CTL Happenings - Message #623

A Professor’s Framework for Meaningful, Joyful, and Sustainable Work

How can instructors make academic work meaningful, joyful, and sustainable while supporting student success? In this Faculty Focus article on faculty development and well-being, Julie Sochacki shares her five-pillar framework and practical strategies for each pillar: emotional resilience, physical well-being, stress management, meaningful living, and time and energy protection. When instructors care for themselves intentionally, they create the capacity to show up fully for students and colleagues—thriving educators foster thriving classrooms.

Course syllabi in must be posted in Canvas due to Indiana state law and per IU policy ACA-85: Syllabus. For quick tips and guidance, visit our FAQ's.

The Extended Reality Initiative (XRI) Faculty Fellows Grant provides faculty with technical and instructional support and funds to implement Augmented Reality or Virtual Reality assignments, projects, or activities into their courses with the goal of improving student learning outcomes and success at IU. A total of 10 grants of $1000 each will be awarded. XRI grant proposal submission is now open, and proposals are due Friday, January 30, at 5 p.m.

Learn more and submit a proposal.

Accessibility Webinar Series

Indiana University is committed to fostering inclusive learning environments, and accessibility is a key part of that mission. This webinar series is designed to help faculty and staff understand the tools and resources available at IU to make digital course materials more accessible. Register for each event to learn practical steps you can take now to make your materials more inclusive and enhance the learning experience for all students.

Accessibility Webinar Series Registration Page

Accessibility Drop-in Office Hours

The way we share materials online is changing this spring with Title II accessibility rules. We’ve set up easy, drop-in office hours on Zoom to help answer your quick accessibility questions. Drop in to get quick tips on how to update your Canvas site, check your video captions, describe your images, and more! If you’d like in-depth accessibility assistance, email the CTL to schedule a longer consultation.

Drop into the Zoom room every Thursday afternoon between 1 and 3 p.m.

Did you know? The Faculty Crossing is your dedicated space for scholarship and collaboration. Open whenever the University Library is open, this space is designed to help you focus, connect, and recharge.

Enjoy complimentary coffee and access to technology, including a computer station for meetings or presentation preparation. Whether you’re grading assignments, refining your syllabus, or meeting with colleagues, the Faculty Crossing supports your work.

Visit us in University Library, first floor near the elevators, in room 1125M.

Orientation for IU Indianapolis graduate student teaching assistants is now available online. This self-paced course provides essential teaching strategies for all course formats, prepares TAs to support student success, and fulfills the TA Orientation requirement. Encourage TAs in your department to enroll in the online orientation.

The IU Indianapolis Center for Teaching and Learning announces this year’s Plater‑Moore Symposium, taking place Friday, April 3, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This annual event brings together educators from across campus to explore timely and transformative themes in teaching and learning.

This year’s symposium will center on the role of assessment in strengthening engaged learning practices. Sessions will highlight how instructors and academic programs design and use assessment strategies to deepen understanding of student learning, adapt teaching approaches, and support meaningful, continuous improvement.

While the work of assessment inevitably intersects with accreditation expectations, the symposium will keep its focus squarely on teaching, learning, and discipline‑specific practice—emphasizing assessment as a scholarly, reflective, and empowering part of educators’ work.

The 2026 Plater‑Moore Symposium is designed to:

• Support Student Success: Showcase ways that intentional assessment practices inform instructional decision‑making and contribute directly to student engagement and achievement.
• Encourage Experimentation: Inspire instructors and programs to revisit existing practices and explore new methods for designing and assessing learning.
• Foster Cross‑Disciplinary Learning: Provide opportunities for educators from across departments and schools to learn from one another’s effective approaches.
• Reframe Assessment: Shift the narrative from compliance and reporting to assessment as a tool for insight, curiosity, and continuous enhancement of learning.
• Strengthen Practice: Highlight practical, discipline‑specific examples of aligned course and program design that lead to usable, meaningful evidence of student learning.

Register

Monday, January 26 | 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. | Online - Recorded video
Register » Organizer: Learning Technologies Faculty Fellow Programs and Presenter: Sarah Herpst

Use the tools you already have. Learn how Word, PowerPoint, and PDFs can help you create accessible course documents—with tips tailored to your discipline.

Wednesday, January 28 | 1 - 2:30 p.m. | Online - Zoom
Register » Organizer: DEPI and Presenter: April Law

Feeling curious about Generative AI (GenAI) but a little unsure where to begin? This session introduces the basics in a friendly, approachable way—perfect for beginners and anyone who feels nervous about diving in. Learn what GenAI is, explore simple tools you can use right away, and discover how these technologies can make your work easier. No jargon, no pressure—just a supportive space to start your GenAI journey.

Thursday, January 29 | 1 - 2:30 p.m. | Online - Teams
Register » Organizer: Hope Kaser and Presenter: Willie Miller

With the full implementation of Elements @ IU for faculty activity reporting, join us for this workshop designed to help you get comfortable with the platform and ensure you’re ready to complete your review and evaluation. In this workshop you can expect to learn how to navigate the evaluation and review exercises in Elements. You’ll also receive an overview of the evaluation exercises in Elements and relevant information about completing reviews. Also held on Monday, February 2.

Tuesday, February 3 | 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon | Online - Zoom
Register » Organizer: Thomas Longshore and Presenters: Terence Govender and Thomas Longshore

Discover how Generative AI (GenAI) agents can transform workflows and enhance student engagement in this interactive session.

You will learn how GenAI agents can be adapted to meet the unique needs of instructors. If you’re looking to enrich your students’ learning experiences using IU-approved GenAI tools, this session will provide practical insights, tips, and inspiration.

A basic familiarity with GenAI and prompting is helpful but not required. Instructors who are just getting started and those ready to move beyond the basics are welcome. We’ll include dedicated work time for hands-on agent creation. If you’d like to take advantage of this activity, having access to a computer will help you get the most out of it. Explore how GenAI can support innovative teaching and learning at IU.

Tuesday, February 17 | 11 - 11:30 a.m. | Online - Microsoft Teams
Register » Organizer: IU eTexts and Presenter: Katelin Carlton

Want to limit barriers to student success, promote engagement with your required course materials, and reduce costs for students? IU eTexts can help! Join this webinar to learn the basics of the IU eTexts Initiative, discover the many benefits of using digital materials ordered through the Initiative, and learn how to place an order for summer or fall 2026.

Other available sessions: 2–2:30 p.m., or 7–7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 18 | 11 - 11:30 a.m. | Online - Microsoft Teams
Register » Organizer: IU eTexts and Presenter: Katelin Carlton

Need to order digital course materials for summer or fall 2026 classes? Join this webinar to learn how to place your order in the IU eTexts Portal.

Other available sessions: 2–2:30 p.m., or 7–7:30 p.m.

Monday, March 23 | 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. | Online - Zoom
Register » Organizer: Learning Technologies Faculty Fellow Programs and Presenters: Sarah Herpst and Michael Mace

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) encourages us to create flexible, inclusive learning environments that meet the needs of all students. In this session, we’ll explore how Anthology Ally can help you apply UDL principles in your Canvas course by improving the accessibility of your course.

Tuesday, February 24 | 1 - 2 p.m. | Online - Zoom
Register » Organizer: Thomas Longshore and Presenter: Thomas Longshore

Looking for ways to save time and simplify grading handwritten work or bubble sheet exams? This session will show you how to make grading more efficient and consistent with Gradescope.

You’ll learn how to:

• Set up assignments in your Canvas course
• Use bubble sheets effectively
• Leverage Gradescope’s AI-assisted grading for consistent feedback

Whether you teach large classes or just want to streamline your workflow, this demo offers practical tips and a clear roadmap to get started.

Wednesday, February 25 | 1 - 2 p.m. | Online - Zoom
Register » Organizer: DEPI and Presenter: Various

In the context of AI, “gems” are personalized, customized versions of the Gemini AI assistant—purpose-built assistants designed to handle specific tasks. By pre-loading these tools with your specific instructions, rubrics, or preferences, you create a "gem" that performs a specialized function reliably, saving you time and ensuring consistency across your teaching and administrative work. This dynamic session will feature 12-minute breakout rooms, where you can explore four practical “gems”.

IU faculty are invited to join the Global Teaching and Learning Academy, a multi-campus cohort advancing IU 2030’s focus on student-centered, globally engaged learning. Benefits include instructional design support, a $750 stipend, and the Global Learning for IU Educators Certificate. Applications due Monday, February 1. Learn more and apply.

The Program Review and Assessment Committee (PRAC) funds assessment grants that advance innovative, transformative, and student- and learning-centered approaches and improved practice in assessment or program review. PRAC Assessment Grant proposals are due on Tuesday, February 17. Learn more and submit a proposal.

The Assessment Institute in Indianapolis—the nation’s oldest and largest event focused on improving higher education—will be held Sunday, October 18, through Tuesday, October 20, at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown.

Submit a proposal for the 2026 program by the priority deadline of Friday, March 6. To learn more, watch a recording and view presentation slides from the proposal development information session.