Save the Date!

• January 9, 2025, 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. ET

• Join us for a half-day, virtual event focusing on teaching, learning, and technology. This event will include an instructor panel discussion, followed by a student panel discussion. The topics of discussion for both panels will cover similar themes, so you can hear both faculty and student perspectives on teaching, learning, and technology.

*More information and the Zoom link can be found on the Commonwealth Campus Teaching Support website.

Cross-Campus Workshops for New Instructors and/or Instructors New to Teaching on the DLC

• Introduction to Canvas for New Commonwealth Campus Instructors
  • January 9, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Registration Information
• 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

Overview

On April 24, 2024, the Department of Justice (DoJ) established a requirement that all state and local programs under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act make their web and mobile applications accessible to individuals with disabilities. 

This ruling applies to Penn State.  It includes all of our websites, Canvas courses, videos, online textbooks, third-party technology tools, etc.

Previously there was no established standard for web and mobile applications. The new requirement establishes WCAG 2.1 AA as the standard.  This ruling requires that our materials meet that expectation by April 24, 2026.

For more information about what this means, visit the DoJ Ruling Overview on the Commonwealth Teaching website.  You may also want to attend an information session offered by Penn State Accessibility.

If you would like to consult with an instructional designer about your course, please reach out to Andrew Pron at amp8076@psu.edu.  Watch for more resources coming about how to comply with the rule!Note: You can find a deeper dive into the ruling on the Penn State Accessibility website: DoJ Rule High Level Summary.

Please note that there are two (2) upcoming “Faculty Huddle” sessions via Zoom, from World Campus about what to do when you receive an accommodation letter.

• Faculty Huddle (“I received an accommodation letter”)
  • What to do when you receive an accommodation letter from a student?
  • Join your fellow faculty members, student disability services, and faculty development at World Campus in our first faculty huddle of the semester. This is a chance for faculty to ask questions and engage our disability services team around student accommodations. We’re looking forward to talking with you about this very important topic.
  • Each session will be one hour long:
    • Thursday, September 5, 2024, at noon EST via Zoom: https://psu.zoom.us/j/91517746579
    • Friday, September 6, 2024, at noon EST via Zoom: https://psu.zoom.us/j/97998972412

Accessible Syllabus Competition

Is your syllabus accessible to all students? Use the Anthology Ally Tool in your Fall 2024 Canvas courses to check the accessibility of your syllabus (PDF, Word, or Canvas Page). If necessary, follow the guidance to improve the score until the indicator turns green (good or perfect), and then fill out the Accessible Syllabus Competition Submission form.

• Deadline is August 30th. Each course with an accessible syllabus enters your name into a drawing for a Penn State water bottle. For more information visit Accessible Syllabus Project.

Cross Campus Teaching Circles

Cross Campus Teaching Circles (CCTC) are now forming! 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.

• Sign up here – there is no commitment as to the number of meetings you attend. You’ll get an email soon after from the Instructional Designer facilitating the group, reminding you of the first meeting time.

Writing Accountability Group

The Writing Accountability Group is a weekly Zoom meeting that provides an opportunity for you to schedule time on your calendar to focus on writing and moving projects forward on your agenda. This time can be for any type of writing, including research papers, grants, literature, course materials, and proposals; and it can be for any state of writing, such as outlines, presentations, editing, and proofreading, among others.

• For more information and to sign up visit Writing Accountability Group.

Top 5 Universal Design for Learning Strategy Series

The Top 5 Universal Design for Learning Strategy Series is a Provost Endorsed series of workshops that assist faculty in designing course materials and implementing instructional strategies that proactively reduce barriers for all learners.

• For more information visit Top 5 Universal Design for Learning.

Fall Semester AI Prompt Challenge

Would you like to join a Semester Prompt Challenge? Each week, from September 23 to November 11, you will receive a prompt related to course design, student support, or professional development. Feel free to pick and choose which prompts you try!

• Sign up here: https://bit.ly/SemesterPromptChallenge.

If you would like to, you may share the Microsoft Copilot prompts you develop with other faculty. We have a Teams space to talk and a connected website with additional resources. We hope these weekly invitations to practice using Copilot and discuss with others will be an opportunity to explore how Copilot can support your work. A similar prompt challenge happened this summer and was a great success with over 100 participants.

Teaching Online Program (TOP)

The Teaching Online Program (TOP) is a Provost Endorsed asynchronous series of professional development courses focused on best practices for teaching online. The Teaching Online Program offers three levels, each comprising four modules: Canvas, Multimedia Tools and Techniques, Design and Development, and Best Practices in Teaching Online.

• For more information visit Teaching Online Program.

In collaboration with Penn State IT, Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT), the College of Engineering, and the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), Top Hat is hosting a series of dynamic workshops designed to help Penn State faculty improve student success.

• Join Top Hat on Campus at Penn State for a series of presentations, panels, and workshops exploring evidence-based teaching strategies.
• Wednesday, 9/11 and Thursday, 9/12, 2024

• Keynote Address by Dr. Bradley Cohen: Learn how intentional design can be used to provide clarity of purpose, foster belonging, and emphasize student-centered assessment
• Interactive Workshops: Hands-on sessions tailored to beginner and intermediate users, covering everything from designing engaging lectures to scaffolding self-regulated learning.
• Faculty Panels: Hear directly from Penn State faculty about their experiences using Top Hat to create more interactive and impactful learning environments.
• Digital Book Fair: Explore Top Hat’s eText offerings and discover how you can easily customize digital content to meet your teaching needs.

Commonwealth Connections: Instructor Days

On August 14th and 15th, join colleagues from the Penn State Commonwealth Campuses to energize for the upcoming semester. The event will explore topics related to engaging and supporting students; assessment; diversity, equity, and inclusion; emerging technology trends; and more! For more information visit Commonwealth Connections: Instructor Days.

Accessible Syllabus Project 

Is your syllabus accessible to all students? Use the Anthology Ally Tool in your Fall 2024 Canvas courses to check the accessibility of your syllabus (PDF, Word, or Canvas Page). If necessary, follow the guidance to improve the score until the indicator turns green (good or perfect), and then fill out the Accessible Syllabus Competition Submission.  Deadline is August 26th. Each course with an accessible syllabus enters your name into a drawing for a Penn State water bottle. For more information visit Accessible Syllabus Project.

Cross-Campus Teaching Circles 

Teaching Circles are informal monthly meetings where you connect with colleagues with shared interests and chat about teaching and learning. There are groups focused on STEM, Artificial Intelligence, Humanities, Online/Hybrid Teaching and more! Sign up to be added to the calendar invites. For more information and to sign up visit Cross Campus Teaching Circles.

Top 5 Universal Design for Learning Strategy Series 

The Top 5 Universal Design for Learning Strategy Series is a Provost Endorsed series of workshops that assist faculty in designing course materials and implementing instructional strategies that proactively reduce barriers for all learners. For more information visit Top 5 Universal Design for Learning.

Writing Accountability Group 

The Writing Accountability Group is a weekly Zoom meeting that provides an opportunity for you to schedule time on your calendar to focus on writing and moving projects forward on your agenda. This time can be for any type of writing, including research papers, grants, literature, course materials, and proposals; and it can be for any state of writing, such as outlines, presentations, editing, and proofreading, among others. For more information and to sign up visit Writing Accountability Group.

Teaching Online Program (TOP)

The Teaching Online Program (TOP) is a Provost-Endorsed asynchronous series of professional development courses focused on best practices for teaching online. The Teaching Online Program offers three levels, each comprising four modules: Canvas, Multimedia Tools and Techniques, Design and Development, and Best Practices in Teaching Online. For more information visit Teaching Online Program.

• The Embracing Teaching and Learning with Technology for New Faculty to Penn State Provost Endorsement: This endorsement provides access to key teaching and learning with technology resources and support for faculty who are early in their careers at Penn State. Faculty will enhance their knowledge of essential teaching and learning technologies, connect with peers across the commonwealth who are also new to the University, and learn about administrative units that support and provide faculty resources to faculty. To learn more and register, visit the website. Faculty can sign up until Friday, August 30. 
• Teaching with Technology, Prep & Practice sessions: An Introduction to Canvas: Wednesday, 8/7 from 9 – 11 a.m. or Tuesday, 8/20 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Preparing your Penn State Syllabus: Tuesday, 8/20 from 10 – 11 a.m. or 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Would you like to join a Semester Prompt Challenge? Each week, from September 23 to November 11, you will receive a prompt related to course design, student support, or professional development. Feel free to pick and choose which prompts you to try!

• Sign up here: https://bit.ly/SemesterPromptChallenge