University Technology
Webinars & Events
Click on one of the Register Now! links anywhere on this page to register for these webinars and training. We look forward to seeing you!
Self-Guided Training
*NEW* Modifying Instructional Modules
Dates & Times: Self-Guided Training
Location: via Western Online
Description: This training module guides instructors through organizing, creating, and managing instructional content within the UCNI course structure to ensure consistency, clarity, and alignment with course objectives. Instructors learn how to build and modify course modules, lessons, and folders while maintaining the standardized UCNI design that supports an intuitive learning experience for students. Specifically, you will learn about the following: Modify Overview Pages, The Study Module, The Apply Knowledge Module, and The Review Module.
*NEW* Importing and Organizing Content in the UCNI
Dates & Times: Self-Guided Training
Location: via Western Online
Description: During this training, you will learn how to import and organize content from a previous course in a manner that will help you avoid accidentally changing the visual table of contents on the homepage.
Self-Guided Training: Creating Your Accessible Online Course Syllabus
Dates & Times:
Self-Guided Training
Location: via Western Online
Description: In this guided training, you will learn how to use the accessible online course syllabus template, which WIU requires to ensure consistency across all online courses. As an instructor, your syllabus is one of the first and most important documents students encounter in your course. A clear, consistent, and accessible syllabus sets the tone and helps students navigate the course with confidence. Even small details, such as ensuring dates, naming conventions, and policies are consistent across the syllabus, course schedule, and calendar, can make a big difference for student success.
Self-Guided Training: Creating a Course Schedule with Rhythm
Dates & Times:
Self-Guided Training
Location: via Western Online
Description: Teaching online is not just about what we teach. It is also about when and how learning happens. This guided training will demonstrate how to establish a clear rhythm in your online course schedule that can transform the student experience from chaotic to calm, and from unpredictable to purposeful.
Self-Guided Training: Welcome to WIU's UCNI (Universal Course Navigation and Interface)
Dates & Times:
Self-Guided Training
Location: via Western Online
Description: This self-guided training is designed to equip participants with the essential knowledge and skills to effectively navigate and modify courses within WIU's Universal Navigation and Interface (UCNI) Shell. Participants will explore elements of the UCNI and learn how the shell provides a consistent, accessible, and user-friendly experience for both instructors and students. This guided training is equivalent to an OTL webinar in terms of attendance. Instructors who complete the Welcome to WIU's UCNI training module will receive a certificate and a webinar credit for retention. Participants can complete this short module at the pace that's right for them.
Self-Guided Training: Navigating the UCNI
Dates & Times:
Self-Guided Training
Location: via Western Online
Description: This self-guided training will familiarize you with the homepage and navigation structure of all UCNI courses. During this training, you will familiarize yourself with the course navigation bar, homepage components, and the visual table of contents widget.
Self-Guided Training: Modifying the Welcome Module (UCNI)
Dates & Times:
Self-Guided Training
Location: via Western Online
Description: Kickstart your course with a great first impression! This training provides a step-by-step guide on how to effectively modify your Welcome Module in Western Online. Learn how to customize key pages like the Course Welcome and Instructor Information to create a welcoming, organized, and professional starting point for your students. You’ll cover what to personalize, what to leave untouched, and key tips like using unformatted text to maintain page design. By the end of this presentation, you'll be equipped to create a powerful and engaging introduction that sets your students up for success.
Maintaining Your Course Homepage (UCNI)
Dates & Times:
Self-Guided Training
Location: via Western Online
Description: In this training, you will learn how to quickly personalize your UCNI course homepage and core widgets through quick video tutorials. You will be shown how to update the Instructor Information and Quick Links widget, post announcements, and follow best practices to maintain a “clean,” welcoming home page that is easy to navigate.
Self-Guided Training: End of Semester Checklist
Dates & Times:
Self-Guided Training
Location: via Western Online
Description: The End of Semester Checklist self-guided training module provides online and hybrid course instructors a step-by-step reference of items that must be finalized as they near the end of the semester. The module covers topics such as releasing final student grades, requesting cross-listing, preparing for next semester’s courses, providing a link to the course evaluation, and many more! This guided training is equivalent to an OTL webinar in terms of attendance. Instructors who complete the training module will receive a certificate and a webinar credit for retention. Participants can complete this short module at the pace that's right for them.
Self-Guided Training: Copyright and Teaching Online @ WIU
Dates & Times:
Self-Guided Training
Location:
via Western Online
Description: The Copyright and Teaching Online self-guided training will provide instructors with information on how to follow copyright law when using materials in an online course. Participants will test their knowledge of the material covered to complete the module. This guided training is equivalent to an OTL webinar in terms of attendance. Instructors who complete the Copyright and Teaching Online module will receive a certificate and a webinar credit for retention. Participants can complete this short module at the pace that's right for them.
Webinars
Building Final Exams in Western Online
Dates & Times: December 3, 10 AM - 11 AM
Facilitator: Dawn Sweet
Description: In this webinar, we will walk through the step-by-step process of building a midterm or final exam that combines a variety of questions from previously offered quizzes and exams. Copying an exam from one course to another, importing questions from existing quizzes or exams to the question library, adding specific questions from previous assessments, and adding random question pools will be demonstrated.
Using the Rubrics Tool in Western Online
Dates & Times: December 4, 11 AM - 12 PM
Facilitator: Joan Nkansaa Nkansah
Description: During this webinar, we will discuss the types of rubrics that can be created in D2L and best practices for using them. We will lead you through a step-by-step process that demonstrates how to create a rubric, attach a rubric to an assignment, and grade from a rubric. You will receive a Google Calendar invite via email with the Zoom meeting information and any workshop materials. You must register at least 1 hour before the workshop to ensure that you receive the link.
End of Semester Checklist
Dates & Times: December 4, 2 PM - 3 PM; December 10 AM -11 AM
Facilitator: Dawn Sweet
Description: During this webinar, we will walk through a checklist for faculty who teach online or hybrid format courses using Western Online to follow as they prepare to end the semester. Highlights will include setting up final exams and remote proctoring, releasing final student grades, preparing for next semester’s courses, providing a link to the course evaluation, and much more! After registering, you will receive a Google Calendar link with joining information and materials. You must register at least 1 hour before the workshop to ensure that you receive the link.
*NEW* Modifying Instructional Modules in the UCNI
Dates & Times: 12/2/2025, 2-3 PM; 12/8/2025 10-11 AM; 1/12/2026 2-3 PM; 1/27/2026 9-10 AM
Facilitator: Dawn Sweet and Joan Nkansaa Nkansah
Description: This webinar will provide step-by-step demonstrations on modifying the UCNI Study, Apply Knowledge, and Review modules. You will learn how to add and create both existing and new course content and activities. A demonstration of how to edit Module Overview pages will also be included. You will receive a Google Calendar invite via email with the Zoom meeting information and any workshop materials. You must register at least 1 hour before the workshop to ensure that you receive the link.
*NEW* Importing and Organizing Existing Content in the UCNI
Dates & Times: 12/5/2025, 9-10 AM; 12/9/2025 10-11 AM; 1/15/2026 9-10 AM; 1/29/2026 2-3 PM
Facilitator: Dawn Sweet and Joan Nkansaa Nkansah
Description: In this webinar, we will demonstrate how to import and organize content from previous courses in a way that helps you avoid accidentally altering the UCNI module structure, while ensuring consistency and ease of use for your students. You will receive a Google Calendar invite via email with the Zoom meeting information and any workshop materials. You must register at least 1 hour before the workshop to ensure that you receive the link.
*NEW Two for 26' December Collaboratory
Dates & Times: 12/11/2025 9-10 AM
Facilitator: Joan Nkansaa Nkansah
Description: Join us for our December Collaboratory — a supportive space to reflect on your Two for 26 progress and get ready for what’s next! This month’s focus is on:
- Modifying Instructional Modules in the UCNI
- Importing and Organizing Existing Content in the UCNI
During this session, you'll:
- See a mini demo of this month's tasks (as needed)
- Have the opportunity for an informal faculty spotlight if someone would like to share their approach.
- Take part in Q&A and troubleshooting
- Learn about next steps as we prepare for the new year!
Come celebrate your progress, swap ideas, and stay motivated as we continue our journey toward Fall 2026!
You will receive a Google Calendar invite via email with the Zoom meeting information and any workshop materials. You must register at least 1 hour before the workshop to ensure that you receive the link.
*NEW Two for 26' January Collaboratory
Dates & Times: 1/30/2026 10-11 AM
Facilitator: Dawn Sweet and Joan Nkansaa Nkansah
Description: Join us for our December Collaboratory — a supportive space to reflect on your Two for 26 progress and get ready for what’s next! This month’s focus is on:
- Modifying Instructional Modules in the UCNI
- Importing and Organizing Existing Content in the UCNI
During this session, you'll:
- See a mini demo of this month's tasks (as needed)
- Have the opportunity for an informal faculty spotlight if someone would like to share their approach.
- Take part in Q&A and troubleshooting
- Learn about next steps as we prepare for the new year!
Come celebrate your progress, swap ideas, and stay motivated as we continue our journey toward Fall 2026!
You will receive a Google Calendar invite via email with the Zoom meeting information and any workshop materials. You must register at least 1 hour before the workshop to ensure that you receive the link.
Start of Semester Checklist
Dates & Times: January 20, 10 AM - 11 AM; January 26, 11 AM - 12 PM
Facilitator: Joan Nkansaa Nkansah
Description: Join us as we walk through a checklist that will prepare you to start your semester. A combination of presentation and hands-on demonstrations will guide participants through tasks like checking enrollments, managing dates and restrictions, updating class documents, preparing your welcome email, activating your course, and much more! You will receive a Google Calendar invite via email with the Zoom meeting information and any workshop materials. You must register at least 1 hour before the workshop to ensure that you receive the link.
Getting Started with Western Online
Dates & Times: January 21, 9 AM - 10 AM; January 27, 2 PM - 3 PM
Facilitator: Dawn Sweet
Description: In this webinar, we will take a look at the basics of Western Online, including how to navigate the system, activate a course, set start and end dates, how to cross-list multiple sections of a course, post a syllabus, and how to create custom widgets and home pages. You will receive a Google Calendar invite via email with the Zoom meeting information and any workshop materials. You must register at least 1 hour before the workshop to ensure that you receive the link.
Western Online Tools for Connecting with Your Students
Dates & Times: January 22, 11 AM - 12 PM; January 28, 10 AM - 11 AM
Facilitator: Joan Nkansaa Nkansah
Description: This session will provide a basic overview of the main tools used to connect with your students from within your Western Online Course. The tools explored will include Announcements, Email, Discussions, and Activity Feed. This session is best for faculty, graduate assistants, and TAs who are new to Western Online and are looking for a basic introduction to the tools listed. You will receive a Google Calendar invite via email with the Zoom meeting information and any workshop materials. You must register at least 1 hour before the workshop to ensure that you receive the link.
Ensuring Ease of Use in your Western Online Course
Dates & Times: January 23, 9 AM - 10 AM; January 30, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Facilitator: Dawn Sweet
Description: In this webinar, we will share tips for ensuring that your Western Online course is easy to use. Ideas discussed will include providing access to the WIU Online Student Orientation module, consistency between your course and your syllabus, and an overview of multiple tools that can be used to guide your students through the successful completion of your course. You will receive a Google Calendar invite via email with the Zoom meeting information and any workshop materials. You must register at least 1 hour before the workshop to ensure that you receive the link.
- Registrants will receive a Google Calendar invitation containing the Zoom Meeting link. Accept the workshop invitation if you plan to attend.
- Register at least 1 hour prior to the workshop to ensure you receive the Zoom Meeting Link and session materials.
- Please contact the webinar instructor or event sponsor in the workshop description with questions.
-
Registrants will be added to the OTL Webinar and Events Portal in Western Online for tracking attendance and receipt of participation certificates. They will also receive an email providing an evaluation link,
and confirming their attendance and participation after the webinar or even has concluded. - Participants will be responsible for saving a copy of their emailed receipt of participation and certificates.
Connect with uTech: