Webinar Description: Teaching a language requires high-touch engagement, but managing the administrative weight of an online course shouldn’t lead to instructor burnout. This interactive session moves beyond basic logistics to help you design an organized, transparent course structure that keeps students prepared and on track. We will begin by exploring how to help students navigate your course more effectively, using “Before, During, and After Class” frameworks and intuitive module design. We will identify common workload challenges—from grading bottlenecks to handling course communication—and share proven strategies to manage time for both you and your students. You will discover how setting clear expectations and utilizing workload estimation tools can reduce student anxiety while protecting your own schedule. Finally, we will dive into practical Canvas and Generative AI solutions to streamline your daily workflow. From using AI to draft announcements and quizzes to leveraging Canvas tools—you will leave with strategies designed to reduce the time you spend administrating your course while increasing your instructional impact.
The Zoom link will be provided to WISLI instructors via email.
Webinar Facilitators
This workshop will be presented by the Center for Teaching, Learning and Mentoring in the Division for Teaching and Learning as part of WISLI 2026 Pre-Service Orientation Week.
Dr. Karen Skibba specializes in online and blended faculty development and developing quality online and blended courses. She also develops and facilitates a variety of learning communities and workshops, and she develops resources to help all instructors enhance teaching and learning. She presents her award-winning research at international conferences. Karen received her doctoral degree in Adult and Continuing Education from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
Dr. Dan Pell is a teaching and learning consultant with a passionate commitment to making higher education fairer, more accessible, and more effective for all. Dan’s work is grounded in two decades of experience as a teacher of English language and writing, with particular emphasis on language assessment and teacher training. He received his doctorate in English from Ulster University in Northern Ireland, and has taught and trained teachers in Morocco, China, India, and the United Kingdom.