Berks Learning Technologies Certificate

Presented by the Center for Learning & Teaching

About the Program

The Center for Learning & Teaching is pleased to announce our annual Berks Learning Technologies Certificate Program. Each year we offer a series of five sessions which provide an overview of instructional tools, technologies and services available to Berks faculty. Each topic incorporates associated instructional strategies and pedagogical considerations for implementation. The workshops are open to all faculty and staff. New faculty are especially encouraged to attend.

Earn the BLT Certificate

Faculty who attend four out of five offered sessions in a given academic year are eligible to receive the Berks Learning Technologies Certificate as documentation of their commitment to pursuing excellence in instruction. After meeting the attendance requirement, participants who wish to earn the certificate write a reflection about how they will implement what they've learned in the program.
Read reflections from past participants »

Fall Sessions

Designing an Effective Canvas Course

Friday, October 27, 2017, 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm, Thun 137

What does a well-designed Canvas course look like? Whether your course format is face-to-face, online or blended, you'll learn to design a quality course in Canvas. We'll get acquainted with Penn State’s Quality Assurance Standards and Course Accessibility Guidelines. We'll discuss techniques related to course layout, pacing, syllabus, content delivery, learning activities, assessments, communication, and collaboration. (Presented by Dr. Daonian Liu)

Breaking Old Habits: An Instructional Technology Infusion for Educators

Friday, November 3, 2017, 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm, Thun 137

This session explores a variety of opportunities to revitalize your classroom with creative new approaches. The current educational technology landscape is rapidly changing. By embracing thoughtful, reflective approaches to innovation, instructors can spark new ways of teaching, learning and sharing. Learn how emerging instructional technology tools, pedagogies, and best practices can simplify teaching and classroom management, and enhance the learning process for students. (Presented by Mary Ann Mengel)

Discovering Hidden Treasures in Canvas

Monday, December 4, 2017, 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm, Thun 137

By now you may have learned the basics of Canvas, but the Canvas LMS has many hidden secrets you may not be aware of. This session will guide you through a deeper exploration of Canvas to discover some of the lesser-known tips and tricks for our new learning management system. We’ll learn how and when to implement these options in your course. (Presented by Hongyan “Red” Yuan)

Spring Sessions

Designing and Developing Multimedia-based Instructional Content

Friday, February 23, 2018, 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm, Thun 137

Multimedia has emerged as an effective tool for presenting educational content in web-enhanced, blended and online courses. Well-designed, engaging instructional content can help facilitate an interactive, engaging learning experience. We’ll explore how to create self-paced, repeatable opportunities for students to learn, review, and self-check. Participants will learn tools and pedagogical strategies for planning and developing course content using audio, video, or interactive content. (Presented by Mary Ann Mengel)

360º Video: Exploring Emerging Instructional Technologies

Friday, March 23, 2018, 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm, Thun 137

If you could immerse your students in a virtual environment where they might gaze in any direction as a scenario unfolded all around them, what educational benefits could the virtual experience provide? If your students could virtually experience a place not otherwise feasible (or safe) to visit, what unique learning outcomes could be facilitated? Join us to experience examples of 360º educational videos and see how 360º video is recorded. We’ll discuss the unique affordances of this technology, hear how Berks faculty are using 360º video, and explore options to share a virtual reality experience in your course. (Presented by Mary Ann Mengel)