Workshops

Laura Page, Seneca Polytechnic

In this workshop, we’ll dive into the Community of Inquiry Framework, exploring how cognitive, social, and teaching presences work together to create rich online learning experiences. We’ll discuss ways to move beyond the traditional instructor-centred approach and empower students to take charge of and share responsibility for their own learning, while fostering collaboration and mutual support within a true community of inquiry. Through hands-on activities and idea-sharing with fellow participants, you’ll walk away with practical strategies for designing courses that inspire engagement, promote critical thinking, and build lasting connections among learners.

Lara McInnis, Seneca Polytechnic

This workshop showcases a successful “course re-think" whereby Continuing Education professor Lisa Wilkinson, in collaboration with Lara McInnis, redesigned her in-person course for the online environment. Using modified assessments, learning activities, and evaluation strategies, she encouraged authentic practice, reduced the misuse of generative AI, and increased online student participation and achievement.

Workshop participants will be invited to reflect on their current teaching and assessment practices to increase student engagement in their online courses. 

Iman Hajihassani, Seneca Polytechnic

Robert Kemp, Seneca Polytechnic

In this beginner-friendly workshop, learn how to edit and upload videos for your online course with the free version of Adobe Express.

Jamie Arfin, Seneca Polytechnic

Todd Malarczuk, Seneca Polytechnic

Frustrated with facilitating online classrooms? Feel like they are devoid of humanity? This workshop will explore practical strategies to humanize online learning and increase engagement. Walk away with a toolkit that you can use with students in your online classrooms.

Sara Vieira (PhD), Seneca Polytechnic

This session is an opportunity for workshop attendees to discuss, digest, and enamor while reflecting on their experiences in the digital classroom. The purpose is to share stories and knowledge on what's worked, what hasn't, and what lessons have been learned in the process. 

Michelle Gonzales, Seneca Polytechnic

Rosalie Waller, Seneca Polytechnic

Leganto is a Blackboard-integrated course resource list tool. Come explore the ways Leganto can streamline your resource management and enhance your online teaching: 

• Organize and share readings, including library resources, websites, and online videos, effortlessly.

• Enhance online student engagement.

• Practice creating an online resource list with ease.

Anthony Tilotta, Georgian College

Amy Goruk, Georgian College

Kim Reid, Georgian College

Transform your online course into a dynamic and inclusive learning environment with strategies that combine active learning and human connection:

• Be introduced to a curated "Engagement Toolkit" featuring practical methods for fostering student engagement through active participation and empathetic communication. Tools discussed include interactive videos, mindfully engaging activities, and virtual white boards to encourage deeper learning alongside humanizing practices like personalized video feedback, storytelling, and community-building activities. 

• Learn several "Quick Wins" – small, actionable strategies you can implement immediately to create meaningful connections and engagement, like recording a short welcome video, embedding interactive questions into learning sessions, hosting a low-stakes trivia challenge, or sending weekly check-in emails. 

Dr. Adel Ahmed, Amity Business School, Dubai

In this workshop, explore innovative, research-driven approaches that enhance student interaction and motivation in virtual learning spaces. Drawing from Competency-Based Education (CBE), Sustainability Education, and Interactive Digital Tools, this session will offer practical insights and real-world examples from global Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) that will help you gain the following skills:

• Apply CBE principles to online course design to foster deep engagement and personalized learning.

• Integrate sustainability-focused, real-world case studies to encourage critical thinking and practical problem-solving,

• Leverage digital tools (e.g., interactive simulations, gamification, and virtual collaboration platforms) to boost student participation and motivation. 

• Design and implement structured peer-to-peer learning strategies that promote student interaction and knowledge-sharing in online settings. 

• Develop reflective and inclusive assessment methods that ensure equitable learning experiences for diverse student groups.

Eric Zwicker, Seneca Polytechnic

Akeisha Lari, Seneca Polytechnic

Wai Chu Cheng, Seneca Polytechnic

Learn how the principles of reconciliation, inclusion and sustainability can support connection in online learning environments. Encourage community-building in the online classroom through leveraging:

• the importance of land-based learning,

• the concept of belonging in online environments,

• knowledge of student social identities, 

• the application of ongoing needs analyses in online environments and 

• awareness of unconscious bias in online environments

• development of empathetic skills in the classroom, and

• caring within the classroom as a parallel to caring for the planet.

Navid Nazhand, Seneca Polytechnic

Explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance student engagement in online learning environments. In this workshop, you will gain actionable strategies, tools, and confidence to leverage AI in your courses:

• Use tools like ChatGPT to create interactive prompts, refine student feedback, and foster meaningful discussions.

• Learn how adaptive learning technologies adjust learning content to meet individual student needs and styles.

• Integrate AI tools with Seneca-approved platforms to design engaging and inclusive online classrooms.

• See practical examples of AI-driven strategies for creating adaptive quizzes, gamified content, and tailored study paths to keep students motivated and connected.

Ana Belen Gonzalez Perez, Seneca Polytechnic

Mauro Spies, Seneca Polytechnic

David Collings, Seneca Polytechnic

Explore practical, discipline-specific strategies for creating dynamic virtual international learning environments using the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) framework. Topics will include guiding students effectively in both asynchronous and synchronous environments, using icebreakers to establish rapport, and fostering intercultural communication for cohesive group interaction. Gain insights into leveraging multimedia tools, designing effective group work in virtual international settings, and maintaining social presence to keep students motivated. 

While rooted in COIL, the approaches discussed are adaptable to any online teaching context to enhance student engagement and collaboration. 

Dr. Holly Clayton, Seneca Polytechnic

Dr. Melissa LaBuda, Penn State

In this workshop, learn how Canadian and American students working together through Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) leveraged technology to create a mental health blog for teens offering information on disorders, self-care strategies, and local resources for those awaiting treatment. Besides providing the students with a unique opportunity to deepen cross-cultural understanding and enhance their online collaboration skills, COIL also empowered the students in supporting the mental well-being of a younger generation and fostered a sense of purpose and global impact.

Panos Panagiotakopoulos, Seneca Polytechnic

Kent Peel, Seneca Polytechnic

Online learners often struggle with isolation and a lack of opportunity to practice real-world interactions asynchronously. Voice-AI roleplay simulations (using tools like Copilot voice mode) present one solution to this problem while also fostering engagement, building communication skills, and cultivating community.

• Explore how AI-driven conversational scenarios, such as mock job interviews, ethical debates, or client consultations, allow students to rehearse soft skills at their own pace, reflect via transcriptions, and submit recordings for instructor feedback.

• Engage in a hands-on activity designing discipline-specific simulations (e.g., nurse-patient consultations, business negotiations).

• Review ethical considerations, including accessibility, bias mitigation, and balancing AI with human interaction.

• Gain actionable strategies using voice AI to transform passive online spaces into dynamic, connection-driven learning environments.

Mitra Rabiee, Seneca Polytechnic

Skilled educators understand that engagement varies by individual. They design classes that challenge and support students across different formats and levels, shifting it from a passive process to an active, personalized experience. They cultivate an inclusive environment where every student feels valued and motivated to participate. In this workshop, learn to use the Community of Inquiry (COI) framework to enhance online learning by focusing on the three key elements of community, presence, and participation. These pivotal factors help students deepen their understanding, build meaningful connections, and take ownership of their learning journey.

Kerri Knudsen, Seneca Polytechnic

Judy Wong, Seneca Polytechnic

Richard Viflanzoff, Seneca Polytechnic

Mentimeter is a remarkable online tool and can revolutionize how you teach online. Through interactive demos, a roundtable discussion, and questions and answers, learn three different approaches to using Mentimeter to increase engagement in online classrooms: 

• Using Mentimeter as the only tech tool (no PowerPoint)

• Using Mentimeter in conjunction with PowerPoint

• Using Mentimeter when you’ve never used it before 

Sherri Parkins, Seneca Polytechnic

When an engagement is announced there are celebrations, and the planning turns to how to ensure each guest attending will feel included. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) invites us to explore guidelines that will help us create online learning environments that include engaged, diverse learners while building social presence. As a wedding planner we want to ensure that there is an opportunity for conversations and opportunity to share experiences and perspective; traits that UDL's designing for multiple means of engagement embraces. We will continue to refer to UDL's principles and guidelines and learn how to create a menu of options, similar to a great wedding feast, so students can sample, and savor different content while being engaged in your course. Wedding celebrations include a good Master of Ceremonies (MC). We'll explore teaching presence and how UDL guides us, like an awesome MC, through the course. No need to send an RSVP for this invitation to design inclusive and engaging classrooms: just show up and join in the engagement!

Solmaz Ryan (PhD), Seneca Polytechnic

Darryl Bautista (PhD), Seneca Polytechnic

How can educators design learning assessments to be more inclusive and empowering for learners while also considering the possibility of AI-facilitated submissions? In answering this question, this workshop explores the role of constructive feedback as contributory to building authentic, inclusive assessments in this time of GenAI. Constructive feedback can be used not only to explain how to improve a submission but also to provide targeted instruction about academic misconduct.

Linda Facchini, Seneca Polytechnic

Discussion boards are an integral part of online, hybrid, and Flex courses as they provide opportunities for students to connect with professors, classmates, and course content – but they’re only effective if students choose to engage. In this session, explore strategies to help you design and moderate engaging online discussions that incorporate active learning and promote critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. Break out of the “one post, one reply” rut and explore the possibilities of online discussions!