Blog and Events

Top Hat’s Virtual Summer Series

by | May 27, 2025 |

Teach with Impact. Join Top Hat’s Virtual Summer Series

Join Top Hat on June 17 and July 18 for two powerful days of teaching inspiration.

Featured speaker Dr. Sarah Rose Cavanagh, author of The Spark of Learning, will explore how to design happier, more impactful courses. Discover how peers are boosting engagement in large lectures and rethinking affordable, interactive course materials that connect with students beyond class time. You’ll also see how Top Hat combines AI-powered tools with best-in-class content to support more personalized learning.

Register Now

Upcoming Opportunities: Accessibility, Course Management, and Instructor Connections

by | Apr 8, 2025 |

Summer Accessible Skills Challenge  

For 8 weeks, from May 12 until July 3, participants will receive an email prompt asking them to perform a single accessibility task in their course. These tasks focus on core elements of content that can then be applied across the entire course. A digital badge will be provided for those who complete 6 of the 8 weekly tasks. Feel free to pick and choose which prompts you’d like to try!

To sign up, complete the Summer Accessible Skills Challenge Registration form.  For more information, visit the Accessible Skills Challenge site.

Saving and Sharing Course Materials

Curious about the best ways to share and back up your Canvas course materials? Join this workshop to explore practical tips for 1) saving your course content in a personal archive, and 2) sharing content with colleagues. Topics that will be discussed include:

  • Export courses from Canvas,
  • Request master courses for development,
  • Share chunks of content between courses,
  • And save content for a personal archive.

While this workshop is primarily focused on Canvas, recommendations for managing materials in other places such as OneDrive, Kaltura, and more will also be discussed.

  • April 17, 12:15-1:15
  • April 25, 10:00-11:00

Please complete this short form to register for one of these workshop sessions. You can also register for a recording and resources if you’re interested in learning more, but unable to attend one of the workshop dates.

Commonwealth Connections: Instructor Days

Join your colleagues from across Penn State to share ideas and join in discussions related to teaching and learning. This virtual event will consist of discussion-driven sessions led by faculty from the Commonwealth Campuses on a variety of topics related to teaching and learning. If you have an idea or strategy to share, please consider submitting a proposal to share for 5-10 minutes how you have found success in your teaching.

  • August 12: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  • August 13: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

More information will be available on the Commonwealth Campus Teaching Support website.

Reminder: Spring 2025 Professional Development Opportunities

by | Jan 23, 2025 |

There are several exciting, collaborative, and timely professional development opportunities available to you this semester. More information and registration links are provided below.

Accessible Skills Challenge 

In April 2024, the Department of Justice (DoJ) expanded the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act to require electronic materials to be accessible for individuals with disabilities by April 24, 2026. As a faculty member, this means ensuring ALL course materials—documents, web pages, images, and videos—are accessible.

Join the challenge!

We are offering an email prompt challenge to help you build your accessibility skills. For 8 weeks, from February 3 until April 6, participants will receive an email prompt asking them to perform a task in their course to make it more accessible.bThese skills will focus on core elements of your content that you can then apply across the course to make the entire course accessible. A badge will be provided for those who complete 6 of the 8 weekly tasks. Feel free to pick and choose which prompts you’d like to try!  

Creating Online Assessments with Integrity in Mind 

This session explores the changes that you can make to your assessments to take advantage of the affordances of the online environment while keeping integrity in mind. Topics include setting expectations for online assessments, determining the most effective delivery method in your teaching context, adapting assessments from in-person to online formats, and leveraging technology to incorporate assessment options to minimize possibilities for dishonesty. There will be a focus on practical examples from faculty at Penn State, as well as, opportunities for discussion for tailored applicability in a variety of courses. 

  • Date: January 23 or 24 
  • Time: 12:15 to 1:15 P.M. 
  • Zoom link

Cross-Campus Teaching Circles 

Looking for a way to connect with colleagues across campuses and chat about teaching and learning? Cross Campus Teaching Circles (CCTCs) are informal monthly meetings where you can share ideas, explore solutions, and discover new approaches. One of the greatest benefits of participating is hearing how other faculty address similar challenges and exchanging strategies and successes.  

CCTCs are organized around the following topics:  

  • Universal Design for Learning (UDL)  
  • Business and Communications  
  • Artificial Intelligence (Exploring the Basics)  
  • Humanities  
  • Online/Hybrid Teaching  
  • STEM  

Sign up to receive calendar invites and be part of the conversation! For more information and to sign up, visit Cross Campus Teaching Circles. 

Learning Design Events

by | Jan 16, 2025 |

Top Hat on Campus Days

Each Top Hat On Campus Day will consist of an overview of the most powerful Top Hat features, including discussions and polling, assessment options, and customizable content. There also will be faculty speakers discussing their experiences using Top Hat.

In-person attendance is recommended; a virtual option is available to faculty across the commonwealth.

  • 2/11 – Penn State Abington
  • 2/12 – Penn State Lehigh Valley
  • 2/13 – Penn State Scranton

*NOTE: To view daily agendas and register, visit the Top Hat on Campus webpage.

LinkedIn Learning Day

Join LinkedIn Learning’s Sarah Viner as she takes attendees on a tour of LinkedIn Learning and its many features. Along the way, learn about hidden features, ways to maximize your use of LinkedIn Learning, and how it can open new avenues for professional growth. Later in the session, she will be joined by Dr. Marie Hardin, Dean of the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications to discuss the benefits and uses of LinkedIn Learning in the classroom, followed by a Q&A session.

The event will take place at the Penn State Dreamery, in University Park’s Shields Building, with a Zoom option for remote attendees. All attendees are encouraged to bring a device to follow along with Sarah as she shows you what LinkedIn Learning offers.

  • 2/11, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

*NOTE: Fill out the registration form to secure your spot today, or go to the LRN and search for LinkedIn Learning Day!

Instructional/Learning Design Opportunities Coming Up

by | Jan 6, 2025 |

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.

Teaching with Technologies (TwT) Prep & Practice Sessions – January 2025

by | Dec 13, 2024 |

In early January TLT is hosting two virtual Teaching with Technologies (TwT) Prep & Practice sessions to help equip new faculty with the necessary skills and knowledge to use essential technologies effectively in their teaching practices.

1. Prep and Practice: Introduction to Canvas

Faculty new to Penn State are invited to join IT Learning and Development (ITLD) and Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT) for a session focusing on a Canvas Introduction. The Canvas Introduction includes research-based best practices with the utilization of Canvas, setting up your Canvas course via modules, creating assignments for electronic submission of work, setting up your gradebook, and how to give meaningful feedback in Canvas along with numerical grades. 

  • Dates: Tuesday, 1/7, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm or Wednesday, 1/8, 1:00 – 3:00 pm

2. Prep and Practice: Preparing your Penn State Syllabus 

TLT and the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence (SITE) are hosting a session focused on supporting faculty in the preparation of their Penn State Syllabus. It will review PSU syllabus requirements and recommendations, best practices for communicating course content on syllabi, and example syllabus language. We will also discuss strategies for leveraging Canvas to share your syllabus.

  • Date: Thursday, 1/9, 10:00 – 11:00 am or 2:00 – 3:00 pm

AI Resources for Online Courses

by | Dec 11, 2024 |

We have pulled together a list of some updated resources that currently are being used across the university. These tools and guides are specifically designed to help instructors with engagement, integrating AI, and to provide training/help within the ever-growing AI landscape.

  1. AI in Education Toolkit: Explore strategies for incorporating generative AI into your teaching with our AI Toolkit Resources.
  2. Preparing for AI in the Classroom: Utilize the Faculty Checklist Blog Post and Resource Checklist Document (PDF) to adapt your course materials for AI-enhanced learning.
  3. Interactive Challenges: Encourage creativity and critical thinking with the Spring 2025 Prompt Challenge.
  4. LinkedIn Learning Integration:

Changes to Online (GV-WC) Courses

by | Dec 9, 2024 |

Reason for Changes

These updates improve access to key resources, foster engagement, and create opportunities for community-building, enhanced collaboration, and success in the online classroom.

Changes Made

1. OFFICE HOURS: Highlighting Office Hours on the Course Home Page

As previously discussed in our November 20, 2024 post, a placeholder section has been added to the Home Page to ensure Office Hours are always visible and easily accessible to students. Instructors must be sure to update this section with accurate information each semester. Instructors can adjust the layout and/or setup as needed; however, we ask that this information remain prominently displayed, up-to-date, and easy for students to find on the Home Page.

Steps to Edit Home Page in Canvas

  • Go to your course in Canvas.
  • Click the Edit button in the upper-right corner of the Home Page:

edit button circled

 

 

 

 

  • Then, navigate to the current placeholder and change as needed, found under ‘Semester Office Hours for SP-I 2025‘ to update the table with the appropriate information.
snapshot of semester office hours table

Editing the Table

  • To add rows or columns: Right-click within the table and choose “Insert Row” or “Insert Column.”
  • To delete rows or columns: Right-click on the row or column you want to remove and select “Delete Row” or “Delete Column.”
  • To add links to Zoom meetings: Highlight the text for your meeting time, click the Link icon in the editor toolbar, and paste your Zoom meeting URL.
  • To integrate Teams, please refer to the November 20, 2024 post for more help on how to use that integration instead.
  • To update times or details: Simply click on the cell and type the new information.
  • Once you’ve made your updates, be sure to click Save at the bottom of the page.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Be sure to use proper heading or text formatting for the Office Hours section to make it stand out.
  • Consider linking to the Canvas Calendar or Scheduler for dynamic updates.
  • How you choose to make this information clear to students is absolutely up to you, but it is critical that you include an Office Hours section on this Home Page with relevant, up-to-date information.
  • If hours are tentative placeholders, you can simply label them as such until it is finalized (e.g., TBD or TBA, Pending, etc.).

2. INTRO DISCUSSION ACTIVITY: Revamping to a More Community-Building Approach

Make the introduction discussion activity more engaging by focusing on specific topics and fostering community-oriented interactions. We hope this shift will create more meaningful connections among students and steer away from the “Hi, my name is” approach.

HINT: Pin the discussion (or any discussion for that matter) to the top of the Canvas Discussions section to list for easier visibility.

Again, we hope that these updates will make the course setup more student-friendly and help build a stronger sense of community while keeping important resources, like Office Hours, more easily accessible. As always please reach out to our team at GVIDS@psu.edu at any time if you need any help with any of these changes.

 

Canvas Courses

by | Nov 20, 2024 |

New Office Hours Section on Canvas Front Page

A dedicated section is now available on your course’s Canvas front page to more clearly display your office hours to students. This ensures students can quickly find when and how they can reach you.

How to Update Your Office Hours

Follow these steps to customize your office hours:

  1. Log into Canvas and navigate to your course.
  2. On the course homepage, click the Edit button (usually found in the top right).
  3. In the new “Office Hours” section, you can add/remove columns and/or rows for:
    • The days and times you’re available.
    • The format (in-person, virtual, or hybrid).
    • Location or link (for virtual office hours).
  4. Save your changes by clicking the Save button at the bottom of the page.

By making your availability clear, we’re hoping that students will feel more confident reaching out for support!

Microsoft Teams Integration with Canvas

To streamline virtual office hours and collaboration, you can now incorporate Microsoft Teams directly into your Canvas course.

How to Add Microsoft Teams to Your Canvas Course

  1. Enable the Microsoft Teams Integration:
    • Go to your Canvas course and navigate to Settings.
    • Click the Apps Integration tab and search for “Microsoft Teams.”
    • Under Feature, you should see Microsoft Sync, which you will need to click to enable the tool for the course.
  2. Set Up a Team for Your Course:
    • Open Microsoft Teams and create a new Team for your course if you haven’t already.
    • Use the generated meeting links for recurring virtual office hours.
  3. Link to Office Hours or Assignments in Canvas:
    • You can add your Teams meeting link to the “Office Hours” section if you prefer to meet that way with students.
    • Embed Teams into announcements and/or modules, too, for seamless student access.

Benefits of Teams Integration

  • Host virtual office hours with video, chat, and screen sharing.
  • Collaborate on documents and projects in real time.
  • Monitor student interactions and work in real time.
  • Record sessions for students who can’t attend live.

Tips for Success

  • Communicate often and open lines of communication early.
  • Keep your contact information regularly updated to reflect changes in availability.
  • Provide clear instructions to ensure students know how to access and use Teams for meetings.

***NOTE: If you need help setting up these features, feel free to reach out to our team for additional support at gvids@psu.edu.