Academics

Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence announces upcoming programming

Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence has announced its upcoming schedule. Programs include:

New Instructor Orientation Fall 2019 — Self-directed online course

Runs Monday, Aug. 19, through Friday, Sept. 27

Good teaching involves planning, lots of it and at every level. This online, self-directed workshop, open to all new instructors at Penn State, is offered at the start of each semester through Canvas, Penn State’s learning management system.

Moderated by Cindy Decker Raynak, senior instructional designer, this self-directed workshop will provide you with a brief introduction to the resources and strategies that are crucial to good teaching and planning.

Registered participants will receive a registration confirmation immediately,  followed by an email within two business days with Canvas access instructions.

The last day to register is by noon on Wednesday, Sept. 25. All assignments must be uploaded by 11:59 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27. Register here.

More information is available here.

Meet Schreyer Institute representatives at the Graduate School Reception

Thursday, Aug. 22, 5-6:30 p.m., Bryce Jordan Center, University Park

Consultants Chas Brua, Sara Cavallo and Jamie Kim will be at the Graduate School Reception to share information about Schreyer Institute programs and services. Stop by the BJC to chat with them about all your teaching needs and questions.

TA 101: Survive and Thrive as a Teaching Assistant

Tuesday, Aug. 27, noon-1:15 p.m., 315 Rider Building, University Park

This workshop, facilitated by consultants Sara Cavallo, Jamie Kim and Chas Brua, is especially for those who are new to TAing. It will tackle common challenges such as:

  • maintaining a balance of authority and approachability
  • handling grade complaints
  • communicating in the classroom
  • acting as a representative of the course instructor

The workshop satisfies a requirement for the Instructional Foundations Series for new instructors. Register here.

How to Plan a Class Session (part of a double feature)

Wednesday, Aug. 28, 10:10-11:25 a.m., 315 Rider Building, University Park

When planning to lead a class session, it's important to make sure to clearly identify what students should learn. In this workshop, facilitated by consultants Sara Cavallo, Jamie Kim and Chas Brua, we'll explore how to create good learning objectives and how to make sure our teaching and assessment strategies line up with those objectives.

This session is part of a "double feature" — a workshop on "Handling Challenging Classroom Situations" will follow from 11:45 to 1 p.m. Participants can choose to attend both or either of the sessions on Aug. 28. These two workshops will be offered again on Sept. 5.

Both workshops are required for the Instructional Foundations Series for new instructors. Register here.

Handling Challenging Situations in the Classroom (part of a double feature)

Wednesday, Aug. 28, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., 315 Rider Building, University Park

It's not a question of if, but rather of when — challenging situations happen to all teachers, whether that means chronically late students, distracting use of mobile devices, hostile students, or some other behavior.

This workshop, facilitated by consultants Sara Cavallo, Jamie Kim and Chas Brua, will focus on ways to deal with challenging situations without becoming part of the disruption.

This session is part of a "double feature" — a workshop on "How to Plan a Class Session" is being offered beforehand at 10:10 a.m. Participants can choose to attend both or either of the sessions on Aug. 28. These two workshops will be offered again on Sept. 5.

Both workshops are required for the Instructional Foundations Series for new instructors. Register here.

Information about Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence upcoming workshops can be found at https://www.schreyerinstitute.psu.edu/Events.

Last Updated August 19, 2019