MARCH 2024 NEWSLETTER

We're approaching the half-way point of the semester, with spring break already here next week! We hope you enjoy your time and get to do something fun or relaxing!

In this newsletter, we are sharing information about the Akindi Test Importer, NEW resources for AI, 2024-2025 faculty fellow opportunities for Digital Learning, our upcoming Professional Development Course on Hyflex, the Digital Learning Showcase, and our upcoming AI workshops!

Akindi Test Importer

Looking for an easy way to import ready to go quizzes or exams? Check out the Akindi Test Importer. The Akindi Test Importer makes it quick and easy to convert Microsoft Word documents into quizzes and exams in Canvas; leaving you more time to focus on the other tasks on your list! To get started, watch our tech tip video or check out the resources below:

• Getting started with the Akindi Importer Today!
• Akindi Importer How-To Guides and FAQs

NEW RESOURCES!

We've heard what you're asking for, and we're delivering! Check out our newest AI resources available in our Future-Focused EDU Canvas course. These pages are designed to help you with syllabi statements, detection tools, and evaluating assessments. More pages on incorporating AI, how students are using it, and talking with your students about AI will be available soon on our Future-Focused EDU page on AI.

• Developing a Syllabus Statement
• Evaluating Current Assessments
• Detection Tools
• Citing AI Tools

Already have an AI syllabus statement you're using? We'd love to hear it! Submit your AI syllabus statement here!

Coming Summer 2024! Digital Learning will be offering two 3-week AI professional Development Courses! Register for these courses today! More information will come out late spring/early summer 2024!

Adapting Existing Assignments to Incorporate AI

Wednesday, March 6 from 2-4:30, MBSC - Nebraska Room

Wondering how to incorporate AI into your assignments and projects? Join CFE and Digital Learning for a workshop that offers helpful information, multiple examples, and hands-on work time for you to begin to adapt an assignment. Bring an assignment to the workshop and begin the adaptation process with the helpful support of colleagues Cassie Mallette (Adjunct Faculty – Sociology and Instructional Designer), Birud Sindhav (Professor – Marketing & Entrepreneurship), and Billy Kramer (Assistant Professor – Psychology) who will guide you as you adapt your assignment. 

AI in Academia: Exploring Innovative Uses of AI

Tuesday, March 19 from 1-2pm

Join us for a workshop series on AI in Academia! Explore how faculty members, Travis Adams and Jill Quandt, and Learning Experience Designer, Minjung Goo are harnessing the Power of AI to revolutionize classrooms, the writing center, and work. Discover innovative ways AI is enhancing the teaching and learning experience and dive into practical applications of AI in Academia! Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about the amazing things your colleagues are doing!

NEW COURSE!

Flexibility by Design: Designing HyFlex Courses to Support Learning,

Parts 1 & 2, March 18-April 28

What is HyFlex?

HyFlex (Hybrid-Flexible) is an instructional model that empowers students with the flexibility to select their preferred mode of participation and actively shape their learning experience; HyFlex represents an innovative approach that accommodates both in-person and remote students within the same course, all under the guidance of a single instructor. When thoughtfully designed, HyFlex courses can create a vibrant learning ecosystem that enhances the educational journey for all students.

What will you learn in this course?

In this course, we will explore the world of HyFlex learning and discover how it can revolutionize the way we learn and teach in today's educational landscape. In this course, participants will learn the design framework for building HyFlex learning opportunities, identify opportunities for HyFlex learning approaches, and evaluate the impact of the HyFlex approach on learning outcomes.

This non-credit course is offered online using the Canvas LMS. This course includes two parts, each offered over a 3-week period. It is asynchronous, but not self-paced. You should plan to spend about 3-5 hours per week. Pre-register at any time to be notified of our next offering!

2024-2025 Opportunities

The Division of Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives (ILCI) is pleased to announce a call for Digital Learning Faculty Fellows for the 2024-25 academic year. One-year appointments will begin in Fall 2024 and can be renewed for up to two additional years. Fellows will work with the Digital Learning team in ILCI and across campus in one of two areas:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): Gather information from across campus on the potential benefits of and concerns about AI in higher education. Explore and share recent advances and potential future developments and best practices in AI with the campus. 

• Student Success: Explore and share recent research that addresses student success in online and flexible learning. Conduct research on UNO student success and retention in online courses and programs using institutional or primary data. 

All UNO full-time tenured faculty are eligible to apply. For more information and detailed application instructions, please see the ILCI website.

SAVE THE DATE!

Mark your calendars for our annual Digital Learning Showcase on Wednesday May 1st, from 2-4pm in Criss Library. At this year's showcase, we will highlight the innovative strategies that UNO faculty are using when they teach online or with technology, and award the 2024 Outstanding Innovation in Teaching with Technology Award! 

NOTE: Although this is an in-person gathering, Zoom functionality will be available to accommodate those who are not local.

PRESENTER PROPOSALS

Submit your proposal by Friday, April 5!

Digital Learning is looking for faculty to present at our showcase; if you're implementing innovative technology and techniques into the online or in-person classroom, we encourage you to submit a proposal!

If you wish to be a presenter, please submit a topic proposal by selecting the button below. Feel free to submit multiple proposals if you have more than one topic to share. Faculty presenters will receive a $100 stipend for their time. 

NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

Nominations for the award close Friday, April 5!

We are now accepting nominations for the the 2024 Outstanding Innovation in Teaching with Technology Award. This award honors faculty who have implemented outstanding innovative teaching approaches, shown to increase student learning, engagement and success. All current full-time and part-time UNO faculty are eligible to be nominated. Nominations from current or former students, faculty members, staff members, or administrators (chair/director, dean) will be accepted; individuals can also self-nominate.

TRAINING ON DEMAND

PROGRAM TUNE-UP

Digital Learning/ILCI is now offering a new opportunity for academic programs to comprehensively review and refresh their online/flexible courses and programs. A program tune-up may be especially useful for programs with longstanding online degree offerings, programs considering curriculum changes, programs updating their strategic plans, or programs preparing for an upcoming Academic Program Review. If you’re interested in learning more about tune-up grant possibilities in your program, please see the Program Tune-Up webpage or reach out to Dan Hawkins, Director of Online Development, at dhawkins@unomaha.edu.