TTaDA Sessions

Creating a Quality Course Map – April Cohort
Want to create a course alignment map for your course(s) but you’re not sure where to start or how to accomplish it? This online asynchronous course is the place to get it done and get it done right! You will build your course alignment map starting with your course objectives and your module outcomes. After you have a solid foundation of course and module objectives, you will scaffold your assessments, activities, tools and instructional materials to make sure that they all align. You will work with an Instructional Designer throughout the entire process and earn a digital badge upon completion of the course and your course alignment map. Once registered, participants will be enrolled in an online asynchronous course in Blackboard Ultra that will open on the first day of the month in which their cohort begins.

Word Document Accessibility 101: Identifying and Fixing Common Issues 4/15/2025 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Wondering why your Word document is receiving a low score in Blackboard Ally? This workshop will guide participants through identifying and addressing common accessibility issues in Microsoft Word documents. Issues include alt-text for images, heading structure, tables, links, and lists. A hands-on tutorial will walk you through addressing these issues in a sample document, demonstrating how to leverage Word’s Accessibility Checker tool to fix accessibility errors.

Teaching Writing in the Age of AI: Student Learning That AI Can’t Fake 4/16/2025 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

If written work is a primary way you evaluate student knowledge and learning in your courses, then you are well aware that AI has greatly complicated this traditional approach. In this context, it makes sense to move away from a focus on a final written product (which we may struggle to determine is written by the student) to process-oriented assessments. What does that look like in practice? Is there research that supports this approach? In this session we will share why we should and how we can shift student work to better ensure authentic learning. Jessica Zerr, Teaching Professor of English, Administrative Director of Composition and WAC Faculty Fellow Anne Kelsch, Director of Faculty Development

Universal Design for Learning 4/22/2025 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Universal design principles for learning environments are based on the knowledge that a broad range of human abilities exists. Therefore, the creation of content needs to be made as usable as possible for as many people as possible regardless of age, ability, or situation. Designing for a wide range of users from the beginning of the building process can increase usability without significantly increasing the time it takes to build. The results benefit everyone and reduce modifications later when students, instructors, or content changes. This session will help you to better understand universal design concepts and consider changes to implement when designing your course that will benefit all learners.

Creating & Aligning Learning Outcomes with Activities & Assessments 4/29/2025 10:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Creating and aligning measurable outcomes for a course can be challenging. This session will give you the tools that you need to create measurable learning objectives and align those outcomes with course tools, instructional materials, activities, and assessments. A collaborative effort between The Teaching Transformation and Development Academy (TTaDA) and Institutional Effectiveness & Accreditation, this session will examine outcomes and their alignment with assessment and accreditation.

PowerPoint Accessibility 101: Identifying and Fixing Common Issues 4/30/2025 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Curious why your PowerPoint presentation is receiving a low score in Blackboard Ally? This workshop guides participants through identifying and addressing common accessibility issues in Microsoft PowerPoint, such as reading order, missing alt text, and color contrast. A hands-on tutorial will walk you through a sample presentation, demonstrating how to leverage PowerPoint’s Accessibility Checker to fix accessibility errors.

Microaggression Series:

Join us for an insightful and engaging presentation designed to explore the impact of microaggressions. These session will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of what microaggressions are, how they manifest specifically within the different communities, and effective strategies for addressing and mitigating these subtle but pervasive forms of bias. Presented by Dr. Cerynn Desjarlais.

Part 8: AMENA – Arab, Middle Eastern, North African Microaggressions 4/29/2025 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM