Fall 2023 Workshops
TLC Workshops are supported by the Teaching and Learning Centre's Educational Developers and offer participants a variety of programs based on their teaching and learning interests and needs. While targeting primarily members of the University-community engaged in teaching-related practices, other members of Ontario Tech may enroll in our workshops as part of their professional development.
For all workshop-related questions, contact the Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) via email: teachingandlearning@ontariotechu.ca
Please note that some workshop sessions this semester will be offered twice. You only need to register for one of these sessions, as the workshop content will be the same.
Artful Education: Mastering Design and Accessibility for Impactful Presentations
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Making More Beautiful Slides - September 21
Kevin Johnson and Sarah Stokes
Are you looking to transform your slides into beautiful works of visual communication? This practical workshop will explore the art of designing visually stunning and impactful slides that captivate your audience and elevate your presentations to new heights.
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Graphic Design Hacks for Education - September 28
Sarah Stokes and Miranda Varricchio
In today's digital age, visual communication plays a pivotal role in engaging learners and conveying information effectively. In this dynamic workshop, we will delve into the world of graphic design and discover valuable techniques and strategies that can be applied to enhance educational materials, presentations, and visual communication in the field of education.
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Alt-Text as Poetry: A Framework for Creating Accessible Images - October 26
Kevin Johnson and Rebecca Maynard
Writing good alternative text (alt text) is a critical component of accessible design, but would you believe that it can also be fun? You will! In this workshop, we will use the Alt Text as Poetry framework (Coklyat & Finnegan, 2020) to practice crafting alt text that is functional, but also evocative and engaging.
Beyond Grading: Assessing Authentically to Support Learning
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Moving Beyond Multiple Choice: Alternatives to Traditional Assessments - October 5 and November 2
Lidya Salim
Assessment is an important component of the learning process, and it should reflect the complexity and diversity of students' skills and knowledge. This workshop will explore a range of creative and effective assessment strategies that go beyond traditional multiple-choice exams, allowing you to assess student learning in more authentic and meaningful ways.
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Democratizing the Classroom with Open Educational Practices - October 26
Rebecca Maynard, Pranjal Saloni, and Sarah Stokes
Open educational practices (OEP) can help you increase student engagement, effort, and agency. Discover how you can democratize your classroom with OEP, and contribute to a more open and equitable educational landscape.
Designing Teaching and Learning Experiences
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Instructional Design for Classroom Teaching - September 14 and November 9
Sarah Stokes
Instructional design plays a crucial role in developing courses that foster deep learning, interactivity, and student success. In this session, we will delve into the world of instructional design and explore how to leverage the advanced features and functionalities of the Canvas learning management system to create highly effective and engaging courses.
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Introduction to Open Education - October 5 and November 23
Sarah Stokes
Learn about the Open Education movement and where it fits in with teaching and learning at Ontario Tech. We will cover the basics of Open Educational Resources (OER) and Practices (OEP), and how you can include both in your courses.
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Start with the End in Mind: Crafting Effective Learning Outcomes - November 9
Susan Forbes and Miranda Varricchio
Learn to design courses with a clear destination, aligning content and assessments to drive student success. This workshop will explore strategies to create measurable and effective learning outcomes.
Harnessing the Power of Ed Tech
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Exploring Student Engagement in Hybrid, Blended, and In-Person Teaching - November 16
Susan Forbes and Miranda Varricchio
Whether you're teaching online, in-person, or a mix of both, this session will equip you with the tools you need to design engaging and effective learning experiences. Join us as we explore teaching strategies for hybrid, blended, and in-person classrooms.
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Mastering Mentimeter to Increase Student Engagement - November 16
Kevin Johnson and Lidya Salim
Mentimeter is a dynamic tool that allows you to build interactive presentations and enhance classroom engagement. This workshop will provide practical tips on how to leverage Mentimeter’s features to make learning experiences more inclusive and fun!
Removing Barriers: Embracing Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
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Introduction to Universal Design for Learning - September 28
Kevin Johnson and Lidya Salim
Are students getting the most out of your courses? This workshop will explore how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can help you create more inclusive and accessible learning environments.
Unlock Your Canvas Superpowers: Canvas for Power Users
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Designing Interactive Home Pages - September 7
Sarah Stokes and Miranda Varricchio
Welcome your students to your course with an informative, interactive and creative homepage! This workshop will provide a step-by-step guide to setting up, customizing and beautifying your course home page. We'll provide a few examples and tips along the way!
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Leveraging Communication Tools in Canvas - September 7
Kevin Johnson
Clear and effective communication is vital for fostering engagement, supporting student success, and building a sense of community in online learning environments. In this workshop, we will explore the diverse communication tools available within the Canvas learning management system and discover strategies for effectively utilizing them to enhance communication and collaboration in your courses.
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Creating Effective Assessments in Canvas - September 14
Kevin Johnson and Lidya Salim
Are you leveraging Canvas tools to effectively assess learning? This workshop will show you how to design meaningful quizzes, assignments, and discussions in Canvas. We’ll also provide tips and tricks to help you streamline the grading process!

How to Access TLC Workshops:
You will receive calendar invitations with links to your chosen workshops after completing the registration form.
Workshops are 50 minutes in length and are delivered online via Google Meet at the listed dates and times, unless otherwise indicated.