Welcome to the College of IST Learning Design eNewsletter
February 2021
Join Us for our Next Online Teaching and Learning Conversation
Please mark your calendar and join us on Friday, March 26, 2021 from 12:15-1:15 pm ET to learn more about the new tool, TopHat. During this session, we will review how TopHat can be used for World Campus courses. The session will take place via Zoom at https://psu.zoom.us/j/836774248
Email Chris Gamrat if you have requests for agenda topics.
The remaining meeting dates for this academic year are: March 26 and April 30.
The meetings will be recorded upon request.
Fairwell to Kirsten Hochstedt
For any of you who have been involved with course assessment, you may have worked with Kirsten Hochstedt. She left the Office of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment and started as the Assistant Director of Learning Outcomes Assessment in the Office of Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research at Old Main on February 15. We wish her well on this new chapter!
Instructional Designer Course Coverage Update
With the addition of Dean Croll to the Office of Learning Design, we will be adjusting designer coverage for IST courses. Starting in February, Dean will be helping to support your SP21 course(s) with increasing responsibilities as the semester progresses.
Timeline for transition is projected as:
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Chris Gamrat’s sections on February 22
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Jon Hughes’s sections by mid-March
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Kent Matsueda’s sections by the end of March
For more detail, refer to the dashboard listing to view which sections will be impacted: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/publish?EQBCT=230080e06035420e9c0535a50a282760
Updates will be sent as the semester progresses. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Kent Matsueda <kkm11@psu.edu> or Lisa Lenze <lfl2@psu.edu>.
Inclusive Teaching Resources
You and your students can add pronouns next to your name in Canvas. For more information on this, refer to the Canvas guide on adding personal pronouns.
Microsoft Word has functionality to help with more inclusive writing. Just like with spelling and grammar, this tool can help to identify writing adjustments to be more inclusive in a variety of ways.
World Campus Faculty Development is now offering an Inclusive Teaching certificate. More information can be found on the Online Teaching Certificates page.
Amy Garbrick returning March 1
Amy is returning from shoulder surgery. Her recovery is going well, and she’s gradually increasing her hours back up to fulltime by March 1. Please join us in welcoming her back.
Learning Design Support
The Learning Design team is available to help you!
Email the Learning Design team with specific questions or to schedule a consultation at LD@ist.psu.edu and one of the team members will get back to you as soon as possible.