Annual Spring Teaching Symposium

10:00am

Opening Remarks & Keynote Introduction
Presenters:
Dr. Yanling Sun, Associate Vice President, Instructional Technology & Design Services
Dr. Jessica Murphy, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, Success, and Academic Innovation

Keynote Presentation: Building Student Agency & Belonging in an Age of AI
Presenter:
Dr. Bonnie Stewart, Associate Professor of Online Pedagogy & Workplace Learning, University of Windsor

In this complex and challenging era in higher education, how do we understand and navigate the forces attempting to shape learning and knowledge? And what are the uses and limitations of digital tools – including Generative AI – for building the sense of student belonging and agency so crucial for meaningful learning? This keynote will outline shifts in digital infrastructures over recent years, and how they have influenced educational priorities in ways that invite us to reimagine how technology can support creativity, connection, and growth. The talk will emphasize alternate pathways and approaches, rooted in participatory digital pedagogies and educational values, and share Dr. Stewart’s research and classroom practices for fostering agency, belonging, and critical digital literacies.

11:30am

During this time slot, you will be free to choose one of the following breakout sessions to attend!

I. Attuning to AI: Authentic Conversations for Classroom Community
Presenters:
John Yi, Director, Teaching and Learning, Center for Teaching and Academic Innovation
Joe Yankus, Lead Instructional Designer, Instructional Technology & Design Services

Faculty across all disciplines are encouraged to foster meaningful dialogue that reveals how students understand, use, and sometimes misuse AI. This workshop explores how authentic conversations about AI can deepen classroom community, strengthen engagement, and prepare students to navigate an AI-shaped future with confidence and integrity. Together, we will reflect on our practices, consider guiding questions for transparency and responsible use, and craft learning goals that attune students to AI as a shared tool for inquiry and growth.

II. First Impressions: Guiding Students to Success
Presenters:
Abigail Hunte, Senior Technology Trainer, Instructional Technology & Design Services
Pam Fallivene, Lead Technology Trainer, Instructional Technology & Design Services

Make a strong first impression with a well-designed, accessible Canvas course that guides students towards success. Regular Substantive Interaction (RSI) is essential for maintaining instructor presence and creating an engaging, effective learning experience. From creating an announcement to setting up a course landing page, this session will give you all the tools you need to build a solid, accessible Canvas course incorporating the Montclair Syllabus.

1:00pm

During this time slot, you will be free to choose one of the following breakout sessions to attend!

I. Getting Started with Lucid: Visual Tools to Boost Engagement, Collaboration & Critical Thinking
Presenters:
Manveer Mann, Associate Professor, Marketing
Gina Policastro, Instructional Designer, Instructional Technology & Design Services

Lucid is an online visual workspace that makes it easy to create diagrams, brainstorm ideas, and support collaborative learning. In this session, you’ll learn how to access your Lucid account in Canvas and see practical examples of how Lucid can boost student engagement, strengthen group work, and help learners organize and share their ideas. You’ll also explore a variety of instructional and assessment use cases from different disciplines and walk away with helpful resources to get started using Lucid with your students.

II. Fostering Meaningful Online Discussions in the Age of AI
Presenters:
Elizabeth Kalajian, Instructional Designer, Instructional Technology & Design Services
Keith Adams, Instructional Designer, Instructional Technology & Design Services

Tired of lifeless posts and “I agree” replies? You’re not alone. As generative AI makes it easier than ever for students to produce generic, surface-level responses, it’s time to breathe new life into the online discussion forum. In this interactive, hands-on session, we’ll explore how to “AI-proof” your online discussions, transforming them into opportunities for authentic connection, reflection, and deep learning. You’ll leave with revised, ready-to-use prompts and a fresh perspective on how online discussions can have meaningful impact again.

2:00pm

During this time slot, you will be free to choose one of the following breakout sessions to attend!

I. Incorporating AI into Everyday Teaching
Presenter:
Grace Cook, Associate Professor of Mathematics and Program Area Lead for Computer Science and Mathematics

This session explores practical, classroom-tested approaches for integrating AI into an introductory college course without requiring any computer science background. Drawing on experiences from teaching CMP100: Introduction to Informatics, this talk highlights ways AI tools were woven into weekly activities, assignments, and discussions using pop-culture examples, media analysis, and hands-on experimentation. We’ll discuss the benefits and challenges of student AI use, how we scaffolded responsible and critical engagement, and how these strategies supported majors and non-majors alike. Participants will leave with adaptable activities and insights relevant across disciplines, including ways to examine AI bias, data ethics, misinformation, and the social implications of automation.

II. What’s New in Canvas: IgniteAI Features You Can Use Now
Presenters:
Patrick Scioscia, Director of Instructional Technology, Instructional Technology & Design Services
Dan Stratthaus, Manager of Instructional Technology Support, Instructional Technology & Design Services

This session will introduce the new AI tools in Canvas. Participants will explore what is available now in Canvas and what’s coming for early adopters, with hands-on examples of how these tools can streamline teaching and enhance student support.