Frequently Asked Questions

How do I add a Tech Tool post to the ODL website?

This FAQ is for ODL staff with admin access to this site. If you would like ODL to add a new tech tool, please contact us with your ideas.

1) Check to see if the tool is approved for Penn State use:

2) Research and collect info:

  • Tech tool name
  • One sentence overview
  • Screenshot of the tool – choose one with visual interest
  • Paragraph overview
  • Bullet points of how it’s used
  • Bullet points of benefits
  • Bullet points of considerations
  • Tutorials and Resources
  • Provide information about how faculty can access the tool. Can they just visit a Penn State website or do they need to contact us?
  • Provide name(s) of faculty using the tool and their department. Get their permission first. If none, that’s okay.

3) First, add a project category (Not post category). This will be used later for FAQ reference:

  • Go to Sites at Penn State and login with your PSU ID.
  • From the Sites Dashboard, go to EODL Dashboard.
  • On the left side menu of the EODL Dashboard, go to Projects > Categories.
  • Under Add New Category, enter the name of the tech tool.
  • Click the Add New Category Button at the bottom.

4) Next, create your post:

  • On the left side menu of the EODL Dashboard, go to Posts > Add New.
  • For the title, enter the tech tool name.
  • Under the title, click Use The Divi Builder.
  • Choose Clone Existing Page.
  • From the page menu, choose Post, Tech Tool Template.

5) Settings: Before you begin your post, look on the right-side settings area and make these changes:

  • Divi Page Settings:
    • Page Layout: Fullwidth
    • Post Title: Hide
  • Categories:
    • Uncheck “Uncategorized”
    • Check All Tech Tools
    • Check any others that apply. (Don’t add any new categories.)
  • Tags:
    • Add a tag of the tech tool name
    • Select any other tags that apply, or add tags if necessary.
  • Feature Image:
    • Click Set featured image
    • Upload screenshot you collected earlier
  • Excerpt (Below main editing area):
    • Paste in one sentence overview you collected earlier.
  • Publish (Back on right-side settings area):
    • Click Save Draft

6) How to access and save:

  • To access the content area and make edits, you’ll click on the cog wheel in the same color block as corresponding title.
  • To save edits, click on the green check mark in the lower-right of editing window.

7) What to edit:

  • Tool Name in Banner: Enter your tool name
  • Tool Summary in Banner: Replace all text with your 1-sentence overview
  • Tool Image: Click on the placeholder image and replace with the image you uploaded earlier.
  • Overview Paragraph: Replace all text with your paragraph overview.
  • How it’s used, Benefits, etc.: Replace bullets with your info (Keep titles)
  • Skip “FAQ Title”
  • FAQs – Choose Categories: Check only the name of your tech tool. Make sure nothing else is selected.
  • Skip “Last FAQ”
  • Faculty Using this Tool: Add any faculty using this tool. (Keep Title). If none, click the 3 dots to the right of the cog wheel. Choose Disable and click the 3 screen icons so they turn red in color.
  • Use and Access: Add directions on how faculty access the tool. (Keep Title)

8) Publish:

  • Click Publish for your FAQ to go live, or Save Draft to work on it later. (Or Preview to preview your post).

Need some help?

Get In Touch

Request Support or Connect with us in our Open Office Hours

About the Office for Digital Learning

Promoting innovative approaches to engineering education on campus and online, we offer a variety of degree and certificate programs, develop individual online courses, and work with faculty to enhance teaching and learning.

Need some help?

Get In Touch

Request Support or Connect with us in our Open Office Hours

About the Office for Digital Learning

Promoting innovative approaches to engineering education on campus and online, we offer a variety of degree and certificate programs, develop individual online courses, and work with faculty to enhance teaching and learning.