All Posts By

Mark Deluca

Smeal Academy GenAI Series: Effective Prompt Writing and Evaluation for Teaching and Learning

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is transforming education, providing new ways to enhance learning experiences, streamline content creation, and foster critical thinking. This interactive session will introduce participants to key principles of effective prompt writing, describing how to craft clear, specific, and relevant prompts tailored to various teaching scenarios.

Participants will gain insights into how to access available GenAI tools, learn how to craft prompts for desired outcomes, and discuss some of the the considerations related to the use of GenAI applications in higher education. Through hands-on exercises and real-world examples, participants will gain the skills needed to begin leveraging AI as a valuable educational tool.

Resources:

PPT: Writing Effective AI Prompts.pptx

Faculty AI Hub Guide

Ethan Mollick – A Guide to Prompting AI (for what it is worth)

Smeal Academy GenAI Series: Beginning of Semester Update and Resources

Come for a discussion about University guidance and learn about resources and strategies that the eLDIG team created to support your course needs and Generative Artificial Intelligence policies. We will:

  • Share the latest updates on University guidance regarding the use of Generative AI (GenAI) in courses.
  • Discuss strategies for integrating GenAI policies into course assignments and syllabi.
  • Share information about and discuss the Provost’s AI-Enhanced Pedagogy Endorsement.

Resources:

Let’s Talk: Online Discussion Tools

In this session we discuss tools, best practices, and strategies for online course discussions. We will give an overview of Canvas, Packback, Piazza, and Yellowdig discussion tools. Come with your questions and input for our discussion discussion!

Session Resources:

Inclusive Tricks & Treats

In this session we give out an array of inclusive classroom treats that can be shared with your students to help everyone feel a greater sense of belonging. You will leave the session with a variety of tools you can implement right away!

Helpful Resources

Final Touches for Fall

This session was designed to help faculty and staff who support faculty to put the finishing touches on Canvas for the upcoming semester. We cover some Canvas basics, a checklist of items that you don’t want to forget before publishing your course(s), and some best tips and practices to get the semester off to a great start.

Link to Session Slides

New Quizzes Overview

Penn State will be moving to “New Quizzes” that can be used in your live courses beginning in 2023, with a plan to sunset the Class Quiz Engine in 2024. Come hear about New Quizzes and how the new quiz engine compares to classic quizzes. We will also discuss some considerations, tips, and strategies for planning your migration to the new quiz engine.

Link to Session Slides

Helpful Resources

Engaging Students via Microlearning

Link to Session Slides

Engaging Students via Microlearning

Are your students mentally stuffed to the gills from your course content? There are things you can do to help them!In this interactive Smeal Academy session, we’ll look at Microlearning (providing small, bite-size chunks of information in a timely manner) and how you might apply it to your course content. We’ll look at the theory behind Microlearning, provide some examples, and see how to apply it in Canvas.

Helpful Resources

Microsoft Bookings Tips & Tricks

Join us for a Microsoft Bookings Lunch & Learn facilitated by Jessie Sorensen and Carrie Marcinkevage. Several members of the Smeal College of Business utilize MS Bookings for admissions, coaching/advising, and individual appointments. Participants are invited to share their tips and tricks for maximizing MS Bookings’ value and use.

Please note that rather than a first-time training for MS Bookings, this facilitated sharing session assumes basic knowledge and use.