UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT), part of the University Libraries, will offer faculty new to Penn State at all campuses a variety of opportunities during the spring semester to enhance their teaching practices with technology.

Provost Endorsement: Embracing Teaching and Learning with Technology for Faculty New to Penn State

This program provides access to key TLT resources and support for faculty who are early in their careers at Penn State. Faculty will strengthen their knowledge of essential teaching and learning technologies, connect with peers across the commonwealth who are also new to the University, and learn about units that support and provide resources to faculty.

The endorsement is coordinated by TLT, which partnered with IT Learning and Development and the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence to host the required activities.

Faculty may attend any of these professional development opportunities without signing up for the full Endorsement Program.

To learn more and to register, visit the program website. Faculty have until Jan. 6 to sign up.

This endorsement is a part of the Provost Endorsement Program, which supports faculty professional development.

Teaching with Technology Series

Two virtual Teaching with Technology Prep and Practice sessions will equip faculty with the necessary skills and knowledge to use essential technologies effectively in their teaching practices. Attendees will have the opportunity to build course materials specific to their teaching needs at Penn State.

“Preparing Your Penn State Syllabus”

Jan. 9, 2025 — 10-11 a.m. and 2-3 p.m.

TLT and the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence will host two sessions to support faculty preparing their spring syllabus. Participants will learn about syllabus requirements and recommendations, best practices for communicating course content on syllabi, and example syllabus language. They also will learn strategies for leveraging Canvas to share their syllabus.

“Introduction to Canvas”

Jan. 7, 2025 — 10 a.m.–noon

Jan. 8, 2025 — 1-3 p.m.

IT Learning and Development and TLT will host two sessions which will cover setting up a Canvas course via modules, creating assignments for electronic submission of work, setting up a gradebook, and giving meaningful feedback and numerical grades in Canvas.

Register for individual sessions. For additional information, email TLT Learning Design at TLTlearningdesign@psu.edu.

Additional Resources

Other available resources include:

• The New Faculty Canvas Site provides vital information for new faculty members, offering insights into more than 20 offices and entities across the University.

• Faculty FUEL (Frequently Utilized and Essential Links) is a hub for essential faculty information and resources from the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs.

• The New Faculty Community Teams Space provides a communications channel for faculty to connect with their peers and other Penn State resource units. The space also houses key faculty resources such as a calendar of professional development events and programs along with teaching, learning, technology and research resources.

• Faculty Tech Academy is an asynchronous experience designed to introduce essential academic technologies to which faculty have free access at Penn State. Tech Academy introduces faculty to the basic and vital tools that are needed in a typical workday.

• IT Learning and Development provides technology tool training through synchronous, instructor-led sessions, and a robust library of asynchronous eLearning resources.