As the college’s learning design unit, the John A. Dutton Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence works in close partnership with the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences' five academic departments to design, develop, and manage the college's online certificate and degree programs, as well as to support the college's faculty in the delivery of resident instruction offerings.
The college serves as a leader in distance teaching and learning at Penn State. To date, our college boasts 19 certificate and degree programs online and more than 130 online courses. We have been able to extend the reach of a high-quality, rigorous, and research-based Penn State education to more than 5,900 undergraduates and more than 1,250 working adult professionals around the globe.
Embodying the Best Practices in e-Education
The Institute's experienced team of learning designers and multimedia and web-based technology specialists partner with the college's faculty to cultivate the college’s capacity to create online courses and programs that embody the best practices of e-Education. Each general phase of our learning design process—analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation—is informed by tested pedagogical and androgogical learning theories and practices.
Learn more
To learn more about the institute, please visit the John A. Dutton Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence website.
John A. Dutton Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence News
New environmental health and safety minor now available
Undergraduate students now can learn the fundamentals of environmental health and safety, thanks to a new minor offered by Penn State’s John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering.
Adult learner finds ‘antidote to aging’ through geography program
Geography alumnus Bob Myers, who has worked for decades as an attorney, continues to take courses at Penn State. He earned a master's degree in Geographic Information Systems and a master of science in spatial data science. He also recently toured Penn State's Geographics Lab, which he contracted to assist on a project in honor of his late brother.
Penn State alum finds a rewarding local career in sustainability
Kate Robeson-Grubb earned her degree in Energy Sustainability and Policy (ESP) in 2022 and is using it in her career as a sustainability specialist for Solebury Township.
25 years of online geospatial education to be celebrated at Esri User Conference
Penn State’s Department of Geography will commemorate the 25th anniversary of its online geospatial education program with a symposium held in conjunction with the 2025 Esri User Conference in San Diego.
Penn State announces 2025 Lt. Michael P. Murphy Award recipient
Penn State graduate student Inori Hayashi, a Marine Corps veteran and linguist, is the recipient of the 2025 Lt. Michael P. Murphy Award.
Two Penn State students help Allentown create city's first climate action plan
Two Penn State students are playing an instrumental role in helping the city of Allentown, Pennsylvania, develop its first climate action plan.
Earth and Mineral Sciences faculty and students honored at college's awards ceremony
Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) recognized exceptional students and faculty for their academic excellence, service and leadership during its annual Wilson Awards Celebration, held on March 30.
Three graduate students receive awards in 2025 Three Minute Thesis competition
Three Penn State graduate students, including Patrick Sarpong, doctoral candidate in energy and mineral engineering, received awards in the 2025 Three Minute Thesis competition.
Online energy and sustainability policy degree programs changed this grad’s life
In 2012, Kelli Volkomer was a stay-at-home mom who had been raising her two children for nearly a decade. She valued the opportunity to spend time with them when they were young, she said, and had a passion for making the world a better place for them.
Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters — Jan. 28
Maria Scalzi Wherley, learning designer and writer-in-residence at the John A. Dutton Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, was one of 16 Penn Staters recently recognized as part of the University's regular “We Are!” feature.
