In this Newsletter
Professional Development | Announcements |
Faculty Spotlight | EdTech Corner
| | Professional Development Offerings | | |
Designing for Success: Best Practices in Course Design
with Annette Miles, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
Tuesday, April 8, 2–2:30 p.m. | Click here to register.
| | |
AI Tasting Menu
with Meghan Kowalski, Outreach and Reference Librarian, Learning Resources Division (LRD)
Thursday, April 10, 1–3 p.m. | Click here to register.
| |
Just Because You Can, Doesn’t Mean You Should: The Ethical Issues of AI
with Meghan Kowalski, Outreach and Reference Librarian, LRD
Friday, April 11, 1–2 p.m. | Click here to register.
| | |
Hacking AI for Engagement: Unlocking Versebot’s Power
with Peter Plourde, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Mathematics and Director of Faculty Development, Community College (CC)
Monday, April 14, 2–3 p.m. | Click here to register.
| |
Hands-on Workshop: Art & Algorithms
with Dr. Nettrice R. Gaskins, Ph.D. Assistant Director of the Lesley STEAM Learning Lab at Lesley University
Friday, April 25, 1:30–4:30 p.m. | Click here to register.
| |
Designing for Gen Z
with Shannon Stoker, EdD, Associate Director, Instructional Development & Course Design and Quality Matters (QM) Coordinator for the Center for Educational Excellence at Tarleton State University
Tuesday, April 29, 2–3 p.m. | Click here to register.
|
| |
Special Event:
A Conversation with QM’s CEO
Deb Adair, Ph.D.
| | |
Join us for a special Town Hall with Dr. Deb Adair, Chief Executive Officer of Quality Matters.
As UDC continues to advance its commitment to quality in online learning, this event is a great opportunity to learn more about the QM framework, ask questions directly to the CEO, and share your feedback on how QM can support our teaching and learning goals.
Let’s come together for an open and meaningful conversation about enhancing the student experience through quality online course design.
Friday, April 4, 2:30–3:30 p.m. | Click here to register.
Building 71, Room 6340
You can attend in person or join virtually.
For questions, email kayla.kelly@udc.edu.
| | |
HyFlex 2.0 Training:
Is Now Available!
| | |
Since 2021, UDC has implemented the HyFlex modality. Through faculty feedback and the redesign of UDC’s HyFlex classrooms, we’ve reimagined the training to better equip instructors for impactful teaching.
This training covers key elements of HyFlex course design, including pedagogy, technology, and student engagement. Quality Matters (QM) standards will also be introduced as a framework for course quality.
Participants will also gain hands-on experience and practical tools to apply these approaches in their own courses.
Training Format:
Part 1 (online): Self-paced Blackboard course (~8 hours), available August 1–8
Part 2 (in-person): Friday, August 15, 9–3 p.m.
(Lunch will be provided)
Click here to register.
Building 71, Fourth Floor, Classroom 4332A
To open in full screen mode, click on Thinglink in the bottom right corner.
| For questions, email kayla.kelly@udc.edu. | | |
Firebird Immersive Innovation Laboratory
Designing the future
| | |
CAL and the UDC Architecture Program are excited to announce the opening of UDC’s Firebird Immersive Innovation Laboratory, Designing the Future: a cutting-edge space transforming how students learn, design,
and build.
Equipped with high-performance computers, VR/AR technology, and industry-standard software, the lab enables students to experience architectural design in real time—from concept to creation.
This marks a major leap forward in hands-on, human-centered learning
at UDC.
The lab is located in Building 32, Suite 100.
To take a 360° virtual tour of the lab: click here.
To open in full screen mode, click on “Thinglink” in the bottom right corner.
| | |
Special thanks to Joanna Edward, Project Manager; Jonathan Harden, AIA, LEED AP, from the Office of Facilities & Real Estate Management ;Harry Moore, Client Services Support Manager from the Office of Information Technology; and Raysa Leer-Gray, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, for their hard work and contributions to the success of this project.
For questions, email golnar.ahmadi@udc.edu.
| | |
Adanna J. Johnson, Ph.D.
Chief Academic Officer for Faculty Affairs
| |
As a part of the ACAO for Faculty Affairs’ Faculty Community Building and Engagement Initiative, “Coffee & Community” offers a welcoming space for all faculty to connect, share ideas, and build meaningful relationships in an informal setting.
Join Dr. Adanna J. Johnson, ACAO for Faculty Affairs, and fellow faculty members for thoughtful conversation and sense of connection.
Refreshments will be offered.
Van Ness Campus – Windows Lounge
April 10 & April 24, 11–12 p.m and 3–4 p.m.
Community College Campus – Room 235
April 17 & April 29, 2–3 p.m.
For questions, email adanna.johnson@udc.edu.
| | |
From Trial to Transformation:
Dr. Brandon Schweitzer’s Journey
| |
Brandon Schweitzer, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Assistant Professor of Accounting
Community College
| | |
Dr. Schweitzer has obtained Quality Matters (QM) certification for his course, HMGT 104C – Introduction to Hospitality. This marks his fifth QM-certified course.
Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Schweitzer shared how his approach to course design has matured over time. "When I first began, my approach was more trial and error, learning best practices along the way. Over time, I developed a structured, systematic method, incorporating feedback from students and peer reviewers." He noted that experience has made the process more efficient. "I’ve built templates and checklists based on QM standards, which help me anticipate common pitfalls and reduce
revision cycles."
One of his biggest takeaways has been the importance of clarity. "Students perform better when they can effortlessly understand expectations." Reflecting on the impact, he added, "The certification process has enriched my teaching by emphasizing learner-centered design. I’ve seen improved student satisfaction, participation, and higher quality work, which motivates me to keep refining my practice."
Dr. Schweitzer’s journey shows that intentional, student-centered course design not only enhances the learning experience but also transforms teaching practice. His commitment to quality continues to raise the bar for online education at UDC.
To read more about the UDC Quality Distance Learning initiative and participate, click here.
For questions, email julian.king@udc.edu.
| | Spotlight is for individuals who have worked closely with CAL to significantly contribute to teaching and learning at the University. | | |
A Pedagogical Journey
Students and AI in Dialogue
| | |
Aparajita De, Ph.D.,
Chairperson and Associate Professor of English
CAS
| | |
“Earlier, through student assessment of assignments, I had detected AI use, however, in courses which needed the student's voice and thought, the shortcuts that AI provides decenters from expression of thought and curiosity. This impacted portability of learning in the class, impacting overall employability. With that takeaway, I devised an AI conversation led by students, afterall they stood to be the demography most impacted by AI use or unuse.
In the Course Integrity and Plagiarism policy, I separately created an independent AI policy and encouraged students to follow the honor code of listing AI as one of their sources if they used AI. After further talks, I figured I needed to help students understand the usefulness of AI as a tool instead of an action agent doing their work for them. So, I demonstrated in class with the help of a few invited students how AI works. We found we had a lot of fun in class when AI wrote a poem on a topic, and we asked students to write their own simultaneously. We compared both and celebrated the human created poem, the student's work.
We also asked AI to generate scholarship on a specific subject and verified how it is messy if not totally incorrect. We then discussed that it is a good tool to polish writing, do citations, and edit our writing, but its writing skills are mediocre if not outright terrible. The classroom remained positively liberatory in centering students' curiosity and engagement. We used Grammarly & an early version of ChatGPT to explore AI tools. I had initially started out with experiences of AI ruling over student input, and I exited the classroom with my students having realized that AI is a nice personal assistant to have, but not really a reliable one.”
| | |
EdTech Corner Submissions:
Share with the UDC Community your best practices and how you leverage EdTech in your teaching to increase learning outcomes.
Please email fatma.elshobokshy@udc.edu.
| | | | |
