Salisbury University |  Instructional Design & Delivery Newsletter | November 4, 2025

 Celebrate NDLW with SU and USDLA Sessions!

The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) is hosting a free, virtual, week-long National Distance Learning Week (NDLW) conference, November 3-7. Friday’s culminating session is titled The AI Transforming Learning and Launching Careers.

Date & Time: Friday, November 7, 2025, Noon-2 p.m.

Location: Online

Presenter: Dr. Robbie Melton, Tennessee State University

Abstract: Higher education is uniquely positioned to address 'The Great AI Disequilibrium,' where the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence outpaces the ability of individuals and institutions to adapt. This keynote will examine the critical role of colleges and universities in preparing students for an AI-driven workforce, reshaping curricula, and fostering lifelong learning. Attendees will gain insights into how higher education can bridge the gap between AI's transformative potential and the skills required for future careers.

The session will also feature live demonstrations of cutting-edge AI tools that are transforming education and professional pathways—showcasing how these technologies can be leveraged to empower students, enhance teaching, and create seamless transitions from college to careers. Join us to explore how higher education can lead the charge in creating a more equitable and innovative future in the age of AI.

Please visit the USDLA National Distance Learning Week (NDLW) conference site for the complete schedule. If you are interested in this session, register for the entire conference and select “Register as a Guest” option during the registration.

Salisbury University is not a member of USDLA.

Join Salisbury University instructional designers for the following NDLW sessions:

Practice & Play: Plan & Produce - AI for Smarter Course Prep 

Wednesday, November 5, at 2-3 p.m. (EST)  Register: In-person or virtual

Teaching Beyond the Screen: How AI Can Extend Your Presence Online 

Thursday, November 6, at 10-11 a.m. (EST) Register

Winter and Spring 2026 Courses Created in MyClasses

Winter and spring 2026 courses will be created in MyClasses on November 4, and instructors will be enrolled at the same time. Daily reports will run to update course, section, and instructor enrollments. 

Students will be enrolled in courses starting on December 1, and enrollment will be updated daily. 

Faculty who would like to combine course sections should use the Course Combine Sections request in the ID&D Support Center. The deadline to request combining course sections, especially for courses using course materials in the Inclusive Access program through the SU Bookstore, are:   

• Winter 2026 Session: December 22, 2025
• Spring 2026 Regular and 7W1 Sessions: January 12, 2026
• Spring 2026 7W2 Session: March 9, 2026

ID&D Instructional Designers Presented at the 2025 Instructional Design Professionals Conference

Dr. Janice Orcutt and Karen Silverstrim, Instructional Designers with ID&D, recently presented at the 2025 Instructional Design Professionals Conference, where they showcased SU’s approach to faculty development with respect to AI. Their session highlighted practical strategies offered during Faculty Development Day, the hands-on workshops scheduled during this semester, the self-paced AI course being launched by ID&D this month, and the presentation of success at the SU TLC. Peers attending the session responded favorably to this thematic approach and indicated the value in using a similar format at their institutions.

Practice, Play, and Pedagogy: Engaging Faculty in AI-Integrated Course Design 

How can we motivate faculty to move from AI curiosity to meaningful integration? This session introduces a scalable model for transforming AI from theory to purposeful application, helping faculty reimagine existing teaching practices with AI-enabled activities that balance creativity, ethics, and pedagogy. Attendees will explore sample activities and workshop formats and leave with a replicable framework for promoting AI-integration without sacrificing prior coursework design.

November Workshops: Practice & Play 

Instructional Design & Delivery (ID&D) will be hosting a series of hands-on workshops that give you the opportunity to explore AI tools for specific purposes. Designed to help you integrate emerging tools into your teaching practice, each session focuses on practical, adaptable strategies for enhancing activities you already use-making your courses more engaging, efficient, and future-ready. No prior experience with AI is required-just curiosity and a willingness to experiment.

Date & Time: November 5, 2-3:00 p.m.

Workshop 4: Plan & Produce - AI for Smarter Course Prep

Facilitator: Karen Silverstrim

Sign up today! virtual registration (limit 25) or In-person registration (limit 15) at AC 221 (ID&D Faculty Studio)

Date & Time: November 19, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Workshop 5: Design & Delight - AI Powered Creative Activities

Facilitator: Karen Silverstrim

Sign up today! In-person (limit 15) at AC 221 (ID&D Faculty Studio)

Couldn't make it to the live "Practice & Play" AI workshop? No problem!

Instructional Design & Delivery (ID&D) has created a self-paced version of the series-designed to give faculty hands-on experience with free AI tools and agents that can enhance learning activities or save valuable prep time.

Building on the four original workshops-Smarter Studying Starts Here, Polish & Present, Plan & Produce, and Design & Delight-the self-paced course offers the same practical, ready-to-use strategies for integrating AI into your teaching. For each application of AI, participants can review a short description of the pedagogical application, given sample prompts, watch demonstrations of how the tool or activity works, and explore a variety of tools with step-by-step instructions -all at their own pace!

In addition, new modules will be added throughout the year to expand the experience even further with AI applications related to ethical decision-making, virtual debates, mind maps, language support, mock interviews, conversations with historical figures, and flashcards-giving faculty a growing library of adaptable, classroom-ready ideas. Registration is open to faculty, staff, and graduate students. 

Practice & Play: AI-Enabled Learning Activities Self-Paced Course registration is now open!

SU is an Equal Opportunity/AA/Title IX university and provides reasonable accommodation given sufficient notice to the University office or staff sponsoring the event or program. For more information regarding SU's policies and procedures, please visit salisbury.edu/equity.

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