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…

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…

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…

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…

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

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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…

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…

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…

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…

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