Would you like to learn about the various digital tools available to you at Penn State and explore how educational technology can transform your courses? Our team can assist with the selection and implementation of digital tools to integrate with your individual pedagogical approaches and align with universal design for learning (UDL) principles to create multisensory learning experiences, accommodate diverse learning preferences, promote active engagement, and boost your digital confidence!

Educational Tools

Courseware

Penn State has licenses for a large number of educational technology tools, called courseware, that can be used by students or educators. A broad definition of courseware includes any digital application or software used by students or educators for a class. Courseware provides online learning tools such as lessons, homework sessions, and quizzes or tests. For courseware to be used in a class, it must be reviewed and authorized by the University to ensure it meets the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and accessibility requirements.

Follow these three steps to find out more about Courseware and how to select authorized Courseware:

• Review the 'Courseware Information You Need to Know' section
• Check the 'Reviewed Courseware List' to select authorized Courseware
• If the best Courseware for you is not on the Reviewed Courseware List, consider requesting Courseware for review

To Request Courseware:

• Review the Courseware Information on the 'Need to Know' page.
• Check the 'Reviewed Courseware List' prior to use each semester.
• Fill out the online form to Request Courseware not on the Reviewed Courseware List. You may download a copy of the online form (.docx) for your reference. However, please submit your answers through the online form only.

Pedagogy

• Pathways to Pedagogy  is a platform that supports Penn State faculty by providing a curated selection of educational technology tools tailored to enhance teaching and learning experiences. It offers a direct link between classroom challenges and tech solutions, enriched by real-world case studies.
• Pedagogical Approaches With Canvas  helps to focus on theory and/or research-based practices that can be used in any instructional format, including residential instruction, online learning, and blended classrooms. These pedagogical approaches give instructors a clear purpose for why Canvas and other technologies should be considered to improve student success.

Supporting Students

Faculty sometimes come to us telling us of students who come to class without having experienced or heard about some of the tools or technologies at Penn State. The following are resources provided by Penn State that you can incorporate into your course to help students get their bearing when it comes to getting connected and using the tools that are available to them.

• The Connect to Tech Student Guide helps students discover information technology resources available to them at Penn State. It touches on the following:
  • Penn State accounts
  • Technology requirements
  • Online resources and tools
  • Support services
• The Penn State Tech Academy is a program that helps students learn important technological skills for school. It uses Canvas to teach students about different technologies they will need to know. It is especially helpful for students new to Penn State, like first-year, transfer, or international students, by giving them a good start in gaining knowledge about the tech landscape at Penn State. Instructors can request access to the Canvas course to import modules into their own courses.