Pre-event workshops & DECO Retreat

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.
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Workshop Schedule | Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 9am-12pm | Price: $199.00 per Workshop (unless otherwise noted)

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
Bring your own laptop
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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:

• articulate how RSI represents the foundational pedagogical practices of guiding, monitoring, and providing feedback in the context of online courses
• access an array of informational and process oriented resources that can be adopted and adapted for improving RSI practices at their campuses
• plan for faculty training around the ACCJC Quality Continuum Rubric in student centered ways that fit their institutional needs.
• recognize users of AI that can help support RSI in courses and differentiate them from AI implementations that are likely to weaken the value of RSI for improving learning outcomes

Maximum attendees: 35
Bring your own laptop
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Description:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers new ways to design with inclusion in mind. This interactive session explores how AI can help faculty and instructional designers create Universal Design for Learning (UDL)–aligned and ADA-compliant course content that supports all learners. Participants will discover how AI tools can generate perceivable and accessible materials. 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:

• Identify ways AI supports the UDL principles of Engagement, Representation, and Action & Expression.
• Use AI to create ADA-aligned and perceivable materials.
• Evaluate how AI can function as an assistive tool to empower students who learn differently and strengthen learner agency.

Maximum attendees: 35
Bring your own laptop
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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
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Evaluate online learning materials for accessibility and usability barriers using WCAG 2.1 AA and UX principles.
• Redesign course content using UDL strategies and inclusive formatting to improve clarity, structure, and learner engagement.
• Implement a practical accessibility workflow that supports sustainable, proactive design in future online content development.

Maximum attendees: 25
Bring your own laptop
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Description
In this hands-on workshop, attendees will learn how to find, edit, and remix the open educational resources (OER) available in the LibreTexts OER publishing platform. Importing LibreTexts into Canvas or any course management system will also be addressed, as will finding, adapting, and developing assessments in the LibreTexts ADAPT homework system. Join us to learn about all that LibreTexts has to offer. 

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
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Description:
Gen Z learns best by doing. Are you ready to harness the power of video to meet their need for engaging, interactive, and creative learning experiences? Join this session to learn how to leverage WeVideo (formerly known as PlayPosit, now an integrated creative platform) for streamlined video lessons and empower your students to create content that invigorates and demonstrates learning.

What You'll Discover:

• Create Engaging Instructional Videos: Learn easy recording and editing tools to produce high-quality lessons quickly.
• Elevate Video Interactivity: Take your instructional videos further with WeVideo Interactivity. Instantly add a variety of elements—including AI-generated questions, prompts, discussions, and embedded resources—to any video.
• Simplify Assessment and Grading: Set up auto-graded assignments that directly connect to your Canvas gradebook, saving you valuable time.
• Foster Project-Based Learning: Enable students to create dynamic content—including original videos, podcasts, and GIFs—to enhance learning, demonstrate understanding, and build essential skills.

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
Laptop recommended for hands on exercises
Cost: no charge
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Description:
So many options in Zoom, but do you have the time to figure it all out? Come to this session with your list of ‘what if’ and ‘how can I’ and we will get you to where you want to be. Or contact us in advance at support@ccctechconnect.org with your list of Zoom questions so we are ready for you! Even if you don’t know what you want, join us and learn from what others want! Laptops are welcome so you can follow along in your own Zoom account.

Maximum attendees: 35
Bring your laptop if you want to look at your own account as we talk about your questions.
Cost: no charge
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