UNIVERSITY PARK. Pa. — Throughout the 2025 fall semester, Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT) will facilitate numerous virtual opportunities for faculty who are new to Penn State to strengthen their teaching practices with technology.
Teaching with Technology Series
Two virtual Teaching with Technologies (TwT) Prep & Practice sessions will equip faculty with the necessary skills and knowledge to use essential technologies effectively in their teaching practices.
“Introduction to Canvas," hosted by IT Learning and Development and TLT, will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 11 and from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 19. Each session will cover how to set up a Canvas course via modules, create assignments for electronic submission of work, set up a gradebook, and give meaningful feedback and numerical grades in Canvas.
“Preparing your Penn State Syllabus," hosted by TLT and the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence, will be offered Aug. 19 to support faculty preparing their syllabus. There will be two sessions: from 11 a.m. to noon and 2 to 3 p.m. 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.
To attend, register for individual TLT sessions.
Faculty Endorsement Program
Faculty from all Penn State campuses can enroll in the Faculty Endorsement Program, one of the Provost Endorsements supporting faculty professional development.
“Embracing Teaching and Learning with Technology for New Faculty to Penn State" 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 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 administrative units that support and provide faculty resources to faculty.
Faculty may elect to attend any of the professional development opportunities available through the TLT Provost Endorsement without signing up for the endorsement.
Learn more and register for the TLT Endorsement for New Faculty. Faculty have until Sept. 5 to sign up.
New Faculty Discovery Series
These virtual sessions provide opportunities for new faculty to connect with peers and get a high-level overview of current and timely Penn State educational technology topics.
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“Exploring Faculty Tech Academy” will be held from 1 to 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 16. This session will introduce the Faculty Tech Academy, an asynchronous experience designed to introduce essential academic technologies faculty have access to for free at Penn State. To attend, register on the Exploring Faculty Tech Academy registration form.
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“AI at Penn State: Resources for New Faculty” will be held from 1 to 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 28. This session will provide new faculty with an overview of Penn State AI resources, tools and support for integrating GenAI responsibly and effectively into teaching, research and day-to-day administrative activities. To attend, register on the AI at Penn State registration form.
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“Library Resources for New Faculty: CREDO Modules” will be held from 1 to 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 11. This session will provide new faculty with an overview and benefits of incorporating the information literacy modules (CREDO) into courses. CREDO, customized by the University Libraries, provides students with a foundation in information literacy and critical thinking. More than 80 modules provide a supplemental way for students to asynchronously complete lessons on a wide range of topics, such as getting started with research, finding credible sources and recognizing bias, and properly citing sources. To attend, register on the Library Resources: CREDO Modules registration form.
Additional Resources
Other available resources include:
- New Faculty Canvas Site, with insights into more than 20 offices and entities across the University.
- Faculty FUEL (Frequently Utilized and Essential Links), a hub for faculty information and resources from the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs.
- New Faculty Community Teams Space, a communications channel for faculty to connect with peers and Penn State resource units.
- Faculty Tech Academy, an asynchronous experience to introduce essential academic technologies.
- IT Learning and Development, which provides technology tool training through synchronous, instructor-led sessions and a robust library of asynchronous eLearning resources.
Faculty with additional questions or suggestions can contact TLT through its website.