Teaching and Learning
Instructors at an event working with sticky notes.

Teaching and Learning
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5230 USA
(269) 387-4200

Events, Workshops, and Communities

WMU Teaching and Learning hosts a variety of events and communities geared toward instructors, graduate assistants, and anyone involved in creating learning experiences.

Our team is also available to join a department or group meeting to facilitate specific or targeted teaching and learning training. These can be single meetings or extended workshops depending on your goals. Contact the Teaching and Learning Team to discuss your needs.

Teaching and Learning Team Events

A computer keyboard with small printed sheets displaying accessibility icons, such as a wheelchair symbol and screen reader icon, placed on top.

Digital Accessibility Trainings

Access the WMU digital accessibility training schedule to learn about 2026 ADA Title II updates, and support the creation of inclusive digital content for all users.

Sessions and sign-up

 

February

Wednesday, February 11

1 to 2 p.m.

Join this interactive ITC session to discover how LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor can keep your exams honest, secure and hassle-free.
 

Details and registration

Tuesday, February 17

2 to 3 p.m.

Join the Teaching, Learning, and Development team for an open conversation about AI and online assessment. Bring your questions and challenges about online testing, lockdown browsers, assessment design, and AI tools to support your midterm planning. We'll discuss community concerns and explore solutions together.

Details and registration

Wednesday, February 25

1 to 2 p.m.

Join the ITC to explore Course-wide Accommodations and Special Access options. Learn how to create a flexible, inclusive learning environment without the guesswork.
 

Details and registration

Friday, February 27

11 a.m. to noon

Join WMU faculty, Dr. Rodrigo Aranda, Dr. Jessica Caltado, and Dr. Robyn Edwards to hear about their experiences and lessons learned from implementing AI innovations in courses. The first half features faculty sharing their experiences, and the second half offers time for audience dialogue.

Details and registration

March

Wednesday, March 4

1 to 2 p.m.

Think of this as a wellness visit but for your course! In this session, you’ll learn what to look for when reviewing your online course to keep it healthy, organized, and learner-friendly. We’ll cover key areas like navigation, accessibility, content clarity, and engagement strategies. Walk away with a practical checklist and tips to ensure your course is running smoothly and ready to deliver an outstanding learning experience.

Details and registration

Wednesday, March 18

1 to 2 p.m.

In this session, you’ll learn how to use the Groups tool to organize students for projects, presentations, and discussions. We’ll explore different group setups, share tips for managing group work, and show you how to create spaces that spark interaction and teamwork. Whether it’s for peer learning or big projects, you’ll leave ready to make group activities smooth, engaging, and stress-free!

Details and registration

Wednesday, March 25

Noon to 12:45 p.m.

This session features WMU faculty member Dr. Hyunjiin Jinna Kim, SPELS, discussing her article about implementing an "AI Attribution Checklist" in graduate courses. Participants are invited to read the article and then join the session. The first 15 minutes provide time for the author to share a brief overview of their article, followed by time for attendee discussion

Details and registration

Friday, March 27

2 to 3 p.m.

WMU faculty Dustin Altschul, Dr. Scott Cowley, and Dr. Angela Groves to hear about their experiences and lessons learned from implementing AI innovations in courses. The first half features faculty sharing their experiences, and the second half offers time for audience dialogue.

Details and registration

April

Wednesday, April 8

1 to 2 p.m.

Ready to make your courses interactive and unforgettable? Join us to explore H5P—a powerful tool for creating engaging activities like quizzes, interactive videos, and more! In this session, you’ll learn:

  • What H5P is and how it works
  • How to submit a request and what the process looks like
  • Examples of H5P in action to spark your creativity

Discover how easy it is to transform static content into dynamic learning experiences your students will love!

Details and registration

Wednesday, April 22

1 to 2 p.m.

In this session, you’ll learn how to search the ITC Knowledge Base, use GoWMU to find resources, and know exactly who to contact when tech issues pop up. We’ll break down the difference between HelpDesk, Classroom Tech, Department IT, and ITC so no more guessing games!

Through real-world scenarios (like “MacBook screen share permissions—who do you call?”), you’ll leave with the confidence to get answers quickly and keep your teaching on track. Because knowing where to go saves time—and sanity!

Details and registration

External Events

 

NCFDD

NCFDD webinars/events are available for free to all WMU faculty, academic staff, and graduate students—to access NCFDD webinars, activate your NCFDD institutional membership account.

Thursday, February 12

2 to 3 p.m.

A step-by-step guide to holding a weekly planning meeting. Grab your strategic plan and learn the secret to making it work day-to-day and week-to-week!

Details and registration

Friday, March 6

2 to 3 p.m.

In addition to speaking to job market applicants and early career faculty, this session will include negotiation advice for early/mid-career faculty and academic leaders.

Details and registration

Thursday, March 12

2 to 3 p.m.

Explore myths about writing that hobble productivity, differences between struggling and rising new faculty members and the strategy that will increase your writing productivity.

Details and registration

Monday, March 26

2 to 3 p.m.

Everyday leadership actions can cultivate belonging, purpose & growth. Discover tools to align recognition efforts with institutional values, foster advancement & build structures that sustain engagement.

Details and registration

Thursday, April 9

2 to 3 p.m.

Successfully transfer from graduate student to professor. Learn about the biggest mistakes that new faculty make in managing time, why and how to align work time with institutional and personal priorities, and how to create time for writing and research.

Details and registration

External Partner Offerings

Wednesday, February 11

4:10 to 4:40 p.m.

These days, "AI agent" sometimes refers to a custom chatbot and sometimes to an agentic AI browser that will take actions on the user's behalf, like clicking and filling out forms autonomously. In this webinar, Anna Mills, English Instructor, College of Marin, USA, will clarify how students might be using agentic AI browsers to automate homework completion and what can be done about that, and will look at ways educators might consider using them to assist their teaching without jeopardizing student data.

Details and registration

Thursday, February 12

2 to 3 p.m.

Learn practical strategies for integrating AI tools to enhance courses and student engagement in this webinar offered through D2L. Featuring speakers Dr. Luke Hobson, Assistant Director of Instructional Design for MIT xPRO, and instructor for the University of Miami’s School of Education and Human Development, and Robyn Hammontree, D2L.

Details and registration

Wednesday, February 25  

2 to 3 p.m.

GenAI shifts academic integrity from detection to design by asking educators to assign work only students can do. Aimed at educators, this workshop presents the 3Cs framework (construct, collaborate, create), developed in secondary classrooms and adapted for teacher education. Dr. Sunaina Sharma, Assistant Professor at Brock University, will introduce amplified intelligence as a lens and centre capability-agnostic design so tasks remain valid as GenAI tools evolve.

Details and registration

Wednesday, February 25  

4 to 4:40 p.m.

Explore how authentic assessment can be reimagined in the AI era by shifting focus from policing student work to making learning visible over time.

Details and registration

Application Deadlines

Office of Faculty Development

Application Due Date:  Monday, March 16  

The Office of Faculty Development invites applications for the 2026 cycle of the Faculty Advancement Awards. This award supports the professional development of faculty to participate in the NCFDD Faculty Success Program, a nationally recognized, evidence-based virtual boot camp designed to help faculty increase writing productivity, manage time more effectively, and achieve a sustainable work-life balance.

Learn more and apply

Haenicke Institute for Global Education

Application Due Date:  Wednesday, April 1  

Faculty are invited to apply for funding to support projects that improve international education at Western. Funding is available through Article 40.4 of the WMU-AAUP contract and is administered by the Haenicke Institute.

The International Education Faculty Development Fund supports the following internationalization goals:

  • International collaboration in research and creative activities, including archival or field work.
  • Attendance and presentations at international conferences, seminars or workshops.
  • Scholarly international travel to enrich international knowledge that directly contributes to the internationalization of WMU curricula.
Learn more and apply