Dean's Community Message

July 10, 2020

Dear College of Engineering Community,

Good afternoon. I would like to start today’s email by reiterating President Barron’s message this week to the international student community at Penn State, following recent changes in regulations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement:

“You are welcome here. Your presence enriches our University and the educational experience of all of our students. I know you have questions and trepidations, but please know that our academic programs are already working to provide you with options for a successful fall semester, doing all they can to keep you from having to leave your Penn State family. We will be working tirelessly and creatively to lessen the impacts of this directive on you.”

As a reminder, additional information is available from Penn State Global Programs and the Penn State Law Center for Immigrants’ Rights Clinic.

Here are today’s updates:

Student Resource: Top Tips for Virtual Learning

In an era with more remote learning than ever before, the college collaborated with a recent graduate to create “Top Tips for Virtual Learning.” The attached document summarizes some of the most useful advice for students continuing to learn in a virtual format. We hope it’s useful to you!

Faculty/Staff Reminder: Working from On-Campus Offices Restricted

Employees who are able to work remotely should continue to do so. Any exceptions require dean approval.

Reminder: Upcoming Workshops on Instructional Strategies and Technologies for FA20

As a reminder, the Leonhard Center (LC) and the Office for Digital Learning (ODL) will offer a weekly workshop series throughout July to help you prepare for teaching in the fall. Registration is required for the workshops.

The upcoming pair of workshops are:

• Effective student teams in any learning environment
  Tuesday, July 14, 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.
  Registration
• Digital tools to support student teams in any learning environment
  Thursday, July 16, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
  Registration

Additionally, ODL will be hosting office hours on tools to support student teams and collaboration (Friday, July 17, 11:00 a.m. to noon; no registration needed; join). For more information, contact Tom Litzinger (tal2@psu.edu) or Cathy Holsing (cjh145@psu.edu) or visit this webpage.

Remote Teaching Tip #24 – For mixed mode or synchronous remote classes this fall, use digital tools to give students time during class to work together

Use Zoom breakout rooms to give students time during a remote synchronous class period to work together. Just like you can walk around in a classroom to see what small groups are working on, you can move in and out of breakout rooms to answer questions and provide feedback. Contact the Office for Digital Learning for help with your fall course design planning.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Justin Schwartz
Harold and Inge Marcus Dean, College of Engineering