Professional Development Sessions
Professional development is a critical piece of the instructional process. New and experienced faculty will benefit from opportunities to keep up with current and emerging trends in teaching online, higher education, best practices and the development of new skills.
The following sessions are sponsored by the University of the Incarnate Word School of Professional Studies Academic Affairs in collaboration with other partners. These sessions are designed to meet your unique instructional needs. Sessions are open to all University of the Incarnate Word faculty and staff.
Note: If you attend a scheduled session, you will receive a Certificate of Completion for that session. To request a Certificate of Completion for a previously recorded session, visit the Archives section listed on the left of this page and complete this form.
October
Introduce your students to AI Literacy: Generative AI Information Literacy 101
Date/Time: Mon., Oct. 27, 2025 | 3 - 4 p.m. (CT)
Featured Speaker: Dr. Chera Cole
Learn how UIW librarians are supporting student success with Generative AI Information Literacy 101, a self-paced Canvas module that teaches students to use generative AI ethically, critically, and effectively. Faculty can easily assign the module to support student success in today’s AI-driven academic landscape. In this session, Dr. Chera Cole will provide a walk-through of the module and answer questions about how to implement the module.
In this session, we will:
- Know what is included in the library's Generative AI Information Literacy 101 module.
- Know how to request access to the module in order to implement it in their course.
- Have some ideas for follow up activities/discussions to use in conjunction with assigning the module to their students.
November
Student Focused Engagement
Date/Time: Wed., Nov. 5, 2025 | noon - 1 p.m. (CT)
Featured Speaker: Prof. Kent Dolasky, MBA
Professor Kent Dolasky will share insights and best practices developed over 18 years of teaching at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Professional Studies. Drawing from both successes and challenges, he will highlight approaches that have consistently supported student success and faculty effectiveness.
Participants will gain practical strategies for enhancing the student experience, including:
- Examples of meaningful student-centered discussions.
- Review the Pareto principle that states 80% of outcomes come from 20% of causes.
- Review lessons learned in Team Projects.
- Identify methods for Video Feedback and Team Meetings.
Making AIE Work: Balancing Online Student Learning
Date/Time: Tues., Nov. 11, 2025 | 2 - 3 p.m. (CT)
Featured Speaker: Jessica Martinez-Palacios, M.Ed.
Ever wonder if your online students are getting just the right amount of work or maybe a little too much? At the University of the Incarnate Word School of Professional Studies (UIW SPS), we’ve created a clear and practical process to help ensure student learning is balanced and meaningful.
In this session, we will:
- Explain the importance of using the Alternative Instructional Equivalent (AIE) correctly.
- Explore the difference between Contact Hours and Non-Contact Hours and why it matters.
- Analyze real examples showing how UIW SPS structures learning across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral courses.
Using Instructional Materials to Spark Engagement and Interaction
Date/Time: Thurs., Nov. 20, 2025 | noon - 1 p.m. (CT)
Featured Speaker: Jessica Martinez-Palacios, M.Ed.
Active learning is essential for keeping students engaged in any online course. Simply posting a resource is not enough. Instructional materials should serve a clear purpose and guide students toward success.
In this session, we will:
- Explore Quality Matters Standard 4: Instructional Materials and how to make materials meaningful.
- Examine Quality Matters Standard 5: Learning Activities and Learner Interaction to boost engagement.
- Identify and prioritize course improvements using QM Standards 4 & 5 to maximize learning impact.