Teaching and learning resources brought to you by:Smeal’s eLearning Design & Innovation Group (eLDIG)
AI Prompt Writing is Like a Box of Chocolates…
… experimentation is key!
Fortunately, there are resources to help guide even the most seasoned AI prompt engineer! One of our favorites is our recent Smeal Academy Session on Writing Effective AI Prompts. In it, we discuss types of prompts, best practices for prompt writing, evaluating output, strategies to refine prompts, and more!
Here are some quick tips to better AI prompt writing:
- Be clear and specific: Define exactly what you want, including format, tone, and details to avoid ambiguous responses.
- Provide context: Give background information or examples to guide the AI toward a more relevant response.
- Iterate and refine: Experiment with different phrasing, adding or adjusting details to improve results.
- Use constraints: Set word limits, structure guidelines, or style preferences to shape the output.
The session recording page lists some additional resources for you to enhance your prompt-writing prowess.
18/21
Smeal Academy GenAI Series – GenAI Teaching and Learning Use Cases
March 18th and 21st (Times TBD)
By the end of the session, participants will be equipped to guide students in leveraging GenAI as a tool to enhance their learning experience. Through hands-on activities, participants will discover how to:
- Establish clear expectations for GenAI use,
- Teach the creation of effective prompts,
- Empower students to use GenAI responsibly and ethically, and
- Integrate GenAI into learning while maintaining academic integrity.
Join us via Zoom.
Previous Smeal Academy session recordings can be viewed on the eLDIG website.
27
Dan and Robyn Ives AI Innovation Day & Case Competition
March 27, 2025
We are excited to announce the Dan and Robyn Ives AI Innovation Day & Case Competition on March 27, 2025 , proudly sponsored by Daniel and Robyn Ives, Palantir, and American Inference. This event will bring together students, faculty, staff, and industry leaders to explore how GenAI is impacting business education and beyond. The event will feature keynotes and sessions throughout the day, concluding with an undergraduate student case competition.
The case competition will feature an exclusive panel of experts, including Daniel Ives (Wedbush Securities and Smeal Alumnus), Raymond Kusch (American Inference), and others—and showcase students’ ability to think into the future of AI-driven business problem-solving.
Come for the full day or for specific sessions to learn and cheer on our students as your schedule permits.
Event Highlights:
- Keynote Addresses: Hear from Smeal Alumnus Daniel Ives and gain insights from a representative on Palantir’s management team.
- Featured Session: Engage with the CEO and Founder of American Inference.
- Interactive Breakout Sessions: Participate in dynamic sessions designed to foster collaboration and spark new ideas as we consider the impact of Generative AI on higher education, business, and industry.
- Student Case Competition: Undergraduate teams will tackle a real-world AI challenge.
Key Dates:
- Student Team Registration Opens: February 7
- Team Application Deadline: February 26
- Event Registration for Opening Keynotes and Sessions: Coming Soon!
Q:
A:
YES! Microsoft Copilot utilizes GenAI to help improve productivity and efficiency by assisting with tasks such as summarizing long articles, drafting emails, and generating images. It is currently available to faculty, staff, and students as part of Penn State’s Microsoft contract.
Microsoft 365 Copilot is a paid version of the tool which integrates Copilot functionality with Microsoft 365 applications such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
It’s important to note that Copilot should only be used with data classified as Level 1 (public, low sensitivity) or Level 2 (moderate sensitivity) as defined by University policy. Copilot should never be used with data classified as Level 3 (high sensitivity) or Level 4 (restricted).
More information:
Have a question?
Email [email protected] and let us know!
We’re Here to Help!
We can help you with course design and redesign, educational technology tools such as Canvas, Zoom, and Kaltura, strategies for assessment and evaluation, instructional best practices, and the integration of Smeal College and University-wide resources.
Let’s start a conversation about how Smeal’s eLearning Design & Innovation Group can help you.
