UNIVERSITY PARK — World Campus Online Faculty Development is offering a new certificate to Penn State faculty and instructors focusing on inclusive online teaching.
The Inclusive Online Teaching Certificate will include a redesigned course on supporting students under stress and a new course on inclusive teaching methods and practices.
The courses are among more than a dozen offered by World Campus Online Faculty Development free of charge to faculty and staff who want to learn to teach more effectively online. It is the fifth certificate program being offered.
The new certificate offers faculty information, processes and practices to help them respond to student needs and design equitable learning experiences that support a diverse student population, according to Drew Tatusko, interim director for World Campus Online Faculty Development.
“Each student brings with them unique conditions, circumstances and challenges that influence how they learn and perform in an academic environment,” Tatusko said.
Tatusko said the certificate focuses on online teaching, but can help instructors be more inclusive in any setting.
A module on diversity, equity and inclusion will be added to the revamped course OL1200: Supporting World Campus Students in Distress, which will be part of the new certificate and also a new requirement for the Foundations for Online Teaching certificate.
WCFD is also offering a redesigned OL3000: Supporting Accessibility for Online Learners course, Tatusko said.
Courses are either instructor-led or self-directed, and many courses are offered multiple times during the semester.
For a list of upcoming courses being offered in the spring and summer semester, visit the Online Faculty Development website.