/Office of the Provost
Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching

National Distance Learning Week at CELT

National Distance Learning Week 2026 is November 2, 2026 - November 6, 2026. CELT is joining the celebration of distance learning with a workshop series. Open to all Stony Brook faculty and staff, these workshops will explore online learning, assessment, inclusive teaching, and more. Join us!

Check out the workshop registration and calendar information below.

Workshop Descriptions and Registration

Person using a laptop and notebook

Organization, Navigation, and Building in Brightspace | Monday, 11/2/26 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

The design and organization of an online course can significantly influence how students engage with content, navigate learning activities, and achieve course outcomes. In this workshop, online instructors will learn how to use Brightspace's built-in document templates and module-based structure to design courses that support student learning and success. Participants will explore strategies for organizing content, creating visually appealing learning materials, and structuring courses in ways that reduce confusion and improve.

REGISTER
laptop computer with a calendar and clock

Time-on-Task: Designing Realistic Workloads for Online Learners | Monday 11/2/26 | 2:30 PM- 3:00 PM

Teaching online requires careful consideration of the time and effort students need to engage with course materials, activities, and assignments. In this workshop, online instructors will learn how to calculate and apply time-on-task estimates to create courses with realistic and manageable workload expectations. Participants will explore strategies for aligning assignments, learning activities, and course outcomes with the amount of time students can reasonably commit each week. By the end of the session, you will know how to design a well-paced online course.

REGISTER
Three students at a table in front of a laptop discussing

Student Feedback: Midterm and End-of Term Course Evaluations for Online Classes | Tuesday, 11/3/26 | 11:00 AM - 11:30AM

Gather meaningful student feedback and turn course evaluations into a powerful teaching tool for your online courses. In this brief 30-minute session, you will learn how to design and deploy midterm feedback surveys to make real-time course adjustments, and increase student engagement. We will also cover how to tailor end-of-term evaluations for online learning environments, giving you actionable insights to refine your course content, and elevate your teaching strategy.

REGISTER
Brain food-A collaborative space for educators; fork with image of a brain

Brain Food: Fueling Pedagogical Practice and Peer Dialogue | Tuesday, 11/3/26 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Nourish your instructional practice and connect with colleagues across campus. Brain Food offers a collaborative space for faculty to share high-impact teaching strategies, exchange practical classroom insights, and discuss emerging challenges in the classroom.

REGISTER
Person at a laptop computer with a pencil; AI and e-learning icon

Rethinking Online Learning Assessment in the Age of AI | Wednesday, 11/4/26 | 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM

This workshop helps faculty rethink assessment design in ways that embrace AI’s potential while preserving academic integrity, rigor, and meaningful learning by guiding participants through practical strategies for designing assessments that are authentic, transparent, inclusive, and aligned with learning outcomes.

REGISTER
Person using an accessible keyboard

Inclusive Teaching and Digital Accessibility: Working to the Same Goal in Different Ways | Thursday, 11/5/26 | 12:00 PM - 1:00PM

Join us as we bridge the gap between inclusive teaching and digital accessibility. While inclusive teaching focuses on the social and pedagogical methodologies of belonging, digital accessibility provides a technical framework to ensure our digital materials are navigable for all learners. Though they approach the classroom through different lenses, these two methodologies work together to dismantle barriers to learning. Join us to discover how blending these distinct approaches can help you design a welcoming and accessible experience that empowers every student to succeed.

REGISTER
People around a table congratulating each other and clapping

Teaching Excellence Awards: Celebrating Online Learning Champions | Friday, 11/6/26 | 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM

A guided conversation that invites past recipients of the CELT Excellence in Online Teaching Award to share stories, insights, and practical strategies from their online teaching journeys. Faculty and staff will hear firsthand how these instructors transformed their courses, elevated student engagement, and created meaningful learning experiences across disciplines.

REGISTER

 

CELT Workshop Calendar At A Glance

Monday, Nov 2nd Tuesday, Nov 3rd Wednesday,  Nov 4th Thursday, Nov 5th Friday, Nov 6th

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Organization, Navigation, and Building in Brightspace

2:30 PM- 3:00 PM

Time-on-Task: Designing Realistic Workloads for Online Learners 

11:00 AM -11:30AM

Student Feedback: Midterm and End-of Term Course Evaluations for Online Classes

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Brain Food-Online Learning 

11:00 AM - 11:45 AM

Rethinking Online Learning Assessment in the Age of AI 

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Inclusive Teaching and Digital Accessibility

11:00 AM - 11:45 AM

Teaching Excellence Awards: Celebrating Online Learning Champions

 

USDLA and SUNY National Distance Learning Week Events

National Distance Learning Week 2026 logo

USDLA National Distance Learning Week

The USDLA (United States Distance Learning Association) hosts a free week of distance learning programming. Check out their website to register and view their workshops.

Register for NDLW Events
SUNY Logo

SUNY National Distance Learning Week

SUNY also hosts a variety of workshops for Distance Learning Week. Check out their website for more information.

SUNY NDLW Events