The Center for Innovation in Teaching, Assessment, and Learning |
|
|
CITAL NEWSLETTER - MARCH 3, 2026 |
|
|
Embracing New Opportunities |
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to the latest edition of your CITAL newsletter. Spring Break is upon us and hopefully will provide at least some time for renewal and the opportunity to recharge before the final stretch of the semester begins. As usual, there is a lot happening and we want to keep you as informed and up to date as possible. We begin this edition with a blog article from CITAL’s Student Aide, Soniya Ottayil, who is graduating with her degree in Nursing this semester. She offers a reflection on her time with CITAL. Soniya has been a vital part of the team over the last two and half years and will be missed, and we are sure she will do great things. Next, we move on to a reminder of the Call for Scholarship & Creative Works submissions through the Christopher Center and remind faculty of various faculty development opportunities, including workshops and webinars. Finally, we end with a useful Canvas tip. As always, reach out to us with any professional development or instructional technology and design needs. We will see you after the break.
Sincerely,
The CITAL Team (Ed, Cindy, Gina, and Raina)
|
|
|
My Experience at CITAL as a Student Aide |
By Soniya Ottayil, Senior Nursing Major & CITAL student aide
I began working at the Center for Innovation in Teaching, Assessment, and Learning (CITAL) during my sophomore year at Valparaiso
|
| |
|
University. When I first accepted the position, I was nervous because I did not know if I could balance the demands of nursing school with a job. I was also stepping into a world that felt completely new to me. I had never been involved in faculty development or assessment work before, but something in me felt ready to try. I already knew I wanted to become a nursing professor someday, yet I had no idea how much working at CITAL would help put that dream into perspective and deepen my understanding of what the student aide role entails.
|
|
|
|
Note: CITAL is looking for a Student Aide. If you know a student who might be interested, please encourage them to apply via the Valpo Career Hub.
|
|
|
Call for Scholarship & Creative Works |
A reminder that the Christopher Center Library is accepting applications for the 2025 calendar year celebration of Scholarship & Creative Works. The deadline to submit your scholarship and creative works is April 8th by 5:00 p.m.
|
|
|
🌟 QUALITY MATTERS (QM) WORKSHOP
📅 March 10–11, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (both days) Live on Zoom
✨ Elevate Your Course Design
|
| |
|
Join CITAL for a two‑day, interactive Quality Matters (QM) Applying the Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR) workshop designed to strengthen online and hybrid teaching. Learn practical strategies, explore QM standards, and collaborate with colleagues in a supportive environment.
🎓 Open to All Valpo Faculty
Engaging, hands‑on sessions and QM certification
Ideal for anyone looking to enhance course quality and student experience
⚠️ Limited Seats — Register Early
Secure your spot while space remains. For more details, click the QM Workshop Info. & Registration Button below.
📬 Questions?
Contact cital@valpo.edu
|
|
|
✨ ACTIVE LEARNING WORKSHOP
📆 Friday, March 6th, 2026
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Join CITAL for a two-hour active learning workshop designed to provide materials and activities to help with course preparation and immediately incorporate activities into current courses. Learn different types of active learning activities and explore how to design an active learning course.
🎓 Open to All Valpo Faculty
Ideal for faculty seeking to promote student engagement, enthusiasm, and performance.
⚠️ Limited Seats - Register Early
Secure your spot while space remains. For more details, click the Active Learning Workshop Info & Registration Button below.
📬 Questions?
Contact cital@valpo.edu
|
|
|
Upcoming Webinars and Conferences |
|
|
Below are upcoming and on-demand webinars and podcasts from leading experts in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL).
|
| Below are upcoming free online conferences. These conferences cover a wide range of topics including AI, online pedagogy, and leadership in online programs.
|
|
|
Have you ever run out of storage in your Canvas and wondered how you could save space? With Canvas Studio, you can save storage by uploading lectures, Zoom recordings, YouTube videos, and more to Studio.
Canvas Studio is a separate feature that does not impact your course storage limit. The added benefit is that Studio will also transcribe and caption your videos automatically.
|
|
|
Tune in next time for another Canvas tip!
|
|
|
The Center for Innovation in Teaching, Assessment, and Learning |
|
|
|
