Events, Workshops & Drop-in Sessions for LPS Instructors

These workshop and drop-in sessions are intended for Penn instructors and their TAs, primarily within the College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS) in Arts & Sciences, preparing to teach courses in an online or remote format or wishing to incorporate online teaching methods and technologies into their campus courses. All Penn instructors and staff are welcome. 

If you need assistance, please email: online-learning-help@sas.upenn.edu  

Events for LPS Instructors and Staff for Fall 2024 

Writing an AI Policy for Your Syllabus (60 minutes) 

Tuesday September 24^th at 1:00pm  

The ability of generative AI tools like ChatGPT to create original text, code, images, and video has inspired intense conversation in higher education about using these tools in assignments.  Many find that AI use is always cheating, while others think AI tools can be partners in thinking, creativity, learning, and research.  This workshop will focus on crafting and revising AI policies for course syllabi by considering the types of work students have to do on their own to really learn in your classes.  After a brief presentation, participants will be split into groups to talk with each other about their AI policies and the language they use in their syllabi. This workshop will be facilitated by Cathy Turner, Director of Faculty Programming and Pedagogy in the Center for Teaching and Learning (CETLI). Though geared toward instructors in LPS this workshop is open to all Penn staff and instructors. Click here to register. 

Getting Ready to Dialogue with Penn’s SNF Paideia Program (60 minutes)

Tuesday October 1^st at 1:00pm 

This workshop will focus on building interpersonal skills that support meaningful dialogue across difference and disagreement. There are many topics that can come up in physical and virtual university settings – related to race, gender, politics, current events, culture – that instructors and staff need help navigating. Together we will strive for positive conversations around sticky subjects can help students and colleagues feel heard without isolating others. This session will be facilitated by Sarah Ropp, Dialogue Director of Penn’s SNF Paideia Program, and is geared toward faculty and staff in LPS. All Penn faculty and staff are welcome. Note that this session will not be recorded. Click here to register. 

Discussion Tools Showcase (60 minutes) 

Thursday October 10^th at 12:30  

A mainstay of the LPS Event Series, this session will be presented by the Online Learning Team and will feature discussion technologies available for courses in LPS, including new functionality in Canvas discussions, Harmonize (discussion and multimedia curation) and EdDiscussion (multi-channel discussion with new functionality including coding). This workshop will also include updates on recent changes to Canvas functionality. This event is geared toward faculty and staff in LPS. All Penn faculty and staff are welcome, but note that Harmonize is not universally available at Penn. Click here to register. 

Developing and Refining Course Learning Objectives (60 minutes) 

Thursday November 14^th at 2pm   

This session will be hosted by learning designers on the Online Learning Team and will focus on strategies and tools instructors can use to write and refine learning objectives for their LPS courses. Learning objectives describe what students will learn and be able to do at the end of their course experience – they are the framework of pedagogical intent that guides all course content, activities and assignments. This event will include a workshop component, so bring your syllabi and existing learning objectives to discuss with other faculty. This workshop is geared toward instructors in LPS but all Penn staff and instructors are welcome. Click here to register. 

Older Workshop Recordings

Watch a Workshop Recording! (click for link, PennKey required)

The Online Learning team holds workshops on various topics and technologies. If you did not attend a workshop, or if you want a refresher, we recommend viewing a workshop recording. If you have questions about a specific tool and don't see a workshop, please reach out to online-learning-help@sas.upenn.edu and we can schedule a meeting.

Workshop recordings include:

• Remote Teaching with Canvas: How to use Canvas for remote teaching; Why Modules are recommended; How to set up Assignments, Discussions, and Quizzes/Exams; How to upload readings and other course materials. 
• Accessibility in Canvas: How to make your canvas site more user-friendly and inclusive!
  
• How to record lectures and presentations in Panopto from your computer: How to use the Panopto recorder; How to edit Panopto content; How to add Panopto content to Canvas sites.
• How to use Zoom for live synchronous class meetings: How to use Zoom as a host; How to use Zoom's key features (screen-sharing, whiteboard, video, etc.); How to use breakout rooms.
  
• Discussion tools in Canvas: This workshop focuses on the wide variety of discussion options available to instructors and students via Canvas Discussions, and Perusall, as well as how to choose the tool that is best for your teaching goals.
• Assessment & Grading in Canvas: This workshop is on using Canvas assignments, quizzes, and gradebook for assessment and grading
• Discussion Tools Showcase: This workshop covers Canvas Discussions Redesign, Harmonize, and Ed Discussion (including Lessons and Workspaces).