Remote Recess
Take a Break with Colleagues and Learn Something Too!
Remote Recess sessions offer an opportunity for faculty to gather online and learn something new in a low-stakes, casual, and FUN way. Each session will focus on a topic (like Panopto) and a short demo, then the facilitator will open the session to Q&A. Participants are encouraged to share tips and tricks. These sessions are designed to help you decide how and when to use certain technologies and activities.
Summer 2026 Remote Recess Sessions
Sessions are offered on Wednesdays at 3 p.m.
All sessions are one hour long.
Empowering Accessible Learning with Blackboard Ally
Wednesday, June 24 at 3 p.m.
Blackboard Ally is more than an accessibility checker—it’s a powerful partner in building truly inclusive learning environments. This session guides faculty through Ally’s most impactful features, from real-time accessibility scoring to automated alternative formats that support diverse learners. Participants will see how Ally simplifies document remediation, aligns with Quality Matters principles, and reduces instructional risk while boosting student success. Through hands-on exploration, faculty will learn how to evaluate course accessibility, improve common file types, and integrate accessibility best practices into their everyday workflow.
Google Gemini for Education: Exploring AI Tools for Teaching and Productivity
Wednesday, July 8 at 3 p.m.
This hands-on workshop introduces Google Gemini for Education, exploring how Austin Community College (ACC) faculty can access and use its four core tools—Canvas, Image, Research, and Guided Learning—to enhance teaching and productivity while maintaining privacy and data security. Through interactive activities like Universal Design for Learning lesson planning, visual concept generation, article summarization, and AI tutoring exploration, participants will gain practical experience with each Gemini mode and discuss real-world classroom applications.
Getting Started with NotebookLM
Wednesday, July 22 at 3 p.m.
Discover how NotebookLM can help you quickly organize, analyze, and synthesize course materials using AI. This hands-on session introduces the core features of NotebookLM and demonstrates how it can extract learning goals, themes, and structures from your existing documents. We’ll work together to create an infographic-style “Syllabus Insights Map” that highlights key elements of your course at a glance. Participants will learn practical ways to apply these tools for lesson planning, research organization, and strengthening student connection. Please bring a copy of one of your syllabi to use during the workshop.
Blackboard Ultra Course Copy: Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices
Wednesday, August 5 at 3 p.m.
Get your Blackboard Ultra courses ready for the fall semester with confidence. This hands-on workshop will walk instructors through the course copy process step-by-step, including what transfers successfully, what requires extra attention, and common issues to avoid. Participants will also learn helpful tips and best practices for cleaning up content, checking dates, and preparing a polished course experience before students arrive.
Faculty Events Calendar
For the latest events and training, please visit the faculty events calendar. To view only the Remote Recess sessions choose the “RemoteRecess” tag to view a list of available offerings.
Remote Recess Archive
Remote Recess sessions are available to view. New recordings are uploaded within a week after a Remote Recess session. Click the Remote Recess tab at the top of the page to view the archive list. Note: To view the archive, please log in with your ACC credentials.
Remote Recess Rewind: Self-Paced Online Courses!
Remote Recess Rewind is a series of online, self-paced courses that allow Austin Community College (ACC) faculty and staff to learn more about tools and technologies by rewatching Remote Recess sessions, taking a short quiz, and accessing resources to support continuous learning.
Professional development credit is automatically awarded in Workday after successful completion.
Contact us
For any questions about Remote Recess, please contact Sara Schulz at sara.schulz@austincc.edu.