Developing EJI-Focused Course Materials through Workshops and Small-Group Cohort Support
Overview
Instructors in CAS strive to ensure that their classrooms, no matter the subject matter, are spaces where all students can learn and thrive. Many instructors have indicated immense anxiety around engaging in difficult conversations about highly politicized topics as well as an overwhelming desire to learn how to best approach these conversations in the classroom and elsewhere. Others have expressed concern about meeting the new digital accessibility requirements. Others want to increase engagement and participation in their classrooms.
For AY 2025-26, the College continues a two-pronged initiative, which includes offering 1) a series of programming concerning curricular development and inclusive pedagogies, and 2) a small-group cohort where participants engage with the workshop lessons and each other over a quarter to develop concrete materials for their departments and their classrooms.
Fall Workshops
The college and UW are creating resources to assist faculty and staff in meeting the Department of Justice’s new rule on digital accessibility, which requires the University’s web content, including academic course content, to be accessible by April 24, 2026. Continuing our partnership from last academic year, UW-IT Accessible Technology Services (AST), UW’s Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), and CAS will offer a series of workshops in multiple formats throughout the year.
Accessibility POP Groups with AST’s Mary-Colleen Jenkins
In fall, there will be five one-hour virtual sessions open to the CAS community. They will meet from 11am-12pm on the following Fridays:
- October 10: Headings
- October 24: Accessibility Checkers
- November 14: Canvas Accessibility Tips
- November 21: Simple Alternative Text
- December 5: Slide Decks
Register for fall virtual workshops
If you are unable to attend these workshops, check the Digital Accessibility Calendar for other opportunities.
Winter Workshops
On Friday January 23rd from 11am-12:30pm, the CTL will facilitate a virtual workshop where participants consider inclusive pedagogy in our institutional context. They will provide resources and strategies to help instructors increase engagement and participation in their classrooms. This will be an interactive workshop with opportunities to engage in activities and discussions.
On February 27th from 11am-12:30pm, AST will host Digital Accessibility: Making a Plan. In this virtual workshop, after establishing a shared understanding of digital accessibility, Mary-Colleen Jenkins will address a key question instructors ask when creating a plan to make their content accessible: Where should I start? During three guided activity sessions, participants will reflect on where they are starting from as a way to develop a workable accessibility plan for their content.
If you are unable to attend these workshops, you can find other campus workshops and resources here:
- https://teaching.washington.edu/learn/
- https://www.washington.edu/accessibility/digital/training/
- https://doit.uw.edu/webinars/?limit=20
Registration for virtual workshops coming soon
Spring Workshops
Do you want to attend a workshop but cannot fit them in your schedule? In spring, we will be offering Accessibility Mini Lessons with AST’s Mary-Colleen Jenkins from 11:30am-noon on Fridays (April 3, April 10, April 17, April 24, and May 1). More information to come.
Registration for virtual workshops coming soon
Small Group Cohort Support
Summary
The second part of the initiative convenes small group meetings that scaffold the winter workshops. Leveraging the lessons and skills learned in the workshops, this cohort of eight instructors will meet four times during winter quarter to design or revamp courses as well as create course modules that “encourage thinking critically on topics such as power, inequality, marginality, equity, and justice, and promote effective communication across differences.” (Div Task Force Report).
Goals
By working with others in a cohort, participants receive peer mentorship around classroom EJI interventions and create a community of practice so that they don’t have to grow their EJI practice alone. Participants have the opportunity to present their course materials, share their process of developing and building their skills, and get feedback from the cohort. Participants will also provide feedback on pedagogical materials that Associate Dean Smith is creating for the College.
Requirements
Participants in the cohort are required to attend at least one winter workshop but ideally both. You also need to attend four 1.5-hour Friday meetings with your cohort throughout the winter quarter (11-12:30 on January 30, February 6, February 20, March 6). Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive a $1,000 course development grant to support the continued creation/modifications of your courses.
The application consists of a short essay (200-250 words) on why you want to participate and a syllabus abstract (500-750 words) that includes a course title, a clear articulation of course outcomes and learning objectives, a description of how and why you intend to structure your course, and the type of readings, weekly themes, activities, assignments, and/or projects that will help you effectively reach desired instructional goals.
While anyone can participate in the workshops, only faculty are eligible for the cohort.
The deadline is Thursday December 4, 2025 by 11:59 pm.