Teaching, Learning, & Technology Blog

Accessibility Conference: Never Delegate Understanding: Foundations of Digital Accessibility (Vendor Webinar)
2025-09-17 12:30 - 13:15 (America/Chicago)
The Web Accessibility in Mind Conference is presented by WebAIM in partnership with Pope Tech and is free to attend.

This virtual conference will provide conference participants with content that will help them mature their practice in digital accessibility. Our goals include:

Bring together a cross section of public and private sector technology professionals from organizations large and small.

Provide a diverse range of perspectives from a diverse group of speakers.

Share solutions to accessibility challenges.

Give advice and guidance that helps our participants to actively contribute to providing more accessible digital spaces.

Register for this event

Accessibility Conference: AI and Alt Text (Webinar Vendor)
2025-09-17 12:00 - 13:15

Accessibility Conference: Actually, Shifting Left: Technical Accessibility for Designers (Vendor Webinar)
2025-09-16 15:00 - 16:00
The Web Accessibility in Mind Conference is presented by WebAIM in partnership with Pope Tech and is free to attend.

This virtual conference will provide conference participants with content that will help them mature their practice in digital accessibility. Our goals include:

Bring together a cross section of public and private sector technology professionals from organizations large and small.

Provide a diverse range of perspectives from a diverse group of speakers.

Share solutions to accessibility challenges.

Give advice and guidance that helps our participants to actively contribute to providing more accessible digital spaces.

Register for this event

https://conference.webaim.org

Accessibility Conference:Creating Accessibility Documents and Slides: Microsoft, Google, and Canva (Vendor Webinar)
2025-09-16 13:45 - 14:30

Accessibility Conference: Understanding Burnout in Accessibility Work (Vendor Webinar)
2025-09-16 12:30 - 13:30

Accessbility Conference: A Tangled Web of ARIA (Vendor Webinar)
2025-09-16 11:45 - 12:15

Getting to Know the Services for Students with Disabilities Office (SSDO) (Online Webinar)
2025-09-16 10:00 - 11:00
Instructors, what do you do when a student provides you with an accommodation password from the Services for Students with Disabilities office?

Join Davina Davis, Manager of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSDO), in partnership with the Teaching and Learning Center, as she walks you through the process.

This virtual workshop will cover the following important topics:

What is an accommodation password and what is expected of the instructor.

Compliance issue and legal responsibilities (federal and state laws).

How to assist students that may need extra support during classtime (service animals in the classroom or pregnant and lactating students, just to name a few).

Where to find test proctoring and other services offered by the SSDO.

Active Learning: test your knowledge by completing “What Would You Do” scenarios with other faculty.

Register for this event

8 Week Midterm/Attendance Verification due
2025-09-15 08:00 - 17:00

12-Week Classes Start
2025-09-15 08:00 - 17:00

D2L Basics and Simple Syllabus Refresher (Online Webinar)
2025-09-11 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-08-20 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-13 17:00 - 18:00
Join the Teaching and Learning Center for this online webinar as we get instructors started using D2L.  We’ll demonstrate D2L navigation, how to add and organize content into modules, how to create assignments, basic gradebook functionality, and ways to communicate with your students.

In this webinar, we’ll cover the following:

Introducing the D2L Pulse App and easy notifications to students (sort of like text messaging to mobile phones).

Where to locate your Syllabus and update – using Simple Syllabus

Creating weekly modules and posting a variety of content into those modules (powerpoints, pdf’s, videos, etc.).

Creating assignments (discussion forum, written assignment, online practice quiz) and passing the score to the D2L gradebook.

Basic grading functionality and submitting attendance, midterm and final grades to the student information system.

Various ways to communicate with your students (announcement, emails, students who missed assignments, etc.).

Register for this Event

Elements of Quality Matters: Self-Paced Online Course (.25 PGU)
2025-09-09 08:00 - 17:00
This self-paced course is an addition to the internal Introduction of Quality Matters at SSC course and offers a deep dive into getting your course ready to meet Quality Matters standards. Quality Matters (QM) is the global organization leading quality assurance in online and innovative digital teaching and learning environments. It has advanced quality assurance practices in online teaching and learning for over a decade. This course takes about 2 hours to complete.

Learn more about QM in this self-paced course, including:

QM’s origin, evolution, and scope

Factors that affect the quality of online learning

What it takes for a course to be QM-Certified

How QM certifies online programs

QM professional development and tools to support online teaching.

To Register: https://www.canvas.net/browse/qm/courses/elements-of-quality-matters

Reminder: Once completed, remember to send the TLC (ssconline@ssc.edu) your certification of completion.

Engaging Students Through D2L Discussions (Online Webinar) (.25 PGU's)
2025-09-05 10:00 - 23:00
Looking to boost student engagement in your in-person, blended, or online courses? This session explores practical strategies for using D2L discussion forums to foster meaningful interaction, support introverted learners, and streamline grading. Learn how to craft better prompts, encourage participation, and manage your time effectively—even with large classes. Whether you’re new to D2L or just need a refresher, this session will help you make the most of online discussions.

Register for this event

D2L: Using Practice Quizzes to Prepare Students for Higher Stakes Assignments (Online webinar) (.25 PGU)
2025-09-04 04:00 - 17:00
Join the Teaching and Learning Center for this online webinar as we do a deep dive into D2L Quizzes. If you are an instructor that does not use online quizzes, consider using practice quizzes. Studies show practice quizzes improve students’ preparation for higher stakes assignments.

In this webinar, we’ll cover the following:

Basic online quiz creation and review of various question types.

Improve student engagement by using images and videos in questions and answers.

Importing quiz questions from a publisher’s text bank.

Randomizing exam questions using the Question Library (every student gets a different quiz!).

Reviewing question statistics to determine areas instructors may need to revisit before the higher stakes assignments.

Releasing quiz results to students and D2L gradebook.

Using the Special Access function for students with accommodation or who may need more time.

(source: https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/06/07/study-skills.html)

Register for this Event

Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, OneDrive & Teams) (Online Webinar)
2025-09-03 10:00 - 11:00
Join the Teaching and Learning Center as we showcase Office 365 – focusing on Outlook (email and calendar), OneDrive (cloud file storage and sharing), and Teams (similar to Zoom).

During this training we’ll showcase how to:

Advanced Teams: Would you like participants to register for your Teams Meeting? We’ll demonstrate the webinar feature registration system as well.

Accessing Outlook from the web (desktop and mobile) and new email and calendar functionality.

Tired of losing documents or only accessing documents from your work computer? We’ll demonstrate OneDrive cloud storage and how documents are available 24/7 from any device, version control (never lose a copy) and sharing and collaborating on working files.

Teams is not just for virtual meetings. We will also showcase Teams as a collaboration tool with your SSC colleagues for private chats, office hours, committees, and projects.

Register for this event

Kahoot 101: Getting Started (Vendor Webinar)
2025-09-03 09:00 - 10:00
Welcome to Kahoot! 101: Getting Started In this Kahoot! for Schools Webinar, learn how to foster engagement with Kahoot! tools, templates, and features. Kahoot! experts will share strategies for building your first kahoot, exploring ready-made content, Kahoot! question formats, reporting resources. Take away tips, tricks, and tools to bring powerful play to your classroom, no matter what learning might look like! This webinar will last for approximately one-hour and will include a resource review, live-demo, and interactive Kahoot! Game.

Register for this event

Holiday - College Closed
2025-09-01 08:00 - 17:00

Using D2L Gradebook for In-Person, Flex and Online Courses (Online Webinar) (.25 PGU)
2025-08-28 13:00 - 14:00
If you are teaching a traditional in-person, flex and online course, students appreciate instructors using the D2L online Gradebook as it promotes:

Faster Midterm, Final and Attendance grade submission from D2L and export to the official Student Information System (Colleague) grade the submitted assignment and scores automatically sync to the D2L Gradebook.

Transparency, Accountability and Timely Feedback (24/7 access to real-time grade totals. Students know where they stand throughout the term.)

Encourages Communication Opportunities (students asking about how to improve grades)

Reduction of Errors (automatically calculates total column)

Promotes Accessibility Accommodations (students can access with screen readers)

Join the Teaching and Learning Center for this online webinar as we get instructors started using the D2L Gradebook.

Here’s what we play to cover:

Demonstrate how assignments, quizzes and discussion forums sync to the Gradebook.

Manually creating Gradebook columns and how to simply enter grades.

Best practices of exporting Attendance, Midterm and Final Grades to the SIS (Student Information System).

If weighing grades, set up categories and apply to the Gradebook columns.

Register for this Event

Online Workshop: D2L Media Library – Upload and/or Record Videos to Meet Accessibility Standards (.25 PGU's)
2025-08-26 16:00 - 17:00
This workshop session on the D2L Media Library will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively use this robust tool for managing audio and video content within their D2L courses. This workshop will allow instructors to practice recording a short video and uploading a video file, then use the auto transcription feature. The video transcript that is generated can be downloaded by students as additional notes and study support. Providing transcriptions of audio and video is another great example of meeting accessibility standards for your students.

In addition, the training will explore advanced features of the D2L Media Library such as applying chapters to videos for better navigation, use the built-in video editing tools for minor adjustments, and record videos outside of specific D2L course for use across multiple course offerings. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with the skills and confidence to effectively use the D2L Media Library to create dynamic, accessible, and efficient course content.

Register for this event

Online Workshop: Design for All – Mastering Accessibility – Tools and Techniques (.25 PGU's)
2025-08-26 15:00 - 16:00
Join the Teaching and Learning Center for an interactive workshop focused on enhancing course accessibility through Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. Learn how to use Ally within D2L to convert content into alternative formats, interpret Ally’s accessibility reports, and improve your course materials for greater inclusivity. We’ll cover tools and techniques to enhance your scores, ensuring all students have equitable access to learning. This workshop session is ideal for instructors looking to improve the accessibility of their content and provide a more inclusive learning environment.

Register for this event

ION Courses Begin
2025-08-18 08:00 - 17:00

Fall Classes Begin
2025-08-18 08:00 - 17:00

Adjunct Faculty Development Day
2025-08-16 08:00 - 13:00

Flex Course Delivery Training (Hands-on Training in Room 3127)
2025-08-15 14:00 - 14:30
Many courses at SSC are considered flex delivery courses. Flex delivery refers to students choosing to attend a course in-person in a physical classroom or virtually using the virtual classroom option in D2L. It’s their choice and they can switch up which way they want to attend each week.

However, instructors are always in the physical classroom. That means, instructors must set up their class to be delivered in both formats. This includes using the classroom equipment and the virtual classroom tool in D2L for those virtual students.

Join the Teaching and Learning Center for this hands-on training where we will demonstrate the technical aspects of running and managing a flex delivery classroom.

In this live training, we’ll cover:

Within the classroom, logging into the computer and turning on the front and back projectors.

Scheduling virtual classroom sessions for all your class times for the term.

Launching a virtual classroom meeting, selecting the classroom camera and microphone and discovering ways to verify your settings.

Using the camera remote so that virtual students have an equal experience to that of the in-person students.

Best practices of using the virtual classroom tools will also be discussed which include sharing your in-class screen so that virtual students can see clearly, using the large gallery view so you can see all your virtual students, recording your meetings so that all students can view later…and much more.

Due to limited seating, please register by emailing: ssconline@ssc.edu. You will receive an email confirmation.

This hands-on training will be held in room 3127.

Promethean ActivPanel Display Refresher (Hands-on Training in Room 3127)
2025-08-15 13:30 - 14:00
Some SSC classrooms are equipped with a Promethean ActivPanel as a display. Join the Teaching and Learning Center for this hands-on training where we will demonstrate the technical aspects of using the Promethean ActivPanel in the classroom.

In this live training, we’ll cover:

Navigating the center console, unified menu and touch screen.

Locating and launching applications that are pre-installed.

Allowing students to share their devices with you and other students by initiating a 6-digit sharing code.

Utilizing engaging lessons and activities pre-built into the Promethean ActivPanel that include annotation, capture app, spinner, timer, whiteboard, along with access to internet via Chrome, just to name a few.

Save content altered on the Promethean ActivPanel to USB drive.

Import existing resources, such as PDF’s, images and Powerpoints and/or connecting to your D2L course to access your course content.

Due to limited seating, please register by emailing: ssconline@ssc.edu. You will receive an email confirmation.

This hands-on training will be held in room 3127.

Faculty Development Day - 1/2 Day
2025-08-15 08:00 - 13:00

Faculty Development Day - Full Day
2025-08-14 08:00 - 17:00

Building a Culture of Accessibility and Inclusion by Utilizing UDL in Online Course Design (Vendor Webinar)
2025-08-13 12:00 - 13:00
Presented by Annette Keca, Online Instruction Specialist; Judith Keigher, Online Instruction Specialist; Scott Thesen, Online Instruction Specialist; and Nikki La Grone, Director of the Center for Teaching & Learning from Governors State University

An ongoing effort of The Center for Teaching & Learning is to improve the quality of teaching at Governors State University. The primary goal of this initiative is to improve awareness of accessibility to reduce barriers that students may face in courses. The BCA Initiative seeks to resolve challenges with accessibility in online and hybrid courses at GSU. Further, with a focus on Universal Design and QM Standard 8, the initiative will benefit all students, not just those with disabilities.

Register for this Event

Special Note: SSC is a member of Quality Matters, so this webinar is free. You may have to create a Quality Matters account to register. Remember, to use your SSC email when creating an account.

D2L Basics and Simple Syllabus Refresher (Online Webinar)
2025-08-12 14:00 - 15:00
Join the Teaching and Learning Center for this online webinar as we get instructors started using D2L.  We’ll demonstrate D2L navigation, how to add and organize content into modules, how to create assignments, basic gradebook functionality, and ways to communicate with your students.

In this webinar, we’ll cover the following:

Where to locate your Syllabus and update – using Simple Syllabus

Creating weekly modules and posting a variety of content into those modules (powerpoints, pdf’s, videos, etc.).

Creating assignments (discussion forum, written assignment, online practice quiz) and passing the score to the D2L gradebook.

Basic grading functionality and submitting attendance, midterm and final grades to the student information system.

Various ways to communicate with your students (announcement, emails, students who missed assignments, etc.).

Introducing the D2L Pulse App and easy notifications to students (sort of like text messaging to mobile phones).

Register for this Event
