The afternoon sun shines through trees in Chopp Arboretum and illuminates the snow near Hyer Hall. (UW-Whitewater Photos/Craig Schreiner)
Welcome back, Warhawks!
As we begin 2024, the LTC has prepared a series of workshops over Winterim that aim to ensure a seamless start to Spring Semester. LTC experts have selected three series to help instructors: Canvas Course Boot Camp, Quality Course Design, and Generative AI. If none of the listed workshops (or topics!) meet your needs, LTC experts are available for one-on-one consultations!
Get your Canvas courses in fighting shape with our Course Prep Boot Camp Series. In this series, instructors will be guided through refining existing Canvas courses or assisted in building new ones. Series topics include: building content, assignments and grades, accessories, and collaborations. Enroll in one or a few; even if it is a way to dedicate time.
Elevate your teaching methods with the Quality Course Design Series, designed for educators eager to revitalize their teaching strategies and course design in both face-to-face and online settings. This series merges three critical aspects of modern education: incremental course enhancement, fostering student interactions, and aligning learning objectives with outcomes.
In the Generative AI Series, workshops will focus on preparing instructors for AI use in the classroom, from building a syllabus policy, to integrating AI into student assignments, to finding ways to streamline classroom prep. Workshops include updated information and resources to keep you on top of this emerging technology. All generative AI workshops are interconnected, but not serial, so register for as many as interest you!
Find more details, including registration links, click here. Or visit our Events Calendar.
2023 Cisco/Presidio Teaching with Technology Innovator Honorarium Recipient Lori Trimble.
The Cisco/Presidio Teaching with Technology Innovator Honorarium recognizes an instructor who displays an outstanding commitment to leveraging learning technologies to solve common teaching challenges. Applications due April 3rd!
About the Award
The Cisco/Presidio Teaching with Technology Innovator recognizes an instructor who displays an outstanding commitment to leveraging learning technologies to create rich learning experiences, thereby increasing student success.
Eligibility and Expectations
To be eligible for this award, the applicant must:
Be an instructor at UW-Whitewater
Taught at least six (6) credits in the past year
Finalists will receive a $250 honorarium and agree to present an interactive session at the Celebrating Teaching and Learning Conference.
The individual selected as the 2024 Teaching with Technology Innovator will receive a $1000 honorarium (instead of the $250 for finalists) and agrees to the following:
Have their name and picture highlighted in a Learning Technology Center blog post and in the ConnectIT newsletter;
Have their name and photograph displayed in the Learning Technology Center;
Partner with the Learning Technology Center to highlight their work during the Fall 2024 and/or Spring 2025 semester
Please note: this honorarium counts toward the 20% base salary overload maximum.
Deadline and Submission Instructions
Interested candidates must submit their materials using Qualtrics by April 3, 2024. Finalists will be notified no later than April 17th, and the winner will be revealed at the conference in May.
Application Materials
Application packages must include:
Core Items
Personal reflection (approximately two pages) that describes the role technology plays in the applicant’s teaching philosophy, discussing how they have demonstrated the innovative and effective use of learning technologies to create rich and productive learning experiences for students.
Evidence from a student or students (e.g., letters of support, specific excerpts from mid-semester feedback survey data, or end-of-the-semester course evaluations) supporting that the instructor used technology innovatively in a way that enhanced their learning experience.
Portfolio Items
At least two additional items that serve as evidence that their technology intervention contributes to student learning and success. Possible items include, but are not limited to:
Examples of how reflection on the use of technology has been used as part of a continuous process of improvement as an instructor
Letters of review/support from instructional peers who can speak to the benefits the technology intervention provides
Course evaluation data speaking specifically to the technology intervention
Evidence of student impact after trying a technology intervention (e.g., pre-/post- analysis)
Note: If materials are missing, an individual’s application for this award may not be reviewed.
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by a committee composed of members of the LTC and LEARN Center Advisory Groups using this rubric. Notifications of the selected finalists will be made by April 17th, 2024. Finalists will be expected to submit a description of an interactive, synchronous session to be presented at the Celebrating Teaching and Learning Conference in the University Center on the Whitewater Campus on May 15th, 2024.
About the Sponsors
This award is sponsored by Presidio and Cisco Systems in conjunction with UWW’s Division of Information Technology Services and the LTC. Presidio and Cisco are proud of their work with institutions of higher education to inspire learning and connect campuses to enhance student outcomes. The university is dedicated to working with instructors to understand teaching challenges, explore solutions, implement strategies, and evaluate their effectiveness.
Join the Learning Technology Center (LTC) this Winterim to get a jump start on Spring Semester! Our experts have crafted a series of workshops to help instructors prepare for the coming semester.
Workshop topics include:
Canvas Course Prep
Quality Course Design
Generative Artificial Intelligence
Find full workshop descriptions and more detailed information here. For sign up information, visit our Events Calendar.
Already made your Winterim plans? Not to fear! LTC staff are available for one-on-one consultations throughout Winterim, which can be scheduled during our normal hours, Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm. Reach out to the LTC directly here.
The Learning Technology Center, LEARN Center and Office of Academic Assessment are excited to invite proposals for UWW’s annual Teaching and Learning Conference (CTL) which will be held on May 15th, 2024. We invite UW-Whitewater faculty and staff to share their educational innovations for teaching and learning with the wider university community.
This year, there is a special interest in proposals related to generative artificial intelligence, inclusivity and civil discourse, and assessment. However, feel free to propose sessions that focus on other aspects of teaching and learning, as well, such as topics related to team-based learning, engaged scholarship, culturally-responsive instruction, high-impact practices, and fostering student success more broadly.
Concurrent presentation sessions will last 45 minutes. You are welcome to propose a variety of formats, such as a panel discussion, interactive workshop, or presentation of research. We strongly encourage you to incorporate open discussion/Q&A time into your session.
Required Submission Materials:
-Presenter(s) Names and Photos -Presentation Abstract (max 400 characters) -Presentation Description and Goals (max 3000 characters)
Feel free to reach out to the LTC with any questions about the proposal process at ltc@uww.edu.
Applications close April 1st, 2024 and notifications of acceptance will be received no later than April 12th, 2024.
The shape of Hyer Hall dominates as a blanket of fine snow fall on the UW-Whitewater campus on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023. (UW-Whitewater Photos/Craig Schreiner)
Make the most of Winterim with the LTC! We have developed a wide array of programming to help instructors get a jump start on the spring semester and beyond! Registration links are provided below, or visit our Events Calendar.
The Course Prep Boot Camp Series is designed for instructors looking to get their course for next semester up and running, but all faculty and staff are welcome. Come with previous content ready to be updated, or moved from paper into Canvas (i.e.,moving a quiz or rubric into a digital form). This series of workshops will provide you the how-to and time to complete specific tasks to get your course set up. Enroll in one, a handful, or all of them; even if it is just for a way to schedule your time.
Elevate your teaching methods with the Quality Course Design Series, designed for educators eager to revitalize their teaching strategies and course design in both face-to-face and online settings. This series merges three critical aspects of modern education: incremental course enhancement, fostering student interactions, and aligning learning objectives with outcomes.
In the Generative AI Series, workshops will focus on preparing instructors for AI use in the classroom, from building a syllabus policy, to integrating AI into student assignments, to finding ways to streamline classroom prep. If you are new to generative AI, the Introductory workshop is a great place to start! All generative AI workshops are interconnected, but not serial, so register for as many as interest you!
The LTC, LEARN Center, and Office of Academic Assessment would like to invite you to save the date for the Celebrating Teaching and Learning (CTL) Conference on May 15th, 2024! The conference will be held in person at the University Center. It is open to all University of Wisconsin – Whitewater staff. More information about registration, the call for presentation proposals, and applications for the Cisco/Presidio Teaching with Technology Honorarium will be coming soon! We look forward to our campus community coming together to share ideas, collaborate on common challenges, and build camaraderie! If you have any questions about this conference, please contact theLearning Technology Center.
Navigating AI: Panel Discussion on Implications for Higher Education
The world around us is changing, and so is the landscape of education! The Learning Technology Center (LTC) and the LEARN Center are thrilled to extend an invitation to all Warhawks to be part of an engaging discussion on the transformative power of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education.
Event Details
Date: November 15th, 2023 Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Location: Hybrid Event – UC 261 or Virtually via Webex Participants: Open to All on Campus!
Why Attend?
Generative AI is not just a buzzword; it is a revolutionary force in the educational sector. Whether you are a tech enthusiast, a forward-thinking educator, or a student navigating through the waves of digital transformation, this panel discussion is tailor-made for you!
Learn from the Experts: Engage with a dynamic panel of instructors and students who are already navigating the world of generative AI. Gain insights into how AI is reshaping classroom interactions, uncover potential applications and disruptions, and peek into the future of education.
Direct Engagement: Ever had a question about AI but did not know who to ask? Our Open Q&A Forum is your chance! Interact directly with the panelists, get your questions answered, and dive deeper into the world of AI.
Networking Opportunities: Connect, converse, and network with like-minded individuals who share your curiosity, caution, or passion for AI and education.
Be Part of the Conversation
Ready to be part of the conversation? Click the link below to register and secure your spot, whether in person or virtually.
The LTC and LEARN Center cannot wait to welcome you to an afternoon filled with insightful discussions, engaging interactions, and a deep dive into the future of AI in education.
RSVP today and invite your friends and colleagues. Let’s explore the transformative world of generative AI together!
The University of Wisconsin System’s Office of Professional and Instructional Development (OPID) is hosting a webinar series on artificial intelligence. The series is open to systemwide faculty and instructors and will consist of four 90-minute livestreams via Zoom. Be sure to register to attend the sessions and to receive access to recordings!
Dr. Eaton presents a thought-provoking look at current and upcoming issues related to the use of generative AI tools for teaching, learning, and assessment, focusing on Large Language Models (LLMs). She will share practical ways to actively explore Chat GPT and other AI apps, integrating them in your teaching and learning, and communicating with students about our AI world.
Redesigning Assignments – Wednesday, September 28th at 12 p.m. – Dr. Tricia Bertram Gallant, Ph. D, University of California- SanDiego
In this talk, Dr. Bertram Gallant will help us move past the fear and anxieties created by Gen AI and towards the creative possibilities for teaching, learning and assessment. Attendees should come to this talk prepared to work on one course syllabus and one assessment prompt (from the same course), and to leave with at least three concrete ideas for how they will modify their teaching practice to better assure integrity in a Gen AI world.
Associate Professor Matthew Winden begins his business statistics class in Hyland Hall. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is committed to supporting faculty and staff as the higher education landscape evolves in the age of AGI. Questions continue to mount regarding AGI and academic integrity, particularly with regard to detection options and classroom policies. The LTC has drafted an example of appropriate syllabus language addressing the use of AGI in assignments and other course work. The language is optional and designed to give instructors the flexibility in determining how AGI may, or may not, fit into their course.
For those interested in an AGI detection demonstration, IT Services’ annual Technology Open House on August 30th (1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in McGraw Hall), will feature an overview of the Turnitin detection software built into Canvas at 3:15 p.m. Other offerings include a general AI demonstration at 2:45 p.m. and a wide range of helpful technology resources on many topics throughout the afternoon. (Plus free food and prizes!)
If you have any other AGI-related inquiries, or would like a personal or group consultation related to AGI, please contact the Learning Technology Center.
In an era where innovation propels us forward at an astonishing pace, staying up to date with the latest advancements can be a challenge. To help, the LTC has summarized some of the recent updates related to artificial generative intelligence (AGI).
General AI Updates
Key updates include the release of ChatGPT versions 3.5 and 4, Microsoft’s Copilot, and Google’s AGI, Bard. Tech companies are expected to continue ferociously to compete, with the AI landscape likely evolving by the Fall 2023 semester.
Incorporating AI into Assessments – UWW Event Recap
The LTC conducted a workshop on April 24th called “Incorporating AI into Assessments.” The workshop aimed to demonstrate how ChatGPT can be utilized to streamline the process, reduce instructor workload, and enhance learning objectives, assessments, and assignments. Led by Ted Witt and Ravneet Kaur, the LTC team guided instructors in real-time usage of ChatGPT, featuring practical demonstrations with real-life examples from various courses such as business, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The workshop also delved into the art of crafting effective prompts.
How ChatGPT and AI are Transforming Academia – UW System Event Recap
The UW System Learning Technology Development Council (LTDC) hosted two panel discussions on April 18th, 2023 centering on how AI is transforming education from both the student and instructor perspectives.
Watch the Student Panel to discuss how students are already using AI, including the benefits and potential pitfalls in and out of the classroom. Watch the Instructor Panel to explore how fellow instructors have already begun to incorporate AI into their courses and how it can be leveraged for future use.
TurnItIn Update
TurnItIn has launched an AI generated content detection feature on April 4th, 2023. It is integrated with the Similarity Report to show an overall percentage of the document that was likely AI generated. It is currently available to UW-Whitewater users.
A few key points regarding the AI detection feature:
Text that is flagged is 98% certain to be generated by AGI
False positives have been reported both by users and TurnItIn
Only instructors can see the AI detection indicator
