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


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.

Register Now! 


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. 

Register Now! 


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.

Register Now! 


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. 

Register Now! 


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.

Register Now! 


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.

Register Now! 


Webinars


Updating and Maintaining Your UCNI Course Homepage (UCNI)

Dates & Times: October 8, 2 PM - 3 PM
Location:
via Zoom
Facilitator:
Dawn Sweet and Joan Nkansaa Nkansah

Description: During this webinar, our staff will show you how to quickly personalize your UCNI course homepage and core widgets.  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.

Register Now! 


Updating Your Course Welcome Module (UCNI)

Dates & Times: October 14, 11 AM - 12 PM
Facilitator:
Dawn Sweet and Joan Nkansaa Nkansah

Description: Kickstart your course with a great first impression! This webinar provides a live step-by-step tutorial and shared best practices on how to effectively modify your courses' Welcome Module in the new UCNI on  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. We will 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.

Register Now! 


Personalize Your Welcome Module by Incorporating Video and Audio! (UCNI)

Dates & Times: October 7, 10 AM - 11 AM ; October 20, 10 AM - 11 AM 
Facilitator:
Joan Nkansaa Nkansah

Description: This webinar will provide best practices for presenting your course information in multiple formats by opening up the options for use of video and audio to introduce yourself and your course, as well as the ability to use a screen capture tool to help create quick overviews or slide presentations you may want to share with your students. 

Register Now! 


Adding an Introductory Discussion to Your Welcome Module (UCNI)

Dates & Times: October 23, 10 AM - 11 AM
Facilitator:
Dawn Sweet

Description: This webinar will provide you with best practices and technical step-by-step instructions for modifying the UCNI introduction discussion or adding your own! 

Register Now! 


Building Midterm and Final Exams

Dates & Times: October 9, 9 AM - 10 AM; October 28, 9 AM - 10 AM
Facilitator:
Joan Nkansaa Nkansah

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.

Register Now! 


Two for 26' October Collaboratory

Dates & Times: October 17, 9 AM - 10 AM; October 30, 9 AM - 10 AM
Facilitator:
Dawn Sweet and Joan Nkansaa Nkansah

Description: Join us for our October 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:

  • Updating your Course Homepage
  • Updating your Welcome Module and adding an Introductory Discussion

During this sesison, 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 move into November

Come celebrate your progress, swap ideas, and stay motivated as we continue our journey toward Fall 2026!

Register Now! 


  • 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.