Smeal Academy Newsletter: January 2025

START YOUR ENGINES!

Spring 2025 is almost here! Set the pace for a successful semester with these actionable steps:

• Send a Welcome Message: A friendly message helps students feel valued and allows you to share key information, set expectations, and encourage engagement from day one.
• Use a “Who’s in Class” Survey: Learn about your students’ backgrounds, interests, and goals. This fosters connection, personalizes your teaching, and helps create a supportive learning environment.
• Check Your Canvas Ally Accessibility Score: Ensure your course materials are accessible to all students. A strong accessibility score reflects an inclusive and equitable learning experience.
• Add GenAI Policy Language to Your Syllabus: Address how AI tools can be used appropriately in your course. Clarify guidelines and expectations for leveraging these technologies in assignments and assessments.

With these simple yet impactful steps, you can get your semester off to a smooth and successful start, building an engaging and inclusive classroom environment.

eLDIG on LinkedIn

We are excited to announce the launch of Smeal Academy’s LinkedIn page, your new hub for connecting with our mission to empower Smeal instructors with the tools, strategies, and best practices they need to excel in teaching.

Follow us for updates, resources, and opportunities to engage. We can’t wait to connect with you!

What is eLDIG reading?

Teaching with AI explores the transformative role of artificial intelligence in education, focusing on how AI can assist faculty, inform policies, and redefine grading and quality standards. The eLDIG team is exploring AI’s potential role in providing feedback and designing assignments and assessments that emphasize human effort.

Want to read along? The Penn State library provides digital access to audio and ebook versions.

Bowen, J.A., & Watson, C.E. (2024). Teaching with AI. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.