UNIVERSITY PARK. Pa. – Throughout the 2026 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 1 to 3 p.m. on Aug. 13 and from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 18. 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 the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence and TLT, will be offered on Aug. 18 to support faculty preparing their syllabus. There will be two sessions: 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. and 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Participants will learn about syllabus requirements and recommendations, best practices for communicating course content on syllabi, and example syllabus language. They will also learn strategies for leveraging Canvas to share their syllabus.
Register for individual Teaching and Learning with Technology sessions on the TwT webpage.
New Faculty Discovery Series
The New Faculty Discovery Series connects new Penn State faculty with timely, relevant educational technology topics that support teaching and learning. Through conversations and insights from content experts, faculty will explore the tools and resources available across the University.
“Leveraging Top Hat to Promote Student Engagement from the Start of the Term,” hosted by TLT, the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence, and Top Hat will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Aug. 11. Participants will explore active learning strategies that can be implemented using Top Hat’s polling and interactive features.
“Exploring Faculty Tech Academy” will be held from 1 to 1:45 p.m. on Sept. 14. Participants will be introduced to the essential academic technologies faculty have access to for free at Penn State.
“AI Resources for New Faculty” will be held from 1 to 1:45 p.m. on Sept. 28. Participants will receive 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.
“Integrating Dreamery Experiences into Teaching with Creative AI Labs & IMPACT” will be held from 1 to 1:45 p.m. on Oct. 26. Participants will learn how to integrate AI Creative Labs and the IMPACT Deck into their courses to foster innovation, collaboration and critical thinking.
“Partnering with Media Commons to Design Impactful Media-Based Learning” will be held from 1 to 1:45 p.m. on Nov. 16. Participants will discover how Media Commons can support the integration of media-based projects, assignments and workshops into courses.
To attend, register for individual New Faculty Discovery sessions.
Faculty Endorsement Program
Faculty from all Penn State campuses can enroll in the New 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 also are 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 full endorsement.
To learn more and register, visit the Faculty Endorsement Program website. Faculty have until Friday, Sept. 4, to sign up.
Additional Resources
- TLT Resources for New Faculty, resources to help faculty get started with University technology tools, finding community with peers, and learning about upcoming professional development opportunities
- New Faculty Canvas Site, with insights into more than 20 offices and entities across the University
- Center for Faculty Development and Advancement, advancing professional growth through innovative programs, tailored resources, and meaningful support
- 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 (search faculty tech academy in the LRN)
- IT Learning and Development (ITLD), which provides technology tool training through synchronous, instructor-led sessions and a robust library of asynchronous eLearning resources
- Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence, advance teaching excellence through meetings with individuals or groups, workshops, short courses, and scholarly collaborations.