The Office of Distance and Alternative Education supports opportunities for ACC faculty to connect with like-minded peers in instructor-led learning communities focused on shared topics of interest.
A Faculty Learning Community brings faculty together to exchange insights and enhance teaching practices. Through interactive sessions, participants explore, apply, and share innovative strategies for course development and delivery, preparing them for the evolving landscape of distance education.
FLC: AI in Practice: Advanced Applications in Distance Education
This Faculty Learning Community (FLC) focuses on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching and learning. Through a series of engaging sessions, participants will examine topics to enrich their understanding of artificial intelligence in an educational setting, and explore practical applications of AI for enhancing course development, delivery, and student engagement.
This group provides a platform for knowledge sharing, peer collaboration, and practical skill development to ensure faculty are well-equipped to navigate the evolving landscape of AI in education.
Applicant Prerequisites: Successfully completed Distance Education’s AI in DE FLC and/or prior knowledge of using AI technologies. Participants must teach at least one course during the FLC.
Stipend: $500 (Total)
After successfully meeting all requirements, faculty participants are eligible to receive a stipend.
Professional Development: 9 hours
To self-report credits, go to Workday > Profile icon > View Profile > Career > Training > Add Training
Deadline to Apply: Participants will receive an acceptance letter from the Distance & Alternative Education Office after the application deadline has passed.
Please note: Faculty can participate in only one Distance Education Faculty Learning Community (FLC) or Distance Education Institute per semester.
Contact: For any questions, please email [email protected].
FLC: DE Inclusive Teaching
This Faculty Learning Community (FLC) is designed to equip educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively facilitate distance education while promoting inclusivity. Topics covered will broadly include increasing student engagement and belonging within a Distance Education class.
Applicant Prerequisites: Participants must teach at least one Distance Education course during the FLC.
Stipend: $300 (Total)
Stipend will be paid after participating in the FLC and successfully meeting all requirements.
Professional Development: 4.5 hours
To self-report credits, go to Workday > Profile icon > View Profile > Career > Training > Add Training
Deadline to Apply: Participants will receive an acceptance letter from the Distance & Alternative Education Office after the application deadline has passed.
Please note: Faculty can participate in only one Distance Education Faculty Learning Community (FLC) or Distance Education Institute per semester.
Contact: For any questions, please email [email protected].
Fall 2025 Offerings
SEPTEMBER, 2025
FLC: DE Inclusive Teaching
| Dates | Times | Location | Registration Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 5, 12, 19 | 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Zoom meeting | Applications Closed |
- Note: Applicants are allowed to apply for only one DE FLC or DE Institute each semester.
- Deadline to Apply: Friday, August 29 at 5 p.m.
Schedule & Topics:
- Welcome and Introduction to Inclusive Teaching and The Value of Structure for Inclusive Teaching
- Classroom Environment and Interactions
- Culturally Responsive Teaching in Distance Education
Facilitator: Dr. Eduardo L. Garcia, Professor, General Studies and Student Development
Applicant Prerequisites: Participants must teach at least one Distance Education course during the FLC.
Stipend: $300 stipend will be paid after participating in the FLC and successfully meeting all requirements.
Professional Development: 4.5 hours To self-report credits, go to Workday > Profile icon > View Profile > Career > Training > Add Training
Registration Cap: Minimum: 6 Faculty / Maximum: 10 Faculty
Deadline to Apply: Friday, August 29 at 5 p.m.
Participants will receive an acceptance letter from the Distance & Alternative Education Office after the application deadline has passed.
Please note: Faculty can participate in only one Distance Education Faculty Learning Community (FLC) or Distance Education Institute per semester.
Contact: For any questions, please email [email protected].
FLC: AI in Practice: Advanced Applications in Distance Education
| Dates | Times | Location | Registration Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 5, 12, 19 October 3, 10, 17 |
12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Zoom meeting | Applications Closed |
- Note: Applicants are allowed to apply for only one DE FLC or DE Institute each semester.
- Deadline to Apply: Friday, August 29 at 5 p.m.
Schedule & Topics:
- Session 1: Prompting with a Purpose (September 5)
Facilitator: Dr. Herb Coleman
Participants will learn effective prompting techniques to enhance generative AI outputs.
- Session 2: AI Generated Media (September 12)
Facilitator: Dr. Herb Coleman
Participants will learn how to leverage AI models to generate high-quality, relevant media, including images, audio, and video, enabling innovative content creation across digital formats.
- Session 3: AI Tools for Teaching and AI Agents (September 19)
Facilitator: Dr. Herb Coleman
Participants will learn how to leverage AI technologies to streamline teaching tasks, save time, and enhance student support. Participants will also learn how to create chatbots and AI agents.
- Session 4: Learning Portfolio and Reflections (October 3)
Facilitator: Dr. Herb Coleman
Reflections and collaborative discussion on learned concepts.
- Session 5: Components of Resilient Course Design (October 10)
Facilitator: Dr. Paepin Starr
Participants will learn how to design a course AI cannot pass.
- Session 6: Applying the Five Components to your Course (October 17)
Facilitator: Dr. Paepin Starr
Participants will learn about AI impacts to education and the five components that can be implemented to strengthen your courses.
Applicant Prerequisites: Successfully completed Distance Education’s AI in DE FLC and/or prior knowledge of using AI technologies. Participants must teach at least one course during the FLC.
Stipend: After successfully meeting all requirements, faculty participants are eligible to receive a $500 stipend.
Professional Development: 9 hours To self-report credits, go to Workday > Profile icon > View Profile > Career > Training > Add Training
Registration Cap: Minimum: 6 Faculty / Maximum: 15 Faculty
Deadline to Apply: Friday, August 29 at 5 p.m.
Participants will receive an acceptance letter from the Distance & Alternative Education Office after the application deadline has passed.
Please note: Faculty can participate in only one Distance Education Faculty Learning Community (FLC) or Distance Education Institute per semester.
Contact: For any questions, please email [email protected].
NOVEMBER, 2025
FLC: DE Inclusive Teaching
| Dates | Times | Location | Registration Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 14, 21 December 5 |
10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Zoom meeting | Applications Closed |
- Note: Applicants are allowed to apply for only one DE FLC or DE Institute each semester.
- Deadline to Apply: Friday, October 31 at 5 p.m.
Schedule & Topics:
- Welcome and Introduction to Inclusive Teaching and The Value of Structure for Inclusive Teaching
- Classroom Environment and Interactions
- Culturally Responsive Teaching in Distance Education
Facilitator: Dr. Eduardo L. Garcia, Professor, General Studies and Student Development
Applicant Prerequisites: Participants must teach at least one Distance Education course during the FLC.
Stipend: $300 stipend will be paid after participating in the FLC and successfully meeting all requirements.
Professional Development: 4.5 hours To self-report credits, go to Workday > Profile icon > View Profile > Career > Training > Add Training
Registration Cap: Minimum: 6 Faculty / Maximum: 10 Faculty
Deadline to Apply: Friday, October 31 at 5 p.m.
Participants will receive an acceptance letter from the Distance & Alternative Education Office after the application deadline has passed.
Please note: Faculty can participate in only one Distance Education Faculty Learning Community (FLC) or Distance Education Institute per semester.
Contact: For any questions, please email [email protected].