CADI Connect
Stay informed, stay ahead.
Welcome to the CADI Connect newsletter
Your monthly update on all things learning, teaching and innovation at the University of Portsmouth
In this edition, we’re sharing new opportunities to develop your practice, enhance student learning and stay ahead of emerging trends across the sector. Alongside our expanding AI workshop programme, we’re opening applications for the 2026 Collaborative Growth cohort and recruiting for the next Teach Well: Principles to Practice module starting in January. You’ll also find key updates on online exams, new CPD opportunities, professional development resources, and support for estranged students and care leavers — all part of our continued commitment to inclusive, high-quality teaching.
We’d also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a relaxed Christmas break and to return feeling refreshed and energised for 2026.
Dive in to discover what’s new and how you can get involved.
AI
AI workshops
Since March 2025, CADI has delivered 50+ AI workshops, supporting nearly 800 colleagues to build confidence, enhance teaching, and develop AI-resilient assessment. Our programme continues to grow, with new sessions launching in early 2026.
Read the full article to explore the impact and what’s coming next.
The team delivering this training are exceptional. Fantastic and engaging sessions. These AI training sessions have been absolutely brilliant and very useful for my practice. Thanks to all involved.
Learning Design
Collaborative Growth
Ready to refresh your teaching practice in 2026?
Collaborative Growth offers a high-value, high-impact way to Teach Well, Consistently Well through supportive, peer-led collaboration. Partner with a colleague and a learning designer to co-develop innovative approaches to your teaching, assessment, or digital learning, all tailored to your goals.
Flexible. Creative. Evidence-based. Designed to enhance both your practice and your students’ learning experience.
Apply now for the January 2026 cohort
Moodle
Training and events
Teach Well - new recruiting for January 2026
Teach Well: Principles to Practice is a free, 30-credit Level 7 module for UoP staff that builds confidence in learning design, teaching practice and assessment through a practical, collaborative approach.
It’s ideal for early-career academics and anyone supporting student learning, with a new cohort starting January 2026.
Book on a CPD session
Discover our programme of tailored CPD sessions designed to support and inspire staff across the University. Covering topics such as AI in education, assessment and feedback, closing awarding gaps, learning design, student engagement and the Connected Curriculum, our workshops focus on the themes that matter most to teaching and learning today.
These interactive sessions offer practical tools, fresh ideas and opportunities to connect with colleagues.
Our CPD sessions are open to internal University staff and can be booked via Docebo.
Please see a full list of sessions including dates below or download the latest CPD Catalogue (pdf)
AI in the Classroom: Foundations and First Steps
The pace in which AI is developing is faster than most could have projected and it’s easy to feel left behind. Focused on those new to AI, this interactive and collaborative session will explore what AI is and identify the AI tools that are available to you.
Next session(s): 8th December, 8th January, 4th February, 16th February, 5th March, 17th March, 6th April, 12th May, 15th June
Harnessing AI: Enhance Teaching, Empower Learning
In this session you will explore how generative AI tools can be meaningfully integrated into teaching practice to enhance engagement, personalise learning and streamline tasks.
Next session(s): 9th December, 7th January, 3rd February, 16th February, 4th March, 19th March, 6th April, 12th May, 16th June, 14th July, 5th August
AI and Assessment - Academic Integrity and Innovation
In this session, you will explore how generative AI tools can be meaningfully integrated into assessment tasks to enhance student assessment literacy and alignment.
Next session(s): 9th December, 8th January, 3rd February, 17th February, 4th March, 17th March, 7th April, 13th May, 17th June, 15th July, 5th August
From Outputs to Insight: Building Ethical and Critical AI Practice
As AI tools become increasingly embedded in higher education, the need to engage critically and ethically with their use has never been greater.
In this session, you will explore how to evaluate AI outputs, question their reliability, and understand the ethical principles that underpin responsible use in teaching, learning, and assessment. Drawing on current sector guidance and research, we will unpack issues of fairness, transparency, privacy, and academic integrity through collaborative activities.
Next session(s): 5th February, 10th March, 8th April, 14th May, 17th June, 17th July, 6th August
Feedback That Clicks: Empowering Students to Engage and Act
Tired of feeling like your carefully crafted feedback goes unnoticed or unused? Do students seem to treat feedback as a box to tick rather than a tool for growth? Join this collaborative and interactive workshop to explore how to write feedback that resonates with your students, inspires reflection and drives meaningful action.
Next session(s): 3rd December, 30th January, 19th March, 30th April, 11th June
Revitalising Assessment and Feedback
If you’re looking to breathe new life into your assessment design and craft purposeful feedback while enhancing student engagement and success, this is the workshop for you. Have you ever wondered if your students even read your feedback or if your assessments truly enhance the student experience and prepare them up for the world of work.
Next session(s): 12th December, 26th January, 18th March, 29th April, 8th June
Marking with Confidence: Using Categorical Marking and Assessment Criteria
Are you looking to enhance the transparency, consistency and fairness of your assessment processes? This interactive and practical workshop will equip you with strategies to apply categorical marking while linking to effective assessment criteria and rubrics. Whether you’re aiming to refine your marking practices, ensure alignment with the categorical scale, or better support student success, this session offers valuable insights and tools to elevate your approach.
Next session(s): 29th January, 9th March, 16th April, 3rd June
Mind the Gap! Guidance and Tips for Tackling Awarding Gaps with Confidence
Do you want to ensure your students have an equitable opportunity to succeed? This practical workshop explores awarding gaps and what you can do in your day-to-day teaching to create a more inclusive learning environment.
Next session(s): 3rd December, 9th March, 2nd June, 3rd September, 3rd December
Access All Areas: Incorporating Inclusive Learning Design
Want to make your teaching more accessible and engaging for all students? Join our interactive CPD workshop where we’ll explore practical ways to create more equitable learning experiences that support the diverse needs of your learners.
Next session(s): 28th January, 26th February, 25th March, 30th April, 4th June
Fair, Flexible and Feasible: Inclusive Approaches to Assessment
How can we ensure that our assessments are fair, flexible, and feasible, both for our students and for us as educators? Join us for a hands-on, practical session on inclusive assessment, where we’ll explore how to design fair and supportive assessment experiences for all students.
Next session(s): 8th December, 29th January, 5th March, 9th April, 7th May, 3rd June
Mentimeter: an interactive tool to enhance engagement and interactive participation
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll experience the functionality of Mentimeter from both sides of the screen: first as a student, then as a creator/presenter. You’ll explore a wide range of interactive features, such as live polls, word clouds, quizzes, Q&A, and slide design tools including the PowerPoint add-in, and see how its AI features, such as grouping text responses, can enhance your sessions. We’ll also look at how Vevox question types can be recreated in Mentimeter to support transition between the two systems.
Next session(s): 16th March, 23rd April, 21st May, 11th June
The Enterprise Programme
This interactive workshop will explore what we mean by ‘being enterprising’ and put this into action. The research and academic environment offers many opportunities for enterprising individuals. You might be contemplating how you can build a business from your research using your researcher capabilities or perhaps you have never contemplated this. Whatever stage you are at, this workshop will help you analyse and develop your enterprising capabilities through self reflection and practical activities.
Next session(s): 11th March
Let's be reasonable: anticipating and integrating reasonable adjustments
This session will explore the statutory requirements for University of Portsmouth staff regarding reasonable adjustments, the role of anticipatory duties, and practical strategies for supporting diverse student needs.
Next session(s): 5th December
Getting the Basics Right: Teaching Well, Consistently Well at Portsmouth
Are you new to Portsmouth or looking to refresh your approach to teaching and learning? Whether you’ve inherited a module, are navigating blended learning for the first time, or simply want a chance to review your learning and teaching strategy, this interactive and collaborative workshop is your starting point.
Next session(s): 12th December, 26th January, 13th March, 23rd April, 18th June
Engage to Learn: Design Context-Rich Activities for Active Blended Learning
Do you find it challenging to get students to engage in the classroom or participate in asynchronous activities? Are your teaching strategies feeling a bit stale, or are you unsure how to design learning experiences that truly resonate? This interactive and collaborative workshop is your chance to refresh your approach and create context-rich, sense-making activities that inspire engagement, foster belonging and enhance student understanding.
Next session(s): 10th December, 30th January, 20th March, 4th April
Discover your Teaching Identity: Professional Values & Personal Pedagogies
Are you considering applying for Fellowship or struggling to articulate your approach to Professional Values in your APEX claim? This interactive and collaborative workshop is designed to guide you through reflecting on your teaching identity and aligning it with the Professional Standards Framework 2023.
Next session(s): 5th December, 5th February, 12th March, 13th April, 14th May, 8th June, 7th July
Behaviour Management to Relational Practice: Building Inclusive Learning Cultures in HE
This interactive workshop frames behaviour in higher education as linked to belonging, motivation and relational approaches to teaching. It builds on themes introduced at the Learning and Teaching Conference 2025 and invites colleagues to consider how assumptions, learning design and institutional culture influence student engagement.
Next session(s): 11th February, 18th February, 11th May
Enhance your learning and teaching with ALDinHE
CADI provides free institutional membership to the Association for Learning Development in Higher Education (ALDinHE) — offering resources, events, research insights and professional development opportunities for anyone involved in learning development.
Colleagues can register for free and join a supportive, practice-sharing community.
New website features
Estranged Students and Care Leavers
We’ve launched a new section highlighting the support available for estranged students and care leavers - groups who often face unique challenges around finances, housing, wellbeing and academic balance. At the University of Portsmouth, we’re committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.
Celebrations
Big congratulations to ...
Chris Wood on obtaining his Senior Fellow (SFHEA) through AdvanceHE.
Keep up-to-date with CADI
Latest news
For all the latest news from the CADI team please follow us on LinkedIn and here on the CADI website - CADI News.
Contact us
Do you have a question or need some support with your teaching?
If you do, then please contact the CADI team who will be happy to advise you.
- For technical queries relating to digital learning tools, please email: cadi-digital@port.ac.uk.
- For questions relating to teaching practice or for one-to-one support, please email: cadi@port.ac.uk.