Professional Development

Description of Digital Accessibility Track

LWTech is committed to providing digital content that is in an accessible format to all people wherever possible as per federal guidelines.

Visit the LWTech Digital Accessibility page to learn more about what this means and how it helps students with or without disabilities have a more equitable learning experience.

As a faculty, this means making sure your course learning materials (Word docs, PDFs, slidedecks, videos, Canvas pages, etc.) are in an accessible format. 

Learning About Digital Accessibility 

• You can learn about Digital Accessibility at your own pace  through SBCTC's Accessibility Microcourses.
• Or look for emails that are regularly sent to all faculty with FacTracks in the subject line for workshops on Digital Accessibility.

Ways to get started:

• Check in Ally (a tool within Canvas) to see if your files are accessibly formatted.
• Add captions to your videos. Visit Canvas Studio Guides. for recording videos, and how to  request captions.

Contact Rhonda.DeWitt@LWTech.edu to learn more about FacTracks or LWTech faculty professional development.

Description of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI) Track

At LWTech we welcome and affirm the values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), and are committed to intentionally creating a community of belonging where all are welcome.

Learning About EDI

Look for emails that are regularly sent to all faculty with FacTracks in the subject for workshops more specifically on equity, diversity and inclusion in teaching and learning practices.

You may also receive communications from the EDI office with more training opportunities.

Ways to get started:

• Look for emails that are regularly sent to all faculty with FacTracks in the subject line for workshops on Equity Diversity and Inclusion as related to teaching and learning.
• EDI Resources and Support: Become familiar with LWTech's EDI resources and support services  that affirm and provide support towards equity diversity and inclusion efforts at LWTech.
• The 4 Connections: Become familiar with and get involved in LWTech's The 4 Connections (bit.ly/4connections)
• Culturally Responsive Teaching: Visit our Canvas course modules on Culturally Responsive Teaching
• EDI in Teaching and Learning: In your Canvas list of courses, visit  Small Bites for Impactful Instruction (internal only) to see teaching practices that promote EDI such as:
  • Connecting with Students
  • Inclusive Icebreakers
  • Inclusive Syllabus
  • Transparency Framework (clear assignment design)
  • Universal Design for Learning
    • If you are an LWTech faculty and do not see Small Bites in your list of Canvas courses, contact Rhonda.DeWitt@LWTech.edu to be added.

Next Steps

Consider going through the annual training on adding the Diversity and Social Justice Requirement component to your class(es). You will be immersed in discussions with other faculty around teaching and learning through a DSJ lens. Contact Sharon.Raz@LWTech.edu for more information on DSJ.

Contact Rhonda.DeWitt@LWTech.edu to learn more about FacTracks or LWTech faculty professional development.

Description of Teaching and Learning Track

Teaching and learning practices are both an art and a science. In the Teaching and Learning track we offer evidence based practices to help professors learn techniques to enhance student learning.

Learning About Teaching and Learning

Look for emails that are regularly sent to all faculty with FacTracks in the subject for workshops more specifically on teaching and learning practices.

Ways to get started:

• All Faculty are in a Canvas resource course called Small Bites for Impactful Instruction. Visit that for modules on many teaching practices.
  • If you are an LWTech faculty and do not see Small Bites in your list of Canvas courses, contact Rhonda.DeWitt@LWTech.edu to be added.
• Online Course Design Basics
  • This is about effective online design at a basic level.

Contact Rhonda.DeWitt@LWTech.edu to learn more about FacTracks or LWTech faculty professional development.

Description of Technology Track

LWTech uses many standard web platforms and/or technologies to enhance teaching and learning.

We use the following:

• Canvas is our Learning Management System (LMS)
  • Ally is a tool to help you check if your pages and files within Canvas are accessible.
  • Studio is the platform within Canvas to create  pre-recorded short lecture or how-to videos.
• Teams is our tool for online meetings (group or one-on-one)

Learning about LWTech Technology

Ways to get started:

• Check out the Canvas Always course
  • This is about using Canvas tools.
• Canvas Studio Guides (Video Creation)
  • This is a tool within Canvas that lets you create videos.
• Microsoft Teams and Canvas
  • This is a tool you can use for online synchronous lecture, or use for one-on-one meetings.

  • There is a Canvas Course with resources available, including an FAQ section: Microsoft Teams and Canvas

Contact Rhonda.DeWitt@LWTech.edu to learn more about FacTracks or LWTech faculty professional development.