Pre-conference workshops will take place Tuesday, June 23rd from 9am-12pm and are available at an additional fee of $199 each unless otherwise noted. ‘Pre-conference workshops’ are different from ‘conference sessions’ in that ‘workshops’ are longer (3hrs), require a separate registration at an additional fee and are limited in the number of attendees to allow for more hands-on instruction and interaction. Pre-conference workshops are not archived.
The DECO Retreat is scheduled to take place Tuesday, June 23rd from 8:00am-1:00pm.
(Please note: Registration for the OTC conference is not required to attend the pre-conference workshops or the DECO Retreat.)
| Distance Education Coordinators Organization – Annual Retreat Tuesday, June 23rd from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm The Distance Education Coordinators Retreat is hosted by the CCC Distance Education Coordinators Organization (CCC DECO) and is part of the pre-conference activities of the Online Teaching Conference. All individuals planning to attend the DECO Retreat MUST register to attend through OTC’s registration portal. Individuals can register to attend the DECO Retreat ONLY or the Full Online Teaching Conference PLUS the DECO Retreat. All individuals that include and pay for the DECO Retreat during the registration process, will become DECO Members for the next fiscal year (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027). If you have questions, please contact deco@cccdeco.org. |
Workshop Schedule | Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 9am-12pm | Price: $199.00 per Workshop (unless otherwise noted) |
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PC1 – Building Critical AI Literacies through Human-Centered AI Feedback
Presenters: Anna Mills and Julie Gamberg Description:
Come explore how you can build critical AI literacies and engage students in ethical, human-centered work with AI! You will learn how to implement the PAIRR intervention (Peer and AI Review + Reflection) — a research-based pedagogy and professional development project funded by the California Education Learning Lab. Initially developed at the University of California, Davis. We will share our open and adaptable assignments (available on Canvas Commons), and our tested AI feedback prompt that emphasizes Linguistic Justice and Equity and student reflection, and guide faculty through the implementation process with plenty of time for interaction, questions, and reflection. Finally, we will share year one data of our multi-institutional pilot project, and opportunities beyond our workshop for you to continue to participate in, shape, and get feedback from this open pedagogy project. Maximum attendees: 35 |
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PC2 – RSI in Online Classes
Presenter/s: Jane Bower and Moses Wolfenstein Description:
Explore practical ways to meet RSI requirements through clear instructor presence, interactive content, and timely feedback. Learn how thoughtfully selected AI tools can support communication, streamline feedback, and enhance engagement while maintaining authentic instructor-student connection. Participants will gain hands-on strategies and concrete examples to meet RSI requirements in their online courses, learn how to use AI tools to strengthen instructor presence and feedback, and leave with templates and checklists ready to implement immediately.
Outcomes:
Maximum attendees: 35 |
| PC3 – AI for All: Creating Courses that Empower Every Learner Presenter/s: Scott James, AI Fellow and Faculty, Santiago Canyon College Elli Constantin, Special AI Advisor for Accessibility | Digital Innovation Center for Equity, Transformation & Access, Director, Distance Education | Cypress College Description: Through practical demonstrations and guided examples, the session will highlight how AI can reduce barriers and empower neurodiverse students.
Attendees will leave with ready-to-use AI prompts, examples, and strategies for integrating accessibility and UDL principles across online and hybrid learning environments.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Maximum attendees: 35 |
| PC4 – Inclusive Design, Accessibility & Usability: Building Equitable Online Learning Experiences Presenter: Saša Stojić-Ito Description: Accessibility is often treated as a compliance task, but when done well, it becomes a powerful design strategy that improves learning for everyone. This hands-on workshop introduces practical methods for creating online courses that are not only compliant with WCAG 2.1 AA but also usable, inclusive, and student-centered.Designed for higher education faculty and instructional support staff, this session bridges inclusive design, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and usability (UX) to show how simple, intentional choices in course structure and content layout can reduce barriers, improve clarity, and increase student engagement. The session emphasizes proactive design that anticipates student needs rather than relying solely on individual accommodations.Attendees will leave with practical templates, checklists, and a realistic strategy for integrating accessibility into everyday teaching practice. Workshop Objectives
Maximum attendees: 25 |
| PC6 – Introduction to LibreTexts and ADAPT Presenter/s: ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative and LibreTexts Description: Learning Outcomes:
This session will provide attendees with a foundation to begin their OER journey as they engage with the LibreTexts platform and experiment with its features. Maximum attendees: 50
Please bring your own laptop (required) Cost: $25 Register Now |
| PC7 – Teaching Gen Z with WeVideo Interactive Media Tools: Engage, Assess, and Inspire Presenter/s: Stephanie Gates and Mirla Garcia Description: What You’ll Discover:
Whether you’re teaching online, hybrid, or in-person, you’ll leave this session with practical strategies to engage, assess, and inspire your CA Community College learners with WeVideo. Maximum attendees: 35 |
| PC8 – Bring it on…a Zoom challenge! Presenter/s: Donna Gustafson & Lucy Lidot Description: Maximum attendees: 35 |
