The goal of the Smeal Academy is to equip instructors with best practices and strategies for teaching, learning, and technology to ensure the Smeal community is prepared to respond to today’s unique challenges. We do so by sending weekly emails with practical tips and information, providing live sessions, and holding virtual consultations.

Here is our latest Smeal Academy Session recording:

Smeal Academy Sessions

August 18, 2023 in Smeal Academy Sessions

Anthology Ally

 The University has enabled a Canvas feature called Ally in all Fall courses. The tool helps support our goals of equity and inclusion, improving course accessibility and usability. With…
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March 30, 2023 in Smeal Academy Sessions

Everything I Know About Instructional Design I Learned from the Far Side

 With a career at Penn State dating back to 1984, Dr. Brett Bixler brings almost four decades of instructional design experience to his role as an instructional designer on…
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March 29, 2023 in Smeal Academy Sessions

Artificial Intelligence and The Future of Learning

 In this session we discuss the brave, new world of Artificial Intelligence and Academic Integrity. If ChatGPT passed a Wharton MBA exam, could ChatGPT pass Smeal classes? ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence tools make it…
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February 15, 2023 in Smeal Academy Sessions

Leveraging Media for Student Engagement

 In this session we explore strategies and tools to increase student engagement and take your content creation to the next level. We discuss faculty- and student-created content as well…
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January 31, 2023 in Smeal Academy Sessions

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…
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Smeal Academy Newsletters

August 22, 2023 in Smeal Academy Newsletter

5 Semester Start-Up Tips – Fall 2023 Newsletter 1

Smeal Academy Fall 2023 Connections Newsletter 1: 5 Beginning of Semester Tips The goal of the Smeal Academy is to equip the Smeal community with best practices and strategies for teaching and learning…
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July 20, 2023 in Smeal Academy Newsletter

Anthology Ally in Canvas Courses

Smeal Academy Special Edition: Anthology Ally Information for Faculty and Staff who use Canvas You may have noticed red, green, and yellow icons and the letter A with an arrow…
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February 2, 2023 in Smeal Academy Newsletter

AI Battles – Spring 2023 Newsletter 2

Smeal Academy Spring 2023 Connections Newsletter 2 – Artificial Intelligence and Academy Integrity: The Battle of the AIs The goal of the Smeal Academy is to equip the Smeal Community with best practices…
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January 20, 2023 in Smeal Academy Newsletter

Springing Into the Spring Semester – Spring 2023 Newsletter 1

Smeal Academy Spring 2023 Connections Newsletter 1 – Springing into a New Semester The goal of the Smeal Academy is to equip the Smeal Community with best practices and strategies for teaching and learning…
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November 4, 2022 in Smeal Academy Newsletter

Inclusive Teaching Practices – Fall 2022 Newsletter 2

Smeal Academy Fall 2022 Connections Newsletter 2 –Inclusive Teaching Practices The goal of the Smeal Academy is to equip the Smeal Community with best practices and strategies for teaching and learning with technology…
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Video Tech Tips

April 21, 2022 in Video Tech Tips

Using LionPath to Import Final Grades from Canvas

 This video explains how to use LionPath to pull final Grades from Canvas.. Helpful Resources Preparing Canvas Final Grades for LionPath Uploading Grades into LionPath from Canvas Smeal Academy…
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December 7, 2021 in Video Tech Tips

How to Set Up Your Grading Scheme in Canvas

How to Set Up Your Grading Scheme in Canvas This video explains how to set up your Grading Scheme in Canvas. You can choose conventional, pre-made grading schemes that are…
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December 7, 2021 in Video Tech Tips

Finalizing Your Canvas Gradebook

Finalizing Your Canvas Gradebook This video explains how to finalize your students' grades in Canvas. There are three important recommendations in the video: All grades should have a numeric value…
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October 22, 2021 in Video Tech Tips

Edit Out Time From Zoom Recordings in Kaltura

This video explains how to edit out time from the beginning, middle, or end of your Zoom recordings through Kaltura's built-in video editing tool. If your class doesn't start or…
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October 8, 2021 in Video Tech Tips

Automatically Adding Zoom Recordings to Canvas

Automatically Adding Zoom Recordings to Canvas This video explains how to automatically add Zoom Recordings to your Canvas course. This can be done by altering the settings in Canvas (adding…
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Assessment Series

December 14, 2022 in Assessment Series

Assessment Series Part 8: Rubrics

In this video, we talk about using rubrics, and specifically how to write them.
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December 14, 2022 in Assessment Series

Assessment Series Part 7: Alternatives to Exams

In this video, we discuss alternatives that you can use to replace exams, and highlight performance assessment as an alternative to traditional exams.
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December 14, 2022 in Assessment Series

Assessment Series Part 6: Exam Security

In this video, we discuss exam security, including general tips, some Canvas specific tips, and proctoring.
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December 14, 2022 in Assessment Series

Assessment Series Part 5: Canvas Quizzing

In this video, welook at how to make the most of the canvas quizzing tool.
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December 14, 2022 in Assessment Series

Assessment Series Part 4: Writing Quality Exam Questions

In this video, we look at how to write good exam questions.
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