Title: Contemplative Pedagogy in Online Learning
Date: January 26, 2026
Time: 11:00AM-12:00PM EST
Presenter: Dr. Michele Forte, Empire State University and Susan Warner, SUNY Online
Description: Contemplative pedagogy uses reflection and awareness practices to slow coursework and reduce assessment load, allowing time for deeper processing and integration. This approach is especially important in online learning as it can counter isolation and cognitive overload while connecting students more deeply to content, purpose, and course learning community. In this webinar, we will examine how these principles are embedded in the CPD course Foundations of the Online Student Support Role and how similar practices can be applied in other online learning contexts.
Title: Leveraging Brightspace as an Instructor
Date: January 27, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:00PM EST
Presenter: Allene Slating, SUNY Online Teaching Senior Instructional Designer and Jamie Heron, SUNY Online Program Manager
Description: Discover practical strategies and easy tools to make the most of Brightspace as an instructor. This session will cover essential navigation techniques, effective course management tools, and tips for content creation and personalization. Whether you’re new to Brightspace or looking to refine your skills, this training will help you set up and manage courses to enhance usability for both students and instructors.
Title: Accessible Course Content Checklist
Date: February 4, 2026
Time: 1:00-2:00PM EST
Presenter: Allene Slating, Senior Instructional Designer, SUNY Online
Description: Are you an instructional designer, faculty member, or anyone involved in creating accessible course content? Join us for a webinar on how to use an optional accessibility checklist to help ensure your digital materials are accessible to all learners.
In this session, we will:
- Introduce and review the optional Accessible Course Content Checklist
- Demonstrate how it can be applied to a course or adapted to meet specific campus needs
- Highlight important points and tips for creating accessible digital content
Title: Science of Learning in Distance Education
Date: February 12, 2026
Time: 12:00-1:00PM EST
Presenters: Dr. Karen Caldwell, SUNY Potsdam
Description: Applying the science of learning to distance education means that learners engage in active “meaning making” and reciprocal collaborative activities. The presenter will share two powerful strategies – dual coding (drawing) and Chi’s ICAP learning theory – that she implements in her fully online, asynchronous courses.
Title: Enhancing Teaching with AI
Date: March 18, 2026
Time: 1:00PM to 2:00PM EST
Presenter: Trevor Johnson-Steigelman, Associate Professor of Physics, Finger Lakes Community College
Description: The sudden appearance of powerful AI creation tools has caused many concerns, but it has also provided opportunities for educators to enhance their teaching.
In this presentation, we’ll use generative AI to get you into a learner mindset, give you ideas to motivate students, and help you build new and creative assignments.
Title: Creating Engagement in Online Classrooms
Date: April 14, 2026
Time: 12:00-1:00PM EST
Presenters: Dr. McKenzie Vorpahl & Dr. Christine Tinnesz, University at Buffalo
Description: Online classes do not have to feel distant or dull. This workshop shows you how to make them lively, welcoming, and engaging, while respecting professional burden and student flexibility. Creating Engagement in Online Classrooms is a hands-on session for educators and professional instructors who want their learners to feel connected, motivated, and excited to participate online. Together, we will explore practical, easy-to-use strategies for building rapport, encouraging interaction, and keeping energy high using discussion, technology, real-world examples, and thoughtful feedback. You will leave with fresh ideas you can use right away to create online learning spaces that feel human, supportive, and fun—for both you and your learners.
Title: SUNY Online Teaching Exemplar Courses for Observation Tour
Date: April 17, 2026
Time: 1:00-2:00PM EST
Presenters: Dr. Alexandra Pickett, SUNY Online Director of Online Teaching, Dr. Brianna Gonzalez, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Farmingdale State College, and Dr. Roshanak Keyghobadi, Assistant Professor, Visual Communications, Farmingdale State College
Description: The Exemplar Online Courses for Observation program showcases outstanding online faculty, courses, instructional design, and campuses, nominated by SUNY campus-based online instructional designers. SUNY Online courses are showcased for observation as exemplary models as you create your own online course, or as a resource for instructional designers as you work with new and experienced online faculty. These courses demonstrate approaches to course content layout in Brightspace, design of interaction, criteria for assessment/evaluation, instructions, and some creative ways to implement a variety of online learning activities and objectives.
Join us for a tour of select courses featured by this program led by the instructors who designed them with the opportunity for question and answer.