Blended and Online Series

Blended and Online Workshop Series

The Blended and Online Workshop Series (BOWS) are sets of interactive workshops that focus on pedagogy and practice of blended and online learning. Series topics include foundations, assessments, course design, experiential learning, learning technologies, and equity, diversity and inclusion. The series are offered monthly with weekly scheduled workshops, so participants are welcome to attend one, some, or all based on their interest and availability. Each workshop creates informal opportunities for focused blended and online teaching development and connections with academic staff from various disciplines. 

Learning by Design

In this series, participants will have the opportunity to learn about:

  • Designing inclusive syllabi in blended and online courses
  • Aligning learning outcomes with blended and online activities to promote skill development
  • Creating collaborative learning opportunities to increase student engagement
  • Promoting intentional academic integrity practices for blended and online classes

Each of these sessions focuses on a deliberate approach to designing blended and online courses. Whether participants attend one, some, or all of the workshops, they will take away blended and online course design strategies that they can apply in their current and future teaching practice.

Academic Integrity in Blended and Online Learning

Academic integrity is central to high-quality learning experiences in blended and online classrooms. In this workshop, participants will explore four strategies for designing assessments that promote student learning and academic integrity. 

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: 

  • Recognize the importance academic integrity has in your course design 
  • Discuss the challenges associated with academic integrity and online assessments 
  • Identify practical tips and strategies that reflect academic integrity in your courses 

Date: Sept. 21, 2023
Time: 2 – 3 p.m.
Facilitators: Lorelei Anselmo and Garrett Beatty, Academic Integrity Specialist from Student Success Centre

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Designing High-Quality Rubrics for Blended and Online Courses

Course Description: A rubric is more than a grading tool. In online and blended courses, rubrics are a great way to gauge student learning, engagement, and competencies. Designing high-quality rubrics for use in online and blended learning courses promote student-centered learning through clear communication, explicit assignment expectations, and timely feedback. In this workshop, we will use sample rubrics to explore best practices and learn how to use the Rubrics tool in D2L for efficient teaching and learning.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Identify essential markers of competency and integrate them into a D2L rubric
  • Leverage rubrics to identify opportunities for deeper learning or skills development
  • Embed opportunities for formative feedback and development throughout your course

Date: Sept. 28, 2023
Time: 2 – 3 p.m.
Facilitators: Lin Yu and Lorelei Anselmo

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Effective Feedback Strategies for Instructors

Feedback is a powerful tool to evaluate students’ learning and improve student achievement. There are a variety of ways to provide feedback that can build student confidence and motivation. In this workshop, participants will explore effective feedback strategies that contribute to a positive learning experience for students. 

By the end of this workshop, students will be able to: 

  • identify different components of meaningful feedback; 

  • discover multiple formats to deliver feedback; and 

  • recognize techniques for communicating positive feedback. 

Date: Oct 24, 2023 
Time: 10 – 11 a.m. 
Facilitators: Lorelei Anselmo and Lin Yu 

Universal Design for Blended and Online Learning

The three principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) provide multiple means of representation, action and expression, and engagement. These principles can be used as a framework for blended and online learning course design and development that supports a wide range of learners. In this workshop, participants will explore how to apply UDL principles in blended and online learning design. 

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to: 

  • Explain the three principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)  

  • Recognize how the UDL principles can be applied to blended and online course design  

  • Identify three UDL instructional methods to implement in your courses 

Date: Oct 13, 2023 
Time: 10 – 11 a.m. 
Facilitators: Lorelei Anselmo and Alysia Wright 

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Related content

Past workshops

  1. Connecting Learning Outcomes and Learning Activities in Blended and Online Learning

    Learning outcomes guide the development of student learning and are similarly formatted in all learning contexts. How these learning outcomes are achieved vary by modality, program-level outcomes, and course design. In this workshop, participants will discover blended and online learning activities that align with learning outcomes and promote skills development for students learning in blended and online course environments.

    By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

    • Recognize how each component of a blended or online learning model relates to learning outcomes;
    • Develop learning outcomes that provide multiple opportunities for learners to cultivate skills through face-to-face, asynchronous and synchronous interactions
    • Select purposeful learning activities that promote social learning, collaboration and increased participation to support the achievement of learning outcomes

  2. Interactive Engagement Strategies

    Collaborative learning activities strengthen social presence within a course and increase learner motivation. Learning activities exist in synchronous and asynchronous formats. In this workshop, participants will engage in various collaborative learning activities that can be applied to a blended and online learning environment.

    By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

    • Recognize the value of collaborative learning activities in blended and online classrooms;
    • Identify activities that increase student engagement in blended and online formats
    • Select learning activities and engagement strategies that can be applied in their teaching context.

  3. Assessment and Feedback Strategies in Blended and Online Courses

    Online learning assessments range from multiple-choice exams to research projects to group presentations. These methods assess learning in different ways and are an opportunity for instructors to provide meaningful feedback to help students with motivation and ongoing development. In this workshop, participants will explore how to use formal and informal assessments, learning technologies and tools, and using strategies for providing feedback.

    By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

    • Select appropriate assessment methods to evaluate student learning in online and blended courses
    • Identify assessment methods available through learning technologies such as D2L and Top Hat
    • Use effective assessment strategies to provide meaningful feedback to students

In this series, participants will have the opportunity to learn about: 

  • Incorporating D2L tools to help student motivation 
  • Investigating D2L tools to develop active and accessible videos
  • Providing meaningful feedback through D2L 
  • Enhancing the student experience with D2L  

Each of these sessions focuses on using D2L technology tools in blended and online courses. Whether participants attend one, some, or all of the workshops, they will take away D2L tools and strategies that they can apply in their current and future teaching practice.  

  1. Next Level D2L Shells

    In blended and online learning, the D2L shell is fundamental to the student experience. Tools like widgets, templates, release conditions and intelligent agents can help improve student motivation. This workshop invites you to explore the next-level D2L tools that might make your course more effective and easier to run. 

    By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: 

    • Recognize D2L tools that can be used to maintain student motivation
    • Identify D2L tools that can increase instructor workload efficiency
    • Select effective D2L tools that can be applied in your blended and online course shell context

    Date: March 3, 2022
    Time: 2:30 – 4 p.m.

  2. Next Level Video and D2L

    Video can be an important part of teaching in a blended and online environment. Video alone, however, can be a very passive learning experience and sometimes makes the material harder for students to absorb. This workshop invites you to investigate the tools which can help make videos more active and accessible.  

    By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: 

    • Discuss the elements of interactive videos, 
    • Discover D2L tools that help create engaging videos
    • Determine which D2L tools can be utilized in your blended and online teaching context

    Date: March 10, 2022
    Time: 2:30 – 4 p.m.

  3. Next Level D2L Evaluation and Feedback

    Building assessments into your blended and online learning course that support the learning outcomes and teaching goals can be challenging. D2L includes tools such as anonymous grading, rubrics, question libraries, and submission views which can help meet these challenges. This workshop invites you to examine these tools which can help learning, streamline grading and improve the process of giving feedback to students. 

    By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: 

    • Recognize how D2L evaluation and feedback tools can support your learning outcomes
    • Compare different D2L evaluation and feedback tools to enhance your grading practices
    • Select D2L evaluation and feedback tools that meet your blended and online D2L teaching needs

    Date: March 17, 2022
    Time: 2:30 – 4 p.m.

  4. Next Level D2L Student Experience

    Incentivizing students to engage and prioritize their own learning is an important part of the blended and online learning experience. D2L tools such as the activity feed, awards and leaderboards can help you incorporate more active learning in your course shell. This workshop invites you to explore these tools which can increase student engagement and make D2L course shells more dynamic.

    By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

    • Explain how the blended and online student experience can be enhanced through D2L student experience tools
    • Identify D2L tools which will increase student engagement and promote blended and online community building
    • Select D2L tools that can be applied in your blended and online course shells

    Date: March 24, 2022
    Time: 2:30 – 4 p.m.

In this series, participants will engage in discussions about how to promote effective learning skills for students in their online courses. Topics in this series include:

  • Developing effective study skills for online courses
  • Establishing time management skills for online courses
  • Acquiring research skills for online courses
  • Creating effective groups in online environments

 

Each session in this BOWS lunchtime series focuses on a deliberate approach to promoting students’ self-regulated learning skills for blended and online learning. Whether participants attend one, some, or all the workshops, they will take away practical strategies that they can apply in their current and future teaching practice.

  1. Developing Effective Study Skills for Online Courses

    Students in blended and online courses are expected to study and practice skills independently and with peers. In this workshop, participants will discover learning activities that promote effective study skills for their students and teaching strategies that foster self-regulated learning.

    By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

    • Articulate the study skills that will promote student learning in an online course
    • Explore strategies that promote independent learning and study skills in an online environment
    • Create opportunities for students to practice study skills in their courses

    Date: May 10, 2022
    Time: 12 – 1 p.m.

  2. Establishing Time Management Skills for Online Courses

    Time management skills are key to successful online learning.  Providing students with opportunities to explore and discover time management skills may lead to self-regulated learning skills that help students thrive in blended and online learning environments. In this workshop, participants will explore time management tasks and strategies to help keep students on track in their courses.

    By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

    • Identify time management techniques that students can use in online learning
    • Integrate time management techniques in your blended and online courses
    • Select and apply time management tools in institutionally-supported learning technologies

    Date: May 11, 2022
    Time: 12 – 1 p.m.

  3. Enhancing Research Skills for Online Courses

    Research skills are an important component of self-regulated learning skills for students. Critical thinking, concept development, and the ability to find evidence to support ideas are all research skills that help students develop quality assignments and deepen learning. In this workshop, participants will discover resources and tools that support students in developing effective research skills.

    By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

    • Identify various campus resources available to assist students with research
    • Select appropriate research tools designed for students for use in online courses
    • Incorporate instructional strategies to promote the development of research skills

    Date: May 12, 2022
    Time: 12 – 1 p.m.

  4. Creating Effective Groups in Online Courses

    Designing effective groups for online environments enhances the learners’ online experience and increases student engagement. In this workshop, participants will discover ways to create groups that are organized, inclusive, and engaging.

    By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

    • Organize an online group project
    • Identify and select learning technologies to support online group work
    • Integrate synchronous and asynchronous group activities in an online course

    Date: May 13, 2022
    Time: 12 – 1 p.m.

In this series, participants will have the opportunity to learn about:  

  • Advancing academic integrity in blended and online assessments  
  • Selecting appropriate tools for online assessments
  • Providing constructive and timely feedback
  • Using rubrics to assess students’ work


Each of these sessions provides an innovative approach to designing online assessments. Whether participants attend one, some, or all of the workshops, they will take away assessment strategies that they can apply in their current and future teaching practice. 

  1. Designing Online Assessments that Promote Academic Integrity

    Academic integrity is central to high-quality learning experiences in blended and online classrooms. In this workshop, participants will explore four strategies for designing assessments that promote student learning and academic integrity. 

    By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: 

    • Recognize the importance academic integrity has in your course design 

    • Discuss the challenges associated with academic integrity and online assessments 

    • Identify practical tips and strategies that reflect academic integrity in your courses 

    Date: June 7, 2022
    Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.

  2. Designing Quality Rubrics for Blended and Online Courses

    A rubric is more than a grading tool. In blended and online courses, rubrics are a great way to gauge student learning, engagement, and competencies. Designing high-quality rubrics for use in blended and online learning courses promote student-centred learning through clear communication, explicit assignment expectations, and timely feedback. In this workshop, participants will use sample rubrics to explore best practices and learn how to use the Rubrics tool in D2L for efficient teaching and learning. 

    By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:  

    • Identify essential markers of competency and integrate them into a D2L rubric 

    • Leverage rubrics to identify opportunities for deeper learning or skills development 

    • Embed opportunities for formative feedback and development throughout your course 

    Date: June 14, 2022
    Time: 1 – 2:30 p.m.

  3. Assessment and Feedback Strategies in Blended and Online Courses

    Online learning assessments range from multiple-choice exams to research projects to group presentations. These methods assess learning in different ways and are an opportunity for instructors to provide meaningful feedback to help students with motivation and ongoing development. In this workshop, participants will explore how to use formal and informal assessments, learning technologies and tools, and strategies for providing feedback. 

    By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:  

    • Select appropriate assessment methods to evaluate student learning in blended and online courses 

    • Identify assessment methods available through learning technologies such as D2L and Top Hat 

    • Use effective assessment strategies to provide meaningful feedback to students

    Date: June 23, 2022
    Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.

In this series, participants will have the opportunity to learn about:  

  • Applying their experience to teaching in blended and online learning contexts  
  • Designing courses for virtual classrooms
  • Developing interactive learning materials and activities 
  • Leveraging Universal Design Learning to help students achieve their learning goals 

Each of these sessions focuses on establishing a solid foundation for teaching and learning in blended and online contexts and participants will benefit from attending one, some, or all of the workshops. Participants can expect to take away an improved understanding of how to integrate their pedagogy with the unique characteristics of blended and online learning. 

  1. Intentional D2L Course Shell Design

    Our D2L course shells are the primary digital space for instructor and student interaction. How can we design these course shells to meet the needs of both instructors and students? In this workshop, we present D2L course shell examples from across campus and intentional design strategies that can be adapted for a wide range of courses and pedagogical approaches. 

    By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:  

    • Be introduced to D2L shell examples from across campus 
    • Explore how they can use different features of D2L to enhance content navigation 
    • Promote student engagement and community 
    • Improve student learning outcomes 

    Date: Sept. 20, 2022
    Time: 10 – 11 a.m.

  2. Building an Online Course Community

    Establishing a sense of community in the blended and online classroom positively affects the quality of student learning, student engagement and motivation. The Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework shapes meaningful learning experiences through cognitive, social and teaching presence. This workshop highlights practical CoI instructional activities that instructors can leverage to build an online class community in digital learning spaces. 

    By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:  

    • Understand how the CoI framework can be applied to build a community in your online class 
    • Identify CoI instructional activities that lead to an online class community 
    • Select at least one activity to implement within your online teaching context 

    Date: Sept. 27, 2022
    Time: 10 – 11 a.m.

In this blitz series about large enrolment courses, participants will have the opportunity to engage in panel discussions about:

  • Effective communication techniques that increase instructor presence in large blended and online courses
  • Active engagement strategies that enhance student participation in a large blended and online learning environment
  • Practical considerations for assessments that support equitable learning in a large blended and online enrolment course

 

Each session in BOWS Blitz focuses on a deliberate approach to delivering large enrolment courses in blended and online contexts. Whether participants attend one, some, or all of the workshops, they will take away practical strategies that they can apply in their current and future teaching practice.

  1. Effective Communication Techniques in Large Enrolment Courses

    Effective communication in a large online enrolment course can build community, increase learner motivation, and facilitate student learning. Effective communication centers around a consistent instructor presence. In this panel discussion, participants will hear from large enrolment faculty and instructors as they share their experiences and explore communication techniques that increase instructor presence in blended and online large enrolment courses.

    By the end of this panel discussion, participants will be able to:

    • Discuss the benefits of establishing instructor presence as a means to effectively communicate with students in large blended and online learning environments.
    • Explore opportunities for creating effective communication in your large blended and online learning class.
    • Identify communication tools that promote community and student learning in large blended and online courses.

  2. Engagement Strategies for Large Enrolment Classes

    Engagement strategies motivate learners, provide opportunities for collaborative learning, and enhance the overall student experience. In large enrolment blended and online courses, engagement strategies can be challenging if they are not intentionally planned. In this panel discussion, participants will hear from large enrolment faculty and instructors as they share their experiences with engagement strategies that successfully involve large groups of students learning in blended and online courses.

    By the end of this panel discussion, participants will be able to:

    • Explain how engagement strategies can be successfully utilized in large classes.
    • Identify engagement activities that provide multiple opportunities for learners to cultivate skills through asynchronous and synchronous interactions.
    • Implement purposeful engagement strategies that promote social learning, collaboration and increased participation in large enrolment courses.

  3. Considerations for Assessments in Large Enrolment Classes

    Managing grading, providing constructive feedback, and including meaningful rubrics are some considerations for assessments in large enrolment classes. Yet these considerations also provide an opportunity to consider assessments that are equitable, accessible and achievable for all students. In this panel discussion, participants will hear from faculty and instructors and explore best practices for assessments in blended and online large enrolment courses.

    By the end of this panel discussion, participants will be able to:

    • Identify important considerations for assessment in large enrolment classes in your teaching context.
    • Adopt, adapt, or create effective assessments for large blended and online large enrolment courses.
    • Select assessment strategies that reflect best practices for blended and online large enrolment classes.