Smeal Academy Newsletter: Set the Stage on the First Day

Set the Stage on the First Day

Welcome back to a brand-new academic year! As you prepare to navigate the first week of classes, take a moment to embrace the opportunities for learning – for you and your students – that come with it.

As you plan your first day of class, consider these ideas for sparking student curiosity and excitement:

• Consider the Climate: Research shows that the instructor’s emotions have an impact on instructional behavior and learning. Start the semester by infusing your classroom with confidence, enthusiasm, and optimism. Make space for communicating your passion for your topic. It’s contagious!
• Make Connections: Learning is social! Students are often more willing to participate when they feel connected to others in the classroom. Make time for you and your students to introduce yourselves to each other. As the semester progresses, you can build on this by having students work in pairs or small groups.
• Motivate Students: “I Care. I Can. I Matter.” In a recent LinkedIn post, Jose Antonio Bowen shared that students are motivated when they feel all three of these things. How can you reinforce these beliefs in your students this semester?

For more great suggestions, listen to the latest Smeal Academy Podcast, highlighted below!

Faculty Focus: Strategies for Engaging Students from the Start

Join Jennifer Eury, Ron Johnson, and Schalyn Sohn as they share their best advice for starting the semester off strong! They discuss everything from engaging activities for the first day of class to cultivating connection in the classroom!

Podcasts are released frequently, and housed on our eLDIG website, or follow the Smeal Academy Podcast on your preferred podcatcher!

Listen Here

Add a Policy About Artificial Intelligence Tools Like ChatGPT or Claude

eLDIG has prepared sample syllabus statements you can adapt based on your course objectives. Once you determine the GenAI policy for your course, we suggest adding a statement in each Canvas assignment reminding students of the GenAI policy. Our GenAI Canvas Assignment icons can be incorporated into your course to communicate your expectations.

Include a Link to Syllabus Policy Language Maintained by eLDIG

Do you struggle to keep up with syllabus policies? eLDIG maintains a current Smeal Undergraduate Residential Syllabus, Part 2 based on the semester instructions from Undergraduate Programs. You are welcome to link to this from your syllabus now or in the future.