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Michael Christie

Michael Christie
In Smeal Academy Newsletter

Fall 2020 Wrap-Up

Welcome to the Smeal Academy: Fall 2020 Resilience

The goal of the Smeal Academy is to equip everyone with best practices and strategies for teaching, learning, and technology to ensure the Smeal community is prepared to respond to the unique challenges presented by COVID-19. This week we will focus on semester wrap-up, strategies for actually having a winter break, and things you need to know to get ready for spring. The eLDIG team wishes the entire Smeal community a very renewing and peaceful break.

Strategies for Self-Care Over Break

We are nearly there! Grades are (or will soon be submitted by the end of the day), and we can take a collective exhale to close out Fall 2020.

That being said, it is likely that your “cup” [read: energy/well-being/outlook] may feel pretty empty after what was likely one of the most challenging semesters of your career. Taking some time for you during the break is critical to refilling your cup.

Researcher and author Brené Brown has talked about the value of creating a “playlist.” She advises being intentional about making dedicated time to those activities through which you “lose track of time and self-consciousness.” Being intentional about making time for the activities that truly replenish us (as opposed to what society/culture/habit tells us we should do) can be transformative.

Another helpful tool is the practice of gratitude. Research shows that it is easy for our brains to focus on the perceived threats and challenges in our lives, but much harder to pick out the positives. Gratitude is a skill that we need to practice. The Greater Good Science Center at Berkeley shared the “Finding Silver Linings” exercise. This brief activity can help you avoid ruminating and refocus your attention on the bright side of tough situations. Research has shown that focusing on optimistic thoughts can increase your happiness and enjoyment of life. That sounds like a great way to approach a new semester and a new year!

And don’t forget the many resources we have available to us at Penn State. This might be a great time to make the Calm app a daily habit. Heide Gibson has many resources available for engaging more fully with the app.

In addition, Penn State has websites with updated information for managing anxiety and stress and staying healthy and strong. Resources include a variety of online wellness classes being held at convenient times throughout the upcoming semester.

At the very least, take time to exhale and feel grateful for the culmination of an amazing semester! We made it through Fall 2020 and learned a lot in the process. Celebrate all that you have accomplished and all the ways that you have grown. Happy New Year!

Resources:

Current News

  • Spring Semester Remote Until February 15! 
    As you prepare for Spring 2021 instruction, please note that courses will begin in remote format. If you would like to consult with an eLDIG designer about your course design, please email us at: [email protected] or fill out our Remote Teaching Support form.Find out more information about Spring 21 Remote Instruction here.We have a number of Smeal Academy session recordings available for your review as you prepare for the upcoming semester.
  • Wellness Day Themes Announced
    Wellness days and themes are as follows:

    • Tuesday, Feb. 9 — Financial and occupational dimensions of wellness
    • Thursday, March 11 — Intellectual and spiritual wellness
    • Wednesday, April 7 — Physical and environmental wellness

    Check out this story for more information.

Upcoming Live Sessions

  • Kaltura: An Introduction for Canvas Users (Presented by IT Learning and Development) 
    Do you have videos, images, or audio files to share with students? Learn how to share your media using Kaltura, Penn State’s media management and streaming service, in this one-hour demonstration session. Explore Kaltura’s key features and capabilities within Canvas, discuss ways video is being used in higher education, and discover which Kaltura tools are best suited for your needs. Join us Monday January 11, 2021 from 9:15 to 10:30am (EST) via Zoom.

NOTE:  Recordings and resources from previous sessions can be found on our eLDIG  Website.

Tips of the Week

  • Tip #1: Remember to Take a Break over Break! Here are some more tips from the Faculty Education Subcommittee to de-stress and enjoy your break: https://www.smore.com/kedan
  • Tip #2: Use LinkedIn Learning Resources to Learn New Skills or Become More Familiar with File Sharing Tools That Will Replace Box.
    • OneDrive LinkedIn Learning Resources
    • Google Drive LinkedIn Learning Resources

Resources

Helpful Websites

Website

Check out the eLDIG Website for more resources and support.

Contact Us

Email us at: [email protected] or fill out our Remote Teaching Support form.

Michael Christie
In Smeal Academy Newsletter

Fall 2020 Newsletter Holiday Presents—Grading, SP21 Course Prep, and Box

Welcome to the Smeal Academy: Fall 2020 Resilience

The goal of the Smeal Academy is to equip everyone with best practices and strategies for teaching, learning, and technology to ensure the Smeal community is prepared to respond to the unique challenges in teaching during this time. Throughout the semester, we will be sending emails with practical tips and information, providing live sessions, and holding virtual consultations.

End-of-Semester Grading

As a reminder, final grade posting in LionPath must be completed by 12/22/20. If you are using the Canvas gradebook to manage grades this semester, consider saving time by allowing Canvas to transfer final grades directly to LionPath. Helpful resources to aid you in this process are listed below:

If you have questions or would like assistance with the grade import process please don’t hesitate to contact eLDIG via [email protected].

Resources to Prepare for Spring

If 2020 has taught us anything, it is the value of being flexible and the importance of being resilient. With that in mind, we wanted to share a few resources and a little food for thought for the Spring semester. Many who are teaching this coming Spring taught last Spring. It was more than a little bit overwhelming to transition to remote instruction with almost no warning. As you begin preparing your course(s) for next semester, it may be beneficial – whenever possible – to design the course as if you will be teaching at least a portion of your class remotely. This will ensure that you will be prepared for any eventuality. Here are five things to consider as you prepare for next semester:

  • Make the most of Canvas. Consider using one of eLDIG’s Canvas lesson templates to organize your Module content.
  • Convert your class resources to a digital format whenever possible. This includes readings, class handouts, videos that you might typically show in class, exams, and quizzes, and all homework.
  • Add a student “check-in” survey to Canvas to get a sense of your students’ well-being.
  • If attendance is part of your grading, consider using a tool like TopHat from the beginning of the semester to take attendance.
  • Consider recording your lecture content in advance and flipping your class or some of your class sessions, using class time for students to work on assignments, engage in active learning, and ask questions. This will make it easier if you need to transition to remote instruction and to support students affected by COVID because your core lecture content will be ready in advance.

We have a number of Smeal Academy session recordings available for your review as you prepare for the upcoming semester.

Current News

  • Box Migration
    Smeal’s Box migration is scheduled to take place between February 8 – 10, 2021. View this Box Migration Checklist to see what this will mean for you.
  • Wellness Days
    Spring wellness days are scheduled for 2/9 (Tues), 3/11 (Thurs), and 4/7 (Wed). Please plan your course schedule around these dates. Check out Keep Teaching’s advice about how to adjust your course and factor in wellness days into your course schedule.

Upcoming Live Sessions

  • University-Wide Faculty Coffee Break (Penn State Faculty Advisory Group Session) 
    • Date: Friday, December 18, 2020
    • Time: 12:15 to 1:30 p.m.

    The Penn State Faculty Advisory Group invites all Penn State faculty to relax, debrief, and most importantly, connect! Session Info: https://keepteaching.psu.edu/webinars/university-wide-faculty-coffee-break/

  • Smeal Academy Session – Active Learning 
    • Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2021
    • Time: 11 a.m. to Noon

    Think about the last time you learned something. What was the topic? How did you learn it? What motivated you to engage in learning and stay engaged? What got you thinking critically about the knowledge you were seeking? What kind of innovation had you wished had been applied to the topic? What new tool would have been fun?

    This session will discuss active learning strategies in online learning that help faculty engage learners, and can lead to innovation in the classroom. Active learning is a teaching method that supports learning. The method uses techniques and activities that promote analysis, synthesis, and evaluation that guide students towards achieving learning objectives. These techniques and activities are based on ideas about how people learn and engage regardless of content discipline. Multiple strategies will be discussed in a very active session, be prepared not to sit passively for this session.

    This session will be delivered via Zoom.

NOTE:  Recordings and resources from previous sessions can be found on our eLDIG  Website.

Tips of the Week

  • Tip #1: Export Canvas Course Grades to Check Final Grade
    To ensure that your final grades that post to LionPath match your calculations, export your Canvas gradebook and check the “Final Grade” column in the .csv file. If there is a difference between the “Current Grade” and “Final Grade,” it is likely because you have not entered grades for all assignments in Canvas. You can set a default grade (example 0 for no submission) for assignments to help with this process.
  • Tip #2: Update Announcement Dates
    Remember to change the dates on your Announcements in Canvas when you copy them into a new course or previous semester announcements will be available when you publish your course(s).

Resources

Helpful Websites

Website

Check out the eLDIG Website for more resources and support.

Contact Us

Email us at: [email protected] or fill out our Remote Teaching Support form.

Michael Christie
In EdTech Tools & Course Delivery, Smeal Academy Sessions

Top Hat Tricks and Treats

Top Hat Tricks and Treats: In September 2020, Penn State adopted Top Hat, a tool that tracks attendance while creating engaged learning environments for students. In this session, the eLDIG team reviews some Top Hat tricks and treats, including Canvas integration grade syncing and Top Hat engagement tools like polling and whiteboards.

Session Resources

Michael Christie
In Smeal Academy Newsletter

Fall 2020 Resilience Newsletter 3: TopHat and Other Top News

Smeal Academy: Fall 2020 Readiness

The goal of the Smeal Academy is to equip everyone with best practices and strategies for teaching, learning, and technology to ensure the Smeal community is prepared to respond to the unique challenges in teaching during this time. Throughout the semester, we will be sending emails with practical tips and information, providing live sessions, and holding virtual consultations.

TopHat – Polls, Attendance, Whiteboards, and More

What is Top Hat? TopHat is a cloud-based teaching tool that leverages student’s devices to increase in-class engagement and real-time feedback. Instructors can engage students in and outside of the classroom with interactive slides, graded questions, customized content, videos, discussions, and polls.

TopHat integrates and syncs with your Canvas gradebook. The eLDIG team is exploring TopHat functionality so we can assist the Smeal community in integrating its tools into our courses. Some core features we think you will like are:

  • the ability to take attendance more easily, especially in remote instruction contexts
  • the ability to poll students and capture their results, if desired
  • the ability to engage in live discussion with students during class

We encourage you to attend our session on October 28th at 2 pm (see below) or consult with an eLDIG designer if you’d like to learn more or discuss how you can get started.

Current News

  • Helping Students in Need
    If you would like to help support students facing stress due to the pandemic, such as food insecurity or financial hardship, you can consider:

  • Spring Semester Dates
    Our Spring 2021 semester will run from January 18th (one week later than originally scheduled) until April 30th with no spring break and will include scheduled “wellness days” throughout the semester. This article outlines the Spring schedule.

Upcoming Live Sessions

  • Smeal Academy – Top Hat Tricks and Treats
    In September, Penn State adopted Top Hat, a tool that tracks attendance while creating engaged learning environments for students. The eLDIG team will review some Top Hat tricks and treats, including Canvas integration grade syncing and Top Hat engagement tools like polling and whiteboards. Come join the fun…no costume required!! Join us Wednesday, October 28 from 2 to 3 p.m. via Zoom.
  • Smeal Academy Lunch Discussion
    Smeal Students Talk About Academic Integrity. Join us Thursday, November 5 from 12 to 1 p.m. As a part of National Ethics and Compliance Week, the Smeal Integrity Advocates, along with the Smeal Academy, invite you to a Zoom session to hear from a panel of Smeal students about their experiences with academic integrity in a virtual learning environment.
  • Exam Strategies for Remote Delivery (University Session with Smeal faculty and staff)
    Friday, November 13 from 10 to 11 a.m. Presented by: Keep Teaching Faculty Development Group. Details: https://keepteaching.psu.edu/webinars/exam-strategies-for-remote-delivery/. This faculty panel discussion will explore strategies and best practices for synchronous and asynchronous exam delivery. We will discuss:

    • Academic integrity
    • Canvas exam setup tips
    • Proctoring International students and students in varying time zones

    Faculty: Jen Eury, Josh Wede, Constantino Lagoa, Schalyn Sohn, Felisa Preciado-Higgins

    Instructional Designers/Hosts: Brett Bixler, Kitt Camplese, Renee Ford

NOTE: Recordings and resources from previous sessions can be found on our eLDIG  Website.

Tips of the Week

  • Tip #1: Use “message all students who…” in Canvas to reach out to students who may be at risk. In the midst of this pandemic, students may need a little extra support. Here’s how to message students who haven’t completed assignments or scored below a certain grade threshold.
  • Tip #2: Regularly remind your students about the importance of Academic Integrity. Add an integrity question to the beginning of your quizzes or assignments. Consider adding an Academic Integrity lesson to your course content, providing Smeal resources, and inviting students to sign the Smeal Honor Code, online. Reinforcing Academic Integrity and the Honor Code helps promote a culture of honor and integrity and reduces the likelihood of academic integrity violations.

Resources

Helpful Websites

Website

Check out the eLDIG Website for more resources and support.

Contact Us

Email us at: [email protected] or fill out our Remote Teaching Support form.

Michael Christie
In Smeal Academy Newsletter

Fall 2020 Resilience Newsletter 2

Resources for Remote Teaching – Spring 2021 Newsletter 2

The goal of the Smeal Academy is to equip everyone with best practices and strategies for teaching, learning, and technology to ensure the Smeal community is prepared to respond to the unique challenges in teaching during this time. Throughout the semester, we will be sending emails with practical tips and information, providing live sessions, and holding virtual consultations.

The Zooms, They Are A-Changing

Just when we thought we had Zoom all figured out…

Just kidding… you can handle this!

On September 27, Zoom is implementing changes worldwide to enhance meeting security. Beginning on that date, all Zoom meetings will require a passcode (formerly referred to as password), or a Waiting Room to be enabled for all meetings. Any Zoom meetings that have already been scheduled and do not have a passcode configured will automatically have Waiting Rooms enabled.  In summary:

  • Existing meetings: A Waiting Room will be added to your existing Zoom meetings if you have neither a Waiting Room nor a passcode (password) for the meeting already.
  • New meetings: When you create a new meeting, a passcode will be added to it.

Full details on Waiting Rooms and passcode requirements are available on Penn State’s Zoom website.  eLDIG has compiled some helpful information to prepare you for this transition.

Current News

  • Spring 2021 Instructional Modes Due Before Friday, September 25
  • The same flexible instructional modes used for the fall 2020 semester will be used for the spring 2021 semester at all Penn State campuses.
  • Instructors should identify the instructional mode for their spring courses, in consultation with unit leadership, by Friday, September 25. For more information, please refer to the Spring 2021 Planning page on the Keep Teaching Website.

Upcoming Live Sessions

  • Faculty Panel TEACHTalk – Real-World Synchronous and Mixed Audience Classroom Management Strategies
    Are you trying to manage simultaneous online and face-to-face students? Have you found solutions or do you have questions about classroom management, tips, and tools that improve your remote and/or hybrid teaching experience? Do you want to hear how others are managing lectures (to record or not to record), group formation, class discussions, or attendance? Come for a discussion with Smeal faculty and staff members to discuss common needs and solutions for managing synchronous remote and/or classes with a combination of students on Zoom and in person. Join us Friday, September 25 from 9 to 10 a.m. via Zoom.

NOTE: Recordings and resources from previous sessions can be found on our eLDIG  Website.

Tips of the Week

  • Tip #1: Check Your Zoom Settings. On September 27, 2020, a Zoom update will affect your use of the tool in two ways:Existing meetings: A Waiting Room will be added to your existing Zoom meetings if you have neither a Waiting Room nor a passcode (password) for the meeting already.New meetings: When you create a new meeting, a passcode will be added to it.
  • Tip #2: Set Up Starfish Grade Thresholds in Canvas. Starfish is more important now than ever, as we consider the need to support students affected by COVID. You can streamline the Starfish reporting process by setting gradebook thresholds in Canvas. Of course, you will want to be sure your gradebook is accurate before completing Starfish reports!

Resources

Helpful Websites

Website

Check out the eLDIG Website for more resources and support.

Contact Us

Email us at: [email protected] or fill out our Remote Teaching Support form.

Michael Christie
In Instructional Strategies & Student Engagement, Smeal Academy Sessions

Group Work Faculty Panel Discussion

Faculty Panel – Group Projects in Online, Remote, and Hybrid Courses:

Are you trying to figure out strategies for group work in your online/remote and hybrid classes? This session explored how some of our faculty are integrating group work in their classes. They discussed best practices and lessons learned and allowed time for participant Q & A to discuss questions, concerns, and needs. This session was held Wednesday, September 9 from 9 to 10 a.m.

Panelists: Norm Aggon, Shawn Clark, Nancy McClure, Jeanette Miller, Felisa Preciado-Higgins, and Al Vicere

 

Michael Christie
In Smeal Academy Newsletter

Fall 2020 Resilience Newsletter 1

Fall 2020 Resilience Newsletter 1

The goal of the Smeal Academy is to equip everyone with best practices and strategies for teaching, learning, and technology to ensure the Smeal community is prepared to respond to the unique challenges in teaching during this time. Throughout the semester, we will be sending emails with practical tips and information, providing live sessions, and holding virtual consultations.

Summer 2020 Smeal Academy Session Recordings

More than 100 Smeal faculty and staff attended our Summer 2020 Smeal Academy sessions. Here is a list of topics covered with links to curated recordings and resources:

Current News

Kaltura and Zoom
Penn State’s media management platform, Kaltura, has had intermittent issues the past week due to increased demand on resources related to Fall remote instruction. Recent infrastructure updates will hopefully minimize recording errors and delays. However, if issues persist recordings can be manually downloaded from Zoom and uploaded to Kaltura, or shared directly from Zoom using the “Share recordings with viewers” link in the confirmation email sent from Zoom when recordings have finished processing.Also, any Zoom recordings made between August 26 at 10 a.m. ET through August 27 at 7 p.m. and August 31 at 10 a.m. through August 31 at 1:30 p.m. may not have been migrated to Kaltura. In this case, recordings should be manually downloaded from Zoom and uploaded to Kaltura.

Upcoming Live Sessions

Faculty Panel – Group Projects in Online, Remote, and Hybrid Courses
Are you trying to figure out strategies for group work in your online/remote and hybrid classes? Come to hear how some of our faculty are integrating group work in their classes. We will discuss best practices and lessons learned as well as have Q & A time to discuss your course concerns and needs. Join us Wednesday, September 9 from 9 to 10 a.m. via Zoom. NOTE:  Recordings and resources from previous sessions can be found on our eLDIG  Website.

Tips of the Week

    • Tip #1: Course Announcements
      Consider using announcements for course communication to inform the entire class about something. It is easier to use than course mail for sharing global information – but you have to tell students at the beginning of the course to check announcements frequently!
    • Tip #2: Smeal iPads
      iPads will soon be distributed to faculty who requested them. eLDIG has created two videos to assist you in using your iPad or android tablet when you wish to use the whiteboard feature.

Resources

Helpful Websites

Website

Check out the eLDIG Website for more resources and support.

Contact Us

Email us at: [email protected] or fill out our Remote Teaching Support form.

Michael Christie
In Instructional Strategies & Student Engagement, Smeal Academy Sessions

Engaging Students Synchronously


Link to Session Slides

Engaging Students Synchronously (A session designed as a collaboration between TLT and eLDIG): Are you interested in improving student engagement in your synchronous online classes? This August 27, 2020 session covered best practices when engaging students in synchronous, online settings. Topics included how to help students engage with the content, instructors, and their fellow students, as well as how to best adapt in-class activities to the synchronous online environment. This content applies to both blended and online courses.

Links to Resources Mentioned

Michael Christie
In Assessment, Instructional Strategies & Student Engagement, Smeal Academy Sessions

Engaging Students Through Assessment


Link to Session Slides

Engaging Students Through Assessment (A session designed as a collaboration between Teaching and Learning with Technology and eLDIG): How can you engage your students through online assessments (both formative and summative)? This August 19, 2020 session covered the changes can you make to your assessments to take advantage of the affordances of the online environment. Topics include setting expectations for online assessments, managing student stress levels, determining the most effective delivery method in your teaching context, adapting both formative and summative assessments from in-person to online formats, and alternatives to online exams.

Session Resources

Michael Christie
In Smeal Academy Newsletter

Week 10 – Empathy and Engagement in Teaching and Learning

Smeal Academy: Fall 2020 Readiness – Week 10

The goal of the Smeal Academy is to equip everyone with best practices and strategies for teaching, learning, and technology to ensure the Smeal community is prepared to respond to the unique challenges in teaching during this time. Throughout the semester, we will be sending emails with practical tips and information, providing live sessions, and holding virtual consultations.

This week we share resources and strategies that will help promote empathy and engagement. Research shows that we must start with our own self-awareness to be empathetic and engage meaningfully with those around us (Newman, 2018).

It is important to affirm that you are also impacted by the present circumstances. Before a class session begins or before engaging in an activity, reflect on your own emotional state and expectations: Here are some questions you may ask yourself at the beginning of a day:

What are my present circumstances? How might they impact/inform my approach to teaching and my expectations of learners today?
What do I know about my students’ experiences and present circumstances in my class? How might this knowledge impact/inform my approach to teaching?
Where am I in my personal tolerance level right now?

Pausing and reflecting for a short time every day can go a long way toward helping you engage and empathize with your students.

Consider Using a Student Poll or Survey to Gauge Student Needs and Circumstances

It is also helpful to provide a way for students to communicate their needs and circumstances, seeing this is such an unprecedented semester. Consider using Zoom polling or Canvas surveys to determine whether you have any students with extenuating circumstances that might affect their learning. You can even add points to a graded survey and use it as part of the student participation grade. Here’s an example Canvas student well-being survey for your reference.

Self-paced Student Tutorials

The following iStudy online learning tutorials for essential college skills were designed to help students identify their strengths and growing edges in the following areas:

Resources
Nemwan, K. (2018, April 11). Can self-awareness help you be more empathetic? Greater Good Magazine.

Strickland, M. & Tatusko, A. (2020, August 7). Facilitating learning when students are under stress [Webinar]. Penn State University.

Current News

  • Submit Your Questions About Return to Classroom and Campus
    Faculty with questions can log on at https://tinyurl.com/On-Campus-Questions and submit their inquiries, which will be answered with available information and published as part of a regular email update for all faculty. Questions may be submitted anonymously, or submitters may wish to include their name and department or college.
  • GPC Classroom Technology and Zoom Practice Sessions
    The GPC team has unlocked their classrooms and are working diligently to get cameras for Zoom installed.  Below is some information regarding scheduling time with a technician to walk through the classroom technologies.  You are also welcome to stop on campus and check out classroom(s) on your own whenever you like.  You may still need to use your ID card to access the building, but the GPC rooms are all open 24/7.  Smeal has purchased personal lapel microphones that will be distributed to faculty next week along with their University-issued PPE items. These personal microphones may be plugged into the transmitters found in the podiums in all GPC rooms so that you don’t have to share the microphones already in the rooms.If you are teaching in a centrally-supported General Purpose Classroom (GPC) room:You can email: [email protected] to request a time slot in your GPC room.“Practice Using Zoom” is offered from TLT and Schreyer InstituteKeep checking https://keepteaching.psu.edu often for new information.

Upcoming Live Sessions

  • Engaging Students Through Assessment: (A session designed as a collaboration between TLT and eLDIG)
     How can you engage your students through online assessments (both formative and summative)? This session covers the changes you can make to your assessments to take advantage of the online environment. Topics include setting expectations for online assessments, managing student stress levels, determining the most effective delivery method in your teaching context, adapting both formative and summative assessments from in-person to online formats, and alternatives to online exams. Join us Wednesday, August 19 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. via Zoom.
  • Engaging Students Synchronously: (A session designed as a collaboration between TLT and eLDIG)
    Are you interested in improving student engagement in your synchronous online classes? This session covers best practices when engaging students in synchronous online settings. Topics include how to help students engage with the content, you, and their fellow students, as well as how to best adapt in-class activities to the synchronous online environment. This content applies to both blended and online courses. Join us Thursday, August 27 from 11 am to 12:15 p.m. via Zoom.

NOTE:  Recordings and resources from previous sessions can be found on our eLDIG  Website.

Tips of the Week

Resources

Helpful Websites

Website

Check out the eLDIG website for more resources and support.

Contact Us

Email us at: [email protected] or fill out our Remote Teaching Support form.