Category

Smeal Academy Sessions

Francesca Joyce
In EdTech Tools & Course Delivery, GenAI, Smeal Academy Sessions, SmealAI@Work

Smeal AI@Work: Microsoft Copilot 365 for Word

This intermediate-level session is for people who are new to Microsoft Copilot 365 Copilot for Word and are ready to build their skills and confidence. This interactive session focuses on how Copilot can support the drafting, editing, and collaboration of documents in Word. Whether you’re drafting meeting agendas, polishing a departmental report, or summarizing meeting notes, Copilot can support this work.

In this session, participants will learn how to:

  • Draft, rewrite, and refine documents ranging from memos to proposals using AI assistance.

  • Summarize lengthy content into concise, actionable takeaways to support quicker decision-making.

  • Generate outlines, tables, and visuals, or expand bullet points into polished paragraphs (and vice versa).

  • Adjust tone and format to fit your audience (professional, friendly, or academic) without losing your personal or departmental voice.

  • Collaborate effectively with Copilot to enhance your writing.

This session includes live demos, hands-on tips, and examples directly relevant to Smeal workflows. Whether you’re a frequent Word user or just exploring how AI can streamline your day-to-day tasks, this session will help you build your Copilot skills.

Francesca Joyce
In EdTech Tools & Course Delivery, GenAI, Smeal Academy Sessions, SmealAI@Work

Smeal AI@Work: Microsoft 365 Copilot for Outlook and Teams

Already familiar with the basics of GenAI? This intermediate session focuses on ways to leverage Microsoft 365 Copilot to increase productivity across your daily tasks focusing on Outlook and Teams.

We explore how Copilot can help you:

  • Draft and refine emails

  • Summarize email threads and chat conversations

  • Create meeting follow-ups

  • Adapt tone for different audiences

  • Build templates and FAQs for quick responses

This session is perfect for staff and faculty who are ready to move beyond “getting started” and want to unlock more targeted, time-saving strategies. Come discover how Microsoft 365 Copilot can become your behind-the-scenes assistant.

RESOURCES:

Francesca Joyce
In Accessibility, EdTech Tools & Course Delivery, Instructional Strategies & Student Engagement, Smeal Academy Sessions

Beyond Accommodation: Enhancing Learning, Simplifying Teaching

Discover how accessibility in higher education goes far beyond meeting accommodations. It’s a teaching advantage!

This session will highlight practical, easy-to-implement strategies that not only support students, including those with hidden disabilities, but also streamline your workload. Learn how designing with accessibility in mind creates classrooms where every learner thrives, and where teaching feels more sustainable.

 

RESOURCES:

Francesca Joyce
In EdTech Tools & Course Delivery, GenAI, Smeal Academy Sessions, SmealAI@Work

Smeal AI@Work: Writing Effective Prompts

 

Ready to get more out of Generative AI (GenAI)? This beginner-friendly session introduces you to effective prompt writing strategies to return better results from AI tools like the free version of Microsoft Copilot. You’ll learn what makes a good prompt, explore different types of prompts, and walk through the prompt-writing process. Participants learn how to craft precise and relevant prompts, understand the nuances of GenAI applications in higher education, and explore strategies to integrate AI into our daily work. Whether you’re drafting emails, building presentations, or organizing student materials, this session gives you practical, hands-on guidance for building smarter prompts for GenAI.

 By the end of the training, participants should be able to:

 

RESOURCES:

Francesca Joyce
In GenAI, Smeal Academy Sessions, SmealAI@Work

Smeal AI@Work: Key Tools for Storage and Collaboration with ITLD

This session explores the storage and collaboration functions of OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams. You will also learn how OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams interact and the relationship between the three. The session provides you with information and opportunities for hands-on application of these Key Tool and their features. Learning to effectively use OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams builds the foundational collaboration and data management skills that strengthen AI literacy, helping faculty and staff streamline workflows, enhance productivity, and better integrate Microsoft Copilot and other AI tools into their daily work.

 By the end of the training, participants should be able to:

  • Access and navigate Microsoft 365 applications (OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams)
  • Identify the storage and collaboration functions of OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams
  • Explore ways OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams interact

 

RESOURCES:

Francesca Joyce
In GenAI, Smeal Academy Sessions, SmealAI@Work

Smeal AI@Work: GenAI Basics and Overview (Demystifying GenAI)

e>

Curious about all the AI buzz? The Smeal AI@Work series explores what Generative AI really is and how to get started with using it. 

In this beginner-friendly session, we’ll demystify GenAI and introduce you to Microsoft Copilot (the free version is all you need for this session). Copilot is freely available to all Penn State users and provides a basic Generative AI tool that keeps your data protected. For those needing deeper integration, the paid version of Microsoft 365 Copilot unlocks advanced features across Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint. During this session, we’ll separate myths from reality, highlight tools you’re probably already using (like autocomplete and smart replies), and demonstrate how Copilot can support your everyday work. 

You’ll also see a live demo of Copilot in action, and explore real-world examples tailored to staff and faculty productivity and task management, from streamlining meeting notes to simplifying email drafting. 

Whether you’re brand-new to AI or just looking to better understand how it fits into your daily workflow, this is the place to start. Come and find out how to get started with GenAI basics. 

Francesca Joyce
In GenAI, Instructional Strategies & Student Engagement, Smeal Academy Sessions

AI Inspiration Lab – Hands-On Exploration (Session 2)

This session featured opportunities to explore even more AI tools that enhance instruction, reduce administrative burden, and elevate student outcomes.

Highlights include:

  • Curious About AI in Research? Start Here.
  • What’s in the BoodleBox? BoodleBox for Teaching and Learning
  • From Ideas to Interactions: Teaching with NotebookLM and Copilot

RESOURCES:

Francesca Joyce
In GenAI, Smeal Academy Sessions

AI Inspiration Lab – Hands-On Exploration (Session 1)

In this session, you’ll have the opportunity to explore a variety of AI tools that enhance instruction, reduce administrative burden, and elevate student outcomes. Bring your curiosity—we’ll provide the information, guidance, and time to experiment! Highlights include:

  • From Blank Page to A+: Building Assessments & Rubrics with AI
  • Smarter Teaching Tools, No Code Required: Custom GPTs for Instructors
  • Build, Click, Engage: Interactive Tools with AI

Only interested in a particular section? Use our session playlist!

 

SESSION FILES:

Francesca Joyce
In GenAI, Smeal Academy Sessions

AI Inspiration Lab: Book Discussion Part 2

 

This is the second session from Smeal Academy’s Summer 2025 AI Inspiration Lab—a hands-on series designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and explore the practical power of Generative AI in business education.

This second session is centered around a discussion of the last five chapters of the insightful book Teaching with AI by José Bowen and C. Edward Watson.

 

RESOURCES:

Francesca Joyce
In GenAI, Smeal Academy Sessions

AI Inspiration Lab: Book Discussion Part 1

 

This is the first session from Smeal Academy’s Summer 2025 AI Inspiration Lab—a hands-on series designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and explore the practical power of Generative AI in business education.

This first session is centered around a discussion of the first several chapters of the insightful book Teaching with AI by José Bowen and C. Edward Watson.

 

RESOURCES:

Francesca Joyce
In GenAI, Smeal Academy Sessions

GenAI Series: Student Voices: AI in Higher Education Discussion Panel

This session was a student panel where the next generation of learners share their perspectives on the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in education. Hear firsthand how Smeal undergraduate students are experiencing, engaging with, and evaluating AI tools in the classroom—and what they believe the future should hold. This is a must-attend event for faculty and staff to gain insight, spark new ideas, and shape innovative learning environments at Smeal!

 

RESOURCES:

Francesca Joyce
In Academic Integrity, GenAI, Smeal Academy Sessions

GenAI Series: Empowering GenAI Responsible Use in Students

This session explores best practices for guiding students in the responsible and ethical use of Generative AI (GenAI). As AI becomes an integral part of teaching, learning, and business, it is crucial to establish clear expectations, teach students how to craft effective prompts, and help them critically evaluate AI-generated content.

In this session, we:

  • Explore the benefits and challenges of GenAI in student learning.
  • Discuss strategies for integrating AI into coursework while maintaining academic integrity.
  • Provide hands-on activities for crafting effective prompts and verifying AI outputs.
  • Address ethical considerations, transparency in AI use, and student concerns.
  • Offer practical tools for detecting AI misuse and fostering responsible engagement.
Francesca Joyce
In Assessment, GenAI, Smeal Academy Sessions

GenAI Series: Rethinking Teaching and Assessment in the Age of AI

Generative AI (GenAI) is transforming the landscape of teaching and learning, yet many faculty members struggle with when, how, and whether to incorporate it into their courses. This resistance may stem from their own concerns, hesitation about its use for various reasons, or academic integrity concerns, as well as skepticism from students. This practical session provides practical strategies to address these challenges while also highlighting the opportunities GenAI offers to enhance teaching and learning. The session focuses on designing assignments that leverage GenAI as a tool to foster deeper engagement, critical thinking, and skill development. Participants will discuss how to:

  • Explore use cases for AI-inclusive assignments that foster student learning.
  • Create AI-resistant assessments.
  • Cultivate AI literacy by helping students critically evaluate AI outputs, understand its limitations, and use it responsibly.

Rather than viewing GenAI as a threat, this session explores strategies to reimagine assignments in ways that both protect academic integrity and help prepare students for an AI-driven business world.

 

RESOURCES:

Mark Deluca
In GenAI, Instructional Strategies & Student Engagement, Smeal Academy Sessions

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 introduces participants to key principles of effective prompt writing, describing how to craft clear, specific, and relevant prompts tailored to various teaching scenarios.

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

 

RESOURCES:

Francesca Joyce
In Instructional Strategies & Student Engagement, Smeal Academy Sessions

Practical Approaches for Reaching Gen Z Students

 

Who among us has not had moments of frustration staring out at a sea of young faces beaming looks of boredom or, worse, staring glassy-eyed into their phones? This session brings together Smeal instructors and instructional designers to share experiences and discuss creative connection strategies for today’s higher education classroom.

 

RESOURCES:

Francesca Joyce
In Instructional Strategies & Student Engagement, Smeal Academy Sessions

Communication Skills for Teaching and Presenting

Skilled staff and professors must possess technical expertise AND communication skills that generate interest in their areas of expertise. This could mean the difference between success (or failure) in the classroom, earning a grant, or garnering support from the community at large regarding why your work matters. This session introduces the strategies required to garner audience interest and support. Andy Gustafson is a professor of Leadership Communication in the Smeal College of Business. He has taught Penn State MBAs for almost 30 years. In addition to the work that Andy does with the college, he has also provided Communication Consulting for firms like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanely, Lockheed-Martin, McDonald’s, and PNC.

Francesca Joyce
In Academic Integrity, Smeal Academy Sessions

The Blue Folder: Breaking Down Smeal’s Academic Integrity Violation Process

This session brings together Michelle Darnell, Smeal’s Director of Honor and Integrity, and Lisa Posey, Smeal College Academic Integrity Officer, for a “must-see” session. Whether you have been teaching for years or this is your first semester, this session provides helpful information to streamline the academic integrity violation process. In this session, Michelle and Lisa:

  • discuss the process for instructors who suspect an academic integrity violation in their course,
  • clarify requirements for documentation submitted to the online Academic Integrity System, and
  • review the guidance for GenAI plagiarism detection tools from Faculty Senate and the Joint Standing Committee on the Effective and Responsible Use of AI in Higher Education Instruction.

 

RESOURCES:

Mark Deluca
In GenAI, Smeal Academy Sessions

GenAI Series: Beginning of Semester Update and Resources

This session was 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. This session aimed to:

  • 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:

Francesca Joyce
In Instructional Strategies & Student Engagement, Smeal Academy Sessions

Fall Kickoff: Start the Semester Strong

 

This session was designed to provide tips and strategies to put the finishing touches on your Canvas courses for the upcoming semester. This session covers some Canvas basics, provide a checklist of must-do items before publishing your course(s), and share tips and strategies for a successful start to the semester. New this year: speakers discuss best practices for creating a positive first impression and first-day strategies for faculty based on Sarah Rose Cavanaugh’s book The Spark of Learning, which we read for the Smeal Academy Book Club. This session will help you ensure a strong Fall kickoff.

RESOURCES: