ARC Unplugged

geometric colorful background with the OIR and WSU Libraries logos and the text ARC Unplugged Fall 2026

Please join the Office of Instructional Resources, in partnership with University Libraries, for three days of special in-person training this fall!

WHERE:
Ablah Library's Jane McHugh Research Lab, Room 230

WHEN:
Friday, October 2, 11am - 4pm: AI and Research

Friday, October 30, 11am - 3pm: Accessibility and You

Tuesday, November 10, all day: Fix Your Content Day

Friday, November 13, 11am - 4pm: AI Maker Space

Registration is not required, but will help us plan food!
Register to attend

Date	Description
October 2 11am - 4pm	THEME: AI and Research Join us for a full day of sessions covering the intersection of AI and research. All sessions begin on the hour, starting at 11:00 and run through 4:00, with our last session being a panel discussion about the ethical implications of using AI in research. Snacks will be provided all day, so come when you can and go when you must. AGENDA: 11am - AI and the Dissertation, Carolyn Speer Whether you are a dissertation advisor, on a dissertation committee, or a GTA putting together your document, this session is for you! We will cover ways to use AI to support the dissertation process and to aid in evaluation of a dissertation (or thesis) over time. 12pm - AI and Library Research, Fiona Holly Join WSU Librarian Fiona Holly to learn about the connection between AI and library searching, followed by guided time to test out the process yourself. 1PM - AI and the Literature Review, Rachel Bastian Building upon Fiona's session, Rachel will talk about specific tools (mostly AI-adjacent) that can help refine searches, find relevent papers, organize information, and more! 2pm - AI and Data Analysis, Carolyn Speer, Rachel Bastian Using a paper Carolyn and Rachel wrote this summer as a working example, they will discuss how to leverage AI to create knowledge through data pulling, data analysis, and writing up results. Modern tools are powerful enough that it is possible to perform statistical analysis without SPSS skills. Come see how! 3pm - The Ethical Implications of AI and Research, Imran Musaji, Shanuka Vithana, TBD Come hear discussion from a panel of experts from around the university discussing the ethical implications of AI use in a research context.
October 30 11am - 3pm	THEME: Accessibility and You Join us for guidance on all things accessibility including help with Blackboard, video, and web questions. Lunch is provided, and sessions start on the hour. If you need to show up late or leave early, that's fine! We will be so glad to see you. Bonus: the information you learn today will help you help WSU compete in the global "Fix Your Content Day" contest the following week. AGENDA: 11am - Improve overall accessibility in course materials, Heather Merchant It can feel daunting to hear your course materials have accessibility problems. Where to begin? What to do? This session will get you started with practical tips that will improve your courses quickly. 12pm - Instruction (and staff!) appreciation event, OIR Staff Join OIR staff to learn about the accessibility of your courses and get some hands-on help improving where it will do the most good. All people welcome! If you have Blackboard accessibility questions, we can help you, and regardless, swing by and say hi. We have lunch! 1PM - Improve video accessibility, John Jones Recent changes in video accessibility standards have been challenging to address. But what actually has to be done, and what are the deadlines? This session will get you on the right track. 2pm - Accessibility for the web, John Jones Do you run or contribute to a WSU webpage or several? This session is for you! Whether you are staff, faculty, or administration, come learn about what needs to be done to keep our WSU website accessible to all.
November 13 11am - 4pm	THEME: AI Maker Space More information coming soon!

Date

Description

October 2
11am - 4pm

THEME: AI and Research

Join us for a full day of sessions covering the intersection of AI and research. All sessions begin on the hour, starting at 11:00 and run through 4:00, with our last session being a panel discussion about the ethical implications of using AI in research. Snacks will be provided all day, so come when you can and go when you must.

AGENDA:

11am - AI and the Dissertation, Carolyn Speer
Whether you are a dissertation advisor, on a dissertation committee, or a GTA putting together your document, this session is for you! We will cover ways to use AI to support the dissertation process and to aid in evaluation of a dissertation (or thesis) over time.
12pm - AI and Library Research, Fiona Holly
Join WSU Librarian Fiona Holly to learn about the connection between AI and library searching, followed by guided time to test out the process yourself.
1PM - AI and the Literature Review, Rachel Bastian
Building upon Fiona's session, Rachel will talk about specific tools (mostly AI-adjacent) that can help refine searches, find relevent papers, organize information, and more!
2pm - AI and Data Analysis, Carolyn Speer, Rachel Bastian
Using a paper Carolyn and Rachel wrote this summer as a working example, they will discuss how to leverage AI to create knowledge through data pulling, data analysis, and writing up results. Modern tools are powerful enough that it is possible to perform statistical analysis without SPSS skills. Come see how!
3pm - The Ethical Implications of AI and Research, Imran Musaji, Shanuka Vithana, TBD
Come hear discussion from a panel of experts from around the university discussing the ethical implications of AI use in a research context.

October 30
11am - 3pm

THEME: Accessibility and You

Join us for guidance on all things accessibility including help with Blackboard, video, and web questions. Lunch is provided, and sessions start on the hour. If you need to show up late or leave early, that's fine! We will be so glad to see you. Bonus: the information you learn today will help you help WSU compete in the global "Fix Your Content Day" contest the following week.

AGENDA:

11am - Improve overall accessibility in course materials, Heather Merchant
It can feel daunting to hear your course materials have accessibility problems. Where to begin? What to do? This session will get you started with practical tips that will improve your courses quickly.
12pm - Instruction (and staff!) appreciation event, OIR Staff
Join OIR staff to learn about the accessibility of your courses and get some hands-on help improving where it will do the most good. All people welcome! If you have Blackboard accessibility questions, we can help you, and regardless, swing by and say hi. We have lunch!
1PM - Improve video accessibility, John Jones
Recent changes in video accessibility standards have been challenging to address. But what actually has to be done, and what are the deadlines? This session will get you on the right track.
2pm - Accessibility for the web, John Jones
Do you run or contribute to a WSU webpage or several? This session is for you! Whether you are staff, faculty, or administration, come learn about what needs to be done to keep our WSU website accessible to all.

November 13
11am - 4pm

THEME: AI Maker Space

More information coming soon!