Announcements
Featured Webinar
Adapting to AI through The Five Stages of Grief
Mike Kentz
AI is rapidly transforming education, challenging educators and communities to rethink traditional practices. This shift can evoke feelings of grief as familiar methods are replaced by new technologies. Join Mike Kentz, Founder and CEO of Zainetek Educational Advisors, and a TEDx speaker whose work in AI in education has been featured in EdSurge, Edutopia, The Wall Street Journal, and Canadian National Radio. Click here to read more. In this webinar, he will explore how faculty and the broader educational community can navigate these changes using the five stages of grief as a framework. Participants will also gain strategies to manage the emotional challenges brought on by AI-driven transformation.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and grow together as we adapt to the future of education.
Friday, September 27th at 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. | CLICK HERE to register
UDC: Leading in Quality Matters Among HBCUs
The University of the District of Columbia is setting the benchmark among HBCUs with 17 QM-certified courses. UDC is committed to delivering effective, high-quality education that meets the rigorous standards of Quality Matters, ensuring excellence and innovation in all distance-learning courses.
Join us in congratulating the faculty who certified their courses this summer.
To read more about the UDC Quality Distance Learning initiative and participate, click here.
To access the full list, click here.
For questions, email julian.king@udc.edu
CAL Faculty Book Club
Join the CAL Faculty Book Club to dive into Julie Dirksen’s Design for How People Learn. Discover practical strategies to enhance your teaching and better understand how adults learn. We’ll meet on the first Fridays of October and November for engaging discussions. CAL is providing 15 hard copies of the book—don’t miss out!
To secure your spot or suggest a book, email Catherine.Patterson@udc.edu.
Microsoft AI Copilot – Now Available
for the UDC Community!
We’re excited to announce that the UDC community now has access to Microsoft AI Copilot (Web)! Unlike the free version of ChatGPT, Microsoft AI Copilot offers robust security features to protect your work and data. For questions, visit the CAL office during office hours; click here to book an appointment. To learn how to access Copilot Web, click here.
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Professional Development Offerings
AI Basics
with Meghan Kowalski, Outreach and Reference Librarian, and Cathy Meals, Assessment Librarian, Learning Resource Division
Friday, September 6th at 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. | CLICK HERE to register
Post-Award Grant Management
Sponsored by University Research with Dr. Claudia Rankins, Senior Research Associate, PRISSEM Academic Services
Tuesday, September 17th at 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | CLICK HERE to register
Blackboard Ultra Update: What’s New
with the CAL team
Friday, September 20th at 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | CLICK HERE to register
Past Issues
Location | Bldg. 4250 Connecticut Avenue (Bldg 71) 6F
Email | calhelpdesk@udc.edu
Walk-in / Virtual Office Hours Click here
Staff Spotlight
UDC Named a 2024 Catalyst Award Winner for
“Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness”
The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) has been honored with a 2024 Catalyst Award for “Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness,” recognizing UDC’s commitment to continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making. For more information about the Catalyst Award, click here.
Through the collaborative efforts of the Center for the Advancement of Learning (CAL) and the Office of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness (OPIE), UDC transformed its Learning Management System into a central hub for learning and outcomes assessment. By leveraging Anthology® Blackboard Outcomes, UDC enhanced curriculum and program outcomes, providing students with clear learning objectives and helping faculty improve their assessment practices through data visualization.
The implementation focused on three pilot programs—General Education, Nursing, and Speech-Language Pathology—each tailored to meet specific accreditation needs. Blackboard tools, such as Goals, Juried Assessment, and Enhanced Analytics Collection (EAC) (data visualization tools), were employed, marking a significant cultural shift at UDC by streamlining assessment processes and supporting accreditation efforts.
Special thanks to Dr. Kimberly Crews, Assistant Dean and Director of General Education; Richard Kalunga, Academic Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Speech-Language Pathology; and Dr. Keisha Rollins-Monroe, Assistant Professor of Nursing and Allied Health, for their leadership and continuous feedback in driving this initiative forward.
To use Blackboard Outcomes for your program, email Grace.Kent@udc.edu.
EdTech Corner
Learning in the Age of AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics in Accounting
Dr. Craig Wynne revolutionized essay brainstorming in his course IGED111 – Foundation Writing II by incorporating ChatGPT. This innovative approach was applied to the essay assignment titled “Are Declining Marriage Rates A Good Thing, Bad Thing, or Somewhere In Between?” Through ChatGPT, students were able to explore a multitude of perspectives. Dr. Wynne stated, “I believe this technology enhances students’ writing skills.” He further noted, “Students were able to gather various perspectives on the issue, which led to more balanced arguments.” As a result, Dr. Wynne observed, “The essays were well-rounded and insightful, reflecting a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding declining marriage rates.” This method improved the quality of arguments, enhanced critical thinking and empathy, and taught students to integrate diverse viewpoints, preparing them for future academic pursuits and real-world challenges.
Click here to check the Assignment instructions.