Academics

Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence offers fall programming

Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence will offer resources and virtual workshops during the fall 2020 semester in order to support the teaching efforts of Penn State instructors. A full schedule and registration links can be found at schreyerinstitute.psu.edu.

Multi-week Fall Courses

Course in College Teaching

Among the scheduled events for fall is the Course in College Teaching (CCT), an eight-week course that provides an opportunity for faculty and graduate student instructors from all disciplines to share ideas and strategies for successful teaching. CCT is a non-credit course and is offered at no cost. It is open to Penn State faculty, graduate students and post-docs with previous teaching experience. The first session is Sept. 9, 1:30-3:30 p.m., and continues through Oct. 14.

Instructional Foundations Series

Those new to teaching should enroll in the Instructional Foundations Series. The series is designed to provide people new to college teaching with knowledge, skills and confidence they can use in their first teaching experience. Participants in the Instructional Foundations Series will need to take three workshops from a selected offering, carry out a teaching observation and discussion with an experienced faculty member and engage in reflection activities. Questions can be directed to Deena Levy or Larkin Hood.

"Teach to Reach: Maximizing Learning for All Students"

In October, the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence will begin “Teach to Reach: Maximizing Learning for All Students,” in partnership with Student Disability Resources, World Campus and the Center for Applied Special Technology. The no-cost, non-credit course begins Oct. 5 and ends Nov. 1. Questions can be directed to Mary Ann Tobin.

Workshops and Webinars

The workshops listed below can be attended individually or in order to fulfill the requirements of the Instructional Foundations Series. Registration for each workshop is available on the events page.

"Teaching So All Your Students Are Included"

  • Sept. 8, 12:05-1:20 p.m.
  • Sept. 9, 10:10-11:25 a.m.
  • Sept. 30, 10:10-11:25 a.m.

"Well-being: What, Why, and How?"

  • Sept. 15, 12:05-1:20 p.m.

"Preparing Your Teaching Statement for the Job Market"

  • Sept. 16, 10:10-11:25 a.m.
  • Sept.17, 12:05-1:20 p.m.

"Social Dimensions of Well-Being: Connecting Intentionally"

  • Sept. 22, 12:05-1:20 p.m.

"How to Plan a Class Session"

  • Sept.23, 10:10-11:25 a.m.

"Tuning in to Ourselves: A Screen-Free Conversation"

  • Oct. 6, 3:35-4:50 p.m.

"Assessment for Learning Impact Now"

  • Sept. 8, noon-1:30 p.m.
  • Sept. 16, noon-1:30 p.m.

"Handling Challenging Situations in Class"

  • Oct. 7, 10:10-11:25 a.m.

“Teaching Toward Equity and Inclusion: Moving From Awareness to Action”

“Teaching Toward Equity and Inclusion: Moving From Awareness to Action” will be offered six times during the fall 2020 semester on Sept. 14 and 28, Oct. 12 and 26 and Nov. 9 and 30. This conversation circle is a space in which participants can hold themselves and each other accountable, a space to move from raising their awareness around questions related to equity and inclusion in higher education towards taking responsibility for meaningful action within our own classrooms and teaching praxis. The meetings are intended to be a series of discussions around teaching practices, equity, race, and the barriers that might obstruct progress from awareness to action.

Resources for TAs and Post-docs

The Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence has curated resources to assist graduate students who teach or TA at Penn State. The group is available to anyone at Penn State.

Users can post questions or tips in the discussion forum, read the "Quick Reads" for general tips, or read the "Deep Dives" for detailed suggestions about teaching in particular course formats (face-to-face, remote synchronous, remote asynchronous, and mixed/hybrid). 

The Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence is part of the Penn State Office of Undergraduate Education, the academic administrative unit that provides leadership and coordination for University-wide programs and initiatives in support of undergraduate teaching and learning at Penn State. Learn more about Undergraduate Education at undergrad.psu.edu.

Last Updated September 8, 2020