Happening this Week!

Commonwealth Connections: Instructor Day

Whether you’re a seasoned instructor or new to teaching, this event offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable strategies, embrace innovative tools, and stay ahead in today’s evolving educational landscape. Designed for instructors at all levels, the panels will offer fresh ideas and practical takeaways to help elevate your instruction. Don’t miss this chance to hear from students and colleagues, get inspired, connect with fellow educators, and take your teaching to the next level! 

Designing Your Syllabus to Support Learner Success

Did you know that the majority of disabled learners in your classroom have invisible disabilities that you cannot see?  The recommended strategies to reach these disabled learners actually benefit ALL learners in your classroom.  This hands-on workshop will focus on strategies that you can use to make your course more universally designed for all learners.  During the workshop, you will be able to apply your new skills to your course syllabus.

Teaching on the DLC Orientation

  • January 7, 10:00 A.M.: Part 1: Setting up for Success
  • January 8, 3:00 P.M.: Part 2: Designing for Engagement
  • Registration Information

Set up Your Canvas Gradebook to Work for You (And Your Students!)

Are your students frequently asking about their grades or expressing confusion about how they’re calculated? Learn how to make your Canvas gradebook work for you and your students. In this workshop, we’ll discuss automating common grading policies like dropping the lowest test or homework scores, weighting assignments, and more. Bring your Spring 2025 syllabus and leave with a gradebook that promotes transparency, accuracy, and up-to-date grades for your students.

Designing in Canvas for All Learners, Part 1

A key component of learner success is course content that learners can easily navigate.  By considering the design of course content in Canvas, faculty can significantly affect how successful learners are in a course.  This workshop will provide participants with best practices related to course navigation, module structure, and the Canvas content editor.  These strategies will help you reduce barriers for learners.

  • January 10, 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
  • More information.

Happening later this Semester!

Accessible Skills Challenge

Starting April 2026, all state and local programs, including Penn State, must ensure web and mobile content is accessible to individuals with disabilities. To help you get ready, we’re launching the Accessible Skills Challenge!

What to Expect

  • Duration: February 3 to April 6, 2024
  • Weekly Tasks: Receive simple prompts to make your course content accessible, focusing on core skills you can apply across your course.
  • Support: Access resources, FAQs, and a Teams space to connect with peers.
  • Recognition: Earn a badge by completing 6 out of 8 tasks.

How to Join

  • Sign up by completing the Accessible Skills Challenge Registration Form.
  • Learn more on the Commonwealth Teaching website.

Join your peers in creating accessible course content and prepare for this important transition!

Cross Campus Teaching Circles

CCTCs provide an opportunity to join in informal conversations with faculty from other campuses who are interested in similar teaching topics. Often the greatest benefit of participation is hearing how other faculty deal with situations similar to your own and sharing each of your best approaches.

AI Prompt Challenge

Looking for a way to test out what AI can do for you? Join us for the Semester AI Prompt Challenge! You’ll receive a weekly email (from January 21 to February 24) with a prompt to try out in Copilot. You can pick and choose the prompts you’d like to try and have the option to share your responses with others! Our goal is to help you play with the tool to see what it can do. A digital badge is available for participants.