Policies, Guidelines, and Documents

Academic Integrity and Assessments

• Flexible Instruction Teaching Guide - This self-paced guide provides important resources for a move to the remote teaching environment.
• Use of Webcams - Factors to consider regarding the use of webcams in courses offered through remote learning technologies.

Course Policies and Syllabus

• Class Recording Guidelines - These University guidelines should be followed when recording class lectures, presentations, and demonstrations.
• COVID-19 Classroom and Syllabus Guidelines for Instructors (PDF) - Guidelines for communicating classroom behavioral requirements and ensuring student compliance.
• Spring 2021 Student Communications Recommendations (DOC) - These templates have been created to help instructors communicate with students as they prepare for spring.
• Spring 2021 Transition Week Student Communications Recommendations (DOC) - This document provides tips for instructors as they navigate the transition from remote instruction back to the originally scheduled course mode.
• Syllabus Language for Required and COVID-19-Related Topics - This page on the Faculty Senate website provides suggested language as well as required syllabus statements for COVID-19 related topics.

Engaging Students

• Student Engagement Tips from the Fall 2020 Coffee Break (DOC) - Suggestions for engaging students at the start of class, during class, and outside of class.
• Use of Webcams - Factors to consider regarding the use of webcams in courses offered through remote learning technologies.

Health and Safety

• Acoustics Testing for Penn State’s “Teaching and PPE Committee” (PDF) - 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.
• 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.

Inclusion and Student Well-being

• Alternative Wellness Programming for Asynchronous and Synchronous Courses (DOC) - Guidance for incorporating wellness-oriented changes into Penn State World Campus or Web courses, or courses that cannot easily accommodate wellness-related adjustments on the scheduled Wellness Days.
• Teaching and Advising Resources for Inauguration and Beyond (DOC) - This document offers resources for creating a positive learning environment for all students and addressing challenges that might arise at the beginning of this semester.
• Virtual Study Groups – Guidance for Instructors (DOC) - Guidance and resources for the use of study groups to foster student connections and student success in learning.

Instruction and Pedagogy

• Canvas Setup — Keep It Simple - Guidelines to help instructors set up Canvas.
• Class Recording Guidelines - These University guidelines should be followed when recording class lectures, presentations, and demonstrations.
• Creating Additional Sections for CM and CP Courses (DOC) - Guidance for instructors who wish to offer students the option to participate in their course without attending in person.
• 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 Instruction Teaching Guide - This self-paced guide provides important resources for a move to the remote teaching environment.
• Guidance for Continuity of Teaching during a Change in Normal Campus Operations Due to Weather and Other Local Emergencies (DOC) - This document offers guidance about how courses in each COVID teaching mode will proceed during a change in campus operations due to weather or other local emergency circumstances.
• Helpful Links for Penn State Instructors (DOC) -
• Instructional Materials for Students Studying Outside the U.S. (DOC) - Common issues and recommendations for instructors and students.
• Instructor Guide for Upcoming Semester Course Planning - This guide is intended to help instructors prepare courses for the upcoming semester, given physically distanced and/or remote environments.
• Instructor Guide to Fall 2020 (DOC) - This guide was developed to provide instructors with a compilation of resources to help prepare for the semester and has been updated to include information about transitioning to remote instruction.
• Learning Design and Instructor Development Recommendations (DOC) - Recommendations from the learning design and instructor development teams regarding modes of instruction for fall 2020.
• Office Hours – Guidance for Instructors (DOC) - Guidelines and considerations for instructors to use when engaging with their students in office hours.
• Student Pivot Plan (PDF) - This fillable PDF is a tool for instructors and advisers to send to and walk through with students as they plan for transitioning to remote learning.
• Use of Webcams - Factors to consider regarding the use of webcams in courses offered through remote learning technologies.

Technology

• Canvas Setup — Keep It Simple - Guidelines to help instructors set up Canvas.
• Class Recording Guidelines - These University guidelines should be followed when recording class lectures, presentations, and demonstrations.
• Flexible Instruction Teaching Guide - This self-paced guide provides important resources for a move to the remote teaching environment.
• Use of Webcams - Factors to consider regarding the use of webcams in courses offered through remote learning technologies.