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The in-person instructional mode includes traditional residential instruction through November 20. After November 20, all classes will meet remotely.
Students meet in the assigned classroom at the time assigned in the course schedule. Students are expected to attend all classes in-person unless they are ill or otherwise unable to attend class. In the event of occasional and/or temporary absence, students will follow the attendance policy of the University, with some flexibility.
In the event of an extended absence from an in-person class, the University will work with the student to identify communication and collaboration tools appropriate for the student to successfully complete the course to the extent available. In the event of a change in circumstance that would impact a student’s ability to attend in-person prior to the start of the fall 2020 semester, the University will work with the student on the selection of an alternate course.
Place: Room is assigned.
Time: Days and times are assigned.
LionPATH code: CP – COVID In-Person
Webinars
Webinars designed to provide critical information to faculty and staff about the in-person instructional mode.
Recorded Webinars
Countdown to Classes Webinar Recorded August 14, 2020Active Learning in Socially Distanced Classrooms Recorded July 24, 2020Understanding the Flexible Instructional Modes Recorded July 20, 2020Why It Works
- preferred method of instruction for students who choose resident instruction at a campus/college
- familiarity from both student and faculty perspectives
- strong student engagement in the learning process with a wide variety of teaching-strategy options that can be learner-centered with the learners efficiently and effectively a part of a learning community
- no additional instructional preparation needed for faculty or students, with the exception of masking, social distancing, and contact tracing considerations
- students are expected to attend all classes in-person
- in the event of occasional and/or temporary absence, students will follow the attendance policy of the University, with some flexibility
- in the event a student has an extended absence, access to content should, whenever possible, be made available with tools to connect remotely
Guides and Recommendations
- Acoustics Testing for Penn State’s “Teaching and PPE Committee” - The Graduate Program in Acoustics collaborated with the Department of EHS to perform acoustical and audio testing on how instructors with face masks will be perceived by students.
- COVID-19 Classroom and Syllabus Guidelines for Instructors (PDF) - Guidelines for communicating classroom behavioral requirements and ensuring student compliance.
- Experiential Courses Guideline/Process (DOC) - Guidelines and processes for courses requiring hands-on or experiential, in-person work to accomplish course learning goals and objectives.
- Flexible Instructional Teaching Guide - This self-paced guide offers materials and resources to quickly get you ready for fall. Use the Essential Topics list to get you started.
- Instruction, Universal Masking and PPE Recommendations (DOC) - Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the classroom to ensure the safety of our faculty, staff and students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Instructor Guide to Fall 2020 - This guide was developed to provide instructors with a compilation of resources available to prepare for the semester.
- Learning Design and Instructor Development Recommendations - Recommendations from the learning design and instructor development teams regarding modes of instruction for fall 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
Review the following frequently asked questions about in-person instruction. For additional information, read all frequently asked questions.
In-Person Instruction
If a student is exhibiting symptoms in a classroom, the instructor is empowered to ask the student to leave the class and to see a health care provider. The student should not return to class until they are no longer exhibiting symptoms or have been cleared by a health care provider and can provide proof of clearance to the instructor. If the student refuses to leave, the instructor should follow the guidance in the classroom guidance document (PDF).
See University guidance on what to include in course syllabi about the mask requirement (PDF).
In addition, see Penn State syllabus requirements outlined in Faculty Senate Policy 43-00, including a number of example syllabus statements.
Be sure to check with your college or campus regarding locally mandated syllabus policies.
For this instructional mode, consider adding a brief description of how you will conduct class in this mode and your expectations for students’ participation. You might address questions like, should students be active during whole-class discussions and should they participate in small group activities by speaking with each other or by using online communication and collaborative tools?
Lab instructors must adhere to specially designed requirements and guidelines provided to academic units. Masking and social distancing guidelines apply. For specific precautions to take, see the Universal Masking and PPE Recommendations.
Instructors should follow Faculty Senate Policy 42-27, Class Attendance, which identifies examples of legitimate, unavoidable reasons for absence, such as illness, injury, military service, family emergency, or religious observance. Instructors should accommodate student absences with flexibility during this pandemic period, especially as we don’t want students who feel ill to think that they should attend class so that their grade is not negatively impacted by an absence.
Other general resources about attendance requirements as a part of participation in the course:
- View current information related to COVID-19 and classroom attendance policy on the Penn State Coronavirus Information website.
- Read Class Attendance procedures (undergraduate).
While you are not required to take attendance for your in-person course, if you want to take attendance, consider the following options:
- Integrate iClickers into live sessions.
- Develop a participation survey/quiz for students to complete after each in-person session. Ask students to either expand on content discussed or ask questions they would like covered in future sessions.
- Create a reflection assignment (e.g., one thing I learned, one thing I still have a question about).
How do I support group projects for in-person instruction if some or all of my students are remote?
Remote students can collaborate in Zoom or using digital tools such as Canvas groups or Microsoft Teams that provide workspace, communication, and file sharing. Students have many other online applications to collaborate remotely (i.e., Zoom, Google, etc.).
If you have made special arrangements for some of your students who are out for a period of time to connect remotely during class, consider dedicating some of your in-person class time for groups of students to work on projects either face-to-face or in Zoom break-out rooms.
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Resources for Enhancing Your Teaching
The following instructional resources have been curated by educational developers and instructional designers and reviewed by faculty throughout the University. They are offered in the spirit of support for instructors who need to learn teaching in new modalities or who want to enhance their teaching effectiveness in familiar modalities.
On-Demand Resources
These resources are for faculty who prefer to learn on their own, with a “give me the information and I’ll apply what works for me” approach.
- Teaching Guide for Faculty for In-Person InstructionA guide to aspects of course design and management in Canvas, including how to integrate Zoom and Kaltura when considering the need for remote access for all learners after November 20
- Engaging your students with multimedia assignmentsA portal to a wide range of media-based assignments and support for students and faculty
- Faculty Technology ResourcesA one stop shop for technology support
Collaborative Resources
These resources are for those who prefer to talk with colleagues or someone with expertise in learning or course design.
- Schedule a ConsultationIndividual consultations with course liaisons or find your college or campus instructional designer
- Tech Tutors and Tech TAs1-on-1 personalized technology support by talented Penn State students
- Talk with a University LibrarianA synchronous chat to engage with University librarians
- Faculty Instructional ConsultantsContact any consultant or find your College or Campus Liaison
“Explore Links and the Web” Resources
These resources are for instructors who prefer to do their own web research, exploring links and making conceptual and practical connections.
- Finding Open Educational Resources (OER)A guide to finding and using OER for your courses
- Open at Penn StateA broader guide to affordable, discoverable, and equitable access to information, scholarly research, educational resources, and research data within the University community
- Accessibility at Penn StateA site explaining how to ensure web pages and digital documents can be made accessible for users with different disabilities