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Professional Development | Announcements |

Spotlight | EdTech Corner

Professional Development Offerings

Animals & Ethics in Verse with Dr. Anita Arya with Anita Nahal Arya, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Thursday, Aug. 28 from 2–2:30 p.m. | Click here to register.

What the Library Offers with Meghan Kowalski, Outreach and Reference Librarian, Learning Resources Division (LRD) Friday,

Aug. 29 from 1–2 p.m. | Click here to register.

Using AI to Generate Engaging Course Content with Penny Ralston-Berg, M.S., Lisa Byrnes, M.S., Kate Morgan, M.S. at Penn State World Campus Thursday, Sept. 4 from 2–3 p.m. | Click here to register.

UDL and Accessibility with Hypothesis with Brian Malone Customer Success Manager at Hypothesis

Thursday, Sept. 16

from 3–4 p.m. | Click here to register.

Announcements

CAL Fall Book Club

Join us this fall to explore Creating Inclusive Learning Opportunities in Higher Education: A Universal Design Toolkit by Sheryl E. Burgstahler. CAL is providing 25 hard copies—reserve yours today!

Oct. 17 from 11–12:30 p.m.

To join or suggest a book, email catherine.patterson@udc.edu.

Faculty Spotlight

First Two Certified Quality Matters Courses in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS)

Uzma Amir

Instructor

Computer Science and Information Technology

Briana Wellman, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Academics and Professor

Computer Science and Information Technology

SEAS is paving the way for online programs/courses with its first two Quality Matters (QM) certified courses. Congratulations to Instructor Uzma Amir (CMOP 235/236 – Intro to Webpage Development and HTML) and Dr. Briana Wellman (CSCI 306 – Computer Ethics & Law) for

leading the way.

Professor Uzma shared, “Pursuing QM certification was incredibly rewarding. The process encouraged me to strengthen course structure, accessibility, and learner engagement while ensuring the course meets high-quality standards for online education.”

Dr. Wellman reflected,“Completing the QM certification pushed me to think deeply about accessibility, engagement, and alignment. It allowed me to refine assignments and strengthen student connections to

real-world technology issues.”

Together, they mark an important milestone for SEAS—demonstrating a strong commitment to quality, accessibility and

student-centered online learning.

To read more about the UDC Quality Distance Learning initiative and participate, click here.

For questions, email julian.king@udc.edu.

Spotlight is for individuals who have worked closely with CAL to significantly contribute to teaching and learning at the University.

EdTech Corner

Using ChatGPT in Writing and Teaching:

Reimagining Learning with AI

Craig Wynne, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of English

(CAS)

Dr. Craig Wynne, Associate Professor of English at the University of the District of Columbia, shares how his perspective on AI tools like ChatGPT has evolved—from initial skepticism to thoughtful integration in both his writing practice and classroom instruction.

After encountering a suspiciously polished student essay in Spring 2023, Dr. Wynne began exploring how ChatGPT could be used ethically and effectively in the writing process. Today, he incorporates AI into his first-year writing courses through guided exercises that emphasize critical thinking, including using ChatGPT for feedback, proofreading comparisons, and citation support. He encourages students to treat AI as a supplement—not a substitute—for their own intellectual work.

Dr. Wynne also uses ChatGPT in his own creative and academic projects. From receiving feedback on his second book—analyzing how romantic film tropes marginalize single people—to revising a new short story, he’s found the tool a helpful resource for early-stage feedback and refinement. As he notes, “AI is here to stay. We can’t change that—but we can change how we choose to see and use it.”

To learn more about Dr. Wynne's journey with AI, please click here to read his essay, How I Use ChatGPT as a Writer (And Why I Have My Students Do the Same).

EdTech Corner Submissions:

Share with the UDC Community your best practices and how you leverage EdTech in your teaching to increase learning outcomes.

Please email fatma.elshobokshy@udc.edu.