Who We Are

Daniel Rockwell

Director of The Center for Teaching and Learning

Adrienne Allardt-Wong

 Instructional Design Services Coordinator & Instructional Technologist

Ben Hays

LMS Support & Administrator
& Instructional Technologist

The Center for Teaching and Learning at Western Oregon University empowers educators to create inclusive, engaging, and effective learning environments by offering personalized support, innovative resources, and collaborative opportunities. We promote teaching excellence, encourage technology integration, and foster continuous improvement, all with the aim of advancing student success and community impact.

We envision the CTL department as a guide in advancing teaching excellence and innovation at WOU. By building a vibrant community of educators committed to inclusive practices and transformative pedagogy, we aim to inspire, engage, and empower both faculty and students to navigate and thrive in an ever-changing world. Through our resources and collaborative programs, we equip educators to make a lasting impact on their students’ lives and careers.

The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at Western Oregon University is dedicated to supporting educators in the development of high-quality in-person, online, and hybrid courses that align with WOU’s mission of fostering a personalized learning community. With a strong focus on inclusion, accessibility, and student success, the CTL offers a range of services designed to empower faculty in refining their teaching strategies, integrating technology, and creating engaging learning environments.

• • Consultations: Our one-on-one consultations provide personalized, tailored support for faculty who seek specific guidance on course improvements, technology integration, or new instructional projects. Through these individualized sessions, educators receive expert advice on pedagogical innovation and course design to enhance student engagement and success.
  • Workshops: We offer hands-on workshops that focus on practical applications of instructional technologies within Canvas and that effectively sync with Canvas. These sessions aim to increase faculty comfort with essential tools, ensuring they are well-equipped to support their teaching methods and improve student learning experiences.
  • Deep Dives: For faculty seeking deeper engagement with specific teaching strategies, our Deep Dives provide in-depth exploration of focused pedagogical topics. These sessions include overviews, hands-on experimentation, and reflective activities, encouraging educators to brainstorm and implement new approaches in their courses. Eight to ten Deep Dives are offered each term, with topics aimed at enhancing both teaching effectiveness and the student learning experience.
  • Catalyst Program: The Catalyst program is a collaborative faculty development initiative designed to foster innovation in teaching and course design. This four-week program, typically offered during the summer, invites faculty to explore the intersection of technology and pedagogy, while also supporting individual design projects. By building a community of educators, Catalyst provides both content and project support, helping faculty make meaningful progress on new instructional initiatives.
  • Foundations of Online Teaching: The Foundations of Online Teaching course is designed to foster peer engagement and the exchange of strategies, helping educators connect around best practices for online teaching. By collaborating with fellow participants, educators will strengthen their ability to design, deliver, and improve high-quality online courses. The course focuses on aligning course design with instructional goals, effectively using technology to enhance engagement, and implementing inclusive practices for diverse learners.

Beyond our core services, the CTL is deeply committed to initiatives that engage with the broader community and uphold WOU’s values of diversity, accessibility, and student-centered learning. By collaborating with educators across campus, we help create inclusive and impactful learning environments that empower students to succeed academically and contribute meaningfully to the world.