2026 Virtual Program

More than three years after the launch of ChatGPT, generative AI continues to be a thorn in the side of online education. In this opening session, we will explore perhaps AI's most significant challenge: How can we assess and evaluate online students' learning when generative AI stands at the ready to complete assignments for students? Many of the assessment security measures that can work with on-site courses (in-class tests, oral exams) aren't practical in online courses, especially asynchronous courses. This session will feature promising practices for online assessment in the context of AI and time and space for participants to share ways they now approach summative assessment in their online courses.

In this interactive keynote presentation, Dr. Isis Artze-Vega will describe the multifaceted benefits of trusting relationships for faculty and students alike, including their impact on learning. She will acknowledge key challenges in earning and maintaining trust when teaching online, suggest practical approaches, crowdsource ideas, and offer participants a brief, low-stakes opportunity to try out an online trust generator.

Asynchronous Doesn’t Mean Alone: Practical Ways to Find Joy and Community in Online Teaching

• Anne Jewett, Associate Professor, Curriculum, Instruction & Special Education, School of Education and Human Development, UVA
• April Salerno, Associate Professor of Education, Curriculum, Instruction & Special Education, School of Education and Human Development, UVA

In this short, best practices-focused session, we share tips for uncovering the joy of teaching online and asynchronously, largely through building community with others. We'll offer practical tips for building (and managing) connections with humans you never meet in person.

Designing Purposeful and Engaging Live Meetings in Asynchronous Courses

• Susan Thacker-Gwaltney, Assistant Professor, Curriculum, Instruction & Special Education, School of Education and Human Development, UVA

Asynchronous courses may include a few optional live meetings intended to foster connection and extend learning. But what happens when these sessions are under-attended, lecture-heavy, or disconnected from learning objectives? Students report that online learning feels more purposeful and worth their time when they actively engage with course content and interact with peers and instructors (Bligh, 2000; Persellin & Daniels, 2014). Guided by the Community of Inquiry framework, this session will explore how to structure a live meeting as student-centered spaces designed for interaction. Participants will discuss practical, adaptable strategies for designing live meetings that add value to asynchronous learning.

Renewing Joy in Online Teaching Through Collaborative Design

• Anne Jewett, Associate Professor, Curriculum, Instruction & Special Education, School of Education and Human Development, UVA
• Ashley Caudill, Associate Director, Learning Design & Teaching Innovation, School of Education and Human Development, UVA

Online teaching doesn’t have to be isolating. When faculty and designers collaborate, it becomes a creative space where ideas grow. Through partnership, faculty and designers spark innovation, simplify design challenges, and turn courses into meaningful learning journeys. Small, intentional design choices can reignite curiosity and pride in your teaching.

From Pre-History to the 15th Century: Teaching Architectural History Online in the Era of AI

• Lincoln Lewis, Graduate Student, Architectural History, School of Architecture, UVA

The teaching of architectural history conjures memories of tweed coats, long lectures, and the memorization of dates and building elements. Meanwhile, the profession and technology are advancing. How can online teaching help architectural history adapt? This presentation will share experiences from the course "History and Theory of Architecture from Pre-History to the 15th Century" taught at Marywood University. The benefits and pitfalls of online learning relevant to many disciplines will be shared. Course design tips, tools, and assessment insights will be offered to optimize engagement and boost accountability. Overall, the presentation will grapple with AI and the idea of trust.

Let Silence Back into the Classroom

• Charlotte Matthews, Associate Professor, Interdisciplinary Studies, School of Continuing and Professional Studies, UVA

This session will focus on the power of silence in online classes. In a culture where we pump in music while on hold, silence has landed on the endangered list. Together, we will explore ways in which silence can be a robust catalyst for authentic engagement. This presentation examines how intentional pauses create space for reflection and foster more meaningful participation. By reframing silence as an active pedagogical tool rather than an absence of activity, we can cultivate curiosity and connection. Participants will learn practical strategies for integrating moments of quiet into virtual classrooms to create more grounded, human-centered learning experiences.