National Distance Learning Week
TCC invites educators, students, community partners, and distance-learning professionals to join the National Distance Learning Week (NDLW), November 2-6, 2026. Explore how to make a positive impact on education by using technologies in a safe, fair, and helpful way.
The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) (opens in a new tab) hosts a NDLW annually to promote distance learning. During the NDLW, experts share their knowledge, tools, and best practices to improve distance learning.
TCC Connect is hosting virtual sessions in collaboration with USDLA from Monday, November
2 through Thursday, November 5. These sessions highlight insights from our college
and external partners to better support online learners. 
- Date: November 2–5, 2026
- Cost: Free
- Format: Virtual sessions
2026 Theme
Advancing AI, Global Education (OER), and the Sustainable Future of Distance Education
This year’s theme brings several connected questions into conversation:
- How can we use artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly to strengthen teaching, learning, and human capability?
- How can global collaboration and open educational resources expand access to knowledge?
- How can we build distance-learning systems that remain effective, inclusive, and sustainable over time?
We will explore these questions through practical demonstrations, presentations, conversations, and collaborative sessions.
How to Register
Complete the following steps to register for TCC virtual sessions.
- Review the session schedule below.
- Select the session you are interested in to learn more about the session and the presenter.
- Register for the session.
Once registered, we will email you the information to join the session.
Note
- Registration closes 30 minutes before each session begins, so we encourage you to register early.
- If you are interested in USDLA sessions, visit National Distance Learning Week (opens in a new tab) to learn more and register.
Session Schedule
Select the session title to see more details and register for the session.
All links will open in a new tab.
Monday, November 2
| Time (CST) | Session Title | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 9-9:50 a.m. | Opening Keynote: Advancing AI: Online Education in the Age of AI Agents* | Bhavani Kola Instructor, Mathematics |
| 2-2:50 p.m. | Student Panel: Student Perspectives: Shaping the Future of Online Education* | Rachel Atterholt, Sharlene Garcia, and Madison McCollum TCC Students |
| 3-3:50 p.m. | From AI Literacy to Local Leadership: Building an Institution-Wide AI Ambassador Program | Eric Spenk Instructional Designer, Accessibility |
*This session qualifies for TCC Trailblazer Teaching credit.
Tuesday, November 3
| Time (CST) | Session Title | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 2-2:50 p.m. | Faculty Panel: The Human at the Center: Connection, Belonging, and Sustainable Online Learning* |
Grace Ellis Lynn Patterson Julia Quarles |
| 3-3:50 p.m. | OER in Action: Faculty Approaches to Effective OER Implementation and Limitations* |
Dr. Julie Lantrip Thomas Vanderburg Leslie Johnson Sarah Garcia Dr. Arturo Ozuna |
| 5-6 p.m. | SyncUp Symposium - Session 1 Flipping the Classroom with Copilot: Turning Weekly Meeting Time into Meaningful Project Work* |
Nancy Scott |
| 6-7 p.m. | SyncUp Symposium - Session 2 Teaching in Technicolor: Curating Vibrant Learning Experiences in Canvas* |
Cassie Hanna Carolina Saleh |
*This session qualifies for TCC Trailblazer Teaching credit.
Wednesday, November 4
| Time (CST) | Session Title | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 2-2:50 p.m. | Student Affairs Panel: Sustaining Student Success in the Digital College: Building Support Systems That Last |
Elizabeth (Liz) Webb Benjamin Avelar Jr. Juan Antonio Angel Dr. Bryan Cottrell Noelle Barnes |
| 3-3:50 p.m. | The Saber-Tooth Curriculum, Online: Auditing the Sacred Subjects of Distance Learning | Dr. Edward Walden Sr. Instructional Designer |
Thursday, November 5
| Time (CST) | Session Title | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 1-1:50 p.m. | AI for Well-Being: Leveraging AI Tools Across the Five Essential Elements of Well-Being |
Dr. Arturo Ozuno Dr. Ryan Ferguson |
| 2-2:50 p.m. | The Ripple Effect: Lessons from Launching and Growing a Fully Online Supplemental Instruction Program | Jacqueline Garcia Munoz Manager, Supplemental Instruction |
| 3-3:50 p.m. | Closing Keynote: Access, Equity, and Learner Success: Beyond OER and Building Affordable Learning Solutions with AI | Dr. Gerard L. Hanley Director, CSULB Center for Usability in Design and Accessibility (CUDA) |
| 5-6 p.m. | SyncUp Symposium - Session 3 Finding the Yellow Brick Road: Exploring Today’s Instructional Resources Hub and the Road Ahead |
Suzanne Robinson Instructional Designer |
| 6-7 p.m. | SyncUp Symposium - Session 4 Canvas Blueprint in Action: A Faculty Overview of Simplifying Course and Content Management in Canvas |
Dr. AZ Bashet Director of Academic Technology |
Keynote Speakers
Bhavani Kola
Instructor, Mathematics
Opening Keynote: Advancing AI: Online Education in the Age of AI Agents (opens in a new tab)
Bhavani Kola believes AI belongs in every discipline, and educators deserve a seat at the table where its future is shaped.
Her mission is to turn AI uncertainty into confidence and innovation into meaningful action.
Her philosophy is simple: Practical over theoretical; Empowerment over fear; Monday morning, not someday.
Dr. Gerald Hanley
Director, CSULB Center for Usability in Design and Accessibility (CUDA)
Closing Keynote: Access, Equity, and Learner Success: Beyond OER and Building Affordable Learning Solutions with AI (opens in a new tab)
Dr. Gerry Hanley is Executive Director of MERLOT and SkillsCommons, leading initiatives that provide free educational and workforce development resources worldwide. He also serves as Director of the CUDA Lab and Professor Emeritus of Psychology at California State University, Long Beach. A longtime higher education leader, he previously guided academic technology initiatives across the 23-campus California State University system. His current work focuses on digital learning, workforce training, and the application of AI in education.
Contact
TCC Connect
Office of the President
Melody Pitts, M.Ed.
Coordinator, Administrative Events
Updated October 29, 2026