Asynchronous Semester Readiness Workshops Summer 2026
The Asynchronous Semester Readiness Workshops are designed to support Cal Poly faculty as they prepare courses for the university's transition to semesters in Fall 2026. These workshops are sponsored by the Cal Poly Semester Conversion Team in collaboration with the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology (CTLT), and are energized by the work of six faculty fellow facilitators and CTLT instructional designer Catherine Hillman.
The faculty fellows from each college are:
- BCSM: Dr. Hilary Jacks, Physics Department
- CAED: Professor Thomas Fowler, Architecture Department
- CAFES: Dr. Benjamin Hoover, Plant Sciences
- CENG: Dr. Theresa Migler, Computer Science Department
- CLA: Dr. Scott Glysson, Music Department
- OCOB: Dr. Kim Westermann, Accounting
Rather than simply translating a quarter-length course into a longer format, participants will explore how to:
- Strengthen course design
- Improve student learning
- Create more meaningful learning experiences
The workshop will guide faculty through:
- Reviewing and refining learning objectives
- Aligning assessments and workload with semester expectations
- Developing a semester course map, incorporating formative assessment early
- Using Canvas tools to support course organization and communication.
There will also be aspects of the workshop that address the updated course policies for semester courses approved by the Academic Senate.
Throughout the workshop, faculty will apply concepts directly to one of their own courses, culminating in the development of a semester course map and one fully designed learning unit (module, week, or topic) that can serve as a model for the remainder of the course.
The workshop requires approximately 25-30 hours of effort over three weeks. Please note that this is a self-paced course with structured checkpoints, but faculty may move through it as quickly or as slowly as they wish.
A one-time $500 professional development payment will be provided to each faculty member who completes the workshop and the culminating deliverables.
Session Dates for all Colleges:
Register for a session of the Asynchronous Semester Readiness Workshop
Please note: these workshops are open to all faculty on the San Luis Obispo and the Maritime Solano campuses.
