ETS Community Activities

Part of the mission of ETS is to provide opportunities for the teaching and learning with technology community at Penn State to come together and share ideas, stories, and challenges. To address this, ETS has established a portfolio of activities designed to bring people from across the University together on a regular basis. We are constantly trying new things to engage the community and are always searching for new ideas. Our activities range from very informal meetings to very structured annual events. Below you can find information about all of our Community Activities and please know that you have an open invitation to participate on any level!

The TLT Symposium

The TLT Symposium is our signature annual event aimed at exposing innovations throughout the Penn State environment with a focus on teaching and learning with technology. Faculty are invited to share innovative uses of technology to enhance teaching, learning, and research at the Penn State Symposium for Teaching and Learning with Technology. This year’s theme is “Student Engagement and the Culture of Teaching and Learning.” As part of this year’s theme we are looking for presentations that highlight the student’s involvement in the learning process. These could involve faculty and students collaborating on a project or an assignment showcasing students using any number of collaborative tools and new learning spaces. Some examples include the use of shared learning resources, the incorporation of digital media, and any best practices that foster student ownership of learning.

Past years have proven to be excellent events with keynote speakers like Henry Jenkins, Lawrence Lessig, Bryan Alexander, and Lee Rainee. Each year we attempt to raise the bar on the types of activities and opportunities we provide. Please keep a close eye on the TLT Symposium website for details as we are moving quickly on the program. Also, it is never too early to register!

The Learning Design Summer Camp

The LDSC is an annual event held during the Summer to bring together as many members of the Penn State Learning Design Community. Our goals with the LDSC are to:

  1. Actively engage the community in the design of the two day program
  2. Explore topics that stretch our collective thinking
  3. Find new ways to connect with colleagues
  4. Create new connections across the Penn State environment

In 2008, we got together with about 120 of our closest friends from across the Commonwealth to raise the level of discussion around topics like copyright, eportfolio, social computing, and more. It was an amazing two day professional development event that promises to offer more each year. This event is free for all Penn State faculty and staff. Learn more by visiting the wiki.

The Digital Commons Tailgate

2008 will be the first year for what we hope will be an annual event focusing on the integration of digital media into teaching, learning, and design. This event will be held at campus locations across the Commonwealth that are Digital Commons sites. The Digital Commons Tailgate is a community-built unconference aimed at exploring multiple aspects of digital media for teaching and learning, including pedagogy, technology, and how people interact. The purpose of this conference will be to collectively develop a series of best practices which will inform how we use digital media in the classroom, taking into account how today’s students learn, and the tools and technologies they are immersed in. This event is free for all Penn State faculty and staff. Learn more by visiting the wiki.

Brainstorming (BS) Breakfast

Every Friday at 9 AM, an informal group of learning designers, faculty, and related staff meet in the downstairs of Irving’s Bagels on College Ave. in University Park. These are open to anyone who would like to attend, so please just come on down! Topics range from personal learning environments, blogs for teaching, tips to get the most out of ANGEL, and really everything in between. There is usually always a good set of topics being shared on Friday mornings, so please check the wiki page and come and join us.

Brainstorming (BS) Bookclub

Another event that takes place in the downstairs portion of Irving’s Bagels in Univerisyt Park, the BS Bookclub is a community driven effort to share in the personal and professional development through sharing books. In an effort to constantly challenge ourselves to think, work, and live as innovators, we often explore the writings of others to inspire us. But all too often these explorations are done privately, negating an important opportunity to share our ideas and impressions with like minded individuals seeking similar inspiration. The BS Bookclub is our solution to that problem. Essentially a professional book club, this group is designed to create a community around the books that have made an impact on us, and allow us to think of ways to use the lessons we take from these books in support of learning. The BS Bookclub – Where thoughtful books meet thoughtful conversation. Keep an eye on the wiki for more information.