The Latest From CAL Connect
Professional development and more.
The University of the District of Columbia’s academic and administrative offices will conduct business remotely on Tuesday, January 27 and Wednesday, January 28. All on-campus activities, including athletic-related activities, are cancelled.
Staff: Contact your immediate supervisor with questions or for further instruction regarding remote work expectations.
Faculty: Reach out to your immediate supervisor and/or the dean for questions and further instruction regarding the transition to emergency remote instruction (ERI). The Center for the Advancement of Learning (CAL) is available to support faculty with instructional continuity, including support for Blackboard, Zoom, Webex and other teaching and learning technologies.
calhelpdesk@udc.edu
Virtual Office Hours
Consultation Request Form
For learning technology tools and on-demand faculty resources, please visit CAL’s website.
Students: Due to inclement weather, the university will be closed to face-to-face operations. Instruction will be moved to emergency remote, including synchronous and asynchronous methods. Certain laboratory, clinical, and other hands-on classes for which in-person instruction is a requirement may necessitate a make-up lesson, but every effort will be made to pursue virtual learning to the extent possible. Where synchronous virtual instruction is intended, published class meeting times must be observed so that students’ schedules are not disrupted.
The safety and security of our students, faculty, staff, and the broader community remain our top priority. We will continue to provide updates regarding the status of the university’s academic and administrative offices as conditions change.
Please continue to check our website and social media channels for the latest information.
If you have any safety concerns, contact OPSEM at 202-274-5050. For all immediate emergencies, call 911.
Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and to UDC’s mission.
Professional development and more.
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Anita Nahal Arya, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
Meghan Kowalski, Outreach and Reference Librarian, Learning Resources Division (LRD)
Penny Ralston-Berg, M.S., Lisa Byrnes, M.S., Kate Morgan, M.S. at Penn State World Campus
Brian Malone, Customer Success Manager at Hypothesis
Announcements
By Sheryl E. Burgstahler
Join us this fall to explore Creating Inclusive Learning Opportunities in Higher Education: A Universal Design Toolkit by Sheryl E. Burgstahler.
CAL is providing 25 hard copies—reserve yours today!
To join or suggest a book, email catherine.patterson@udc.edu.
Instructor
Computer Science and Information Technology
SEAS is paving the way for online programs/courses with its first two Quality Matters (QM) certified courses. Congratulations to Instructor Uzma Amir (CMOP 235/236 – Intro to Webpage Development and HTML) and Dr. Briana Wellman (CSCI 306 – Computer Ethics & Law) for leading the way.
Professor Uzma shared, “Pursuing QM certification was incredibly rewarding. The process encouraged me to strengthen course structure, accessibility, and learner engagement while ensuring the course meets high-quality standards for online education.”
Dr. Wellman reflected, “Completing the QM certification pushed me to think deeply about accessibility, engagement, and alignment. It allowed me to refine assignments and strengthen student connections to real-world technology issues.”
Together, they mark an important milestone for SEAS—demonstrating a strong commitment to quality, accessibility and student-centered online learning.
Read more about the UDC Quality Distance Learning initiative and participate.
For questions, email julian.king@udc.edu.
Spotlight is for individuals who have worked closely with CAL to significantly contribute to teaching and learning at the university.
EdTech Corner
Craig Wynne, Ph.D.Associate Professor of English, CAS
Dr. Craig Wynne, Associate Professor of English at the University of the District of Columbia, shares how his perspective on AI tools like ChatGPT has evolved—from initial skepticism to thoughtful integration in both his writing practice and classroom instruction.
After encountering a suspiciously polished student essay in Spring 2023, Dr. Wynne began exploring how ChatGPT could be used ethically and effectively in the writing process. Today, he incorporates AI into his first-year writing courses through guided exercises that emphasize critical thinking, including using ChatGPT for feedback, proofreading comparisons, and citation support. He encourages students to treat AI as a supplement—not a substitute—for their own intellectual work.
Dr. Wynne also uses ChatGPT in his own creative and academic projects. From receiving feedback on his second book—analyzing how romantic film tropes marginalize single people—to revising a new short story, he’s found the tool a helpful resource for early-stage feedback and refinement. As he notes, “AI is here to stay. We can’t change that—but we can change how we choose to see and use it.”
To learn more about Dr. Wynne's journey with AI, please click here to read his essay, How I Use ChatGPT as a Writer (And Why I Have My Students Do the Same).
Share with the UDC Community your best practices and how you leverage EdTech in your teaching to increase learning outcomes. Please email fatma.elshobokshy@udc.edu.
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