Digital Learning Symposium 2025
Transforming Learning in the Evolving Digital Age
The Digital Learning Department proudly presents the 2025 Digital Learning Symposium, a innovative event running from Tuesday, January 28, to Friday, January 31, 2025. This year’s symposium will offer an engaging blend of in-person and virtual sessions aimed at inspiring and empowering educators and staff. This year’s presenters represent a wide range of expertise from South Texas College, Laredo College, HonorLock, H5P, UTRGV, Anthology, and Western Washington University.
The symposium will conclude with an exciting in-person experience on Friday, January 31, at the Pecan Campus, where attendees can enjoy:
- A complimentary breakfast to kick off the day.
- A keynote speaker from Anthology, leading the general session.
- Engaging breakout sessions to foster collaboration and learning.
If you have any questions, please call the Help Desk at 872-2538.
Symposium 2025 Sessions
January 28 - Tuesday Agenda
| Time: | Session: |
|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m. - 10:50 p.m. | Introduction to H5P, including a Q&A session |
| 11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. | Smart Import and Branching Scenarios, including a Q&A session |
| 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Unlocking the Full Potential of the Blackboard Gradebook |
January 29 - Wednesday Agenda
| Time: | Session: |
|---|---|
| 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Honorlock Sponsored Lunch |
| 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. |
Honorlock Basic Training |
| 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | My Students Have Completed My Exam, Now What? |
January 30 - Thursday Agenda
| Time: | Session: |
|---|---|
| 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Sowing the Seeds of Discord: How an Online Gaming Community Can Keep You In the Loop and On the Cutting Edge of AI |
| 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Reimagining Assessment with AI: Empowering Learning Through Authentic Evaluation |
| 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | A New Way to Grade: The what, why & how of Bundles Grading |
January 31 - Friday Agenda
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Justin Louder
Associate Vice President
for Academic Innovation
As associate vice president for academic innovation at Anthology, Justin Louder collaborates with North American campuses to enhance online learning, design new programs, and implement technologies. He has authored white papers and presentations on AI in Higher Education, Trauma-Informed Instruction, micro-credentials, and culturally responsive online teaching. Previously Associate Vice Provost of Texas Tech University’s Worldwide Learning, he transformed TTU, expanding regional sites, offering 100+ online degrees, and growing online enrollments to 4,000.
Justin holds a Doctorate in Education in Instructional Technology and Higher Education Administration from Texas Tech University, has an undergraduate degree in communication, and has completed additional graduate work in Public Administration and Management Information Systems.
10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.
Introduction to H5P, including a Q&A session
Presenter: Jennifer Gardner, H5P
What is H5P, and how can it be used? Discover the tool firsthand: explore where to access it, learn how to easily create interactive content, and gain inspiration from its extensive range of use cases.
11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Smart Import and Branching Scenarios, including a Q&A session
Presenter: Jennifer Gardner, H5P
Elevate your interactive content creation with our AI-powered tool, Smart Import. Customize outputs effortlessly by using prompts to focus on specific topics or tailor content to different levels. With AI automatic content creation, you'll have results in just minutes. Beyond that, explore the possibilities of Branching Scenarios and learn how to create your own to inspire and engage your audience.
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Unlocking the Full Potential of the Blackboard Gradebook
Presenter: Eric Gudmundson, Anthology
Join us for an engaging session where we'll dive into the tips and tricks of utilizing the Blackboard Gradebook to its fullest potential. This session will cover everything from basic functionalities to advanced features, ensuring you can efficiently manage and track student performance. We'll also highlight the latest releases and provide a sneak peek into upcoming features related to grading. Whether you're a seasoned user or new to Blackboard, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to enhance your grading experience.
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | NAH Campus, NAH B 2.401
Honorlock Sponsored Lunch
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | NAH Campus, NAH B 2.509
Honorlock Basic Training
Honorlock Team
- Understand how Honorlock works for your assessments from both the faculty and student perspective
- Learn how to enable Honorlock’s customizable exam settings to align with your academic integrity goals
- Master how to review results for any Honorlock assessment through our robust exam reporting tools
- Implement shared best practices to reduce student exam anxiety and ensure seamless experience
Register for Workshop 356736: In-Person
Register for Workshop 357040: Online
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | NAH Campus, NAH B 2.509
My Students Have Completed My Exam, Now What?
Honorlock Team
- Identify what Honorlock’s Automated Proctoring considers worthy of review, which may result in a flag or live proctor intervention.
- Review the live pop-in process to develop a better understanding of how Honorlock proctors interact with students.
- Analyze student session recordings including flags/violations in order to better interpret proctoring results.
- Understand critical “do’s and don’ts” to ensure you and your students have a smooth exam experience.
Register for Workshop 356802: In-Person
Register for Workshop 357048: Online
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Pecan Campus, Y 2.112
Sowing the Seeds of Discord: How an Online Gaming Community Can Keep You In the Loop and On the Cutting Edge of AI
Presenter: Robin Bell, South Texas College
Who would have imagined that an online gaming community would transform into a place where you can connect with developers and staff from major AI companies like Midjourney, Google NotebookLM, and OpenAI? In a world where technology evolves rapidly, online spaces like Discord aren't just for gamers—they're dynamic hubs for knowledge-sharing and innovation. Join us for an eye-opening session that will show you how tapping into these communities can help you stay informed, spark new ideas, or even enhance your professional growth. Whether you’re tech- savvy or just AI-curious, you’ll walk away with practical strategies for leveraging online communities to stay current in your own learning journey.
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Pecan Campus, Y 1.101
Reimagining Assessment with AI: Empowering Learning Through Authentic Evaluation
Presenter: Dr. Justin Louder, Anthology
In this session, we will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can revolutionize assessment practices in community colleges. With a focus on authentic assessment, we’ll discuss how AI tools like Anthology’s AI Design Assistant empower faculty to create meaningful, real-world tasks that foster critical thinking, collaboration, and higher-order learning. Learn how AI can streamline assessment design, address challenges like academic integrity, and enhance student engagement and success. This session is tailored for community college faculty and administrators seeking innovative ways to elevate learning and assessment in today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape.
Register for Workshop 355877: In-Person
Register for Workshop 355842: Online
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
A New Way to Grade: The what, why & how of Bundles Grading
Presenter: Dr. Carrie Fedrick Frost, Western Washington University
“Bundles” (or “Specifications”) Grading is a new alternative to traditional grading that values clarity and transparency between student and teacher, honors the student’s agency and engagement in the class, and liberates the teacher from the time-consuming and often highly subjective expectations of traditional grading. Essentially, students are given options of “bundles” (for example, a list or bundle of assignments that is required to receive an A in the class), and they are awarded a final grade based on the bundle they complete to the required specifications. This presentation will explain what the Bundles grading system is, why it appeals to many teachers and students, and will offer an example of how it is implemented in undergraduate humanities courses.
9:00 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. | Student Union (East and West)
AI-Driven Innovation and Human-Centered Teaching: Shaping the Future Digital Learning
Presenter: Dr. Justin Louder, Anthology
In this keynote, Dr. Justin Louder will explore the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other digital tools in creating dynamic, inclusive, and responsive learning environments. Drawing from his extensive experience in online education, trauma-informed instruction, and the ethical application of AI, Dr. Louder will outline strategies for leveraging learning management systems (LMS) to enhance online, face-to-face, and hy-flex teaching. Attendees will learn how AI and innovative design can support culturally responsive teaching, foster student engagement, and empower educators to build adaptable, human-centered educational experiences that prepare students for the future.
Register for Workshop 353258: In-Person
Register for Workshop 353249: Online
10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. | Pecan Campus, G.101
Gamify and Conquer: Transforming Courses leveraging AI and OER
Presenter: Dr. Jessica Sanchez, UTRGV
Discover how gamification can transform challenging courses like College Algebra! This session shares the journey of gamifying an online course using Open Educational Resources (OER) and AI tools to boost student engagement.
Using a College Algebra course as a case study, we’ll explore:
- Key strategies for gamifying courses with meaningful storylines and engaging mechanics.
- How AI and OER can simplify course design and create dynamic, personalized learning experiences.
- Tools to automate gamified elements like badges, storylines, and illustrations.
The session includes a hands-on workshop where participants will outline their own gamified courses and explore AI-powered tools to streamline the process. Leave with a clear roadmap and actionable strategies to innovate your teaching!
Register for Workshop 356249: In-Person
Register for Workshop 356063: Online
10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. | Pecan Campus, G.101
OER: Open the door to Endless Educational Resources
Presenters: Alicia Reed and Anna Gonzalez, Laredo College
It is about Laredo College’s journey regarding OER. How we started, the journey, and the results we are seeing now.
Register for Workshop 356074: In-Person
Register for Workshop 356221: Online
10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. | Pecan Campus, H.216
NotebookLM: Transforming Teaching & Learning
Presenter: Gabriel Peña, South Texas College
This breakout session will explore the potential of NotebookLM to revolutionize higher education. Through thoughtful discussions and collaborative activities, participants will gain valuable insights into how this powerful technology can enhance the learning experience for both students and faculty.
Register for Workshop 356225: In-Person
Register for Workshop 356227: Online
10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. | Pecan Campus, G.214
How the Education Department is using AI to Create Course Materials, Assignments, Activities, and Assessments for OER Courses
Presenter: Juan Ramirez, South Texas College
The goal of this presentation is to share how the department has created opportunities to create OER course resources using AI. The presenter will share experiences, challenges, faculty attitudes towards AI, and more.
Register for Workshop 356234: In-Person
Register for Workshop 356232: Online
11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. | Pecan Campus, Student Union 2.102
Exploring the Latest Innovations in Blackboard
Presenters: Dr. Justin Louder and Edgar Gonzalez, Anthology
Join us for an exciting session where we'll highlight the latest innovations available within Blackboard. This session will provide a look at the newest features and enhancements designed to improve your experience. We'll also present a roadmap of upcoming features, giving you a sneak peek into what's on the horizon. Additionally, we'll take a deep dive into the AI Design Assistant, showcasing how this powerful tool can help you create engaging and effective course content with ease.
Register for Workshop 355572: In-Person
Register for Workshop 356223: Online
11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. | Pecan Campus, Student Union 2.100
Best Practices for Developing High-Quality Open Educational Resources: A Collaborative Approach in Biology 1406
Presenters: Iraselia Garcia, Alan Herrera, Dr. Danielle Villarreal, Dr. Ruben Garces, Joana Cordoba, Dr. JeanMarie Fors, Xiomara Galvan, Jorge Cantu, South Texas College
This session highlights the innovative strategies and collaborative efforts behind the creation of a high-quality Open Educational Resources (OER) course for Biology 1406. The presenters will share insights into the comprehensive OER development process, including:
- Effective methods for aligning course content with learning objectives.
- Leveraging institutional resources to streamline OER creation.
- Prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity in instructional materials.
- Maintaining academic rigor and fostering student engagement through innovative tools.
Participants will leave with practical steps and best practices to enhance their own OER initiatives, driving collaboration, productivity, and improved student outcomes.
Register for Workshop 356238: In-Person
Register for Workshop 356243: Online
11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. | Pecan Campus, G.214
How to Create an OER on the Fly
Presenter: Robert Sean Kennedy, South Texas College
Join Professor Kennedy for an engaging 60-minute workshop where he demonstrates how he developed an OER course for History 1302 using H5P—all within just a few days! Discover practical tips, tools, and strategies to efficiently design and implement OER content that enhances student engagement and accessibility. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Professor Kennedy’s experience and bring fresh ideas to your own course development!
Register for Workshop 356258: In-Person
Register for Workshop 356260: Online
11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. | Pecan Campus, G.201
From Catwalk to Blackboard: How AI is Revolutionizing the Future of Education and Fashion
Presenter: Lyudmyla Dickinson
This session explores how AI is revolutionizing trend forecasting in the fashion industry and how its principles can inspire best practices in online teaching. Faculty will gain innovative strategies to enhance engagement, efficiency, and relevance in their courses. Key takeaways include:
- Using analytics to personalize course materials and identify student learning needs.
- Forecasting the best times to introduce topics or assignments to align with student interests.
- Streamlining digital resource allocation for improved outcomes.
- Tailoring content to better connect with diverse student populations.
- Incorporating sustainable practices into course design to meet the growing demand for socially responsible learning experiences.
This session bridges the gap between AI innovation in fashion and actionable teaching strategies, offering practical insights to help faculty create dynamic, engaging, and efficient digital classrooms.
Register for Workshop 356262: In-Person
Register for Workshop 356263: Online
