Events
Schreyer Institute programs are for anyone at Penn State who has an instructional role or is preparing for a future one. Our participants are typically faculty, graduate students, and postdocs. Academic administrators, instructional designers, staff members, and undergraduates in instructional roles are also welcome.
Making Sure Disruptions Don't Derail Students' Learning
Facilitated by Chas Brua, Associate Research Professor and Jose Sandoval-Llanos, Graduate Instructional Consultant
Wednesday, 9/2/2026, 10:10 p.m. - 11:25 p.m.
Via Zoom
Disruptive situations can occur in any course. In this interactive workshop, we’ll discuss ways to create a climate where disruptive behavior is less likely to occur--and to get the learning back on track when it does.
Registration will close one hour before the workshop begins. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the event begins.
Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.
Making Sure Disruptions Don't Derail Students' Learning
Facilitated by Chas Brua, Associate Research Professor and Jose Sandoval-Llanos, Graduate Instructional Consultant
Tuesday, 9/8/2026, 10:35 p.m. - 11:50 p.m.
Via Zoom
Disruptive situations can occur in any course. In this interactive workshop, we’ll discuss ways to create a climate where disruptive behavior is less likely to occur—and to get the learning back on track when it does.
Registration will close one hour before the workshop begins. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the event begins.
Note: This workshop is also being offered on September 2 (see our events page). Register for whichever date suits your schedule.
Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.
Writing Your Teaching Statement for the Job Market
Facilitated by Chas Brua, Associate Research Professor and Deena Levy, Associate Research Professor
Thursday, 9/10/2026, 10:10 p.m. - 11:25 p.m.
Via Zoom
In this interactive workshop, participants will explore strategies for writing a teaching philosophy statement that effectively communicates their goals, practices, and evidence of effectiveness. We will also analyze the strengths and weaknesses of some actual teaching philosophy statements.
Registration will close 1 hour before the workshop begins. Registrants will receive the Zoom link at least 45 minutes before the workshop begins.
Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact SITE at site@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.
Getting Started with Teaching and Learning Scholarship
Facilitated by Laura Cruz, Research Professor
Thursday, 9/10/2026, 12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Via Zoom
Have you ever considered publishing on your teaching and learning practice? In this interactive workshop, you will learn more about what Teaching and Learning Scholarship (also called SoTL) is, how you can integrate it into your scholarly work, and reasons why you might want to. During the session, you will have the opportunity to explore new and existing research in your discipline while also getting a head start on potential projects of your own.
Participation in this workshop can be counted towards the new Provost Endorsement for Teaching and Learning Scholarship.
Registration will close 1 hour before the event starts. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 1 hour before the event.
Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.
The Course in College Teaching (CCT)
Facilitated by Logan Harvey, Research Faculty and Jonathan Aragon, Research Faculty
Thursday, 9/10/2026 to Thursday, 10/15/2026, 06:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Rider Building Room 315
The Course in College Teaching (CCT) is a half-semester professional development experience for Penn State faculty, graduate students, and post-doctoral instructors who want to strengthen their teaching practice and develop the materials and language needed to present themselves confidently in academic hiring and review processes.
Running from September 10 to October 15, 2026, the CCT guides participants across the full arc of best practices in college teaching: designing an effective course, facilitating active and meaningful learning experiences, and articulating a clear and compelling teaching identity grounded in reflective practice. Learning takes place through structured, facilitated activities with peers from across disciplines, making each session both a professional development experience and a scholarly learning community.
Upon completion, participants receive a Certificate in College Teaching from the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at Penn State. This credential documents your preparation in evidence-based course design and facilitation and can be included in your application materials as a signal to hiring and review committees that you have received structured, expert-guided training in college teaching best practices.
The CCT is open to Penn State faculty, graduate students, and post-doctoral instructors with prior teaching experience. Those who have not yet taught are encouraged to begin with the Instructional Foundations Series before enrolling. For eligibility details and to apply, please visit the application linked below.
Application
Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.
AI and the Discipline: Responding to Change in Teaching and Practice
Facilitated by Logan Harvey, Research Faculty
Monday, 9/14/2026, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Via Zoom
Generative AI is not affecting all fields in the same way. In some disciplines, AI is changing how professionals write, code, analyze data, create media, conduct research, make decisions, or communicate expertise. In others, it is raising new questions about authorship, evidence, labor, ethics, equity, and professional judgment. In this workshop, participants will explore how AI is reshaping disciplinary practice and consider what those changes mean for courses, programs, departments, and other disciplinary communities. Participants will identify emerging AI-related competencies in their fields and discuss practical ways to adapt curricula, assignments, learning outcomes, and conversations with students.
Registration will close 1 hour before the event starts. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 1 hour before the event.
Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.
Accessibility for Clear Communication
Facilitated by Mary Ann Tobin, Associate Research Professor, Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence and Sonya Woods, Lead Accessibility Consultant, Penn State World Campus
Wednesday, 9/16/2026, 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Via Zoom
Students’ ability to do what we’re asking them to do depends upon clearly communicating our expectations. Designing syllabi and assignments with accessibility in mind enhances clarity, enabling all students to better engage in their learning, know what to do with it, and do it on time. In this workshop, participants will be introduced to core practices for accessibility in Word, PDF, and/or Canvas, and how artificial intelligence and Anthology Ally can support those efforts.
Registration will close 1 hour before the event starts. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 1 hour before the event.
Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.
Navigating Ethics in Teaching and Learning Scholarship
Facilitated by Laura Cruz, Research Professor
Tuesday, 9/22/2026, 12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Via Zoom
In this interactive webinar, participants will learn how to navigate the most prevalent ethical considerations when conducting research on your teaching practice here at Penn State. You will leave the session with everything you need to complete your IRB protocol (ethics review) and be ready for publication.
Note: This webinar can be counted towards the Provost's Endorsement for Teaching and Learning Scholarship
Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.
Rethinking Assessment in the Age of AI + Optional 30-Minute Design Sprint
Facilitated by Logan Harvey, Research Faculty and Chas Brua, Associate Research Professor
Wednesday, 9/23/2026, 11:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Via Zoom
The rise of generative AI is challenging traditional models of assessment. In this workshop, we will explore a framework of practical strategies for building resilient assessments that withstand evolving AI capabilities as well as assessments that integrate AI in ways that support learning. Includes an optional 30-minute design sprint at the end.
Registration will close 1 hour before the event starts. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 1 hour before the event.
Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.
Developing AI Literacy in Students + Optional 30-Minute Design Sprint
Facilitated by Logan Harvey, Research Faculty and Jonathan Aragon, Research Faculty
Monday, 9/28/2026, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Via Zoom
As generative AI tools like ChatGPT become increasingly available, students need a critical understanding of how these tools shape thinking, creativity, and scholarship. In this workshop, we will use Penn State’s AI Literacy Framework to identify ways to introduce AI concepts in your courses and intentionally design learning activities that support students in evaluating when, how, and why to use AI responsibly. Includes an optional 30-minute design sprint at the end.
Registration will close 1 hour before the event starts. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 1 hour before the event.
Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.
Getting Started with Teaching and Learning Scholarship
Facilitated by Laura Cruz, Research Professor
Wednesday, 9/30/2026, 12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Via Zoom
Have you ever considered publishing on your teaching and learning practice? In this interactive workshop, you will learn more about what Teaching and Learning Scholarship (also called SoTL) is, how you can integrate it into your scholarly work, and reasons why you might want to. During the session, you will have the opportunity to explore new and existing research in your discipline while also getting a head start on potential projects of your own.
Participation in this workshop can be counted towards the new Provost Endorsement for Teaching and Learning Scholarship.
Registration will close 1 hour before the event starts. Registrants will receive a Zoom link at least 1 hour before the event.
Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at SITE@psu.edu or call 814-863-2599 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.
