FAQ

How Can We Help?

The Smeal College of Business e-Learning Design & Innovation Group (eLDIG) works with instructors to design, develop, and enhance Smeal’s courses. This page contains general guides and resources for the platforms and technologies our instructors use, as well as provides answers to frequently asked questions the eLDIG team receives. If you are looking for assistance with something else or cannot find the answer to your question below, please contact us at eldig@smeal.psu.edu so we can address your needs and recommend potential solutions.

I want assistance using Canvas.

If you are new to Canvas, we recommend viewing our Getting Started with Canvas video produced by one of our instructional designers. It covers how to create modules, pages, assignments, discussions, and more in Canvas. It additionally provides you with pre-made templates plus other tips and tricks to start off your Canvas course.

For more advanced or specific questions related to Canvas, please try searching on Penn State’s Knowledge Base Canvas Board.

The canvas website itself also contains general questions and information under the “Help and Support” section.

I want assistance using Zoom.

If you are new to Zoom, we recommend viewing our page “Using Zoom” to learn the basics: creating your room, starting your meeting, recording your meeting, sharing your screen, and more important foundational knowledge.

We also created a page on the “Advanced Features of Zoom” to highlight features like the whiteboard, polling, breakout rooms, advanced privacy settings, and more.

For more complex or specific questions about Zoom, we recommend using the Zoom Support site.

I want assistance using Kaltura.

If you are new to Kaltura, we recommend viewing our page on Video Tech Tips. This collection of short videos (2–5 minutes) covers many different topics, including how to access, edit, share, and embed videos using Kaltura. For a live demonstration of all these topics simultaneously, please view our Smeal Academy Session on Kaltura and skip to the 30:00 time mark.

For additional tutorials about Kaltura, such as how to enable students to submit content through Kaltura, how to use Kaltura in the One Button Studio, and how to create or use video quizzes through Kaltura, please visit Penn State’s Teaching and Learning with Technology page on Kaltura Tutorials. This page also contains text-based instructions for the tasks demonstrated on the Video Tech Tips page.

For more complex or specific questions about Kaltura, we recommend using Kaltura’s Help page.

I want assistance using Top Hat.

If you are new to Top Hat, we recommend exploring Penn State’s Top Hat Resources site. This site explains what Top Hat is and how it can be used, allows you to schedule an explanatory demonstration with a Top Hat professional, provides a Top Hat FAQ, and much more.

To see many of Top Hat’s features in action, please view the Smeal Academy Session on Top Hat. In this session the eLDIG team demonstrates some features of Top Hat live, including Canvas integration grade syncing and Top Hat engagement tools like polling and whiteboards.

For more complex or specific questions about Top Hat, we recommend using Top Hat’s Help page.

I want assistance with course design and delivery in my online, hybrid, or face-to-face class.

The Smeal College of Business e-Learning Design and Innovation Group (eLDIG) is committed to excellence in teaching and learning for all delivery formats: online, face-to-face, and hybrid. eLDIG’s work is focused on developing creative and engaging teaching and learning experiences guided by the principle that we must continually find ways to improve the quality of the student experience. Our team works closely with faculty members and teaching support specialists to design, develop, and enhance Smeal’s courses and integrate educational technology solutions. The multifaceted role of the Instructional Designer allows us to work collaboratively with instructors throughout the Design and Development Process to aid in the design, development, and enhancement of Smeal courses. Interested in learning more? Contact us at eldig@smeal.psu.edu.

I'd like to learn more about educational tools and technologies available to me at Penn State and best practices for their integration and use.

Our work relies upon a universal design model, and we evaluate the success of teaching innovations through a data-driven, iterative approach. The eLDIG team stays up to date on research to better understand how students learn, how technology can transform learning, how to increase student engagement and retention, and how to best support faculty and staff. Contact us at eldig@smeal.psu.edu to get started.

I'd like to stay up to date with the latest in best practices and strategies for teaching and learning with technology.

Throughout the year, eLDIG provides a variety of resources and faculty development opportunities through our Smeal Academy to assist the Smeal community in elevating their understanding of best practices, pedagogy, and accessibility, while leveraging instructional technologies and tools to improve student outcomes. Contact us at eldig@smeal.psu.edu to learn more.

I have an idea for a unique educational image or interactive learning tool to improve engagement, but I'm not sure where to start.

eLDIG’s work is focused on developing creative and engaging teaching and learning experiences guided by the principle that we must continually find ways to improve the quality of the student experience. Our team works closely with faculty members and teaching support specialists to design, develop, and enhance Smeal’s courses and integrate educational technology solutions. In order to accomplish this, we also work collaboratively with Smeal’s Research, Instruction, and Information Technology (RIIT) Group. Want to learn more? Contact us at eldig@smeal.psu.edu.

I want technical support for Smeal-related services such as computer support, digital signage requests, technology purchases, and classroom technologies for Smeal classrooms.

Smeal’s Research, Instruction, and Information Technology (RIIT) Group provides IT services in support of instruction, research, and administrative processes within the College. These services encompass AV support, building maintenance and repairs, classroom technology support, video and audio production, and web development, among others. Please contact the RIIT Group to learn more.

I want technical support for PSU-related services such as connecting to wireless, LionPath, accounts, or software purchases.

For questions and issues related to Penn State enterprise solutions, please contact the ITS Helpdesk.