Academic Technology Training Sessions
See dates below for upcoming online training sessions.
Upcoming Workshops
Smarter Research, Stronger Proposals: Practical AI Tools
led by Dr. Guiseppe Getto & Dr. Bremen Vance, Department of Information Design, School of Engineering
In this workshop, you will explore how artificial intelligence can support your research and proposal development. This workshop introduces powerful AI tools like ChatGPT, NotebookLM, and Litmaps for managing and analyzing research, synthesizing literature, and drafting or refining grant proposals. The session focuses on efficient, real-world workflows that help you save time, improve clarity, and strengthen the competitiveness of your research writing. You’ll leave with practical strategies for integrating AI into your scholarly process in ways that complement and extend your expertise and amplify your impact. Join the webinar by clicking the link below.
GICA Generative AI Series
Georgia Independent College Association (GICA) is offering a series of webinars about generative AI. You can find out more information and register for each FREE webinar at the links below. Registration closes the day before each webinar. Attendees will receive the Zoom link after 4:00 pm on the day before the session; all webinars will be recorded.
- Mar 26: Session 3: Writing Generative AI Guidelines (1:30 – 2:30 pm)
- Apr 16: Session 4: Data Classifications and Data Security (1:30 – 2:30 pm)
As you prep your classes for summer and fall, join us for a series of hands-on workshops designed to help you bridge the gap between “content delivery” and “active learning” within the Canvas ecosystem.
From Passive to Proactive: Master Echo360 Interactivity
led by Kristen Roth from Echo360 and Kirstie Knighton, Ed.S.
Is your course video content a one-way street? It’s time to bridge the gap between “watching” and “learning.” This session dives into the Echo360 ecosystem to help you create a more dynamic experience for your students. We will move beyond simple uploads to explore how embedded interactive polling and graded assignments can turn a standard video into a powerful assessment tool. Join us to learn how to streamline your media workflow and use real-time dashboard data to see exactly where your students are succeeding—and where they might be stuck.
The Teaming Template: AI-Assisted Student Group Formation
led by Susan Codone, Ph.D.
Do you assign student groups frequently for project work? In this practical workshop, you’ll learn to how to design a short “teaming inventory” survey using generative AI that fits your course context and the expectations of your group assignments. We’ll focus on how to prompt AI to generate survey questions (asking students about their schedule constraints, work habits, communication norms, and role strengths) without turning the survey into a personality test or collecting unnecessary data. Then we’ll walk through the mechanics: design the survey collaboratively with AI, implement the survey in Canvas, export the survey report as a CSV file and upload it into an AI tool for scoring and grouping, and then generate a Canvas-ready groups import file to build student groups. You’ll leave with reusable prompt templates, a survey question bank you can adapt to your class, and a repeatable process for producing balanced groups quickly and transparently.
Beyond the Blackboard: Visual Collaboration with Zoom Whiteboard AI
led by Kirstie Knighton, Ed.S.
The traditional chalkboard has gone digital, and now, it’s getting “smart.” In this session, we explore how the AI-powered features within Zoom Whiteboard can revitalize your online classroom. Rather than starting with a blank screen, learn how to use the integrated AI in Zoom Whiteboard to jump-start brainstorming sessions by instantly generating sticky notes, mind maps, and structured diagrams in Zoom using simple text prompts. We will demonstrate how to transform passive lectures into collaborative hubs where students can map out complex concepts and work together in real-time. Whether you’re teaching a small or a large online course, discover how to use AI-assisted visual collaboration in Zoom to make every student’s voice visible.
Beyond the Diagram: Visual Collaboration & Dynamic Engagement with Lucid
led by Kirstie Knighton, Ed.S.
Tired of static assignments and one-dimensional PDFs? Step into the future of visual learning with the Lucid Education Suite. Fully integrated within Canvas and free for users, Lucid lets you use more than just basic shapes. This session will explore how Lucid can be used in all courses. You will learn how to facilitate real-time collaboration using digital whiteboards, breakout boards, and interactive timers that keep students on track. You’ll learn how to move beyond basic documents by embedding visual activities directly into Canvas to perform quick temperature checks or gather evidence of student learning. Whether your students are building Venn diagrams, historical timelines, or collaborative brainstorms, you’ll learn how to use Lucid to give them a visual “blueprint” for success that makes learning visible and teamwork seamless.
Talking to the Text: Source Curation & Podcasting with NotebookLM
led by Kirstie Knighton, Ed.S.
What if your course materials could talk back? Let’s explore NotebookLM, Google’s powerful AI platform that transforms source curation into a dynamic conversation. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll discover how to build an “intelligent” knowledge base by uploading your PDFs, web links, and lecture notes to NotebookLM. We will explore how to use the built-in Gemini chatbot to cross-examine your sources, generate human-centered notes, and even create instant, professional-quality audio podcasts for your students. Learn how to take these AI-partnered insights and embed them directly into your Canvas assignments to foster a new level of student inquiry and digital literacy. You can use a free NotebookLM account.
Need more help? Book a one-on-one session with Ms. Knighton