By participating in a flexible, new non-credit program, Penn State graduate teaching assistants can obtain a certificate from the Graduate School that formally documents their instructional technology skills. Creators of the Teaching with Technology (TWT) program hope that this official recognition will help give technology-savvy Penn State TAs an edge over other candidates in the current competitive job market.
To obtain a TWT certificate, TAs must demonstrate their understanding of effective uses of instructional technology by creating Web-based portfolios of teaching materials. The TWT program acquaints TAs with instructional technology resources and seminars available at Penn State, but it does not require participation in any specific classes. TAs independently determine the type of skills they want to develop and the most convenient way to go about it.
Within program guidelines, TAs have great freedom to determine the content of portfolio elements, which typically include descriptions of their philosophy on teaching with technology and use of instructional tools such as course management systems, chat, and e-mail, and links to course Web sites and electronic class presentations. They may even include relevant materials that they created prior to signing up for the TWT program.
TAs can begin building their portfolios during any semester before graduation, but must submit their portfolios to their designated department coordinator for review and approval at least two weeks before written theses are due. Other program requirements are minimal: TAs must notify their coordinator that they intend to participate in the program and sign up for the TWT listserv.
To learn more about the TWT program, which is sponsored by the Center for Education Technology Services, various academic departments, and the Graduate School, please visit http://cac.psu.edu/twt/.