues before sharing content with students. Discover how simple improvements such
as using headings, adding alternative text, checking reading order, and ensuring sufficient
color contrast can make your materials more inclusive and ADA-compliant. Leave with
practical strategies and a quick workflow for creating more accessible content with
confidence. Presenter: Roberto Castillo, Senior Instructional Specialist Join Session:
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November
Coffee Thursday
Tenure & Promotion
Thursday,
November 5,
2026
| 1
- 2:30 p.m.
Location: Library Learning Commons E-051
Description: Tenure track faculty members are encouraged to join us to discuss processes as you
work toward your tenure and promotion. Receive helpful advice for constructing evaluation
files in alignment with the Faculty Evaluation Policy, Faculty Evaluation Procedures,
and School and Program standards. Faculty Fellow Kerri Sowers will be present offer advice and answer questions.
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Blackboard Digital Teaching Symposium 2026
Thursday,
November 19,
2026
Location: Virtual
Description: Digital Teaching Symposium (Reach, Teach & Demonstrate) is a free, virtual one-day
conference that brings together higher education faculty and educators from around
the world to share practical strategies, experiences, and innovations in digital teaching
and learning. DTS focuses on peer-to-peer learning through sessions that explore how
educators can effectively reach diverse learners, teach in an evolving educational
landscape, and demonstrate the impact of their teaching practices. Participants can
expect actionable ideas, real-world examples, fresh perspectives, and opportunities
to connect with colleagues while discovering new approaches to enhancing student engagement
and success.
Hosted by: Blackboard
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Check Before You Post: Accessible Word and PowerPoint files - Nov 20
Friday,
November 20,
2026
| 10
- 11 a.m.
Location: Zoom
Description: Creating accessible documents and presentations does not have to be complicated.
In this hands-on session, participants will learn how to use the built-in Accessibility
Checker in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint to identify and fix common accessibility
issues before sharing content with students. Discover how simple improvements such
as using headings, adding alternative text, checking reading order, and ensuring sufficient
color contrast can make your materials more inclusive and ADA-compliant. Leave with
practical strategies and a quick workflow for creating more accessible content with
confidence. Presenter: Roberto Castillo, Senior Instructional Specialist Join Session:
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Microsoft's Speaker Coach: Authentic Student Assessment in an AI-Infused World
Monday,
November 23,
2026
| 12:30
- 1 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Description: Discover how Microsoft Speaker Coach can be used to support student communication
skills and authentic assessment practices. Participants will explore features that
provide feedback on presentations, speaking pace, and audience engagement. The session
will also consider how AI-assisted tools can complement assessment strategies while
maintaining academic integrity and meaningful evaluation of student learning. Presented by: Abigail Laird, Instructional Designer Join Session:
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December
Third Year File Construction
(By invitation only)
Monday,
December 7,
2026
| 12
- 1 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Description: The session is designed for third year faculty and will focus on file construction.
Facilitated by: Kerri Sowers, Professor of Health Science, CTLD Tenure & Promotion Faculty Fellow
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Fifth Year Tenure & Promotion File Construction
(By invitation only)
Monday,
December 7,
2026
| 1:30
- 2:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Description: The session is designed for fifth year faculty and will focus on file construction.
Facilitated by: Kerri Sowers, Professor of Health Science, CTLD Tenure & Promotion Faculty Fellow
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On-Demand Sessions
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Edge.Cast
Description: The presenters highlight common digital accessibility challenges, while offering
practical strategies to help create more inclusive online experiences.
Provided by: Edge
Duration: 20 mins.
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Start preparing your course(s) in Ultra
Description: Learn to efficiently design courses while streamlining assessment, grading, and collaboration
to enhance student feedback and engagement.
Provided by: Blackboard
Duration: aprox. 60 minutes session
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Streaming Library Video Resources
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Lightboard Tutorial
Description: A lightboard consists of a glass surface illuminated by LED lights, allowing instructors
to write or draw on the board while facing their audience. It enables educators to
create engaging, dynamic content that can be recorded and shared digitally, fostering
interactive and visually impactful learning experiences.
Created by: Philip Eaton & Barry Pemberton
Duration: 9:27 mins.
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AI in Higher Ed: Opportunities and Threats
Description: How will artificial intelligence (AI) tools (such as ChatGPT and Bard) affect online,
blended, and digital learning in higher education? Join us for a panel discussion
on the opportunities and threats associated with this emerging technology.
Many instructors, support staff, and institutional leaders are concerned about the
impact of AI on academic honesty in higher education. Others see AI as a potentially
useful pedagogical tool.
Provided by: Online Learning Consortium (OLC)
Duration: 60 mins. |
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7 Steps To Update Courses In The Age Of Generative AI
Description: Using generative AI tools in course refresh helps faculty gain a new perspective
and navigate AI platforms, increasing the likelihood of incorporating these tools
into courses; this, in turn, equips students with essential AI navigational skills
for improved job market readiness post-graduation.
Written by: Professor of Business Information Systems Practice and an Honors Faculty Fellow at
the Neeley School of Business, Texas Christian University.
Duration: 20 mins.
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Inclusive Teaching: Strategies for Engaging All Students
Description: This course will guide you through the theory of inclusive teaching and giving you
practical strategies to create a classroom culture of belonging.
Hosted by: Mentimeter.
Duration: 60 mins.
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Neuroscience Based Learning: Strategies for making your content stick
Description: The course covers various techniques and strategies, including memory formation, attention,
and motivation.
Hosted by: Mentimeter.
Duration: 60 mins.
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