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pre-Conference workshop - TACTYC Tech Lab
Date & Time: Thursday, May 14, 2026 from 1-4pm
Location: Sheraton, Lake Buena Vista, Orlando (This is in-person only before the TACTYC Conference)
Cost: $125 (includes 3 hours of CPE)
Register at: tactyc.org or the link at the bottom of this page (limit of 40 participants)
Description:
Join us for an energizing hands-on preconference workshop where participants will explore three cutting-edge technologies and create their own classroom materials—all guided by expert accounting educators.
You’ll walk away with new projects, CPE credit (included at no extra cost), and practical know-how on some of the most innovative teaching tools available today. Bring your laptop, creativity, and curiosity—this session is designed for you to learn by doing!
Thursday, May 14th: 1:00-1:50pm
Wendy Tietz -" Your New Virtual TA: AI Class Videos and a ChatGPT-Powered Class Syllabus Assistant"
Description: In this hands-on session, you’ll explore how to use AI video tools and ChatGPT to enhance your accounting courses. First, you’ll learn how to create short, polished AI-generated videos using HeyGen and Synthesia—perfect for highlighting key class policies, explaining accounting topics, and more. You’ll then learn how to build a custom Class Syllabus Assistant using ChatGPT (via a custom GPT) that can answer students’ common questions about your course 24/7.
Thursday, May 14th: 2:00-2:50pm
Julie Duncan -Building Accessible Courses: Tools, Tips, and Quick Wins
Description: As accounting instructors, what tools and programs are you using to make sure your courses are compliant with new accessibility mandates? Are all your course materials up to WCAG 2.1AA standards? Public colleges and universities must ensure that all class resources meet specific accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1AA). This includes providing alternative text for images, ensuring compatibility with screen readers, and making interactive elements accessible. Bring PowerPoints, pdfs, or other lessons that may need a refresh. This is a time for faculty to share tools and best practices to make sure course updates comply with new Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and corresponding accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1AA).
Thursday, May 14th: 3:00-3:50pm
Teresa Thompson -"Let's make an app for that (and more)"
Description: Learn how to harness the power of AI to build engaging, custom study tools for your students—no coding experience required. In this session, we’ll explore how to use ChatGPT and CodeSandbox to quickly create interactive apps that reinforce key concepts and bring your content to life. You’ll leave with ideas (and tools!) you can start using right away in your classroom.
Pre-work Checklist:
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Sign up for tools (free or trial accounts - Please do this a couple of days before the conference as some free accounts have a limited free trial time):
- HeyGen: https://www.heygen.com/
- Synthesia: https://www.synthesia.io/
- Canva: https://www.canva.com/
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Set up a paid ChatGPT account (required for the custom GPT):
- Obtain access to a paid version of ChatGPT (e.g., ChatGPT Plus, Team, or Enterprise) using your institutional or personal account.
- Make sure you can log in to ChatGPT on the device you’ll use during the session.
- Creating a custom GPT for your Class Syllabus Assistant does require a paid ChatGPT account for at least one month ($20 per month, with no ongoing monthly commitment).
3. Prepare your course materials:
- Bring the syllabus for at least one course in a Word document.
- Optional but helpful: Bring 1–2 short paragraphs or bullet points explaining a specific accounting topic you might want to turn into a brief AI-generated teaching video.
4. Bring your equipment:
- Laptop with internet access (not a tablet or phone).
- Power cord – and charge your device beforehand.
5. Bring your ideas!
- Think about topics you’d like to visualize more clearly or explain in a new way.
- Consider areas where students often struggle or where fresh visuals could help engagement.
Click Here - To Sign up for the In-Person Pre-Conference