Workshops for staff
Check in regularly to see what workshops CEDI has coming up.
AI for Educators
AI for Educators is now open for enrolment to University of Otago academic staff.
Developed by the Centre for Educational Design and Innovation (CEDI), this self-paced course, hosted in Aoroa supports you to make informed decisions about AI in your own teaching and learning context. It offers opportunities to consider its possibilities and limitations, including when its use may or may not be appropriate. The focus is on choices that support your learning objectives, students’ needs and disciplinary context. Teaching-focused examples and AI activities using Cogniti support reflection on ethical, responsible and effective practice.
Participation is encouraged but not required. You can access the course at any time and revisit it as an evolving resource, updated as AI and its implications develop. Allow approximately two to six hours overall, depending on your existing AI knowledge and depth of engagement with the course materials. You can work through the course at your own pace; setting aside around 15 minutes a day is one suggested approach.
Watch the AI Literacy promotional video
Enrol for the AI for Educators course through Aoroa
For support
For technical support, contact AskOtago
For learner support email cedi@otago.ac.nz
Teaching TIPS
Teaching TIPS is a discussion group held regularly by CEDI for all teaching staff at the University of Otago, these sessions are discussion led, exploratory and peer-sharing rather than taught in nature.
Find out when the next session in this series is scheduled
Visit Kōkiri ki Tua, our SharePoint page
Teaching and Learning Circles
If you are interested in meeting other academics who enjoy teaching, or you want to invigorate your teaching practice, then Teaching and Learning Circles may be for you. Teaching and Learning Circles (TLCs) is a University-wide initiative, which combines group-based, reciprocal peer observations of teaching with supportive collegial conversations to provide insight into your teaching. The initiative has been operating since 2018, with inter-disciplinary TLCs offering staff the opportunity to observe and discuss diverse teaching contexts. The "data" obtained from your TLC participation can be used in your Otago Teaching Profile.
See our SharePoint page for more information on Teaching and Learning Circles this year
Tutor Training Programme
In 2025 we redeveloped our tutor training programme. It is now designed to better support tutors with updated workbooks, interactive modules, and workshops and can be customised for specific Divisional and Departmental needs.
Find out more about our Tutor Training Programme
Email cedi@otago.ac.nz if you'd like help to work on specific Tutor Training resources for your area.
Tertiary teaching awards
Nominations for the Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka University of Otago Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Te Whatu Kairangi Aotearoa Tertiary Educator Awards are due in early February each year.
Find out more about the tertiary teaching awards
Social media
Want to keep in touch with CEDI? Kōkiri Ki Tua | The Education Network has a Viva Engage site that is updated regularly.
Kōkiri Ki Tua | The Education Network on Viva Engage
New Academic Staff Programme (NASP)
The Learning and Development Team in the Human Resources Division organises the New Academic Staff Programme. This programme is a webinar series providing new academic staff with an introduction to resources, support and information that can help them navigate their roles.
Register for a new academic staff webinar session
Find resources and webinar recordings for new academic staff