Key Takeaways
- Penn State University Libraries’ Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT) is offering various opportunities for new faculty to enhance their teaching practices with technology during the spring 2026 semester.
- The "Embracing Teaching and Learning with Technology for Faculty New to Penn State" Provost Endorsement provides access to key TLT resources and support for new faculty.
- TLT is hosting various professional development opportunities, including the Teaching with Technology Series, to help faculty strengthen their knowledge of essential teaching and learning technologies.
- Additional resources, such as the New Faculty Canvas Site, the Center for Faculty Development and Advancement, and the New Faculty Community Teams Space, are available to support new faculty.
Introduction to TLT Opportunities
Penn State University Libraries’ Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT) is facilitating numerous opportunities throughout the spring 2026 semester for new Penn State faculty at all Penn State campuses to enhance their teaching practices with technology. These opportunities are designed to support faculty professional development and help new faculty members navigate the university’s teaching and learning technologies. The Provost Endorsement Program, which supports faculty professional development, is a key component of these opportunities.
Provost Endorsement Program
The "Embracing Teaching and Learning with Technology for Faculty New to Penn State" Provost Endorsement is a program that provides access to key TLT resources and support to faculty new to the University. Faculty who enroll in this program will strengthen their knowledge of essential teaching and learning technologies, connect with peers across the commonwealth who are also new to the University, and learn about administrative and academic support units that support and provide resources to faculty. The endorsement is coordinated by TLT, which has partnered with IT Learning and Development and the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence to host required activities. Faculty may attend any of the professional development opportunities available through the TLT Provost Endorsement without signing up for the full endorsement.
Teaching with Technology Series
The Teaching with Technology Series is a set of virtual sessions designed to equip faculty with the skills and knowledge to use essential technologies effectively in their teaching practices. Two virtual Teaching with Technologies Prep & Practice sessions will be offered, during which attendees will have the opportunity to build course materials specific to their teaching needs at Penn State. Additionally, TLT and the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence will host "Preparing your Penn State Syllabus," a session that will support faculty in preparing their syllabi and learning strategies for leveraging Canvas to share their syllabus. IT Learning and Development and TLT will also host "Introduction to Canvas," a session that will cover how to set up a Canvas course, create assignments, set up a gradebook, and give meaningful feedback and numerical grades in Canvas.
Additional Resources
In addition to the Provost Endorsement Program and the Teaching with Technology Series, there are several other resources available to support new faculty. The New Faculty Canvas Site provides vital information for new faculty members, offering insights into more than 20 offices and entities across the University. The Center for Faculty Development and Advancement helps new faculty navigate their first year by connecting faculty with essential people, programs, and resources. The New Faculty Community Teams Space provides a communications channel for faculty to connect with their peers and other Penn State resource units, and houses key faculty resources such as a calendar of professional development events and programs along with teaching, learning, technology, and research resources. Faculty Tech Academy is an asynchronous experience designed to introduce essential academic technologies Penn State faculty have access to for free, and IT Learning and Development provides technology tool training through synchronous, instructor-led sessions and a robust library of asynchronous eLearning resources.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Overall, Penn State University Libraries’ Teaching and Learning with Technology is committed to supporting new faculty in their teaching practices with technology. The various opportunities and resources available, including the Provost Endorsement Program, the Teaching with Technology Series, and additional resources such as the New Faculty Canvas Site and the Center for Faculty Development and Advancement, are designed to help faculty strengthen their knowledge of essential teaching and learning technologies and connect with peers and resources across the university. For questions or additional information, faculty can email TLT Learning Design at [email protected]. Faculty have until January 9 to sign up for the Provost Endorsement Program, and can register for individual sessions of the Teaching with Technology Series.
