Purdue University Northwest / Center for Faculty Excellence / Purdue + D2L Exchange

Purdue + D2L Exchange

Tuesday, November 10, 2026

9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (CST) – Alumni Hall, Hammond, IN

The D2L-Purdue Exchange Annual Event is a collaborative full-day symposium co-hosted by Purdue University and D2L Brightspace leadership and product teams. This year, the event will take place on the Purdue University Northwest – Hammond Campus.

This annual event brings together educators, course developers, instructional designers, and LMS technology administrators across the Purdue system to explore innovative instructional strategies, exchange creative uses of educational technologies and preview future platform developments.

Scroll down to see a call for proposals, the event schedule, session descriptions and travel info!

Register to Attend!

The event is FREE for all Purdue faculty, staff and LMS administrators. Your registration includes access to all sessions, event materials, morning coffee, a light breakfast and lunch.

Register by Noon on Monday, November 2.

REGISTER TO ATTEND

PNW faculty member Angela Schooley teaches a class.

Call for Proposals: Bright Ideas Showcase

Are you using Brightspace in an inventive, engaging or time-saving way? The PNW Center for Faculty Excellence invites faculty, instructors and graduate teaching assistants to submit presentation proposals for our Bright Ideas: Teaching & Learning Innovations Exchange. Proposals are due Friday, October 9.

SUBMIT your presentation proposal

Register Now, Purdue + D2L Exchange Annual Event. Learn. Connect. Elevate. Network. Share. Grow. Together advancing teaching and learning. With PNW NILs building and Bell tower in the background.

Event Highlights

  • Innovative teaching strategies for engagement, grading, and course design
  • Practical Brightspace tips featuring tools like Creator+, Intelligent Agents, and Quick Eval
  • Course accessibility and learner support with Special Access and Panorama
  • Insights from D2L and Purdue LMS leaders on platform updates and future enhancements

Event Schedule

Click below to expand this section to see the full event schedule. Access a printable version of the schedule for more details.

Time (CST)Session Title & FocusLocationAudienceFacilitatorsSession Description
8:30 – 10:00 amExecutive Partnership Discussion (Pre-Event; By Invitation Only)SULB 321Invited ParticipantsD2L Leadership
Purdue LMS Leadership		Strategic dialogue on the current and future state of the D2L-Purdue partnership. partnership opportunities
9:30 – 10:15 amAttendee Arrival, Light Breakfast & NetworkingAlumni Hall (SULB 360)All ParticipantsOpen NetworkingCheck-in, name badge pick-up, continental breakfast, coffee, and informal networking before opening remarks.
10:15 – 10:30 amWelcome & Opening RemarksAlumni Hall (SULB 360)All ParticipantsProvost Marie Mora, Emily Hixon, Kim MarshallOfficial welcome to Purdue University Northwest, overview of the Exchange Event goals, planned sessions, and orientation to the day.
10:30am – 12:00pm
Track A		Bright Ideas: Teaching & Learning Innovations ExchangeAlumni Hall (SULB 360)Faculty & InstructorsEmily Hixon, Kim MarshallShort show-and-tell demonstrations highlighting practical teaching strategies and creative uses of Brightspace.
10:30am – 12:00pm
Track B		D2L Roadmap & Data DiscussionsSULB 321Purdue LMS Administrator TeamsD2L Brightspace Experts and Technical Account Managers (TAMs)Review of Purdue-wide Brightspace adoption trends and upcoming platform developments. strategy for partner solutions
12:00 – 12:45 pmLunch BreakAlumni Hall (SULB 360)All ParticipantsD2L and PNW Center for Faculty ExcellenceLunch and informal peer networking.
1:00 – 1:45 pm
Breakout 1		Grade Smarter, Not Harder: Streamlining Assessment in BrightspaceAlumni Hall (SULB 360)Faculty & InstructorsD2L Brightspace ExpertsDiscover practical Brightspace tools and workflows that can reduce grading time, improve feedback delivery, and help students stay on track throughout the semester.
1:00 – 1:45 pm
Breakout 2		From Content to Connection: Engaging Students with BrightspaceRoom TBD (Check morning announcement)Faculty & InstructorsD2L Brightspace ExpertsExplore tools that help transform static course materials into interactive learning experiences while strengthening communication with students throughout the semester.
1:00 – 1:45 pm
Breakout 3		Planning for Create Space & Source CoursesSULB 321LMS Administrator TeamsD2L Brightspace Experts and Technical Account Managers (TAMs)Learn how institutions are leveraging Create Space and Source Courses while examining the configuration choices, access controls, and operational impacts that LMS administrators should consider.
2:00 – 2:45 pmDesigning Courses for All LearnersAlumni Hall (SULB 360)All ParticipantsD2L Brightspace Experts and PNW Center for Faculty Excellence StaffExplore practical approaches and Brightspace tools that help create well-organized, accessible, and flexible learning experiences for students.
2:50 – 3:30 pmClosing Reflections & Kim’s Favorite ThingsAlumni Hall (SULB 360)All ParticipantsKim MarshallWrap up the day by reflecting on key insights, sharing takeaways from the sessions, and a fun showcase of some of Kim's favorite Brightspace features, tips, and hidden gems.

Information for Out-of-Town Guests

  • Primary Parking Facility: 169th Street Parking Garage (Located at the corner of 169th Street and 171st / Wicker Avenue) or any open spaces not designated for Staff in parking lots. You do not need a permit to park in the garage or parking spaces not designated for Staff.
  • Walking to the Venue: Exit the parking facility toward Founders Plaza. Enter the Student Union & Library Building (SULB) through the north main entrance facing the plaza. Alumni Hall (Room 360) and SULB 321 are located on the 3rd floor, accessible via central stairs and elevators.

For guests requiring overnight lodging, several hotels are located within 5 to 10 minutes of the Hammond campus along the I-80/I-94 corridor:

  1. Hampton Inn & Suites Hammond
    Address: 2842 Carlson Dr, Hammond, IN 46323 | Distance: ~1.7 miles from campus
  2. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hammond
    Address: 2918 Carlson Dr, Hammond, IN 46323 | Distance: ~1.7 miles from campus
  3. Home2 Suites by Hilton Hammond
    Address: 2847 Carlson Dr, Hammond, IN 46323 | Distance: ~1.7 miles from campus
  4. Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Southeast/Hammond
    Address: 7730 Corinne Dr, Hammond, IN 46323 | Distance: ~1.9 miles from campus

  5. Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Southeast/Hammond
    Address: 7740 Corinne Dr, Hammond, IN 46323 | Distance: ~1.9 miles from campus

  6. Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Chicago Southeast/Hammond
    Address: 7720 Corinne Dr, Hammond, IN 46323 | Distance: ~1.9 miles from campus
  • Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW): ~30 miles northwest of campus (~45 minutes by car).
  • Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD): ~45 miles northwest of campus (~65 minutes by car).

Accessibility & Accommodation Requests

Purdue University Northwest is committed to providing universal access to all events and programs. If you require accommodations (such as an American Sign Language interpreter, mobility assistance, or alternative formats), please contact the Office for Civil Rights at civilrights@pnw.edu or call 219-989-2163 at least five business days prior to the event.

Questions & Event Inquiries

For questions regarding session proposals, the agenda, or registration assistance:

Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE)