Past Workshops and Events 2025-2026

This course is an introduction to Digital Accessibility and Document Creation.

This course consists of Five Modules:

• The first two will discuss why accessibility is important and provide information on some general accessibility principles that can help you as you start your accessibility journey.
• Following this introduction, the next three modules will focus in on specific document creation tools including:
  • Microsoft Word,
  • PowerPoint, and
  • Google Suite.

This course was created to followed in order. However, you can visit the specific tools for guidance should you have an immediate need.

To register, click “Register Now” followed by the green “Enroll in Course” button on the next screen.

Academic integrity – what does it mean to you? Join us for a discussion about the various facets of academic integrity and learn new ways to reflect on your own teaching and learning experiences. From rigor and expectations, to cheating, apathy and student engagement, this workshop examines how we define academic integrity, how we react when it breaks down, and how teachers and students can work together to reach class goals. This workshop will focus on what we mean by academic integrity, how it is present in our classes and how we respond when it fails.

Estimated time to complete: 2 hours

Explore effective ways of communicating with students about academic integrity. Reflect on how and why students transgress, and how we as instructors respond.

Estimated time to complete: 2 hours

This workshop is designed for participants to create engaging lectures. You will learn strategies for how to combine lectures with active learning activities that are engaging for you and your students. This workshop is designed to take about two hours.

A Liquid Syllabus can be a humanizing element that promotes a welcoming feeling for students at or before the start of a course. It lets students know they are supported by their instructor and sets them on a path for success by intentionally providing them with what they need to succeed, including a warm, friendly face. The liquid syllabus is a mobile-friendly website that you send to students the week prior to the start of class and is accessible without a login. In this course, you will learn how to design a liquid syllabus, what elements to include, tips to make the information welcoming and easy to read, and how to use it with your students.

Estimated time to complete: 2 hours

The Summer Institute is an immersive, hands-on professional development program designed to equip faculty with the latest digital tools and pedagogical strategies to enhance teaching and learning. This institute provides a collaborative space for educators to explore and experiment with emerging technologies, integrate them into their classrooms, and develop innovative, student-centered instructional practices.

For more information, visit our Summer Institute event page.

This course is an introduction to Digital Accessibility and Document Creation.

This course consists of Five Modules:

• The first two will discuss why accessibility is important and provide information on some general accessibility principles that can help you as you start your accessibility journey.
• Following this introduction, the next three modules will focus in on specific document creation tools including:
  • Microsoft Word,
  • PowerPoint, and
  • Google Suite.

This course was created to followed in order. However, you can visit the specific tools for guidance should you have an immediate need.

To register, click “Register Now” followed by the green “Enroll in Course” button on the next screen.   

 *FA-3

This workshop continues with the pedagogy of online course design and facilitation and includes the use of multimedia, active learning and reflective practice.

*FA-2

This workshop is designed for participants to create engaging lectures. You will learn strategies for how to combine lectures with active learning activities that are engaging for you and your students. This workshop is designed to take about two hours.

*FA-2

Academic integrity – what does it mean to you? Join us for a discussion about the various facets of academic integrity and learn new ways to reflect on your own teaching and learning experiences. From rigor and expectations, to cheating, apathy and student engagement, this workshop examines how we define academic integrity, how we react when it breaks down, and how teachers and students can work together to reach class goals. This workshop will focus on what we mean by academic integrity, how it is present in our classes and how we respond when it fails.

Estimated time to complete: 2 hours

*FA-4

Learn various tools in Canvas to provide prompt grades and feedback to students to increase regular and substantive interaction (RSI).

*FA-4

This training focuses on how educators can transform their assessment approach to accommodate the reality of AI. OBJECTIVES:  

1) Gain awareness of the characteristics and types of assessments that are AI-resilient 

2) Consider and reflect upon the potential of AI to benefit assessment and student outcomes  

3)  Consider and reflect upon your own AI acceptable-use and assessment approach

*FA-1

This workshop is all about exploring the notion that assessment is more than just a test for giving students grades. When designed and implemented effectively, it can be a powerful tool for learning. Literature also suggests that faculty engagement in instructional development on assessment is an important part of developing a positive assessment culture (Massey, et. all, 2020). Therefore, this course is one of several that is designed to help you build a strong foundation in assessment, and more specifically, assessment at a course level.

Estimated time to complete: 2 hours

*FA-1

Digital materials have become an essential part of the higher education experience. The shift to remote teaching has emphasized the critical need to ensure that our materials and websites are accessible and usable for all – including students with disabilities.
Accessibility promotes student success as many of the techniques that improve accessibility also improve course quality and make materials easier for everyone to use.
This workshop will introduce you to Digital Accessibility and teach you how to make your materials more usable and accessible. Join us to learn how a few changes to your online materials can improve instructional effectiveness and enhance learning for all!

*FA-3

Held this year at Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry (CCBI), the Sara Varnum Institute is an annual event designed to celebrate and support the invaluable contributions of part-time faculty. This conference provides a unique opportunity for faculty from across disciplines to come together, share best practices, and engage in meaningful discussions about the challenges and opportunities in teaching, research, and professional development.

Through workshops, keynote presentations, and networking sessions, participants will:

• Explore strategies for enhancing student engagement and success in part-time teaching environments.
• Discuss innovative approaches to curriculum design, assessment, and instructional technologies.
• Develop practical tools for balancing academic work with professional and personal life.
• Strengthen connections with fellow part-time faculty members and learn from the experiences of colleagues across institutions.
• Gain insights on career advancement and opportunities for further involvement in academic communities.

Whether you’re a new or seasoned part-time faculty member, this conference is an excellent opportunity to expand your teaching toolkit, connect with peers, and invest in your ongoing professional growth.

AI literacy is becoming an essential skill for both teachers and students in today’s rapidly changing world. To effectively leverage AI in their teaching, faculty need specific professional development opportunities that address both the pedagogical applications of AI and the critical thinking skills necessary to use AI responsibly.

By participating in this workshop, faculty will:

• Understand the foundational concepts of AI and how Generative AI models function.
• Reflect on the societal and ethical implications of AI and strategize ways to foster responsible use. 
• Evaluate potential applications of using Gen AI in a higher education context.
• Develop an increased understanding of the benefits AI holds for education.

Workshop Format

• Asynchronous Canvas workshop (3 hours)
• Two remote/in-person discussion and debrief sessions (2 hours)

AI Literacy Micro-Credential

Faculty who complete the asynchronous workshop, attend both remote sessions, and submit the AI Literacy artifact assigned will earn the AI Literacy Micro-Credential. 

*FAs-4 & 5

Formative assessment has a tremendous impact on student learning. Formative assessments are regular, often low-stakes activities that provide students feedback on their learning. This helps students to improve their performance, and it increases student confidence and their ability to self-monitor learning. Formative assessment also helps the instructor to identify learning gaps and adjust instruction accordingly. This workshop will look at several easy ways to provide formative feedback.

Estimated time to complete: 2 hours

*FA-1

Explore effective ways of communicating with students about academic integrity. Reflect on how and why students transgress, and how we as instructors respond.

Estimated time to complete: 2 hours

*FA-4

Join us to learn more about how and why to use social annotation. Social annotation is an effective method for preventing student AI use because it focuses on the thinking process, and annotations make that process visible. It requires students to critically engage with the text by making specific, contextual comments. And the collaborative nature encourages authentic and relevant peer engagement that is difficult for AI to produce.

*FA-1

Learn how to use artificial intelligence tools to create content and images for your course. This session offers participants a chance to see and try ChatGPT, Google’s Image FX and Kahoot’s AI feature.

*FA-5

This workshop is designed to give you an overview of the principles of UDL and to help you begin to think about how they may be used in your teaching. Regardless of your teaching modality, this framework of course design and instruction will help you to create a quality and accessible learning environment for all your students. This is the first of five workshops in addition to a capstone project that the Center for Academic Innovations offers on the topic of UDL.

*FA-3 & 4

Join us for this on-demand challenge and learn how just a few easy tweaks can make a huge difference for students. 

For this challenge, you will be able to choose from a variety of different accessibility activities that will make you eligible for the stipend – or, you can work with Heather Mariger to create your own plan. The challenge generally takes around four hours to complete.

Email heather.mariger@chemeketa.edu to register.

*FA-3

The UDL Capstone is a chance to put what you have learned into action and share your results! Participants who complete all of the UDL Workshops and the Capstone will earn their UDL Certificate from the Center of Academic Innovation. Prerequisite: Introduction to UDL Workshop 1, UDL Bootcamp, and UDL Workshop 5.

email heather.mariger@chemeketa.edu to register.

*FA-3 & 4