Beyond the Basics Remote Instruction Workshop Series

USF's Instructional Design team presents Beyond the Basics, our ongoing peer-interactive workshop series, targeting improved strategies for remote instruction. Join us and register for workshops on our website.

Workshop Descriptions

Instructor looking at a cameraNext Level Video Lectures

In this workshop, we will go beyond the basics to explore ways to enhance your recorded lectures, considering structure and visual design as well as how to include accountability for students. We will also look at options to streamline lecture development and recording.

  • Workshop dates:  June 3, 5–6:30PM;  June 9, 11AM–12:30PM;  June 30, 2–3:30PM;  July 12, 11AM-12:30PM; Aug 17, 2–4PM
  • Location: Zoom — meeting ID will be sent in a confirmation email
  • Facilitator: Mishiara Baker

Person attending a video meetingSupercharge Learning in Breakout Groups

Did you use breakout rooms in fall semester but found as you bounced around that students weren’t always having the meaningful interactions you’d hoped for? In this workshop, we’ll go beyond the basics of breakout rooms to explore and design small group activities that will result in more meaningful interactions among students and deeper interaction with your course content.

  • Workshop dates:  May 27, 1–3PM;  June 16, 11AM–1PM;  June 29, 4–6PM;  July 14, 1–3PM; Aug 5, 11AM–1PM
  • Location: Zoom — meeting ID will be sent in a confirmation email
  • Facilitator: Angie Portacio

Male student working on a laptopBalancing Sync & Async Course Components

Integrating asynchronous activities enriches a remote course and gives instructors and students a break from Zoom, but what mix is best? In this workshop, we'll go beyond the basics to discover how to strategically identify opportunities to adapt course content to asynchronous delivery and connect your sync and async components together to strengthen your course.

  • Workshop dates: May 24, 11AM–1PM;  June 9, 4–6PM;  July 1, 2–4PM;  July 20, 1–3PM;  Aug 13, 11AM-1PM
  • Location: Zoom — meeting ID will be sent in a confirmation email
  • Facilitator: Jill Ballard

Workshop Registration


Facilitators from the Instructional Design Team

Angie Portacio, MA Ed, is a senior instructional designer and liaises with the Schools of Education, Law, and Nursing & Health Professions. Angie has worked in higher education instructional design for over 10 years at USF, SFSU, and ACUE and has also worked as adjunct faculty. Angie’s areas of expertise include online and hybrid course design, active learning, the Quality Matters framework, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL)/accessible design. 

Jill Ballard, MA, is an instructional designer and liaises with the College of Arts & Sciences. Jill has worked in higher education instructional design and as faculty at USF and Academy of Art University for 13 years. Jill’s areas of expertise include online and hybrid course design, active learning, learning assessment, and course community development.

Mishiara Baker, MA, is a course A/V and multimedia developer. Mishiara has worked in multimedia development at USF for 12 years. Mishiara’s areas of expertise include professionally-produced course videos, self-recorded video and podcasting best practices, instructional light board videos, and interactive course multimedia.

Susan Zolezzi is the Associate Director of Instructional Design. Susan oversees strategic initiatives to promote online, hybrid and technology assisted education at USF. She leads a team of instructional designers and multimedia developers who collaborate with faculty to develop online and hybrid courses.