814-865-1818 tlt@psu.edu

Digital Education Exchange Retreat (DEER)

This transformational journey allows Penn State faculty to explore digital possibilities, create technology-enhanced instructional materials, and exchange positivity and growth.

What is DEER?

DEER is a two-and-a-half-day experience that puts people before pedagogy, and pedagogy before technology. Throughout the retreat, faculty will explore digital technologies, critique research-informed instructional practices, exchange ideas on how to enhance their teaching practices, acknowledge and overcome barriers to become digitally fluent educators. As a result, participants will have created agile and cost-effective course materials that can be implemented immediately in their upcoming classes.

A logo of deer with text around it. The Digital Education Exchange Retreat, Penn State Teaching and Learning with Technology May 2023

Our Mission

Our goal is to elevate faculty to well-rounded, confident, and agile educators who can design and deliver effective technology-enhanced instruction. Through a carefully designed program, we aim to reignite the passion for teaching and the joy in creating powerful learning experiences for students.

Why This Retreat?

DEER is a high-touch program that promotes digital fluency and empowers faculty with resources to implement technology-enhanced teaching practices. With the digital landscape of higher education redefining how learning is assessed, experienced, and sustained, the journeys at DEER will help faculty effectively navigate digital technologies and leverage tools that transform student experiences.

Types of Engagement

From guided workshops and community-building activities to one-on-one consultations and reflections on personal growth, DEER brings educators a diverse set of engagements to enhance and refine their understandings on the science behind learning and instruction.

Applications for 2025 are coming soon!

Past DEERs

DEER 2024

The Learning Design Team successfully hosted the 2024 Digital Education Exchange Retreat (DEER) from May 22 – 24th at Toftrees Golf Resort, State College. Ten new faculty members and 5 DEER alumni from multiple Penn State campuses attended 2.5 days of high-touch programming and created Technology-Enhanced Experiences (TEEs) for their upcoming courses. The talented and dedicated cross-unit DEER staff led more than 12 unique and powerful in-person faculty engagements, including community building activities, morning brew exchanges, interactive and application-based workshops, and personalized consultations.

DEER 2023

We successfully hosted the inauguration of DEER at the Nature Inn at Bald Eagle State Park on May 23, 2023. Participants attended workshops, learned best practices, and networked with 17 different Penn State faculty representing seven campuses and 11 disciplines. Some of the retreat sessions included:

  • Building a Sense of Community Belongingness
  • Designing Technology-Enhanced Instructional Materials (TEIMs) Featuring Adobe Express
  • TEIM Production and Prototyping
  • Strategies for Implementing TEIM

Talk with Us

Have a great idea? Get in touch with us! We can help you identify the right technologies to meet your pedagogical needs, or develop something completely new.

Contact Us