Tag Archives: Classroom Support

Remote learning, Fall 2020

The University will be transitioning to remote learning, beginning on November 20th, 2020, for the remainder of the Fall 2020 semester. While this site has recorded and retained many useful facets of remote and hybrid learning, there are a few announcements and considerations that will be updated from previous experiences. These include the following:

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TLT is hosting a Transition to Remote Symposium on Nov 6th. These will include panel led discussions and open forums to share experiences and plans to the benefit of all in attendance.

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TLT has also provided communication templates to convey the transition and faculty expectations as well as the University’s commitments.

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TLT will also continue to host their ‘Office Hours‘ via link and in conjunction with the following dates and times:

  • Tuesday, November 17, 1:00 – 3:00pm
  • Wednesday, November 18, 4:00 – 6:00pm
  • Thursday, November 19, 10:00am – noon
  • Friday, November 20, 1:00 – 3:00pm
  • Monday, November 30, 3:00 – 5:00pm
  • Tuesday, December 1, 5:00 – 7:00pm

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Faculty will retain use of General Purpose Classrooms via card-swipe access. Faculty may continue to teach and use GPC’s through the end of the term to facilitate their teaching needs.

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The technology loan program, first implemented during the Spring 20 transition, will be expanded and students are encouraged to make their needs known as early as possible to ensure they retain access to courses. Access the Technology Request Form.

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Continuing in this vein, all students will retain access to ITS computer labs across all campuses. Students are encouraged to make use of this to accommodate their technology and workspace needs.  Campus rules regarding masking and spacing will remain enforced.

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Faculty and students should also review resources through Keep Teaching and Keep Learning for updates and considerations.

Support your Zoom class with ‘Tech TAs’

Penn State’s ITLD (Information Technology Learning and Design) group is bringing back its popular ‘Tech TA’ support for Fall 2020. Tech TA’s are students trained to help support instructors who could use a helping hand with Zoom classes.  To request a Tech TA for your course for the fall, submit a Tech TA request form.

From the Tech TA website:

Penn State students provide 1-1 support to prepare for and host synchronous class meetings via Zoom.

  • Duties can include:

    • enabling security and privacy settings

    • audio/video troubleshooting

    • muting/unmuting students

    • moderating chat,

    • setting up and administering polls, etc.

 

Synchronous Digital Engagement Strategies

In-Person Attendance Recording

The health of the Penn State community is our top priority, and we must all do our part in preventing the possible spread of coronavirus. Faculty are expected to be flexible in their interpretation of class attendance policies. Sick students are expected to stay home and call their health care provider. In-residence courses will be delivered in a flexible format to allow students who miss class due to quarantine or illness to continue to make critical academic progress. University Park students experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should begin the screening process for coronavirus over the phone by calling the UHS Advice Nurse at 814-863-4463. Students at Commonwealth Campuses should contact their on-campus health services office or a local physician’s office. Penn State urges faculty and staff to contact their health care provider if they have a cough, respiratory symptoms, a fever or have concerns related to COVID-19.

To manage contact tracing, student attendance in F2F sections must be accounted for through ungraded attendance records. Attendance can be quickly taken in Canvas through Roll Call :