Teaching, Learning, & Technology Blog

College Closed
2025-07-18 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-11 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-04 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-27 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-20 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-13 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-06 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)

Overcoming Academic Freedom Objections to QM (Vendor Webinar)
2025-07-16 12:00 - 13:00
Presented by Amy Heston, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at Walsh University; Stephen Kaufman, Senior Instructional DesignerStrategic Initiatives Coordinator at University of Akron; and Brenda Boyd, Vice President of Quality Standards & Evaluation at Quality Matters

Faculty resistance to using the QM Rubric is often framed in the context of “Academic Freedom” however, the QM Rubric supports faculty choice and academic freedom. Join us for this interactive session that will give instructional designers techniques and tactics to overcome this common objection to using the QM Rubric.

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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.

LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor: Protect the Integrity of Online Tests (Vendor Webinar)
2025-07-09 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-06-24 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-07 13:00 - 14:00
This comprehensive training webinar is intended for instructors who plan to use LockDown Browser and/or Respondus Monitor with online exams in Blackboard, Brightspace, Canvas, Moodle, and Schoology. LockDown Browser is a custom browser that prevents digital cheating during an online exam. Respondus Monitor is a companion product for LockDown Browser that deters cheating when students take online exams in non- proctored environments. Students use their own computers with a standard webcam to record assessment sessions. The training will cover: – How to use LockDown Browser to prevent digital cheating in proctored testing environments – How to use Respondus Monitor in non-proctored environments, to protect exam integrity and confirm student identity – The student perspective using each application – Efficient review of the assessment data collected, including the Review Priority system, timeline, and milestone features – Best practices and tips for success with both applications All attendees will receive a link to a recording after the session.

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OLC: Call Us Irresponsible: Designing Online Curricula for the AI Era (Vendor Webinar)
2025-07-09 12:00 - 13:00
In this webinar, we propose a bold new model for course design that integrates Large Language Models (LLMs) directly into the curriculum. Breaking away from traditional limitations on AI use, we explore how strategically embedding AI tools within online course content enables students to experiment, problem solve, and improve their digital competencies.

The webinar will begin with a brief demonstration of how students can easily use LLMs to complete traditional online assignments like discussion posts, essay questions, and quizzes. Next, attendees will be introduced to a course design model grounded in a rearranged Bloom’s Taxonomy (Hardman, 2024). Then, attendees will engage in a design sprint aimed at developing content and assessments that directly incorporate LLMs into the student experience. The focus will be on real-world applications of LLMs in online course design, with participants leaving the session equipped with strategies and examples they can use immediately in their own contexts. Join us in a foray into irresponsible student use of AI!

Intended Audience

This session is aimed at educators and designers at all levels of tool proficiency, with scaffolded models and examples.

Key Takeaways

Identify and implement strategies for integrating generative AI tools into online course designs.

Collaboratively develop an assignment or project that encourages students to explore the capabilities of AI for enhanced learning.

Examine how AI can shift course design away from preventing its use and toward a more open, experimental approach that encourages creativity and critical thinking.

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Holiday - College Closed
2025-07-07 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-19 08:00 - 17:00

D2L: Q&A
2025-07-02 10:00 - 11:00
You bring the agenda. Ask your Brightspace D2L questions about teaching, course building, training, supporting or administering in our open question and answer session.

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OLC: Learning Together, Leading Together: A Look at the Ivy Tech & Purdue Global Collaboration (Vendor Webinar)
2025-06-30 01:00 - 12:00
This session unpacks the urgent need for collaboration in higher education, examining the significant hurdles students face today, from navigating complex transfer pathways and the demand for diverse skill sets to rising affordability concerns. No single institution can tackle these multifaceted challenges alone; therefore, collaboration isn’t just beneficial, it’s a strategic imperative for both student success and institutional vitality.

We’ll highlight the powerful partnership between Ivy Tech, Indiana’s community college system, and Purdue Global. This collaboration thrives due to shared student demographics, particularly their strong support for adult learners across Indiana. We’ll delve into the specific reasons this alliance was forged, demonstrating how each institution leverages the other’s strengths. This reciprocal learning has not only advanced both institutions but also positioned them as leaders in innovation and adult learner support statewide.

ntended Audience

This webinar is primarily intended for higher education professionals, administrators, and faculty, particularly those involved in student success, institutional leadership, and program design. Participants will benefit from learning insights into effective collaborations, understanding best practices for adult learners in online education, identifying solutions for common student challenges, leveraging institutional strengths, and fostering innovation and leadership.

Key Takeaways

At the end of the session, participants will be able to:

Identify critical student challenges (e.g., transfer complexity, skill gaps, affordability) that necessitate inter-institutional collaboration in higher education.

Articulate how leveraging complementary institutional strengths, particularly in serving shared student populations like adult learners, forms the foundation of successful higher education partnerships.

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QM: Optimizing Online Learning: Bridging UDL & Cognitive Load Theory (Vendor Webinar)
2025-06-17 13:00 - 14:00
Explore how integrating Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) principles enhances the usability and effectiveness of online lectures, promoting inclusive and engaging learning experiences.

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Please note: SSC is a member of Quality Matters, so these webinars are free. You may have to create a Quality Matters account with your SSC email.

QM: Beyond the Online Checklist (Vendor Webinar)
2025-06-04 12:00 - 13:00
Learner interaction is a key element of quality online learning — but as AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, new challenges have arisen for educators trying to keep interaction and assessment authentic. How can we ensure that learner engagement remains meaningful amidst concerns about bots, academic integrity and more?

This webinar will explore how QM principles and learner interaction strategies can help guide us in maintaining authentic student interactivity, with a focus on ways in which AI and third-party tools can be leveraged to build more interactive activities into online courses. Whether you’re an instructor struggling with AI-generated responses or a distance education leader looking for effective strategies, this session will provide practical insights to enhance authentic learning experiences.

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Please note: SSC is a member of Quality Matters, so these webinars are free. You may have to create a Quality Matters account with your SSC email.

D2L: Ask Any Questions (Online Webinar)
2025-06-03 10:00 - 11:00

Summer Courses Begin
2025-06-02 08:00 - 17:00

QM: Designing Courses for Gen Z (Vendor Webinar)
2025-05-21 14:00 - 15:00
Born between approximately 1997 and 2012, Generation Z now dominates our college campuses, including the online classroom. These digital natives are comfortable texting, playing a game, and watching Tik Tok, all while completing their coursework. This presentation will examine the contextual factors that shape Generation Z learners and how the implementation of Quality Matters Standards can foster a successful learning environment for all students in our college classrooms.

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Please note: SSC is a member of Quality Matters, so these webinars are free. You may have to create a Quality Matters account with your SSC email.

Final Grades Due
2025-05-19 08:00 - 17:00

QM: AI Strategies for Personalized, Inclusive Online Course Design (Vendor Webinar)
2025-05-15 12:00 - 13:00
Join Dr. Grady and Dr. Brooks for an interactive webinar celebrating the release of the latest Quality Matters white paper, From Automation to Transformation: AI Strategies for Personalized, Engaging, and Inclusive Online Course Design. In this session, participants will explore how AI can be used not only to streamline online learning — but to elevate it. Designed for educators, instructional designers and academic leaders, this conversation will highlight key insights from the paper and offer practical strategies for using AI to support learner success, fairness and innovation.

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Please note: SSC is a member of Quality Matters, so these webinars are free. You may have to create a Quality Matters account with your SSC email.

Bright Ideas: D2L Adoption Webinar Series for Upskilling - Accessibility for Professional Learners (Online Webinar)
2025-05-15 10:30 - 11:30
Save your seat in our “Bright Ideas” 💡 Webinar Series. Each webinar is 20 minutes followed by 10 minutes of Q&A. Take a deep dive with our Adoption Team into Brightspace tips and tricks for better professional learning experiences!

❓ What to Expect

⭐ Create an inclusive and accessible training environment so all learners succeed

🌎 Best practices for designing content that meets diverse needs

📋 Ensure compliance with accessibility standards

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Please Note: In order to register, you may have to create an account with the D2L Community. Remember to use your SSC email when creating the account.

Bright Ideas: D2L Adoption Series - Creating Assignments and Discussions (Online Webinar)
2025-05-14 12:00 - 13:00
Save your seat for our “Bright Ideas” 💡 Webinar Series. Each webinar is 45 minutes followed by 15 minutes of Q&A and networking. Take a deep dive with our Adoption Team into Brightspace tips and tricks for better digital learning experiences!

❓ What to Expect

📑 Learn how to create detailed and engaging Assignments and Discussions

🎉 Features to personalize and differentiate learning

📊 Tips to enhance your assessment skills

👩‍🏫 Ideal for faculty and instructional designers

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Please Note: In order to register, you may have to create an account with the D2L Community. Remember to use your SSC email when creating the account.

Rubrics: Use Pre-Designed Rubrics created by SSC Outcomes Committee or Create Your Own (Online Webinar) (.25 PGU)
2025-05-06 16:00 - 17:00
Rubrics in D2L are a great way to easily communicate assignment expectations to students for any type of course (traditional, hybrid or online). Rubrics in D2L also saves faculty time evaluating and grading while providing quality and objective feedback on student assignments.

In this webinar, we’ll cover the following:

Attaching a pre-designed SSC General Education Rubric created by SSC Outcomes Committee.

Creating your own rubric from scratch and attaching it to an assignment.

Using two different rubrics for one assignment.

Using a rubric directly within gradebook column (for assignments from publisher or observing-type assignments, such as presentations or participation).

Grading an assignment using a rubric and discover how students see their feedback.

Rubric Data: demonstrate ways for instructors to view rubric reporting within a course and the latest customized data dashboard available to instructors which show case the institutional general rubric data collected from the Outcomes Committee. Guage the overall rubric use, with the ability to sort by semester, department, and rubric criterion level.

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

Unable to attend? View recordings of this session at: https://tl.ssc.edu/rubrics-at-ssc-general-education-and-course-level/

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Online Webinar: D2L Media Library – Upload and/or Record Videos to Meet Accessibility Standards
2025-04-30 15:00 - 16:00
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/or 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.

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Introduction to Teaching Best Practices (Online Webinar)
2025-04-29 16:00 - 17:00
Are you new to teaching at the college level and/or perhaps would like to pick up a few tips and tricks on teaching best practices? Join the Teaching and Learning Center as they provide helpful tidbits on communication with students, classroom management (in both face-to-face and virtual classroom settings) and discuss examples of designing content based on educational strategies.

We will conclude this session by introducing you to the new ION course entitled Welcome to Effective Teaching and Learning Strategies. This course is designed to take teaching best practices to the next step. Tuition for this 8-week, fully online ION course will be fully paid for by the college and will greatly enhance your teaching skills. A certification of completion will be granted, which you can provide to the Teaching and Learning Center to showcase your accomplishment.

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In-Person Workshop: D2L Media Library – Upload and/or Record Videos to Meet Accessibility Standards
2025-04-29 12:00 - 13:00
Registration: Since this is an in-person workshop, online registration is not available. Please email ssconline@ssc.edu to register.

Location: Teaching and Learning Center – Main Campus – Library – Room 1249

Please bring your own device: We will be doing hands-on activities, so bring your own laptop to follow along.

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.

In-Person Workshop: Design for All – Mastering Accessibility – Tools and Technique
2025-04-29 10:00 - 11:30
Registration: Since this is an in-person workshop, online registration is not available. Please email ssconline@ssc.edu to register.

Location: Teaching and Learning Center – Main Campus – Library – Room 1249

Please bring your own device: We will be doing hands-on activities, so bring your own laptop to follow along.

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.
