Events, Workshops, and Communities
WMU Teaching and Learning hosts a variety of events and communities throughout the academic year. These opportunities are geared toward instructors, graduate assistants, and any others involved in creating learning experiences at Western Michigan University. Can't make it to an event? No problem! Check out our past event archive, which includes materials shared during the session and/or a session recording.
Do you not see what you are looking for here, or would you like a training or event more specific to your needs?
Our team is available to come to a department or group meeting to facilitate specific or targeted teaching and learning training. Reach out and let us know what challenges you are hoping to solve for instructors, learners, or both and we can support you by connecting you with resources and facilitating conversations around curriculum, course design, or instructional best practices. These can be single meetings or extended workshops depending on your goals.
Contact the Teaching and Learning Team to discuss your needs.
Upcoming Events
Aug 21
11:30 a.m.
Course Design and Development
Preparing for a New Semester: Functional Course Design and Start-Up Checklists
Date: Thursday, August 21 Time: 11:30 a.m. Location: Online
Join us for a 30-minute session focused on using two helpful checklists to support you in preparing for a new semester. We'll review the Functional Course Design Checklist, which helps you evaluate your course from a learner's perspective to improve navigation, access, and interaction, as well as the Semester Start Checklist, which provides an organized approach to common preparation tasks and resources—hosted by Instructional Design & Development. Faculty, instructors, and graduate teaching assistants are encouraged to attend.
Aug 21
12:30 p.m.
Course Design and Development
The WMU Syllabus Template
Date: Thursday, August 21 Time: 12:30 p.m. Location: Online
In this 30-minute mini-session, we take you on a tour of the accessible, ready-to-customize WMU syllabus template and also help you think about developing a course plan that results in a reasonable workload for you and your students—hosted by Instructional Design and Development. Faculty, instructors, and graduate teaching assistants are encouraged to attend.
Aug 21
1 p.m.
Interactive Learning
Ask Me Anything: Creating an Interactive & Engaging Classroom
Date: Thursday, August 21 Time: 1:00 p.m. Location: Online
This 30-minute session will focus on the act of “meeting students where they are.” Their tools, interests, and culture deeply affect engagement and retention within the classroom, which means that instructors should be willing to adapt and engage with students in new and innovative ways. We will discuss the use of pop culture to expand engagement and retention, and have a dialogue surrounding students’ use of AI both within the classroom and outside of it. Hosted by Katie Marshall Holland, faculty fellow in the Office of Faculty Development. Faculty, instructors, and graduate teaching assistants are encouraged to attend.
Aug 21
1:30 p.m.
Office of Faculty Development
Incorporating Wellness Resources into your Course
Date: Thursday, August 21 Time: 1:30 p.m. Location: Online
In this session, presenters share the current framework and strategic plan for being a health-promoting campus and advancing the well-being of people, places, and the planet at WMU. This model calls to action the whole campus community, including faculty and instructors. We will explore ways you can contribute to advancing well-being in your courses. Faculty, instructors, and graduate teaching assistants are encouraged to attend. Members of the Well-Being Collective lead the session - Dr. Lillian Upton Smith, Dean of the College of Health & Human Services, and Cari Robertson, Director, Health Promotion and Education.
Aug 22
10 a.m.
Office of Faculty Development
Incorporating Career Development Resources into your Courses
Date: Friday, August 22 Time: 10 a.m. Location: Online
Planning on helping your students with the career and job search process in your class? This mini-session introduces faculty and instructors to the career development resources and services available through Career and Student Employment Services. Learn how to get copies of the Career Development Guide and utilize it as a "textbook", requesting workshops, learning what resources the university provides to students, and more. Join Merze Tate College, Career & Student Employment Services team members for this opportunity to explore and dialogue.
Aug 22
11 a.m.
Office of Faculty Development
Special Session for Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA) – My Place in the Classroom: Building Community and Fostering Positive Connections with Students
Date: Friday, August 22 Time: 11 a.m. Location: Online
GTAs: this workshop is designed specifically with you in mind, exploring how you can build an equitable classroom community that engages students while valuing their contributions and potential. We will talk about being purposeful in how you position yourself as a leader and collaborator in a variety of learning environments. While this session will be primarily activity-based, we will also share resources that will help you apply pedagogical theory to your future student interactions. Join Dr. Meghann Meeusen, faculty fellow in the Office of Faculty Development, for this engaging session.
Aug 22
12 p.m.
Meeting Students Where They Are
Mentoring Undergrads: Connect with Students and Connect Students to Extended Support Systems
Date: Friday, August 22 Time: 12 p.m. Location: Online
While faculty workloads can make student mentoring, relationship building, and retention efforts feel daunting, there are steps we can implement in four important spaces (our classrooms, our offices, our departments, and our communities) that develop expanding systems of support around students. Learning about our students while also facilitating their connections to scaffolding available from faculty colleagues, our institution as a whole, and even our communities increases the strength of the bonds that sustain academic and personal growth. Implementing small changes in current practices can go a long way toward helping students feel supported, understood, and able to thrive. Hosted by Dr. Adrienne Redding, faculty fellow in the Office of Faculty Development. Faculty, instructors, and graduate teaching assistants are encouraged to attend.
Aug 22
1:30 p.m.
Course Design and Development
Design Considerations in the Age of AI
Date: Friday, August 22 Time: 1:30 p.m. Location: Online
Join us for a 30-minute session where we discuss some design considerations for courses in the age of AI. This session will explore how instructors can address AI in their classrooms. We will begin by examining both faculty and student perspectives on generative AI tools, then discuss practical approaches for developing clear course policies that distinguish between appropriate AI use and academic dishonesty. Rather than focusing solely on detection or restriction, we will explore how to redesign assignments through strategies such as incorporating reflections, peer-review activities, and scaffolded assignments. There will be time to ask questions after the 30-minute time block. Hosted by the Office of Faculty Development and the Instructional Design & Development. Faculty, instructors, and graduate teaching assistants are encouraged to attend.
Aug 25
1 p.m.
Elearning Fundamentals
Elearning Fundamentals Part I: Setting up Your Homepage & Building Modules and Content
Date: Monday, August 25 Time: 1 p.m. Location: Online
Our Elearning Fundamental workshops are perfect for anyone looking to build or expand their knowledge of Elearning. These sessions cover the essentials across a range of topics, helping you create a welcoming and functional online space that enhances teaching and learning.
Whether you're teaching online, hybrid, or in-person courses, these workshops are designed to support all modalities. Attend one session, or join us for the entire series—it's up to you!
Our goal is to help you connect with your students and make the teaching experience more engaging and enjoyable.
Aug 26
11 a.m.
Elearning Fundamentals
Elearning Fundamentals for Students
Date: Tuesday, August 26 Time: 11 a.m. Location: Online
The Elearning Fundamentals for Students workshop is designed for any student who wants to learn how to use Elearning effectively.
We'll guide you through the basic areas in Elearning that you may encounter in your courses, such as discussions, dropboxes, gradebook, groups, and the content area. Whether your classes are online or in person, this workshop will help you make the most of Elearning. Each session covers the same material, so you only need to sign up for one.
Join us to build your Elearning skills and set yourself up for success!
Aug 26
1 p.m.
Elearning Fundamentals
Elearning Fundamentals Part II: Creating Discussions & Dropboxes
Date: Tuesday, August 26 Time: 1 p.m. Location: Online
Our Elearning Fundamental workshops are perfect for anyone looking to build or expand their knowledge of Elearning. These sessions cover the essentials across a range of topics, helping you create a welcoming and functional online space that enhances teaching and learning.
Whether you're teaching online, hybrid, or in-person courses, these workshops are designed to support all modalities. Attend one session, or join us for the entire series—it's up to you!
Our goal is to help you connect with your students and make the teaching experience more engaging and enjoyable.
Aug 26
3 p.m.
Elearning Fundamentals
Elearning Fundamentals for Students
Date: Tuesday, August 26 Time: 3 p.m. Location: Online
The Elearning Fundamentals for Students workshop is designed for any student who wants to learn how to use Elearning effectively.
We'll guide you through the basic areas in Elearning that you may encounter in your courses, such as discussions, dropboxes, gradebook, groups, and the content area. Whether your classes are online or in person, this workshop will help you make the most of Elearning. Each session covers the same material, so you only need to sign up for one.
Join us to build your Elearning skills and set yourself up for success!
Aug 27
1 p.m.
Elearning Fundamentals
Elearning Fundamentals Part III: Quizzes & Quick Eval
Date: Wednesday, August 27 Time: 1 p.m. Location: Online
Our Elearning Fundamental workshops are perfect for anyone looking to build or expand their knowledge of Elearning. These sessions cover the essentials across a range of topics, helping you create a welcoming and functional online space that enhances teaching and learning.
Whether you're teaching online, hybrid, or in-person courses, these workshops are designed to support all modalities. Attend one session, or join us for the entire series—it's up to you!
Our goal is to help you connect with your students and make the teaching experience more engaging and enjoyable.
Aug 28
1 p.m.
Elearning Fundamentals
Elearning Fundamentals Part IV: Gradebook
Date: Thursday, August 28 Time: 1 p.m. Location: Online
Our Elearning Fundamental workshops are perfect for anyone looking to build or expand their knowledge of Elearning. These sessions cover the essentials across a range of topics, helping you create a welcoming and functional online space that enhances teaching and learning.
Whether you're teaching online, hybrid, or in-person courses, these workshops are designed to support all modalities. Attend one session, or join us for the entire series—it's up to you!
Our goal is to help you connect with your students and make the teaching experience more engaging and enjoyable.
Aug 29
10 a.m.
Elearning Fundamentals
Elearning Fundamentals for Students
Date: Friday, August 29 Time: 10 a.m. Location: Online
The Elearning Fundamentals for Students workshop is designed for any student who wants to learn how to use Elearning effectively.
We'll guide you through the basic areas in Elearning that you may encounter in your courses, such as discussions, dropboxes, gradebook, groups, and the content area. Whether your classes are online or in person, this workshop will help you make the most of Elearning. Each session covers the same material, so you only need to sign up for one.
Join us to build your Elearning skills and set yourself up for success!
Aug 29
1 p.m.
Elearning Fundamentals
Elearning Fundamentals Condensed
Date: Friday, August 29 Time: 1 p.m. Location: Online
Couldn't join us earlier this week now is the time to get a crash course in Elearning. The ITC will cover a overview of Elearning including homepages, discussions, gradebook, quizzes and dropboxes.
Sept 8
Ongoing
National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD)
Fall 2025 14-Day Writing Challenge
Date: Monday, September 8 Time: Ongoing Location: Online
The 14-Day Challenge is an opportunity for you to experiment with daily writing, online community, and supportive accountability. NCFDD virtual workshops are available through WMU’s institutional memberships. Activate your WMU NCFDD membership to access.
Sept 9
2 p.m.
National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD)
Beyond Course Evaluations: Documenting Teaching for Tenure & Promotion
Date: Tuesday, September 9 Time: 2 p.m. Location: Online
Join the NCFDD to learn about unfair teaching threats hiding in plain sight, the flawed teaching review process most people just go along with but shouldn’t, and tips for overcoming these obstacles to document your teaching excellence for retention, tenure, and promotion. NCFDD virtual workshops are available through WMU’s institutional memberships. Activate your WMU NCFDD membership to access.
Sept 11
2 p.m.
National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD)
Core Curriculum Workshops: SKILL #8: Overcoming Academic Perfectionism
Date: Thursday, September 11 Time: 2 p.m. Location: Online
Do you struggle to share your writing at the early stages because it’s not perfect? Do you find yourself devastated by criticism of your work? Do you beat yourself up every time the tiniest thing goes wrong? Is it difficult for you to celebrate other people’s success because it reminds you of your own shortcomings?
If any of these things sound familiar, CONGRATULATIONS! You’re a perfectly normal perfectionist! The only problem is that the nature of the Academy is likely to exacerbate your perfectionist tendencies, as opposed to minimizing them. In this webinar, perfectionists will unite to get clear about:
- The causes and consequences of excessive perfectionism.
- The features of academic life that intensify perfectionism
- Strategies to identify when your perfectionism is at work, assess whether it is useful or debilitating, and adjust your standards and behavior accordingly
- The secret to finding real satisfaction in every step of the writing process
NCFDD virtual workshops are available through WMU’s institutional memberships. Activate your WMU NCFDD membership to access.
Oct 9
2 p.m.
National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD)
Core Curriculum Workshops: SKILL #9: How to Engage in Healthy Conflict
Date: Thursday, October 9 Time: 2 p.m. Location: Online
Academics are notoriously conflict avoidant and the inability to manage conflict can result in negative physical, emotional, and relational consequences for tenure-track faculty. So why not learn early in your career to master the SKILL of healthy conflict so that you can effectively manage conflicts as they arise and avoid carrying around all of the negative energy, anger, and resentment in your mind and body. In this webinar, you will learn how conflict-management is an essential part of thriving in the Academy, how to decide when to push back and when to pull back in the face of conflict, and more.
NCFDD virtual workshops are available through WMU’s institutional memberships. Activate your WMU NCFDD membership to access.
Oct 30
2 p.m.
National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD)
Building Strong Peer Communities: A Resource for Leadership and Advancement
Date: Thursday, October 30 Time: 2 p.m. Location: Online
This interactive webinar will introduce a resource to build and sustain teams of peer support. Peer mentoring strengthens individual and institutional abilities to meet evolving challenges through enhanced personal and professional support leading to improved campus climate. A guidebook will be shared that provides impactful approaches to build community to combat isolation and tools to create systemic change.
NCFDD virtual workshops are available through WMU’s institutional memberships. Activate your WMU NCFDD membership to access.
Nov 13
2 p.m.
National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD)
Core Curriculum Workshops: SKILL #10: How to Manage Stress, Rejection & the Haters in Your Midst
Date: Thursday, November 13 Time: 2 p.m. Location: Online
Are you stressed? Do you feel devastated when your articles and/or grant proposals get rejected? Is the pressure of publishing/funding your work making you sick? If any of this sounds familiar and you have difficulty managing the negative energy and rejection in your environment, please join us to learn the impact that stress and negativity can have if they are not managed, identify the most common areas of stress in academic life, and concrete strategies for managing the physical, emotional, and attitudinal effects of stress.
NCFDD virtual workshops are available through WMU’s institutional memberships. Activate your WMU NCFDD membership to access.