Western Carolina University logo with Coulter Faculty Commons

Support Continues: Online Course Template Training This Summer

by | May 9, 2025 | Blog, Canvas, Online Learning

Get Course-Ready: Summer Training for Canvas Online Template

We’re continuing to support the rollout of the new Online Course Template with additional training opportunities throughout the summer! Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your course, these sessions are here to help you make the most of the template.

Register for Summer Training Sessions

CFC Online Course Template Training Sessions

  • Tue, May 27 (virtual), 10 – 11:30 a.m., Zoom 
  • Wed, May 28 (in-person), 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., CFC (HL 166) 
  • Mon, June 9 (virtual), 1:30 – 3 p.m., Zoom 
  • Tue, June 10 (in-person), 10:30 a.m. – noon, CFC (HL 166) 
  • Thu, July 10 (virtual), 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., Zoom 
  • Fr, July 11 (virtual), 10 – 11:30 a.m., Zoom 
  • Mon, July 21 (virtual), 2:00 – 3:30 p.m., Zoom 
  • Tue, July 22 (virtual), 9:00 – 10:30 a.m., Zoom 

For Summer and Fall classes, WCU’s Online Course Template will be added to all online course shells (distance and residential). While the university is not requiring faculty to use the template, some departments and programs have chosen to adopt it as a standard. The template is designed to enhance consistency, support, and engagement for both students and instructors.

Key Benefits

    • Consistent Course Layout: Standardized format for easy navigation.
    • Enhanced Engagement: Built-in features for interactive learning.
    • Streamlined Support: Simplified access to Canvas tools and resources.

What’s Included?

The template follows best practices in online course design and includes:

    • Verbiage for the Syllabus tool.
    • An editable master module for customization.
    • A sample module demonstrating best practices.
    • An Instructor’s Guide with video tutorials and quality guidelines.

Training & Support

The CFC continues to offer training sessions to help you integrate the template into your courses. Video tutorials are also included in the template for on-demand support.

We encourage faculty to adapt the template to fit their course needs while maintaining a cohesive structure across WCU. For questions or assistance, reach out to the CFC.

Register for the 2025 Summer Institute for Teaching & Learning (SITL)

by | Apr 21, 2025 | Blog, Professional Development, Summer Institute for Teaching & Learning (SITL), Teaching and Learning

Summer Faire of Ideas, Innovation, and Inspiration – 20th Anniversary of SITL

Join us for two energizing days of interactive workshops, inspiring presentations, and practical takeaways you can use right away. Whether you’re looking to refresh your teaching or try something new, SITL is a great way to connect with colleagues and leave recharged for the year ahead.

The theme for this year’s institute is Renaissance of Teaching: A Summer Faire of Ideas, Innovation, and Inspiration and will be held May 14 & May 15. 

The full program is now available – take a peek and start planning your experience!  

Logo with a wizard's hat with the words "Teaching Magic" and "Coulter Faculty Commons"

Don't forget to register!

Your RSVP helps us plan and—most importantly—order enough food to nourish all our hungry scholars.

Register for SITL 2025

Open Up Learning: Apply for an OER Grant

by | Apr 3, 2025 | Blog, OER, Teaching and Learning, University Support

A Million Reasons to Go Open

OER Grants Now Available! 

Open Education Resources (or “OER”) are openly-licensed, free or low-cost materials that can be modified and redistributed to educate students while reducing the cost of a college education. We are excited to announce a partnership between the Bookstore, Hunter Library, and Coulter Faculty Commons (CFC) to sponsor up to $1,000,000 in faculty grants for the adoption of OER materials into the Book Rental program.

OER graphic depicting an open book and the text "Open Educational Resources"

This program is designed to: 

  • Promote additional course flexibility in the Book Rental program,
  • Support faculty with largely unrestricted grant funds,
  • Foster long-term savings for students,
  • Give faculty the tools they need to explore and adopt materials with the assistance of Hunter Library, and,
  • Help faculty integrate OER materials through course redesign assistance with Coulter Faculty Commons 

OER materials can be made available digitally and/or as a printed book through the Book Rental program to accommodate all styles of teaching.

Visit our OER Grant Program page for more information on grant types, how to apply, and support resources. 

Canvas Online Course Template Training at Biltmore Park

by | Mar 27, 2025 | Blog, Canvas, Online Learning

Newly Added In-Person Training Sessions at Biltmore Park!

Due to popular demand, we’ve added two in-person training sessions at Biltmore Park! Join us on:

📅 Tuesday, April 1, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., Biltmore Park (Room 336)
📅 Friday, April 11, 10:00 a.m. – noon, Biltmore Park (Room 338)

These sessions provide hands-on support and guidance to help you make the most of the university’s new Online Course Template. You can view the full schedule to find all available training opportunities, including virtual and on Main Campus, on our previous blog post Training for New Canvas Online Course Template.

Check out the schedule and join us at a session that works for you!

Register for Sessions at Biltmore Park

Training for New Canvas Online Course Template

by | Mar 7, 2025 | Blog, Canvas, Online Learning

New Online Course Template Launching Summer 2025

Starting Summer 2025, a new Online Course Template will be included in all online courses (distance and residential) at WCU. The template is designed to enhance consistency, engagement, and support for both students and faculty.

Register for CFC Training Sessions
Register for Sessions at Biltmore Park

Key Benefits

    • Consistent Course Layout: Standardized format for easy navigation.
    • Enhanced Engagement: Built-in features for interactive learning.
    • Streamlined Support: Simplified access to Canvas tools and resources.

What’s Included?

The template follows best practices in online course design and includes:

    • Verbiage for the Syllabus tool.
    • An editable master module for customization.
    • A sample module demonstrating best practices.
    • An Instructor’s Guide with video tutorials and quality guidelines.

Training & Support

The CFC will offer drop-in training sessions to help you integrate the template into your courses. Video tutorials are also included in the template for on-demand support.

We encourage faculty to adapt the template to fit their course needs while maintaining a cohesive structure across WCU. For questions or assistance, reach out to the CFC.

CFC Online Course Template Training Sessions

  • Mar 21 (virtual), 1 – 3 p.m., Zoom
  • Mar 26 (in-person), 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., CFC (HL 166)
  • Mar 26 (virtual), 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Zoom
  • Mar 31 (in-person), 3 – 5 p.m., HHSB 433
  • NEW @ Biltmore Park! Apr 1 (in-person), 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., Biltmore Park [Room 336]
  • Apr 3 (in-person), 3 – 5 p.m., CFC (HL 166)
  • Apr 3 (virtual), 3 – 5 p.m., Zoom
  • Apr 10 (in-person), 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., CFC (HL 166)
  • Apr 10 (virtual), 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Zoom
  • NEW @ Biltmore Park! Apr 11 (in-person), 10 a.m. – noon, Biltmore Park [Room 338]
  • Apr 28 (in-person), 3 – 5 p.m. – HHSB 433
  • May 12 (in-person), 3 – 5 p.m., HHS Room TBD