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Drop-Ins, Workshops, and Professional Development

The Centre for Teaching and Learning is excited to offer a variety of workshops for faculty, staff, and students. Enhance your skills by signing up for sessions on topics such as Using Secure Online Exams in Your Courses, Accessibility Standards, Software Training Sessions, Administrative Practices, and Curricular Planning. For specific training requests, please contact teachinghub@nipissingu.ca.
 

Faculty Drop-Ins (Online) — Blackboard, with Learning Systems Technologists (LSTs)

Have questions about Blackboard, your course shell, or preparing for the upcoming Fall term? Join one of our informal LST Drop-In Sessions for one-on-one support. Whether you need help setting up your course, exploring Blackboard features, or troubleshooting an issue, we're here to help. No appointment required—just drop in with your questions! Can't make one of the scheduled sessions? No problem! Submit a ticket through helpdesk.nipissingu.ca to request a time that works for you, and one of our Learning Systems Technologists will be happy to arrange a one-on-one meeting.

There will be more formal sessions in mid- to late August. Watch our website for details. And note our Instructional Design Drop-in schedule too. 

We have an MS Form to get you the link to the session or sessions of your choice: 

Monday July 20: 9AM - 11AM (with Samantha Fraser)

Tuesday July 21: 9AM - 11AM (with Mark Giddens)

Wednesday July 22: 1PM - 3PM (with Chris Bird)

Thursday July 23: 9AM-11:AM (with Paul Courville)

Friday July 24: 10AM - 12:PM (with Kyle Charron)

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2026 Summer Drop-in Sessions: Instructional Design

The Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is pleased to invite you to participate in our weekly drop‑in sessions designed to support your teaching, course design, and use of educational technologies.

 

All these sessions are with Instructional Designer Sapna Sharma. 

We are asking people to register even though these are billed as "Drop-ins" because it helps us to plan now and in future (as well as keeping online versions more secure). They are informal enough that coming any time in the first hour will be fine, though. 

You'll notice that the online sessions are in the evening. This is based on our needs survey in which a significant number of part-time faculty expressed the need for hours outside 8:30-4:30. We do not expect anyone to work outside their typical working hours. 

Blackboard-related session information for July and August will be posted soon. 

Click on a topic to read more and to register for one or more of its offerings.

Curriculum Development & Program Mapping

Have questions about aligning courses, outcomes, and assessments? Join this informal drop-in session to explore the fundamentals of curriculum development and program mapping. Whether you’re designing a new course, revising an existing one, or ensuring alignment with program learning outcomes, you’ll find practical guidance, examples, and one-on-one support. Bring your questions, drafts, or ideas—drop in for a quick consult or stay to learn strategies for creating clear, coherent, and student-centred curricula.

Learning Outcome:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to align course learning outcomes, instructional activities, and assessments within a program map to support a coherent progression of student learning.

Register for this Session

Educational Technologies (e.g., Padlet, Kahoot, Mentimeter, Collaborate)

Description:
Explore a range of engaging educational technologies that can enhance teaching and learning in both in-person and online environments. This drop-in session introduces tools such as Padlet, Kahoot, Mentimeter, and Collaborate, with a focus on practical applications for active learning, student engagement, and real-time feedback. Faculty can see quick demonstrations, discuss pedagogical uses, and receive support in choosing and implementing tools that align with their course goals.

Learning Outcome:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to select and apply at least one educational technology tool to support interactive and student-centred learning in their courses.

Register for this Session

Grading Strategies (Including Rubric Design)

Description:
This drop-in session focuses on effective and equitable grading strategies to support student learning and transparency. Faculty will explore approaches to designing clear, consistent assessments, with particular attention to creating and using rubrics. Participants will review examples, discuss common challenges, and receive guidance on aligning grading practices with learning outcomes to enhance fairness, efficiency, and the quality of feedback.

Learning Outcome:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to design a clear, criterion-based rubric aligned with course learning outcomes to support consistent and transparent grading.

Register for this Session

Assessment Strategies considering Generative AI

Description:
This drop-in session explores how generative AI is shaping assessment practices in higher education. Faculty will discuss opportunities and challenges associated with AI-assisted work and consider strategies for designing assessments that promote academic integrity, critical thinking, and authentic learning. Topics may include revising traditional assignments, incorporating process-based or in-class assessments, and establishing clear expectations for AI use. Bring your questions or examples to explore practical, adaptable approaches.

Learning Outcome:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to identify and apply at least one assessment strategy that accounts for the use of generative AI while supporting authentic student learning

Register for this Session

Full Schedule

DateTopicIn-PersonOnline
Wed, Jun 24Assessment Strategies Considering Generative AI1:00–3:00 PM6:00–8:00 PM
Thu, Jun 25Grading Strategies (Including Rubric Design)1:00–3:00 PM6:00–8:00 PM
Jul 1–2No Sessions  
Wed, Jul 8Curriculum Development & Program Mapping1:00–3:00 PM6:00–8:00 PM
Thu, Jul 9Educational Technologies1:00–3:00 PM6:00–8:00 PM
Wed, Jul 15Assessment Strategies Considering Generative AI1:00–3:00 PM6:00–8:00 PM
Thu, Jul 16Grading Strategies (Including Rubric Design)1:00–3:00 PM6:00–8:00 PM
Wed, Jul 22Curriculum Development & Program Mapping1:00–3:00 PM6:00–8:00 PM
Thu, Jul 23Educational Technologies1:00–3:00 PM6:00–8:00 PM
Wed, Jul 29Assessment Strategies Considering Generative AI1:00–3:00 PM6:00–8:00 PM
Thu, Jul 30Grading Strategies (Including Rubric Design)1:00–3:00 PM6:00–8:00 PM
Wed, Aug 5Curriculum Development & Program Mapping1:00–3:00 PM6:00–8:00 PM
Thu, Aug 6Educational Technologies1:00–3:00 PM6:00–8:00 PM
Wed, Aug 12Assessment Strategies Considering Generative AI1:00–3:00 PM6:00–8:00 PM
Thu, Aug 13Grading Strategies (Including Rubric Design)1:00–3:00 PM6:00–8:00 PM
Wed, Aug 19Curriculum Development & Program Mapping1:00–3:00 PM6:00–8:00 PM
Thu, Aug 20Educational Technologies1:00–3:00 PM6:00–8:00 PM

Using Secure Lockdown Browser

Please Enroll in the Blackboard Orientation Module:

Self Enroll into CTL Blackboard Orientation | Scribe

Institutional Membership Opportunities: Quality Matters

Nipissing University holds an institutional membership with the organization Quality Matters (QM), giving faculty, instructors, and Centre for Teaching and Learning support staff access to a range of evidence-informed course design resources.

Use your @nipissingu.ca email to register for MyQM and unlock the QM Reference Library, Self-Review Tool, and Course Design Rubric.

July 22, 2026 Level Up Your Learning Materials: Strategies for Engaging Students with Interactive Elements (Webinar)

Presented by Julie Jacobs and Dana Simionescu, Oregon State University.
REGISTER NOW

August 19, 2026 Strategic Alignment: Digital Accessibility, Faculty Development, and Quality Course Reviews

Presented by Nancy Swenson and Amy Sugar, University of Central Florida. 
REGISTER NOW

Learn More

Visit the Quality Matters website to explore additional resources and information.

External Opportunities 

August 18-20 — Digital Pedagogy Institute (online)

eCampusOntario Professional Learning (Summer/Fall 2026) Explore upcoming programs for faculty and staff, in particular:

· Empowered Educator (Aug 4 – Aug 21 & Oct 26 – Dec 18) Build core skills in digital, open, and inclusive teaching practice

· Mastering Open Ed (Sept 14 – Oct 30) Create and adapt open educational resources using practical tools and licensing

Programs are free or available at a preferential rate for participants from eCampusOntario member institutions. Questions? Please contact us at learn@ecampusontario.ca.

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