Online Faculty Development

Academic Technology and Support Services provide a variety of professional learning opportunities through asynchronous, synchronous, workshops, and personalized department trainings from all four of our areas. Our entire catalog is shared below; however, each semester, you can access our current offerings through Go Sign Me Up.

In addition to individualized courses, we also offer several opportunities for faculty and staff to earn digital credentials.

To request personalized training for your area, contact Instructional Design Manager Katie Surber at [email protected].

Accessible course materials

Course

Description

ACS-101: Introduction to Accessibility

This self-paced, online course provides a basic overview of accessibility guidelines that will help you gain an understanding of how to make your course content accessible to all learners. It includes core accessibility concepts, as well as instruction on how to create accessible documents, accessible presentations, accessible multimedia and accessible Blackboard content. Resources to facilitate the creation of accessible course content are provided.

ACS-110: Accessible Word Documents

This online workshop provides an overview of creating accessible documents through hands-on application of accessibility principles. Participants will learn how to create accessible text and structure, incorporate accessible images, tables and hyperlinks and run a final accessibility check. The accessible document will then be saved as an accessible PDF file.

ACS-120: Accessible PowerPoint

In this online workshop, participants will learn how to create an accessible PowerPoint presentation and update the accessibility of an existing presentation. Topics include elements of an accessible PowerPoint, common accessibility problems, accessible structure and design features, accessible images and non-text elements, accessible multimedia and saving/sharing presentations.

ACS-131: Accessible Video Captioning

This hands-on course (offered both in person and online) will introduce participants to captioning YouTube videos, both their own and those created by others. The purpose is to introduce the concept of captioning, apply it using two online tools and utilize transcripts. This knowledge will be assessed throughout the course via discussion boards, quizzes and a final project.

ACS-135: Accessible Image Descriptions

This one-week, online course is designed to introduce you to the Poet image description guidelines resource, aiding you in providing more effective and accessible descriptions for your image content. During this course, you will be introduced to a web-based image description resource called Poet, learn significant factors that impact how description for images is provided and how to more effectively and efficiently provide image descriptions.

ACS-140: Accessible Excel Worksheets

This workshop (offered in person and online) will teach participants how to create accessible Excel worksheets using Microsoft Excel 2016. Participants will learn how to properly format and structure Excel worksheets to meet ADA compliance and to be screen-reader accessible.

ACS-150: Complex Image Descriptions

This one-hour webinar is for instructors who would like to add complex images to their lessons but need guidance on making the images accessible. The webinar will cover strategies for creating alt text and long image descriptions for graphs, diagrams and other complex images. The basics of alt text and descriptions will be reviewed, but successful completion of ACS-135: Accessible Image Descriptions is recommended.

ACS-211: When and How to Use PDFs: Ensuring Accessibility

In this webinar, you will learn to determine when a PDF is appropriate and how to ensure accessibility for all users. You will master essential techniques for structuring PDF content with headings, lists and tables to enhance readability and usability. Additionally, alternatives to PDFs will be explored, providing you with practical options for various document needs.

AI in education

Course

Description

RC-101: Read and Chat with Instructional Design

Participants meet three times virtually to reflect on and discuss a series of podcast episodes and/or articles related to a chosen topic. Each semester, a new topic is introduced, so be sure to check GoSignMeUp to learn about the latest topic.

AI-101: Creating AI-Powered Study Aids for Students

Discover how to use generative AI tools to create personalized, engaging study aids that support student learning and reduce instructor workload. By the end of the course, faculty walk away with ready-to-use materials tailored to their own discipline.

AI-102: AI-Ready Design – Approaches to Assessment and Grading

As AI continues to reshape teaching and learning, educators are re-examining how to verify student learning and approach grading in a scalable and sustainable way. This asynchronous online session explores a range of approaches to learning verification, including authentic assessment, process visibility, interactive components and higher-order thinking requirements, as well as approaches to AI-assisted and alternative grading. Throughout the session, we focus on practical strategies for promoting academic integrity that also create meaningful opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning.

AI-103: Teaching in an AI World – What Should Students Learn?

Artificial intelligence has changed the educational landscape, but what does that mean for teaching? As students increasingly use AI in their academic work and future careers, faculty are navigating new questions about learning, assessment and the role of higher education. This discussion-based webinar invites participants to examine current trends, explore emerging research and share perspectives on how AI is influencing teaching across disciplines. Rather than focusing on specific tools, we begin building a shared understanding of the opportunities and challenges that define teaching in an AI-enabled world.

AI-104: Teaching in an AI World – What should Students Learn?

As generative AI becomes increasingly capable of producing explanations, summaries and even original content, educators are reconsidering what students need to know and be able to do. This discussion examines how AI influences learning, expertise and skill development while exploring ways to create meaningful learning experiences that extend beyond knowledge acquisition.

AI-105: Teaching in an AI World – How Do We Know Students Have Learned?

AI-106: Teaching in an AI World – How Do We Help Students Think?

One of the greatest opportunities presented by AI is helping students become thoughtful users of information. This discussion explores the role of critical thinking, information literacy, ethical reasoning and metacognition in an AI world. Together, participants consider strategies for encouraging students to question, evaluate and reflect rather than simply accept AI-generated responses.

AI-107: Teaching in an AI World – What Makes Teaching Uniquely Human?

AI-108: Inside the AI Hub – Four Ways to Get Started

In this quick session, learn all about the Faculty and Staff AI Hub, Wake Tech's central space for learning, sharing and engaging with artificial intelligence. This session highlights updates made to the site in the past six months and demonstrates four specific ways that you can benefit from or contribute to this shared resource.

AI-109: AI-Generated Visuals 1 – Student Engagement and Visual Literacy

AI image generators can be powerful tools for engaging students, building visual literacy and strengthening critical thinking, especially as visual AI becomes more common in our classrooms.* In this session, explore practical ways to use AI-generated visuals across disciplines, from testing writing and analyzing errors to brainstorming, style-mixing and storyboarding.
We walk through prompting basics, comparing common tools and how the process of creating images can support learning, not just the final product. You leave with ready-to-use activity ideas, guidance on getting started and at least one strategy you can try right away.

* This webinar is updated each semester to reflect changes in the technology and incorporate new insights, best practices and instructional ideas.

AI-110: AI and Cognitive Load – Smarter Teaching, Not Just Faster Work

This webinar presents Cognitive Load Theory as a framework for using AI more effectively in teaching. Participants examine how AI can reduce unnecessary mental load or interfere with learning when overused. The session highlights practical strategies to support student learning while maintaining meaningful cognitive effort.

AI-111: Copilot Overview – Feature Fluency

Microsoft Copilot includes a growing collection of tools designed to support productivity, content creation and teaching. This webinar provides an overview of the Copilot features available to all Wake Tech faculty and staff, helping participants build confidence in selecting the right tools for their needs. Topics include model selection, custom instructions and memories, file uploads, Copilot Create, Copilot Pages, Copilot Teach and Copilot Study & Learn Agent, Microsoft Agents, Agent Builder and content storage in OneDrive and the Copilot Library.

AI-112: AI-Generated Visuals 2 – Pro Artists and Con Artists

This follow-up session is for instructors who are already familiar with AI-generated visuals and want to dig deeper into their impact on teaching, learning and professional practice.* We explore the opportunities and challenges AI-generated visuals present in academic and professional contexts, with a focus on advanced visual literacy and ethical decision-making.
Through discussion and practical examples, we look at evaluating and creating visuals, integrating AI workflows into instructional materials and presentations and engaging students in critical conversations about how AI visuals are used and interpreted. Come ready to share insights and ask questions. You leave with adaptable strategies, activities and ideas you can apply right away.

* While designed for all disciplines, this session may be especially relevant for fields that will be heavily affected by AI visuals, such as the arts, design, marketing, computer science, engineering and imaging, and how we can better support students in those areas.

AI-113: Backwards Design with AI Assistance

Backwards design has long been a foundational approach to course planning, focusing on aligning outcomes, assessments and learning activities. This webinar explores how that approach remains essential in the era of AI. Participants examine how AI tools can support and streamline the design process while preserving clear instructional intent and strong alignment.

AI-114: AI as a Cognitive Partner – How AI Can Enhance Critical-Thinking Skills

While some people worry AI is reducing and even outsourcing critical thinking, it can also strengthen and enhance critical-thinking skills. In this one-hour webinar, learn different ways to use AI as a thought partner rather than as a thought replacement, design innovative learning opportunities and elevate your cognitive abilities when interacting with AI.

AI-115: Using AI to Improve Productivity, Communication and Course Design

In this webinar, discuss practical ways faculty can use AI to improve productivity, communicate more effectively and simplify parts of the course-design process. We look at how AI can help with brainstorming, planning, feedback and everyday tasks so you can spend more time focusing on teaching and supporting students. The goal is to use AI as a tool to support your thinking, not replace it.

AI-116: Balancing AI Innovation, Ethics and Human Learning

While AI promises increased productivity and new opportunities for learning, many educators remain concerned about its long-term effects on students, communities and the environment. This webinar provides a clear, evidence-based overview of the evolving relationship between human intelligence and machine assistance. Participants learn actionable approaches for conscientious AI use, teaching effective prompt engineering, encouraging critical thinking and fostering a culture of intentional technology use that supports both learning outcomes and sustainability goals.

AI-117: Personalized Ecosystem or Echo Chamber? Teaching Your AI What Matters to You

AI tools can now learn your preferences, remember context, prioritize sources and adapt to the way you work. Done thoughtfully, personalization can make AI more relevant, useful, accessible and trustworthy. But where is the line between a helpful AI ecosystem and an echo chamber? In this webinar, we explore how personalization features can help address common concerns about AI quality, relevance and "AI slop" while also considering important questions about privacy, bias and perspective.

AI-201: The Rise of Agentic AI – What It Is and How to Build Your First Agent

Go beyond prompt engineering to explore the capabilities of AI agents capable of browsing the web, complex workflows and using tools on your behalf. After a brief overview, we workshop how to build your own Agent using Microsoft Copilot.

Blackboard skills

Course

Description

BBD-121U: Blackboard Basics – Ultra Course View

This course provides faculty with the necessary information to develop the Blackboard skills required to efficiently facilitate online courses. The information will allow instructors to reflect on a wide, but vital, range of topics essential to teaching online effectively, from how to thoughtfully structure course materials to how to properly create assessments and navigate Blackboard's Gradebook.

BBD-136U: Course Content Mastery

This intermediate-level session will provide practical strategies and demonstrations to help instructors create interactive and impactful learning experiences in Blackboard Ultra. Participants will explore how to leverage the inherent structural advantages of Blackboard Ultra to enhance every segment of the learning cycle. Using a variety of learning tools and engagement strategies, attendees will learn to design dynamic and effective course content.

Culturally relevant pedagogy

Course

Description

TLS-301: What is Culturally Relevant Pedagogy

This course provides the necessary background on Culturally Relevant Pedagogy and defines equality, diversity and inclusion in education.

TLS-302: Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in Student Learning and Academic Success

This second course in a five-part series focuses on the first tenet of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy: achieving academic success through high expectations. In this session, participants will learn how planning for equity in the classroom can lead to greater student success. Techniques to tend to students' academic needs will be shared and course planning for using Culturally Relevant Teaching will begin.

TLS-303: Using Culturally Relevant Pedagogy to Develop Cultural Competence in Course Planning

This third course in a five-course series focuses on the second tenet of culturally relevant pedagogy: developing cultural competence through course design. In this session, strategies are shared to help integrate students' cultures, identities, and beliefs in course materials and online curriculum design. Faculty will be asked to continue to work in one of their courses to develop a plan to implement culturally relevant pedagogy in their course.

TLS-304: Using Culturally Relevant Pedagogy to Develop Social Consciousness in Course Materials

This fourth course in a five-course series focuses on the third tenet of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy: social consciousness. In this session, the importance of making socially aware and impactful curriculum will be discussed. Faculty will continue to work with their previous course planning to build on their plan to implement Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in their course.

TLS-305: Culturally Relevant Pedagogy Capstone Course

In the Capstone Course of the Culturally Relevant Pedagogy Certificate series, participants will implement the strategies they have planned during the courses. With an instructional designer, participants will show in one of their curriculum courses how they have practiced Culturally Relevant Pedagogy. At the conclusion of the implementation, a certificate will be given.

EPIC

Course

Description

EPIC-100: Foundations of Online Teaching

This 18-hour online course prepares faculty to design and facilitate engaging, student-centered online learning experiences. Participants explore evidence-based principles and best practices for online teaching, including course organization, instructor presence, communication, student engagement, assessment and course evaluation and improvement. Throughout the course, faculty apply these concepts by developing and refining a Blackboard Ultra course that aligns with Wake Tech's standards for quality online instruction.
NOTE: EPIC-100 is a required component of Wake Tech's Online Teaching Certification and should be completed in conjunction with the Introduction to Accessibility and Blackboard Basics courses.

EPIC-110: EPIC Exemplary Course Capstone

If you’re an EPIC Online Teaching–certified faculty member (with your supervisor’s recommendation), you can enroll in EPIC 110 and work with an Instructional Designer throughout the semester to set goals and build a stronger online course. Together, you’ll give one of your online courses a refresh to bring it up to exemplary status. You’ll also join a small faculty cohort where you can swap ideas, share updates, and learn from each other along the way.

In EPIC 110, the faculty member will focus on four areas in their course: improving instructor presence, improving student-to-student engagement, improving content engagement, and increasing equity. The instructional designer will help you choose four goals that align with these areas and will work with you during the semester to fulfill these goals.

HyFlex teaching and learning

Course

Description

HYFLEX-100: Charting the Course Ahead – Hyflex, Hybrid and Flex Options

As Wake Tech continues exploring the future of course delivery, this session provides an opportunity to "chart the course ahead" by examining realistic, instructor-friendly options for HyFlex, hybrid and flexible delivery models. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, we look at how instructors can intentionally design the right mix of modalities to support their students, their discipline and their own teaching style.
This session is designed for instructors who want to break out of the traditional mold, think ahead and consider how flexible delivery choices can help them meet student needs without adding unnecessary complexity. You may also be interested in joining our new Faculty Learning Community for Hybrid and Flexible Courses (HYFLEX-102).

HYFLEX-101: Technology, Tips and Best Practices

This course is intended for those who are new to the HyFlex environment; it is designed to be a short course that introduces participants to this relatively new style of teaching. Participants will examine two different types of HyFlex lesson plans. Participants will also learn about basic tips and strategies for creating and facilitating a HyFlex course.

HYFLEX-102: Faculty Learning Community

Join this faculty learning community to examine realistic, instructor-friendly approaches to hybrid and flexible design that improve access, engagement and outcomes for a wide range of learners. This is for any instructor who is trying to balance and refine their course's mix of structure and flexibility. We start with a focus on structured flexibility, offering meaningful student choice while maintaining clear expectations and manageable workloads. Based on participant interest and readiness, the group may continue or transition into a more hands-on Community of Practice in the future.
Participants are encouraged to attend HYFLEX-100 (previously FPLD44) as an introduction to key concepts and current conversations.

Office 365

Course

Description

STP-101: SharePoint Puzzle Party: Piecing Together Collaboration

Join us for a demonstration session where we explore the dynamic duo of SharePoint and Microsoft Teams. Whether you’re a seasoned user or a beginner, this training will cover essential topics to enhance your productivity:

Choosing Your Entry Point: Teams vs. SharePoint
– Understand when to access files through Teams or directly via SharePoint
– Explore web, desktop and mobile app options for seamless collaboration
Mastering Division and Department Teams
– Dive into division and department Teams and channels
– Learn about channel types (Standard, Private and Shared) and their use cases
SharePoint vs. OneDrive: Best Practices
– Discover scenarios where OneDrive shines and when SharePoint is the better choice
Effective File Management in Teams
– Uncover the power of Teams sites for smaller groups
– Demystify document libraries vs. folders
– Navigate libraries and folders beyond the team context
Saving Files from Desktop Apps to SharePoint
– Master saving files from Microsoft and Adobe apps
– Tackle special cases like Camtasia projects and Access databases
– Attach SharePoint files to emails seamlessly
Support and Troubleshooting
– Know whom to contact for assistance (EA Ticket or Helpdesk)
– Learn how to handle common issues
Q&A Session
– Bring your questions, challenges and success stories

Open education resources

Course

Description

OER-101: A Guide to Open Educational Resources

In this introductory course, participants will develop foundational knowledge about Open Educational Resources (OER), including a definition of and the history of OER, OER usage and licensing information, and how to access OER using OpenNCCC. This course is a prerequisite course for the 200-level credential series in OER Course Design.

OER-201: Selecting OER Materials and Getting Started

Participants will begin the implementation process of their OER development by using the notion of Backwards Design for needs assessments, identifying relevant OER for course development, evaluating OER quality with established rubrics and considering academic articles and eBooks as supplemental resources to existing OER.

OER-202: Remixing, Accessibility and Usability

Participants will learn the essential foundations of remix culture and how to apply them to OER development. Participants will also learn how to evaluate resources for remix potential, access Creative Commons licenses for remixing and attribution and upload and share remixes to the OpenNCCC resource hub.

Student-centered learning

Course

Description

TLS-327: Humanizing Online Teaching

This course explores the principles of a humanistic approach to online education, emphasizing the importance of creating a supportive learning environment. Participants will learn how to design online courses that prioritize student-centered language and strategies to promote a sense of belonging among learners. This course is part of a pathway series: Student-Centered Online Course Design and can be taken individually or as part of that series.

TLS-328: Student-Centered Online Course Design

This course will provide instructors with the tools for promoting a culture of self-directed learning by guiding students through a process of intrinsic motivation, allowing them to explore their own learning development while also establishing a sense of agency. Participants will also explore student-centered learning strategies for Blackboard Ultra and will employ various technologies to bolster scaffolding methodology and learner retention. This course is part of a pathway series: Student-Centered Online Course Design and can be taken individually or as part of the series.

TLS-329: Transparency and Alignment in Student-Centered Learning

In this professional development, participants learn concrete strategies to enhance both alignment and transparency in their courses and explore how these strategies benefit students. The course will specifically explore backward design, transparent assignment design and transparent grading approaches. This course is part of the Pathway Series: Student-Centered Online Course Design and can be taken individually or part of that series.

TLS-330: Importance of Feedback and Reflection

The Importance of Feedback and Reflection emphasizes the significance of providing immediate feedback and fostering reflection in the learning process. It explores various feedback strategies, the use of formative assessments, checklists, rubrics and reflective assignments to enhance student learning and engagement. This course is part of the Pathway Series: Student-Centered Online Course Design and can be taken individually or as part of that series.

Synchronous training

Course

Description

SYNC-103: The Power of One – How One Live Synchronous Session Can Transform Your Online Course

In this session, we discuss how holding just one synchronous session at the beginning of a course can increase engagement, foster community and strengthen instructor presence. This approach is based on educational and psychological theories such as Social Presence Theory, Belongingness Theory and the Primacy Effect. We discuss what to include in the session, strategies for encouraging student attendance and meaningful alternatives for students who are unable to attend.

SYNC-105: Planning and Facilitating Synchronous Sessions

This course focuses on providing faculty and staff with the skills to begin including synchronous sessions into their online courses. Participants will review how to plan for a synchronous session, share activities that they want to try in a session and experiment with Microsoft Teams to learn how to hold an engaging synchronous session.

SYNC-106: Effective Synchronous Presentation Skills

Do you finish giving a live lesson and wonder if the students actually "got it"? This course covers strategies to meet the technical, physical and pedagogical challenges that are unique to live-video learning environments. We will touch on developing slides in PowerPoint that work better on a shared virtual screen, how to set up your machine (and yourself) for optimal lesson-casting and some approaches to make sure students start your session engaged and stay engaged throughout.

SYNC-108: Synchronous Success: Exploring Modalities

In this webinar, we'll dive into the unique possibilities of synchronous teaching using Microsoft Teams and Blackboard Ultra. From fully online sessions to tech-supported hybrid formats, you'll explore practical ways to foster connection, increase engagement and adapt your facilitation style across modalities. Participants will leave with actionable tips and tools to make your live sessions more dynamic, inclusive, and effective – no matter where your students are.

SYNC-110: Getting Started with Microsoft Teams

In this introductory session, we’ll walk through the basics of Microsoft Teams so you can feel confident running your first live class. You'll learn how to navigate a Teams meeting, use essential tools like screen sharing, chat and reactions, and explore the core functions of a Team space. Whether you're teaching online or just want to better manage virtual meetings, this session will give you a solid foundation to build from.

SYNC-115: Engaging Your Students With MS Teams

In this course, participants will build on their knowledge of Microsoft Teams by learning strategies to increase student engagement through Teams. The lessons are separated into three main topics: increasing instructor presence, increasing student-to-student engagement and making course content interactive. As part of this training, participants will work in both Blackboard and a Teams classroom.

SYNC-413: The Elephant and the Rider: Maintaining Your Students' Attention

Learners in today's world often face 24-hour-a-day distractions. It can be a challenge to maintain our students' attention even for a matter of moments. This webinar explores the allegorical theory of the elephant and the rider, delving into creative options for activating both our students' emotional and rational responses to information.

SYNC-430: Facilitating Your Synchronous Sessions

This webinar helps faculty design well-organized, engaging synchronous sessions. We'll cover how to plan for a smooth flow, set clear expectations and create space for student voices. You'll learn techniques for encouraging peer interaction, building classroom community and using your time with students in intentional, student-centered ways.

SYNC-432: Active Learning Synchronous Sessions

This interactive workshop explores practical strategies for incorporating active learning into live, synchronous class sessions. Faculty will experience and evaluate a variety of techniques designed to boost student engagement, collaboration and critical thinking in real time.

Teaching and learning strategies

Course

Description

ID-101: Work with an Instructional Designer

Whether you know what you want to build in your online course or are just looking for a course review for advice, the instructional design team can help. We offer support in instructional content development, assessment development, course redesign and new course design. Once you enroll in this course, the instructional design staff will reach out to you to gather more information on your needs and to set a timeline that works for you.

TLS-107: Information Overload in the LMS

Information overload has always been a challenge for learners, but it becomes even more challenging during an era when everyone's content-hungry brains are feasting on simultaneous stimuli. This webinar will cover five easy steps for addressing cognitive load theory and combating information overload within your learning management system.

TLS-125: Getting Started With H5P

H5P empowers everyone to create rich and interactive web experiences more efficiently. Integrated into the LMS, this unique tool is web- and mobile-friendly and aims to make it easy for everyone to create and share content to engage students. Create content such as interactive videos, interactive presentations, quizzes, timelines and more. In this session, we explore how you can use H5P to build meaningful interactions to your course content.

TLS-126: Creating Engaging Lessons with H5P's Interactive Book Tools

Join us in a comprehensive two-week course where you'll explore H5P's interactive book tool, designed to enhance your lesson creation process. Discover how to craft interactive lessons that engage your learners as they process the course content. Throughout the course, you'll have the opportunity to create a well-structured lesson plan outline for a 45- to 60-minute interactive lesson and then build an H5P Interactive Book Lesson based on that plan.

TLS-130: Creating Quality Rubrics

This online course introduces rubrics and their importance, their purpose, different types and how they can be constructed and used. Rubrics evaluate and provide feedback. They are a scoring scale used for evaluation in different contexts, based on a range of criteria rather than a single numerical score. The course covers different types of rubrics, the pros and cons of using rubrics and how to apply rubrics in Blackboard and demonstrates how to create rubrics with AI.

TLS-307: Regular and Substantive Interactions in Online Learning

The Department of Education requires online programs and courses to include "regular and substantive interaction" between students and faculty. Deciding how to engage with your students to meet this requirement should be a part of your course design not because this is a requirement of a regulation, but because it supports student success by implementing proven teaching and learning best practices. In this professional development, we will define regular and substantive interaction and offer steps that you can take in your online course design to fulfill this requirement with engaging material and support student learning and success in the process.

TLS-308: Transparent Assignment Design

This one-hour webinar focuses on how instructors can increase equity in their courses by designing problem-centered, meaningful assignments with clear instructions, purpose statements and success criteria. Using a three-part, research-based approach, participants will learn how to make current assignments more transparent in three easy steps with several examples across disciplines.

TLS-310: Authentic Assessments in Course Design

Developing a student-centered classroom is an important part of the student experience and directly relates to online class retention. One method to build on this is to create authentic assessments in your course design. Authentic assessments allow students to apply their knowledge to real-life scenarios and problems. In this webinar, we will define authentic assessments and provide guidance on how to create more authentic assessments in your online course development.

TLS-311: The Importance of Instructor Presence in Online Course Design

For decades, research on online education has shown that human connections and interaction play an essential role in the learning process, and new data generated by the recent boom of online education has only reinforced this conclusion. In this one-hour webinar, we will discuss what a strong instructional presence looks like in our online or Hyflex courses and consider various strategies and best practices you can implement to strengthen it.

TLS-312: Aligning Course Outcomes with Assessments

This one-hour webinar focuses on common course alignment issues and how to fix them. Applying the frameworks of Backward Design and Bloom's Taxonomy, this webinar leads participants through the course-design process from course outcomes to assessments to weekly objectives to daily instruction, providing tips for evaluating alignment at each stage in the design process and suggestions for improving alignment among the stages.

TLS-314: Engaging Adult Learners and Non-Traditional Students

In this webinar, we will discuss the unique challenges faced by the adult learners at Wake Tech. As part of this, we will discuss teaching methods to accommodate work schedules and family responsibilities. We will also explore teaching strategies that help adult learners share and create based on their life experiences.

TLS-315: Effective Time Management for Instructors

This one-hour webinar provides practical and effective strategies for instructors to optimize their time-management skills and enhance their productivity. These strategies will equip faculty with essential tools to design a healthy work-life balance that works best for them and ensure high-quality instruction in their courses. Instructors will leave with a personalized action plan to help them navigate the demands of their academic roles more effectively.

TLS-316: Engaging Generation Z

Generation Z, born between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s, is unlike any generation that has come before them. Raised in the age of technology and social media, they bring a unique set of values, preferences and behaviors to a classroom. In this webinar, we will dive deep into the world of Gen Z and discuss proven strategies to inspire and collaborate with this group of students.

TLS-317: Socratic Questioning and Critical Thinking

This one-hour webinar is designed to empower college instructors with the skills and techniques needed to infuse critical thinking in their students through Socratic questioning. Critical thinking is an essential skill for today's learners, and Socratic questioning provides a powerful framework for guiding students to think deeply and critically about complex topics. In this webinar, instructors will explore the principles of Socratic questioning and its practical application in instruction. Instructors will leave with a clear understanding of how to incorporate this valuable method into their pedagogy, helping their students become more analytical, reflective and effective thinkers in a variety of academic contexts.

TLS-318: Feedback Literacy and Feed-Forward Design

In this webinar, participants will learn strategies to support student reflection on and application of feedback, including the development of feedback response tasks and multi-stage, iterative design techniques that encourage students to process and use feedback as they progress through the course.

TLS-320: Kinesthetic Learning in an Online Environment

We often consider how visual and auditory learning are crucial learning elements in the online environment, but new perspectives on kinesthetic learning are quickly becoming a part of the conversation as well. This one-hour webinar will explore how our senses of touch and motion lend themselves to active learning and our overall retention of information.

TLS-322: Digital Storytelling for Social Presence with Sway

In this course, participants will explore how digital storytelling techniques can be applied to content and assessment design to increase social presence and engagement in online courses. Focusing on Microsoft Sway, a beginner-friendly, multimedia storyline and presentation application available to all Wake Tech instructors and students, this course prepares educators who have never before used digital storytelling to quickly apply this strategy in their current course or context.

TLS-326: H5P and Game-based Learning.

This five-day, self-paced training introduces faculty to the principles of game-based learning and how to create interactive, educational games using H5P. Participants will explore game-based strategies that enhance student engagement, motivation, and deep learning. By the end of the course, faculty will be empowered to design and embed their own H5P game-based activity within Blackboard Ultra.

TLS-412: Keeping the Rigor with Student-Centered Learning

Supporting our students while maintaining high expectations in the classroom can be challenging. In this webinar, we discuss the key principles of academic rigor and how to apply this to students with diverse needs. Strategies are given to help create a classroom culture that values rigor but also student agency. We want our students to be challenged intellectually while fostering an inclusive and supportive environment!

TLS-415: Enhancing Course Rigor: Applying DOE Guidelines for Contact Hours

The U.S. Department of Education has established guidelines for contact hours and preparation hours in college classes. In this webinar, participants learn what these guidelines entail and how to apply them effectively online. They also explore strategies and tips, including how AI can support you, to enhance students' experience, ensuring they engage in a more rigorous and dynamic learning environment.

Technology options

Course

Description

TEC-120: SoftChalk

In this online training, participants will create a SoftChalk lesson for use in online courses. Participants will learn how to create an accessible, web-based interactive lesson with navigation links, pop-up annotations, web links, activities, quiz questions and an embedded captioned video.

TEC-130: Snagit

This session, offered in person and online, introduces participants to TechSmith's Snagit software. Snagit is used to create, edit and enhance screen-capture images. During this course, participants will use Snagit to capture images and use the Snagit Editor to enhance images to help viewers understand the purpose of the image. Best practices for creating instructional graphics and using graphics in instruction will also be presented.

TEC-140: Camtasia

This online course introduces Camtasia, screen-recording and video-editing software used to create video tutorials. Participants will create an accessible screencast video and share it with students on Blackboard. Participants should successfully complete the course to gain access to a full version of Camtasia software.

TEC-200: Introduction to Respondus 4.0 Exam Authoring Tool

This session will introduce the Respondus 4.0 exam authoring tool, briefly discuss how to create and manage exams and demonstrate how to import test questions and retrieve a test from Blackboard.

YUJA-101: Introductory YuJa Training for Faculty

This one-hour webinar will introduce faculty to the YuJa platform. YuJa is a video platform that integrates with Blackboard. With this platform, faculty can create videos for their course lectures, create video quizzes for assessment and create assignments for students to share video responses. In the introductory training, faculty will create their YuJa account and learn the basics of managing and distributing their YuJa media.

YUJA-102: Advanced YuJa Training for Faculty

This one-hour webinar will provide training on some of the more advanced features of the YuJa platform. In this webinar, faculty will learn about the advanced features of the YuJa video editor and media player. Faculty will learn how to access the analytics for each video, create video quizzes, manage the YuJa grade book and manage their YuJa account information.

YUJA-105: Creating Impactful Content with YuJa

This professional development course aims to provide participants with the skills and insights needed to create videos that are specific to their students' needs and that also fully engage students in active learning. Rather than having students passively viewing videos in a course, YuJa offers a variety of options to turn those viewings into opportunities for active learning and collaboration. This course will introduce those features, guide faculty through using them in a meaningful way and provide the space to try out creating videos where faculty can benefit from technological and pedagogical support and feedback.

YUJA-106: Engaging Instructional Videos

Join this webinar to learn about best practices for choosing, creating and using instructional videos to help students meet learning goals. If you have taken or are planning to take the YUJA-106 course, the webinar will be a great introduction or review of the first module. The information covered applies generally and can be applied with any video platform you use. However, we will give examples of how YuJa integrates research on best practices into its features.

Visual design literacy

Course

Description

VIS-020: Getting Started with Adobe Creative Cloud

This one-hour webinar session introduces tools to create and enhance visual elements in instructional materials for "laser-focused" and effective learning. Faculty learn how to access Adobe Creative Cloud to use the Acrobat Pro PDF editor, the Adobe Stock free image library, the Adobe Firefly AI image generator and the Adobe Express content designer for stronger visual impact in their course materials. (Formerly VIS-161 and TLS-204.)

VIS-110: How Visual Design and Literacy Impact Learning

This is the required first course for the Visual Learning, Literacy and Design certification program offered by the Academic Technology and Support Services Department. By the end of this four-hour course, you will be able to explain why visual design is important for learning and instruction, identify problems with the visual design of an instructional resource and propose solutions based on learning science, instructional design best practices, visual literacy standards and the principles of visual design.

VIS-120: Developing Effective Visual Learning Experiences

This is the second required course in the Visual Learning, Literacy and Design micro-credential course sequence. In the introductory course, you learned about the visual aspects of learning and began evaluating course materials based on principles of instructional and visual design. In this course, you will learn a research-based method for developing effective instructional visuals and practice applying visual design principles to support learning goals.
Prerequisite: VIS-110.

VIS-131: Enhancing the Value of Instructional Visuals using Microsoft PowerPoint, Word and Excel

Explore techniques to create more effective and compelling visuals utilizing the Microsoft Office 365 Suite. Learn to design visually captivating elements for documents, spreadsheets and presentations that aid and enhance instructional delivery.

VIS-132 Enhancing the Learning Value of Visuals using Adobe Express

This professional development course will explore using Adobe Express, Acrobat, Firefly and other visual design tools. Gain knowledge to design content for more effective, compelling learning experiences and enhance course elements for stronger visual impact.

VIS-141: Student Literacy and Design

This is an open elective course in the Visual Learning, Literacy and Design microcredential program. By the end of this two-hour course, you will be able to support and develop student visual literacy skills so they can effectively find, interpret, evaluate, use and create visual media.

VIS-150: Capstone: Best Practices in Visual Learning, Literacy and Design

Now that you have taken all the prerequisite courses in the Visual Learning, Literacy and Design pathway, you will demonstrate how have you have enhanced the effectiveness and engagement of instructional materials by improving their visual design. In this two-hour capstone course, you will create and present a video that showcases design improvements while reflecting on the process and the impact of your changes. This course emphasizes both practical design skills and critical self-reflection.
NOTE: Before you register for this course, check the VIS pathway description to see if you have met all the prerequisites: VIS-110, VIS-120 and eight hours of elective credits, including VIS-131 or VIS-132.