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Like many of us, I spent a lot of time over the summer reading and thinking about generative AI chatbots and what they might mean for my teaching, especially since most of my courses involve a lot of writing. Could ChatGPT answer my prompts? Did my assignments encourage students to put in thought and effort, or was I making it easy for them to farm out their work to a bot? |
Teaching, Tech, and Tidbits Digest
The posts below are from a bi-weekly digest that encapsulates a range of evidence-based best practices and cutting-edge insights on innovative teaching strategies, effective use of technology, student engagement techniques, and effective assessment, to name a few. The content, diligently curated or crafted by the director Dr. Lew Ludwig, is grounded in robust research and drawn from a wide array of innovative articles, books, and online resources. The goal is to support timely, ongoing faculty development with the most current and impactful knowledge in the field.
Tech: Utilizing the Canvas Calendar
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| Students gave us positive feedback on the Canvas calendar last spring! As an instructor, you are able to add events that will appear on your students’ calendars and “to do” lists. This is a great way to communicate and remind students of important events and deadlines! These guides will quickly walk you through adding an event and adding an assignment on your course calendars. |
Teaching: Do my learning outcomes meet the needs of my students these days?
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This question, posed during a recent session on AI and assessment, really resonated with me. The rising attention (or, should we say, hysteria?) surrounding AI has prompted me to reflect on what I expect my students to learn and how I choose to assess that learning. While I’m still grappling with a definitive answer, two insightful articles this week prodded me to reconsider my teaching approach as we enter this new era of AI. |
Tidbit- To understand AI, you need to engage with AI
I recently facilitated an AI-focused session for the GLCA (resources, including the recording, can be found here). Out of nearly 300 registrants, about 60% reported being very familiar or somewhat familiar when asked to rate their knowledge of generative AI based on exposure through reading, podcasts, webinars, etc. Interestingly, 63% of registrants reported no experience or limited experience using generative AI such as ChatGPT, Bing, or Bard.
Tech- Revisiting weighted grades in Canvas
Many of us may have course grade categories that contribute different percentages to the final grade. For example, essays are 25%, quizzes are 30%, exams are 30%, and student contribution (aka “participation”) is 15%.
In Canvas, you assign category weights via the “Assignments” section in the left menu bar (the menu bar will show once you click the three red horizontal lines in the upper left).
Teaching- Five Ways to Help Your Students Become Better Critical Thinkers
Our foremost objective at Denison is to cultivate adept critical thinkers. Yet, as seasoned critical thinkers ourselves, we sometimes forget the steps required to nurture this valuable skill in our novice learners. Merely observing us critically analyze topics doesn’t automatically equip students with the same capabilities. We must adopt a deliberate approach. This short article by Dr.
Tidbit- Four Questions to Ask to Promote Student Learning
“There is no dumb question.”
“Take risks.”
“Reach beyond the comfortable to learn new perspectives and skills.”
Have you ever used those phrases or similar with your students? I know I have. But do I promote a learning environment that supports my claims and encouragements? Not always.
The article 4 Questions to Ask to Promote Student Learning by JT Torres gives us four simple questions to ask ourselves to ensure our learning environment aligns with our encouragement.
Teaching- First Day of Class
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Students form a lasting impression on Day 1, not just of you as a teacher but of your course. This one-page newsletter gives a brief summary of the four key things to consider for that important first day, based on a piece by James Lang.
- Curiosity
- Community
- Learning
- Course expectations
Teaching- From AI to A+: Prepare Your Students for Using ChatGPT and other AI
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Tidbit – Communicating with students
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