The CTE is grateful for all of the meaningful interactions and connections we have had with GW educators this semester, before, during, and after October’s Teaching Month. We are also looking ahead towards the spring and are excited to promote our new CDI: Semester. Read on for more details! 

Are you designing or redesigning a course in response to the current teaching and learning context? Consider applying to the new version of the Course Design Institute (CDI), which will run from January to March 2026. CDI: Semester is structured to spread out participants’ learning and provide a format more accessible to faculty who aren’t able to commit to the week-long institute that happens every May. 

Just as in the original CDI, which has run for 11 years and engaged over 400 GW faculty, participants in CDI: Semester will walk away with:

The application is open until Wednesday, December 3, at 11:59 p.m.

Is CDI: Semester in-person, online, or hybrid?

All meetings for CDI: Semester will be entirely online via Zoom. 

I’m an adjunct or part-time faculty member. Can I apply?

Yes, of course! CDI is open to all faculty.

What does the application involve?

You will share some information about yourself and about the course you’re planning to design or redesign, along with a brief statement of interest. On average, we estimate it should take about 15 minutes to complete.

I can’t do CDI: Semester. Are you still doing CDI in May?

Yes, we are also delivering the traditional weeklong CDI from May 18–22, 2026. The application for the May CDI will be available in February 2026. 

I have more questions—whom do I ask?

Email teaching@gwu.edu and we can help!

The CTE and the University Writing Program brought students, faculty, and staff together for a conversation about how AI is affecting teaching and learning. Six undergraduate students serving in various peer educator roles on campus shared their perspectives as part of a panel, responding to research findings on student use of AI from a study conducted by Associate Dean Karen Singer-Freeman. They argued that, rather than AI “bans” and accusations, students need more guidance, transparency, and open conversations around policies and the purpose of education. Students are eager to interrogate with educators where AI fits into their lives and future careers and to apply disciplinary lenses to explore ethical issues. As one student said, “Let’s not forget that everyone got access at the same time, so we should figure this out together.”

On a related note, Director of Faculty Development Hannah Jardine is proud to share her recently published reflective essay, "Student-driven projects to promote equitable and justice-oriented teaching and learning." This article, co-authored with a student colleague, describes a program she built with undergraduate students in her previous role at American University. She looks forward to creating more opportunities to incorporate student perspectives in CTE’s work to support teaching and learning at GW. Feel free to reach out to her (hjardine@gwu.edu) with ideas and reflections.

As of last spring, faculty can now push their grades directly from Blackboard to Banner, eliminating the need to log into GWeb separately to enter final grades. For step-by-step instructions, please refer to our How-To Guide. For questions or more information, contact the CTE's Instructional Technology Lab (ITL) at (202) 994-0485, itl@gwu.edu, or visit them on the lower level of Gelman Library.

Faculty Development's fall semester workshops have concluded. Join the ITL for their remaining workshops to prepare for grading at the end of the semester or to revamp your course for the spring.

Blackboard: Grade Center | Weds., November 19, at 2:00 p.m. and Thurs., December 4, at 2:00 p.m.
In preparation for the end of the semester, learn how to manage the Blackboard Grade Center and calculate grades. Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to manage columns, categories, and smart views, enter grades, and calculate grades using formulas such as weight distribution in the Grade Center.

Introduction to Blackboard Ultra | Tues., December 9 at 2:00 p.m.
Looking to spruce up your Blackboard course space for your Spring 2026 courses? Come see if you might want to give Ultra a try! This workshop will introduce participants to the new Blackboard Ultra user interface. Blackboard Ultra courses offer a new, modern, intuitive, accessible, and mobile-friendly interface with improved workflows and new features.