The Center for Innovation in Teaching, Assessment, and Learning |
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CITAL NEWSLETTER - APRIL 28, 2026 |
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Heading into the Final Stretch |
Dear Colleagues,
Good luck with your final classes!
In this issue, CITAL shares an exciting curriculum development on campus as well as some upcoming learning opportunities for you.
First up is our blog about an interdisciplinary group of faculty who spent the last year putting together a new individualized major in Game Design. Next is a reminder to reserve your seat at our summer AI Institute, which includes a $150 stipend for attending both days. Then, we remind you about how CITAL could help you to get your course Quality Matters certified this summer.
Next, we have a curated list of upcoming webinars and conferences that could help you with your teaching. Lastly, we show you how to use SpeedGrader to grade group work individually.
Looking Ahead: Check out our final issue in two weeks to see a number of short online teaching and learning sessions we will be offering you this summer.
The CITAL Team (Ed, Cindy, Gina, and Raina)
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Let’s Talk Video Game Development |
By Cynthia Rutz, Director of Faculty Development
A group of faculty has spent the last year exploring how Valpo can expand our curriculum offerings in the exciting and growing field of Video Game Development.
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A group of faculty has spent the last year exploring how Valpo can expand our curriculum offerings in the exciting and growing field of Video Game Development. In 2023, Valpo launched a new minor in Game Narrative and Design (a joint project of the English department and the Communication & Visual Arts department). Then last year, we opened the new Center for Games and Interactive Entertainment. In order to build on that momentum, Aysegul Yayimli (Computer Sciences) decided to launch a Faculty Learning Community (FLC) to brainstorm next steps and create a roadmap for potential degree paths in the field.
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☀️ AI SUMMER INSTITUTE
📆 Wednesday, July 29th, 2026
📆 Thursday, July 30th, 2026
⏰ Reserve Your Seat
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As part of the Lilly Endowment AI in Higher Education planning grant, CITAL will be hosting a two-day Summer Faculty Institute on AI.
Our keynote speaker will be nationally recognized author C. Edward Watson (AAC&U, and co-author of Teaching with AI). Caleb J. Keith (AAC&U) will be our AI scholar in residence for both days. Additionally, we plan to have Valpo faculty presentations and conversations to build on existing institutional knowledge.
All faculty who attend will receive a daily stipend of $75 ($150 total) and will enjoy meals and fellowship. More information, including the full agenda, will be provided as we get closer to the event.
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🌟 Elevate Your Online or Hybrid Course
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- Join the 59 Valpo faculty who are now Quality Matters certified—join the momentum.
- CITAL is available over the summer to offer the Applying the Quality Matters Rubric Workshop.
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- It is eight hours total and can be offered over two half days or one full day, either virtually or on campus. If held on campus, CITAL would provide breakfast and lunch. Let us know when you are ready to schedule your event.
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🚀 Take Your Course to the Next Level
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- QM‑certified and ready for more?
- Prepare your course for Official Review with CITAL’s support.
- Reach out to CITAL to begin.
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✔️ You’ve Done the Workshop—Now Level Up
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The next step is QM’s Official Course Review.
- CITAL is here to help you launch.
- Connect with us to move forward.
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🚨CITAL will guide your next steps
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Upcoming Webinars and Conferences |
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Below are upcoming and on-demand webinars and podcasts from leading experts in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL).
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Below are upcoming conferences. These conferences cover a wide range of topics including AI, online pedagogy, and leadership in online programs.
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Group work is a great active learning strategy that fosters communication skills and improves critical thinking. Though, group work can lead to social loafing. To ensure student accountability and increase motivation, you can use the SpeedGrader to grade group work individually.
First, ensure the assignment was set up to assign grades individually. When the groups submit the assignment, it will apply for the group, but a drop-down menu will appear. The menu will display the names of each student in the group. The grade will be assigned to the student you are viewing.
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Tune in next time for another Canvas tip!
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The Center for Innovation in Teaching, Assessment, and Learning |
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