Penn State University

Events


Schreyer Institute programs are for anyone at Penn State who has an instructional role or is preparing for a future one. Our participants are typically faculty, graduate students, and postdocs. Academic administrators, instructional designers, staff members, and undergraduates in instructional roles are also welcome.

Universal Design for Learning Course
Facilitated by Mary Ann Tobin, Associate Research Professor
Friday, 12/12/2025 to Wednesday, 12/31/2025
World Campus Faculty Development Canvas Course

Mary Ann (portrait)

This Universal Design for Learning (UDL) course is self-directed and asynchronous. The course provides an introduction to the rationale for UDL, supporting research, applications of UDL. We welcome instructors and designers who embrace student variability, strive for equity, and seek to empower students. Participants will explore UDL terms, principles, structures, and applications, and ways to adapt teaching practices.

Apply anytime at the following link: https://psu.catalog.instructure.com/browse/wcfd/courses/ol-3600-universal-design-for-learning-2025. You will have 60 days to complete the course. 

Facilitated by Mary Ann Tobin, this course is a collaboration between the Schreyer Institute and World Campus Online Faculty Development.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact SITE at site@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Endorsement: Inclusive and Equitable Teaching
Facilitated by Beate Brunow, Associate Research Professor
Monday, 12/15/2025 to Monday, 12/22/2025
Canvas

Beate (Portrait)

This endorsement is part of the Provost Endorsement Program.

This endorsement engages experienced instructors in implementing inclusive and equitable teaching in their current or upcoming course(s).  This program assumes participants already understand the need for inclusive and equitable practices. Eligible participants must have teaching responsibilities in the current or upcoming academic year so that they can most immediately benefit from the content of the program by applying program concepts to their teaching. Participants will revise a syllabus or assignments for future use, reflect on their teaching based on student feedback and peer interactions, and consider how they might cultivate belonging in their courses.  Once participants have registered, they will be added to a Canvas course and connected with a SITE faculty consultant. 

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact SITE at site@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Inclusive and Ethical Pedagogy Series: Teaching Larger Classes
Facilitated by Beth Seymour, Teaching Professor of Anthropology, Penn State Altoona. Panelists include Jennifer Chang Coupland, Clinical Professor of Marketing in the Smeal College of Business and Laura Palmer, Associate Professor of Biology, Penn State Altoona and Brenna Traver, Associate Professor of Biology, Lehigh Valley
Wednesday, 12/17/2025, 12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Via Zoom

Beth Seymour (Portrait)

Portrait Jennifer Chang Coupland

Portrait Laura K. Palmer

Portrait Brenna Traver

The Inclusive and Ethical Pedagogy Series explores how instructors might implement inclusive and ethical pedagogy, as described in the Elements of Effective Teaching. Teaching larger courses presents unique challenges and opportunites. Fostering interaction and connecting with students can be challenging in a potentially imperosnal environment. At the same time, larger courses can feel dynamic environment that supports the collective learning experience. 

Join us for a discussion in which a panel of experienced educators will share their approaches to teaching larger courses. This session is ideal for instructors seeking to explore pratical ideas, and participants are encouraged to share their own questions and experiences.

Registration will close 1 hour before the event starts. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 1 hour before the event.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Global Learning Faculty Fellows Program
Facilitated by Deena Levy, Associate Research Professor and Beate Brunow, Associate Director and Associate Research Professor, and Tiffany MacQuarrie, Associate Director for Global Academic Engagement and Meredith Doran, Associate Teaching Professor of Applied Linguistics and Director, English for Professional Purposes Intercultural Center, and Brian Brubaker Associate Vice Provost for Global Learning
Thursday, 1/1/2026 to Sunday, 2/8/2026
Portrait Deena Levy Portrait Beate Brunow Portrait Tiffany MacQuarrie Portrait Meredith Doran Portrait Brian Brubaker

The Global Learning Fellows Program is a year-long professional development opportunity supporting full-time Penn State faculty who want to implement Global Learning in an existing undergraduate course. Faculty do not need prior experience in global learning, just an interest in becoming global learning educators.

Penn State Global, EPPIC, and the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence have partnered together to support full-time Penn State faculty in integrating global learning activities and outcomes into their courses.

These fellowships provide mentorship to faculty from various disciplines to enhance the internationalization of undergraduate curricula at Penn State. Fellows will work on revising or developing a course or module, with the potential to internationalize the curriculum.

Please see more detailed program and application information here: https://global.psu.edu/landing/global-learning-faculty-fellows-program

Note: Application Deadline is February 8th

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Course
Facilitated by Mary Ann Tobin, Associate Research Professor
Friday, 1/2/2026 to Thursday, 12/31/2026, Asychronous
Canvas -- World Campus Faculty Development Canvas Course
Portrait Mary Ann Tobin

In this free, non-credit, self-directed, and entirely asynchronous course, participants explore the rationale and research that supports designing learning experiences with UDL, read scenarios about UDL applications, and reflect on ways to apply UDL to their own instructional practices. This course is open to faculty of any rank or status, teaching assistants, and post-doctoral instructors and members of the learning design community.

Register anytime at the following link: https://psu.catalog.instructure.com/browse/wcfd/courses/ol-360001-universal-design-for-learning-2026. You will have 60 days to complete the course.

This course is a collaboration between the Schreyer Institute and World Campus Online Faculty Development.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

From Workshop to Action
Facilitated by Chas Brua, Associate Research Professor, John Elia, Jose Sandoval-Llanos, and Alia Shalaby, all Graduate Instructional Consultants
Monday, 1/5/2026 to Friday, 5/1/2026, Asynchronous
Via Zoom
Portrait Chas Brua Portrait John Elia Portrait Jose Sandoval-Llanos Portrait Alia Shalaby
In this free program, you are invited to connect principles from Schreyer Institute workshops directly to your own teaching practice. Steps in the process:
   1. Attend a Schreyer Institute workshop on a teaching topic of interest to you. Afterwards, let the facilitator(s) know you are interested in participating in the "From Workshop to Action" program.
   2. Draft a plan for implementing one of that workshop’s key ideas in a course where you are the instructor or TA.
   3. Meet with a Schreyer Institute consultant to get feedback about your plan.
   4. Teach a lesson or series of lessons in which you implement your plan. Invite the Schreyer Institute consultant to observe.
   5. At a follow-up meeting, discuss what you learned from the process and get further feedback from the Schreyer Institute consultant.

   NOTE: The program is designed for those who are currently teaching/TAing or who will teach/TA a Penn State course within the next year. Graduate students, postdocs, and new faculty may find the program especially beneficial, but anyone in an instructional role is welcome to apply.

   Objectives—You will be able to:
   • Communicate information about teaching and learning with others in higher education.
   • Adapt ideas explored in professional development to your teaching practices.
   • Reflect on the implementation of teaching practices.
   • Identify modifications to your teaching practice based on reflection.

   Completion certificate
Participants who successfully complete all steps of the program will earn a completion certificate. While the program does not serve as a formal, credit-bearing certification process, it does provide you with documentation of your participation in it. This certificate may be included in your teaching portfolio or curriculum vitae as evidence of your professional development.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided , please contact SITE site@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.
Rethinking Assessment in the Age of AI + Optional 30-Minute Design Sprint
Facilitated by Logan Harvey, Research Faculty
Tuesday, 1/6/2026, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Via Zoom
Portrait Logan Harvey

The rise of generative AI is challenging traditional models of assessment. In this workshop, we will explore practical strategies for building flexible, resilient assessments that withstand evolving AI capabilities as well as assessments that harness AI to support learning. Includes an optional 30-minute design sprint at the end.

Registration will close 1 hour before the event starts. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 1 hour before the event.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Assessing Student Learning
Facilitated by Mary Ann Tobin, Associate Research Professor
Tuesday, 1/6/2026, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Via Zoom

portrait of Mary Ann Tobin

In this webinar, participants will discover the types of student learning assessments and begin to consider how they might effectively measure learning in their courses.

Registration will close 1 hour before the event starts. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 1 hour before the event.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Developing AI Literacy in Students + Optional 30-Minute Design Sprint
Facilitated by Logan Harvey, Research Faculty
Wednesday, 1/7/2026, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Via Zoom
Portrait Logan Harvey

As generative AI tools like ChatGPT become increasingly available, students need not only technical familiarity but also a critical understanding of how these tools shape thinking, creativity, and scholarship. In this workshop we will discuss strategies to introduce AI concepts in your courses and design activities that help students reflect on appropriate and ethical uses. We will also discuss methods to assess AI literacy. Includes an optional 30-minute design sprint at the end.

Registration will close 1 hour before the event starts. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 1 hour before the event.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Preparing Your Penn State Syllabus
Facilitated by Deena Levy, Associate Research Professor and Sherry Rice, Faculty Engagement Specialist, Teaching and Learning with Technology
Wednesday, 1/7/2026, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Via Zoom
Portrait Deena Levy Portrait Sherry Rice

TLT and the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence (SITE) are hosting this session focused on supporting faculty in the preparation of their Penn State Syllabus. It will review PSU syllabus requirements and recommendations, best practices for communicating course content on syllabi, and example syllabus language. We will also discuss strategies for leveraging Canvas to share your syllabus.
   
Register here: Click here to open the form

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact SITE at site@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Preparing Your Penn State Syllabus
Facilitated by Deena Levy, Associate Research Professor and Sherry Rice, Faculty Engagement Specialist, Teaching and Learning with Technology
Thursday, 1/8/2026, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Via Zoom
Portrait Deena Levy Portrait Sherry Rice

TLT and the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence (SITE) are hosting this session focused on supporting faculty in the preparation of their Penn State Syllabus. It will review PSU syllabus requirements and recommendations, best practices for communicating course content on syllabi, and example syllabus language. We will also discuss strategies for leveraging Canvas to share your syllabus.
   
Register here: Click here to open the form

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact SITE at site@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

AI Literacy in Faculty + Optional 30-Minute Design Sprint
Facilitated by Logan Harvey, Research Faculty
Friday, 1/9/2026, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Via Zoom
Portrait Logan Harvey

Developing AI literacy is essential for faculty who want to engage responsibly with generative AI in higher education. In this workshop, we will explore the core components of AI literacy and consider how AI literacy applies to their own teaching, research, and professional practices. Through discussion and hands-on activities, faculty will leave with a clearer understanding of their own AI literacy and practical ways to include it in their workflows and model it in the classroom. Includes an optional 30-minute design sprint at the end.

Registration will close 1 hour before the event starts. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 1 hour before the event.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Instructional Foundations Series
Facilitated by Chas Brua, Associate Research Professor, John Elia, Graduate Instructional Consultant, Alia Shalaby, Graduate Instructional Consultant, and Jose Sandoval-Llanos, Graduate Instructional Consultant
Monday, 1/12/2026 to Monday, 2/16/2026
Via Zoom

Portrait Chas BruaPortrait Alia ShalabyPortrait Jose Sandoval-LlanosPortrait John Elia

The Instructional Foundations Series is for graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and instructors from all disciplines who have never taught at the university level (other than grading experience) prior to participation. The series is designed to provide people new to college teaching with some basic ideas they can use in their first teaching experience. The series includes 3 workshops focusing on best practices from the literature on teaching and learning, plus an assignment in which participants discuss teaching techniques with an experienced instructor in their discipline. For additional details, see https://www.schreyerinstitute.psu.edu/instructionalfoundations.

Registration closes on February 16, 2026.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact SITE at site@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

How to Plan a Class Session
Facilitated by John Elia, Graduate Instructional Consultant and Alia Shalaby, Graduate Instructional Consultant
Thursday, 1/15/2026, 10:35 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Via Zoom

Portrait John EliaPortrait Alia Shalaby

In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore practical strategies for planning individual class sessions, with special attention to the alignment of learning objectives, assessments, and learning activities.

Registration will close one hour before the workshop begins. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the event begins.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Making Sure Disruptions Don't Derail Student Learning
Facilitated by Chas Brua, Associate Research Professor and Jose Sandoval-Llanos, Graduate Instructional Consultant
Wednesday, 1/21/2026, 10:10 a.m. - 11:25 a.m.
Via Zoom

Portrait Chas BruaPortrait Jose Sandoval-Llanos

Disruptive situations can occur in any course. In this interactive workshop, we’ll discuss ways to create a climate where disruptive behavior is less likely to occur--and to get the learning back on track when it does.

Registration will close one hour before the workshop begins. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the event begins.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

An Introduction to Active Learning
Facilitated by John Elia, Graduate Instructional Consultant
Thursday, 1/22/2026, 10:35 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Via Zoom

Portrait John Elia

This interactive workshop offers participants a first look at active learning and how active learning can be used in the classroom. Participants will build their understanding of what active learning is, how to effectively use active learning, and methods and techniques to leverage active learning in their own teaching/TAing.

Registration will close one hour before the workshop begins. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the event begins.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

How to Give Feedback that Promotes Learning
Facilitated by Alia Shalaby, Graduate Instructional Consultant
Tuesday, 1/27/2026, 10:35 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Via Zoom

Portait Alia Shalaby

This interactive workshop will provide participants with an overview of how assessments can be used as part of the learning process. Participants will walk away with strategies for crafting effective and constructive feedback that helps turn assessments from just a tool for evaluating performance into one that promotes student learning and supports students' development in areas of need.

Registration will close one hour before the workshop begins. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the event begins.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact SITE at site@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.
Course in College Teaching
Facilitated by Deena Levy, Associate Research Professor and Mary Ann Tobin, Associate Research Professor, and John Elia, Graduate Instructional Consultant
Monday, 2/2/2026 to Monday, 3/2/2026, Asynchronous
Canvas -- Course in College Teaching Spring 2026

Portrait DeePortrait Mary Ann Tobin

Portrait John Elia

The Course in College Teaching (CCT) provides an opportunity for faculty, graduate students, and post-doc instructors from all disciplines to collaboratively explore successful teaching and learning. It is designed to allow participants to share ideas and strategies for successful teaching. This free, non-credit course includes discussion and practice based on information drawn from the teaching and learning literature, as well as from the teaching experiences of individual participants.

The Spring 2026 Course in College Teaching (CCT) will be held asynchronously in Canvas from February 2 - March 2. For more information, see schreyerinstitute.psu.edu/cct or contact one of the course facilitators Deena Levy at drl21@psu.edu or Mary Ann Tobin at matobin@psu.edu.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Writing Your Teaching Statement for the Job Market
Facilitated by Chas Brua, Associate Research Professor and Deena Levy, Associate Research Professor
Tuesday, 2/3/2026, 2:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Via Zoom

portrait of ChasPortrait of Deena

In this interactive workshop, participants will explore strategies for writing a teaching philosophy statement that effectively communicates their goals, practices, and evidence of effectiveness. We will also analyze the strengths and weaknesses of some actual teaching philosophy statements.

Registration will close 1 hour before the workshop begins. Registrants will receive the Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the workshop begins.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact SITE at site@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs

How to Plan a Class Session
Facilitated by John Elia, Graduate Instructional Consultant and Alia Shalaby, Graduate Instructional Consultant
Wednesday, 2/4/2026, 10:10 a.m. - 11:25 a.m.
Via Zoom

Portrait John EliaPortrait Alia Shalaby

In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore practical strategies for planning individual class sessions, with special attention to the alignment of learning objectives, assessments, and learning activities.

Registration will close one hour before the workshop begins. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the event begins.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Are you HIP? An Introduction to High Impact Practices
Facilitated by Laura Cruz, Research Professor
Thursday, 2/5/2026, 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Via Zoom
Portrait Laura Cruz

In this interactive webinar, you will find out more about the high impact practice (HIP) model (which includes global learning, service learning, undergraduate research, writing-intensive courses, learning communities, capstones, internships, and more) and why they have received support from both instructors and institutions. Join us to discover which HIPs may be right for you and your teaching practice.

Registration will close one hour before the workshop begins. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the event begins.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact SITE at site@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Designing for Student Engagement
Facilitated by John Elia, Graduate Instructional Consultant
Tuesday, 2/10/2026, 10:35 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Via Zoom

Portrait John Elia

In this interactive workshop, we invite participants to examine student engagement from a curricular perspective. We will discuss how the design of activities and assessments can affect student engagement, and how reflecting on the structure of activities and assessments can lead to changes that promote student engagement. Participants will have opportunities to apply what is discussed throughout the workshop.

Registration will close one hour before the workshop begins. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the event begins.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact SITE at site@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

How Culturally Responsive Teaching Can Benefit Your Students
Facilitated by Alia Shalaby, Graduate Instructional Consultant
Wednesday, 2/11/2026, 10:10 a.m. - 11:25 a.m.
Via Zoom

Portrait Alia Shalaby

In this interactive workshop, participants will explore the role of culture in shaping classroom dynamics; the academic foundations of culturally responsive teaching; and how cultural (mis)alignment can impact the learning environment.

Registration will close 1 hour before the event starts. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the event.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.
   

Rethinking Assessment in the Age of AI + Optional 30-Minute Design Sprint
Facilitated by Logan Harvey, Research Faculty
Wednesday, 2/11/2026, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Via Zoom

Portrait Logan HarveyThe rise of generative AI is challenging traditional models of assessment. In this workshop, we will explore practical strategies for building flexible, resilient assessments that withstand evolving AI capabilities as well as assessments that harness AI to support learning. Includes an optional 30-minute design sprint at the end.

Registration will close 1 hour before the event starts. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 1 hour before the event.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

 

Curriculum Innovation and Renewal Program Community Meeting
Facilitated by Mary Ann Tobin, Associate Research Professor, Beate Brunow, Associate Research Professor, Larkin Hood, Associate Research Professor, Laura Cruz, Research Professor
Thursday, 2/12/2026, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Via Zoom

Mary Ann Tobin (Portrait)As part of thBeate Brunow (Portrait)Larkin Hood (Portrait) Laura Cruz (Portrait)e Curriculum Innovation and Renewal Program, project leaders, faculty consultants, and SITE consultants come together to support the leaders' work by sharing successes, processes, and challenges, as well as best practices, experiences and expertise in curriculum development and curriculum committee processes.

This is a closed event customized for the CIRP community members. If you are interested in a Custom Workshop for your area, contact us at site@psu.edu.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access.


Making Sure Disruptions Don't Derail Student Learning
Facilitated by Chas Brua, Associate Research Professor and Jose Sandoval-Llanos, Graduate Instructional Consultant
Thursday, 2/12/2026, 10:35 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Via Zoom

Portrait Chas Brua

Portrait Jose Sandoval-Llanos

Disruptive situations can occur in any course. In this interactive workshop, we’ll discuss ways to create a climate where disruptive behavior is less likely to occur--and to get the learning back on track when it does.

Registration will close one hour before the workshop begins. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the event begins.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Identities We Inspire in Our Students
Facilitated by John Elia, Graduate Instructional Consultant
Tuesday, 2/17/2026, 10:35 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Via Zoom

portrait of John Elia

Do you view the people in your classroom as students ... or as learners? As those there for the grade ... or as those who will become future colleagues? In this workshop, we will discuss and investigate the ways we can nurture positive, productive identities in our students. We will explore topics such as identities, their effect on students’ experience in the classroom, and ways that we as teachers can play a role in identity development.

Registration will close 1 hour before the workshop begins. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the event begins.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Practical Tips for Teaching in a U.S Classroom (Especially for International TAs, but All Are Welcome)
Facilitated by Alia Shalaby, Graduate Instructional Consultant and Jose Sandoval-Llanos, Graduate Instructional Consultant and Meredith Doran, Director of EPPIC and Associate Teaching Professor of Applied Linguistics
Wednesday, 2/18/2026, 10:10 a.m. - 11:25 a.m.
Via Zoom

 

Portrait Meredith DoranPortrait Alia ShalabyPortrait Jose Sandoval-Llanos

In this interactive workshop -- of special interest to international instructors and TAs, but open to all -- we'll explore pedagogical values that are common in U.S. college classrooms, as well as practical strategies for creating an effective learning environment.

Registration will close 1 hour before the workshop begins. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the event begins.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Hands-on Working Session: Draft Your Teaching Philosophy Statement
Facilitated by Chas Brua, Associate Research Professor and Deena Levy, Associate Research Professor
Wednesday, 2/18/2026, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Via Zoom

Portrait Chas BruaPortrait Deena LevyDuring this session, participants will work on a draft of their teaching philosophy statement and will receive individual feedback/coaching from Schreyer Institute facilitators. Please bring a draft of your statement.

Registration will close 1 hour before the workshop begins. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the event begins. Space is limited.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Building Transparency into Your Course Can Help Your Students Learn
Facilitated by Chas Brua, Associate Research Professor, John Elia, Graduate Instructional Consultant
Thursday, 2/19/2026, 10:35 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Via Zoom

Portrait of Chasportrait of John Elia

Transparency is a subtle idea: What happens when we make more of an effort to clarify our expectations, demystify the steps of an assignment, or discuss with our students what makes good work good? In this workshop, we'll consider what transparency is, what it looks like, and what difference it might make in your classes and assignments. Participants are encouraged to bring a draft assignment to discuss.

Registration will close one hour before the workshop begins. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the event begins.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Grading for Growth for Future Faculty
Facilitated by Laura Cruz, Research Professor
Thursday, 2/19/2026, 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Via Zoom
Portrait Laura Cruz

In this interactive webinar, you will get the opportunity to explore emerging approaches to re-centering grading. Referred to by various terms--including ungrading, specifications grading, standards-based grading, and more--these approaches all share a focus on recognizing and encouraging student growth. Join us to find out more about how these practices might become a part of your current or future teaching practice.

Graduate students, postdocs, and new faculty may find the program especially beneficial, but anyone in an instructional role is welcome.

Registration will close 1 hour before the workshop begins. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the event begins. Space is limited.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

AI Decision Points
Facilitated by Chas Brua, Associate Research Professor and Jose Sandoval-Llanos, Graduate Instructional Consultant
Tuesday, 2/24/2026, 10:35 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Via Zoom

Portrait of ChasPortrait of Jose

In this interactive workshop, we'll explore decisions that instructors confront in relation to AI: when (or whether) to encourage students to use AI in a course; when (or whether) to constrain students from using AI; and how to communicate clear guidance and rationales to students.

Registration will close one hour before the workshop begins. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the event begins.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Assessing Student Learning
Facilitated by Mary Ann Tobin, Associate Research Professor
Wednesday, 2/25/2026, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Via Zoom

portrait of Mary Ann Tobin

In this webinar, participants will discover the types of student learning assessments and begin to consider how they might effectively measure learning in their courses.

Registration will close 1 hour before the event starts. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 1 hour before the event.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Creating and Using Rubrics
Co-facilitated by Mary Ann Tobin, Associate Research Professor, Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence, and Kirsten Hochstedt, Analysis and Planning Consultant, Office of Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research
Thursday, 2/26/2026, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Via Zoom
Portrait Mary Ann Tobin

This workshop will give an overview of rubrics for program- and course-level assessment. Participants will be able to describe what a rubric is and the advantages of using rubrics; identify the elements of a rubric and the different types of rubrics; and design a rubric or modify an existing rubric using best practices.

See full description and register at https://opair.psu.edu/assessment/resources .

Registrants will receive a Zoom link prior to the event.

This event is co-sponsored by the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence and the Office of Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Teach to Reach with Universal Design for Learning
Facilitated by Mary Ann Tobin, Associate Research Professor and Lauraine Hawkins, Assistant Professor of Biology, Penn State Mont Alto
Monday, 3/2/2026 to Sunday, 4/5/2026, Asychronous
 Canvas -- Teach to Reach with Universal Design for Learning
Portrait Mary Ann Tobin

In this four-week, entirely asynchronous online course, participants draw upon their own teaching or learning design experience and their existing, basic understanding of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to generate and respond to discussions, create an instructional activity inspired by UDL, and provide feedback on their peers’ activities.

The course is open to faculty of any rank or status, teaching assistants, post-doctoral instructors, and members of the learning design community with existing teaching or learning design experience and a basic understanding of UDL. For eligibility requirements, see https://www.schreyerinstitute.psu.edu/teachtoreach.

To register, complete our enrollment survey at https://tinyurl.com/RegisterTTR. Participants will be notified via email approximately one week prior to the start of the course.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Assessing Student Learning
Facilitated by Mary Ann Tobin, Associate Research Professor and Alia Shalaby, Graduate Instructional Consultant
Wednesday, 3/4/2026, 01:00 p.m. - 02:15 p.m.
Via Zoom
Portrait Mary Ann Tobin

Portrait Alia Shalaby

In this interactive workshop, participants will explore multiple uses of assessment -- both as a tool to promote learning and a tool to determine how much learning has occurred. This version of the workshop will be especially beneficial for graduate students, postdocs, and other newer instructors, but anyone in or preparing for an instructional role is welcome.
   
Registration will close 1 hour before the event starts. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the workshop begins.
   
Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Developing AI Literacy in Students + Optional 30-Minute Design Sprint
Facilitated by Logan Harvey, Research Faculty
Thursday, 3/5/2026, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Via Zoom

Portrait Logan Harvey

As generative AI tools like ChatGPT become increasingly available, students need not only technical familiarity but also a critical understanding of how these tools shape thinking, creativity, and scholarship. In this workshop we will discuss strategies to introduce AI concepts in your courses and design activities that help students reflect on appropriate and ethical uses. We will also discuss methods to assess AI literacy. Includes an optional 30-minute design sprint at the end.

Registration will close 1 hour before the event starts. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 1 hour before the event.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

AI Literacy in Faculty + Optional 30-Minute Design Sprint
Facilitated by Logan Harvey, Research Faculty
Monday, 3/16/2026, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Via Zoom

Portrait Logan Harvey

Developing AI literacy is essential for faculty who want to engage responsibly with generative AI in higher education. In this workshop, we will explore the core components of AI literacy and consider how AI literacy applies to their own teaching, research, and professional practices. Through discussion and hands-on activities, faculty will leave with a clearer understanding of their own AI literacy and practical ways to include it in their workflows and model it in the classroom. Includes an optional 30-minute design sprint at the end.

Registration will close 1 hour before the event starts. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 1 hour before the event.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Moving Beyond the Banking Model in our Teaching
Facilitated by Jose Sandoval-Llanos, Graduate Instructional Consultant
Thursday, 3/19/2026, 10:35 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Via Zoom

Portrait of Jose

Paulo Freire challenged educators to move beyond the "banking" model of teaching, in which instructors "deposit" knowledge into passive students. Yet, despite our best intentions, we still find ourselves immersed in these practices. In this interactive workshop, we will reflect on our own educational experiences and co-create strategies to adopt Freire's dialogic pedagogy. Together, we will reimagine teaching as a collaborative, liberatory practice.

Registration will close 1 hour before the event starts. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the workshop begins.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

2026 Schreyer Conference on Alternative Grading
Tuesday, 3/24/2026, 12:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Via Zoom

The 2026 Schreyer Conference will focus on alternative grading, or ways in which instructors are re-imagining their approach to grading.  These approaches go by many different names—ungrading, specifications (spec) grading, contract grading, standards-based grading, labor-based grading and more---but they share a common focus on changing how and why we grade our students.   

  
The conference includes a keynote address by Robert Talbert, author of the popular book Grading for Growth (2023), as well as a series of panels in which your Penn State colleagues (students and instructors) will share their first-hand experiences with a wide range of approaches to grading differently.    
  
We invite you to join us for a day of lively conversations, practical insights, and thoughtful reflection focused on a long-standing practice we all share--grading.     
  

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Faculty Leaders for AI-Aware Instruction
Facilitated by Larkin Hood, Associate Research Professor, Logan Harvey, Research Faculty, Beate Brunow, Associate Research Professor
Friday, 3/27/2026, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Rider Building Room 315

portrait of Larkinportrait of Loganportrait of BeateAI-aware Faculty Leaders is a group of colleagues in a SITE grant program who will meet in-person two times during the 2025-26 academic year to share resources, insights, and to identify additional needs to address current and future needs of the discipline.

This is a closed event customized for the requesting department. If you are interested in a Custom Workshop for your area, contact us at site@psu.edu.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Teaching a Course That's New to You
Facilitated by Chas Brua, Associate Research Professor and Jose Sandoval-Llanos, Graduate Instructional Consultant
Tuesday, 4/7/2026, 10:35 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Via Zoom

portrait of ChasPortrait of Jose

So you’ve been asked to lead a course that's new to you—now what? This interactive workshop will focus on strategies for focusing course goals, syllabus content, and the schedule of activities and assessments. The workshop will be most useful for grad students and postdocs who are relatively new to teaching, but anyone who has an instructional role or is preparing for a future one is welcome.

Registration will close one hour before the workshop begins. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the event begins.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Curriculum Innovation and Renewal Program Community Meeting
Facilitated by Mary Ann Tobin, Associate Research Professor, Beate Brunow, Associate Research Professor, Larkin Hood, Associate Research Professor, Laura Cruz, Research Professor
Thursday, 4/9/2026, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Rider Building Room 315

Mary Ann Tobin (Portrait)Beate Brunow (Portrait)Larkin Hood (Portrait) Laura Cruz (Portrait)As part of the Curriculum Innovation and Renewal Program, project leaders, faculty consultants, and SITE consultants come together to support the leaders' work by sharing successes, processes, and challenges, as well as best practices, experiences and expertise in curriculum development and curriculum committee processes.

This is a closed event customized for the CIRP community members. If you are interested in a Custom Workshop for your area, contact us at site@psu.edu.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access.


Assessing Student Learning
Facilitated by Mary Ann Tobin, Associate Research Professor
Thursday, 4/16/2026, 12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Via Zoom

portrait of Mary Ann Tobin

In this webinar, participants will discover the types of student learning assessments and begin to consider how they might effectively measure learning in their courses.

Registration will close 1 hour before the event starts. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 1 hour before the event.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

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