Resources to enhance your teaching and help you transition to different modes of instruction.
- Canvas Setup — Keep It Simple - Guidelines to help instructors set up Canvas.
- Course Design Quality Check - Course design elements to help clarify expectations, organize course structure, and orient students to the course.
- Use of Webcams - Factors to consider regarding the use of webcams in courses offered through remote learning technologies.
Policies, Guidelines, and Recommendations
- 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.
- Fall 2021 Guidance for Live Streaming vs. Recording Lectures (DOC) - This document gives instructors guidance for when to live stream lectures and when to record lectures, including the value of each and when each are appropriate.
- Fall 2021 Suggested Teaching Strategies in Residential Courses for Temporary Instructor or Student Absence (DOC) - This guide is meant to assist instructors in continuing course delivery in case of necessary student or instructor absence in alignment with Senate policy 42-27, Class Attendance.
- Instructional Materials for Students Studying Outside the U.S. (DOC) - Common issues and recommendations for instructors and students.
- Office Hours – Guidance for Instructors (DOC) - Guidelines and considerations for instructors to use when engaging with their students in office hours.
- Use of Webcams - Factors to consider regarding the use of webcams in courses offered through remote learning technologies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Review the following frequently asked questions about instruction and pedagogy. For additional information, read all frequently asked questions.
Instruction and Pedagogy
Instructor feedback is particularly important for students in your in-person class and for students who may be temporarily absent. You are encouraged to provide feedback during office hours or via tools such as Canvas. If you wish to provide feedback via Canvas, see Canvas feedback guidance.
Instructors should set clear standards of behavior and communicate expectations early in the semester. If disruptive behavior occurs, you should confront the behavior. If the student continues to be disruptive, you should ask the student to leave the class, notify your unit head, and file a report online with the Office of Student Conduct. Additionally, staff in the Office of Student Conduct are available to discuss your concern at studentconduct@psu.edu.
Check the University Libraries’ Ebooks and Other Course Materials to determine if the materials are available to students. If not, you can provide in Canvas most materials needed for students to successfully complete the course.
You can also send your own scans of materials to be posted in e-reserves. To submit materials, please complete the request form and email accompanying scans to ul-reserveshelp@lists.psu.edu.
For assistance with copyright-related issues, please fill out the Copyright, Publishing, and Open Access form or book an appointment with a librarian from the Office of Scholarly Communications and Copyright.
No, instructors are not required to provide courses in delivery modes other than the delivery mode designated for their course. Instructors should consider how students may make up missed work if students are out for short periods of time.
Students are expected to attend all classes in-person. Instructors should follow Faculty Senate policy 42-27—Class Attendance.
Students can collaborate in Zoom or using digital tools such as Canvas groups. GSuite for Education, or Microsoft Teams that provide workspace, communication, and file sharing. Students have many other online applications to collaborate remotely (i.e., Zoom, Hangouts, etc.).
Whether teams are all in residence, or all online, CATME is an option for peer evaluations. This tool requires some initial setup. CATME is a paid service. You will have to discuss this with your academic unit regarding fees.
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Webinars
Webinars designed to provide critical information to faculty and staff about instruction and pedagogy.