We offer a wide range of programming designed to support your professional development (PD) as faculty and help you effectively integrate technology into teaching and learning. Our trainings are open to all, but are focused in support of our mission supporting faculty with technology enhanced learning.

Our services include:

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Ed Tech Connect

Come to library on the 1st Wednesday during the semester for in person discussion. See details below.

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Consultation

Not sure about what you need?

Get 1:1, specialized or group consultations

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Training by Request

Request from the topics listed below or a custom training for yourself or a group.

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PD Events

Join scheduled sessions on key tools and topics.

Usually 1 hour of virtual training.

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    PD Events by Month (scheduled)

    Jterm/Spring 2026

    Apr

    • Apr. 9 at 10:00 am – Reducing Your Brightspace Course Data
    • Apr. 10 at 10:00 am – Copilot in Action Related to Teaching and Learning
    • Apr. 20 at 2:00 pm – Accessibility in LMS: Tools & Brightspace Insights for WCAG 2.1AA
    • Apr. 29 at 3:00 pm – Archive Your Course and Student Data

    May

      • May 1 at 10:00 am – Merge Course Sections: Combine sections in Brightspace
      • May 5 at 10:00 am – Accessibility in LMS: Tools & Brightspace Insights for WCAG 2.1AA
      • May 7 at 10:00 am – Merge Course Sections: Combine sections in Brightspace
      • May 11 at 2:00 pm – Reducing Your Brightspace Course Data
      • May 19 at 10:00 am – Archive Your Course and Stude

      Jun

      • Jun. 4 at 11:00 am – Archive Your Course and Student Data
      • Jun. 10 at 2:00 pm – Reducing Your Brightspace Course Data
      • Jun. 23 at 10:00 am – Accessibility in LMS: Tools & Brightspace Insights for WCAG 2.1AA

      Jul

        • Jul. 9 at 11:00 am – Accessibility in LMS: Tools & Brightspace Insights for WCAG 2.1AA
        • Jul. 15 at 2:00 pm – Archive Your Course and Student Data
        • Jul. 28 at 10:00 am – Reducing Your Brightspace Course Data

        Aug

        • Aug. 6 at 11:00 am – Reducing Your Brightspace Course Data
        • Aug. 12 at 2:00 pm – Accessibility in LMS: Tools & Brightspace Insights for WCAG 2.1AA
        • Aug. 14 at 11:00 am – Merge Course Sections: Combine sections in Brightspace
        • Aug. 18 at 10:00 am – Archive Your Course and Student Data

        PD Events by Topic (scheduled and available by request)

        ADA/Data Management

        ADA

        Accessibility in LMS: Tools & Brightspace Insights for WCAG 2.1AA

        Join us for a hands-on training session focused on creating inclusive and accessible learning experiences. Whether you’re new to accessibility tools or looking to deepen your understanding, this workshop will equip you with practical knowledge on tools to support all learners.

        • In this session, you will:
          • Hear an overview of accessibility digital standards and how they apply to LMS content.
          • Explore URI-specific tools and learn which ones are best suited for different accessibility needs.
          • Experiment with the Brightspace Accessibility Checker to identify and resolve common accessibility issues in your course materials.

        This training is ideal for instructors, instructional designers, and anyone involved in course creation at URI. Let’s work together to make learning accessible for everyone!

        Data Management

        Archive Your Course and Student Data

        Date: Available by request

        Apr. 29 at 3:00 pm (1 hour, Virtual) | Register

        May 19 at 10:00 am (1 hour, Virtual) | Register

        Brightspace courses are purged after five years, but this training will show you how to back up your course content and export key student information step by step for your records. You’ll leave with the knowledge and skills to store and reference your data long after your course is gone from the system.

        Reducing Your Brightspace Data

        Date: Available by request

          Apr. 9 at 10:00 am (1 hour, Virtual) | Register

          May 11 at 2:00 pm (1 hour, Virtual) | Register

          Got a lot of material in Brightspace – you’re not alone. Cleaning up data can significantly improve your efficiency but data management can be a challenge – especially with a plethora of tools. Not all tools have the same features – we will discover which URI tools can help reduce Brightspace digital clutter and improve efficiency. You will also learn about data management and important information on emerging data storage trends. Streamline your digital workflow, reduce your storage space, and speed up your computer performance. Learn how to compress large files, manage storage efficiently, and reduce digital clutter in this hands-on workshop led by an IT professional. Bring a few oversized files (e.g., a PowerPoint over 100MB or a PDF over 50MB) and follow along to gain practical skills that improve performance and simplify collaboration.

          AI

          • AI in the Classroom: Discover and Leverage URI EdTech Tools. TECH DAY Virtual Conference
            • Aug. 21 at 10 am (6 hours, Virtual)
              • Get ready to dive into the growing AI toolbox at URI! Tech Day 2025 breaks down the coolest AI tools and platforms available today at URI. Come and explore what they do, how they work, and how you can use them.
          • Copilot in Action Related to Teaching and Learning
            • Date: Available by request
            • Apr. 10 at 10:00 am (1 hour, Virtual) | Register
              • This is an interactive workshop on Copilot designed for you to learn, explore, and leave with usable items and/or sharable resources. The workshop will open with an introduction to and demonstration of Copilot. We will then experiment with 5 practical teaching use cases, with option of creating a sharable resource. Wrapping up this session with a time of open sharing and discussion.
          • Building an AI Assistant to Analyze Student Responses in LibreChat
            • Oct. 24 at 10 am (1 hour, Virtual)
            • Learn how an AI assistant built in LibreChat helps faculty analyze student responses using structured prompts and teaching frameworks.
          • AI and Apple, Just One More Thing
            • Date: Available by request
            • Rarely the first to introduce new technologies, Apple is on the verge of introducing AI tools to the Mac operating system. During this session we’ll explore what exists today, what’s coming soon, and how it works.

          Brightspace

          • Merge Course Sections: Combine sections in Brightspace
          • Brightspace Gradebook Basic / Advanced
            • By Request
              • Level up your gradebook management in Brightspace! This advanced session dives into bonus grade items, the flow of grades, common pitfalls to avoid, and troubleshooting techniques. You’ll also learn how to export your gradebook and apply strategies to keep grading smooth and efficient throughout the semester.
          • Brightspace Quizzes Basics: Create questions
            • By Request
              • Build your quizzes with confidence with this session covering an overview of question types and key settings, plus a walkthrough of the Quiz Creation layout. Learn how to effectively manage availability, timing, attempts, and evaluation to create smooth, student-friendly quizzes.
          • Tracking Student Progress in Brightspace
            • By Request (1 hour, Virtual)
              • In an electronic learning environment, it can be difficult to know how your students are doing in your course.  Fortunately, Brightspace offers a comprehensive module that will help you to gain a deeper understanding of how your students are progressing, and who may need additional support.
          • Reducing Your Brightspace Course Data
            • Apr. 9 at 10:00 am (1 hour, Virtual) | Register
            • May 11 at 2:00 pm (1 hour, Virtual) | Register
            • Course materials are essential, but knowing where to store files and how to share them effectively is just as critical as compressing and archiving data. We discuss how to adopt strategies like linking to external resources, using proper naming conventions, and leveraging archiving processes to keep courses organized and lightweight. Ultimately, managing storage thoughtfully ensures smoother collaboration, better performance, and long-term sustainability for Brightspace courses.

          Video and Screen Capture

          Other Technology

          File and Storage Management

          • Reduce Your Storage & File Size Workshop
            • By Request (1 hour, Virtual)
              • Streamline your digital workflow, reduce your storage space, and speed up your computer performance. Learn how to compress large files, manage storage efficiently, and reduce digital clutter in this hands-on workshop led by an IT professional. Bring a few oversized files (e.g., a PowerPoint over 100MB or a PDF over 50MB) and follow along to gain practical skills that improve performance and simplify collaboration.

          Orientation Trainings

          • Rhody Ed Tech Essentials
            • By Request (2 hours, Virtual)
              • This session provides an introduction to IT Teaching and Learning and EdTech at URI, including Brightspace Essentials such as logging in, locating templates, and using tools like the gradebook, assignments, and quizzes. Participants will explore accessibility features like the Brightspace Accessibility Checker, ReadSpeaker, and ADA compliance. The workshop also covers Panopto Essentials for creating lecture videos, and offers a brief overview of additional EdTech tools including Camtasia, Snagit, and polling options.

          Customized Digital Content

          Polling

          Ed Tech Connect

          Join our in-person faculty discussion group on technology in teaching and learning!
          This is an open, informal space to explore ideas, share experiences, and ask questions about using tech in teaching and learning. Whether you have a curiosity or a challenge, drop in—we look forward to the conversation!

          Offered on the 1st Wednesday of the Month – 10:00 – 11:00 am

          Library, 2nd floor, room 227