Work Smarter: Upcoming Sessions

Work Smarter Search and Filter

Are you ready to work smarter, not harder? CMTS Work Smarter is your gateway to mastering the essential tools and technologies that help you get things done, faster. This dynamic training series offers hands-on learning opportunities tailored to your needs.

From classroom technology and course prep to cutting-edge advancements like AI for research, digital identity, and quantum computing, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re looking to level up your data visualization skills with Power BI, automate tasks with Power Automate, or enhance collaboration through Zoom and Outlook, our sessions will equip you with the skills to thrive in today’s digital learning environment.

Ready to level up? Browse our upcoming sessions below and Work Smarter!

Live Help Desk

With Angie Miller, Instructional Technologist

Date: July 7, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Audience: Faculty
Location(s): Online

Have questions about your Canvas course? Instructors are encouraged to bring questions, troubleshoot issues, and get help with Canvas tools and features. Whether you need assistance with assignments, grades, course content, or other Canvas tasks, we’re here to help. Register now to attend this live help desk session for Canvas support and Q&A.

Topics: Canvas, Course Prep, Term Start

AI for Research Workflows

With Austin Tremblay, Sr. Technology Solutions Analyst

Date: July 14, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Audience: Faculty, Staff
Location(s): Online

Description: Research is hard enough. Your workflow shouldn’t be. In this session, we’ll explore practical ways AI can support the research process, from brainstorming research questions and organizing sources to synthesizing literature and managing notes. Register now to discover how AI can help you spend less time managing information and more time generating insights.

Topics: AI (Artificial Intelligence), ChatGPT

MS Teams Tips and Tricks

With Martin Richards, Instructional Technologist

Date: July 21, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Audience: Faculty, Staff
Location(s): Online, Malone 107
Coffee provided for in-person attendants

MS Teams is more than just chat. In this session, we’ll explore features and workflows that can help you communicate, collaborate, organize projects, and host meetings more effectively. Register now to uncover tools and shortcuts that can make Teams a more powerful part of your daily workflow.

Topics: Microsoft 365

Creating Your First Custom GPT

With Heather George, Sr. Technology Solutions Analyst

Date: August 5, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Audience: Faculty, Staff
Location(s): Malone 107

Discover how to build a custom GPT tailored to your work. Faculty and staff will learn the basics of creating and customizing GPTs, along with practical ways to use them for productivity, teaching, research, and creative projects.

Topics: AI (Artificial Intelligence), ChatGPT

Unlocking Teamwork: Mastering Collaboration in MS Office

With Martine Richards, Instructional Technologist

Date: August 12, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Audience: Faculty, Staff
Location(s): Online, Malone 107
Lunch provided for in-person attendees

Tired of messy email threads and confusion over document versions? In our CMTS Work Smarter session, Sharing and Collaborating in MS Office, we’ll cover simple, effective ways to share files and collaborate in real time using Word, OneDrive, SharePoint, and more. Register now and take the guesswork out of working together!

Topics: Microsoft 365

Classroom Technology: A Walkthrough for Faculty

With Peter Williams, Media Systems Specialist

Date: August 18, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Audience: Faculty
Location(s): Online, Clark 110
Lunch provided for in-person attendees

Transform your teaching experience with Zoom Rooms! Faculty are invited to join the CMTS team for this interactive training focused on enhancing your classroom sessions through the effective use of Zoom Rooms technology. Learn practical skills to engage students, manage classroom tech confidently, and elevate your instructional methods.

Topics: Classroom Technology, Zoom and ZoomRooms

Live Help Desk

With Angie Miller, Instructional Technologist

Date: August 19, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Audience: Faculty
Location(s): Online

Start your semester off right with our CMTS Work Smarter training series! In this session, we’ll walk through our handy term start checklist, covering essential course prep tasks—from adjusting assignment due dates to publishing new content and double-checking gradebook settings. Register now to streamline your course preparation and ensure a seamless semester launch!

Topics: Canvas, Course Prep

Let’s Get Connected: Canvas and Core Tech Resources for Students

With Liz Pallia, Sr. Instructional Technologist

Date: August 25, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Audience: Students
Location(s): Online

Welcome to WSE! In this student orientation session, you’ll get a guided introduction to Canvas, including how to find your courses, complete required orientation courses, contact your instructors, and access help when you need it. We’ll also show you where to find key JH resources, like email, MS Office tools, and the software catalog, so you can start the semester confident and connected. Register now to get set up for success.

Topics: Canvas

Canvas Live Help Desk

With Angie Miller, Instructional Technologist

Date: September 9, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Audience: Faculty
Location(s): Online

Have questions about your Canvas course? Instructors are encouraged to bring questions, troubleshoot issues, and get help with Canvas tools and features. Whether you need assistance with assignments, grades, course content, or other Canvas tasks, we’re here to help. Register now to attend this live help desk session for Canvas support and Q&A.

Topics: Canvas

Word Smarter: Styles that Do the Work for You

With Martine Richards, Instructional Technologist

Date: September 16, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Audience: Faculty, Staff, Students
Location(s): Malone 107
Lunch provided for in-person attendees

Formatting documents got you in a ctrl+z spiral? In this CMTS Work Smarter session, you’ll learn how to use built-in, customizable styles to create clean, consistent documents that practically format themselves. Register now and let Word do the heavy lifting!

Topics: Microsoft 365

Using ChatGPT to Support Academic Writing

With Austin Tremblay, Sr. Technology Solutions Analyst

Date: September 30, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Audience: Faculty, Staff, Students
Location(s): Online

Curious how AI can support your research and writing process? In this session, we’ll explore practical ways to use ChatGPT to assist with scholarly writing. We’ll cover generating annotated bibliographies, organizing literature reviews, and keeping research notes clear and manageable. Register now to learn how AI can help streamline your academic workflow.

Topics: AI (Artificial Intelligence), ChatGPT