UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State faculty and graduate student instructors interested in learning tech-free pedagogies to implement in their fall courses can register now for a workshop from 9 to 11:30 a.m. May 13 at 110 Henderson Building.
Hosted by the teaching community "Advancing Innovation in Tech-Free Teaching and Assessment Strategies," the workshop will include a brief review of the research on tech-free pedagogies, best practices for implementation, and hands-on activities using Ketso boards to begin planning for fall courses. Coffee and a light breakfast will be provided.
Interested faculty and graduate student instructors can register here for the May 13 event. Registration is limited and is first-come, first-served.
The Advancing Innovation in Tech-Free Teaching and Assessment Strategies teaching community was formed in fall 2025. It brings together faculty from colleges across University Park who are interested in using tech-free pedagogies to:
- Promote learning.
- Foster critical thinking skills.
- Support interpersonal communication.
- Maintain rigorous assessment standards.
The community provides instructors with an opportunity to:
- Discuss tech-free teaching and assessment strategies that improve learning.
- Identify strategies to foster student buy-in for tech-free classes.
- Learn how to adopt tech-free teaching tools — for an entire course or class period — that maintain accessibility for all.
“Pedagogical research continues to show value in tech-free teaching strategies for supporting learning,” said Danielle Rhubart, assistant teaching professor of biobehavioral health. “We’re here as a resource for faculty who want to continue to improve their teaching and innovate through tech-free pedagogies.”
Rhubart stressed that tech-free pedagogies are not about bans on technology.
“They are about freeing students from digital distractions to create learning environments that promote learning, critical thinking and interpersonal communication around course content,” she said.
Join the Advancing Innovation teaching community’s email list by contacting Danielle Rhubart at dcr185@psu.edu.
This community is supported by the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence. The Teaching Community Program is still accepting applications for new teaching communities for the 2025-26 academic year. A list of current teaching communities can be found in the online directory. All communities are open to new members, and interested instructors should reach out to the leader of the teaching community.
The Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education.