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| Typically, we publish one TTT (Teaching, Tech, and Tidbit) every two weeks, featuring articles, resources, and more. During alternate weeks, we issue ‘In the Center,’ which highlights upcoming events.
I am breaking the cycle this week because Catherine Stuer shared such a fantastic New Yorker article that I wanted to get it in your hands as soon as possible. |
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.
Tidbit: Classroom Rules
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Tech Tip from ETS: AI and Assessment Strategies
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As you think about your learning goals and AI, check out these timely resources on course policies, assessments, and usage examples from Alchemy’s recent webinar: “Navigating AI and Assessments: Strategies for the New Academic Year.”
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Tech Tip from ETS: A Student Guide to Navigating College in the AI Era
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| Given our own uncertainty about generative AI, undoubtedly our students also have questions. Elon University and the AAC&U have put together A Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence. This is a wonderful, excellent, fabulous gem; check it out! |
Teaching: Three big shifts in education
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| I’ve been beating the AI drum pretty hard, so I will let our friends in ETS share an AI resource I found last week. It’s a fantastic guide—be sure to check it out!
This week, I’m circling back to a piece, Simple ways to support student mental health in class, that Becky Supiano featured in her Chronicle newsletter at the beginning of August. |
I’m familiar with AI. Now what?
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Are you already pretty familiar with generative AI? Ready to try more advanced prompting? Our friends at the UCF’s Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning, led by Kevin Yee, have created a terrific resource: AI Hacks for Educators. Kevin and his group offer more than 50+ AI uses with detailed prompts that you can copy and edit for your purposes. |
From fear to familiarity
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In May, I had a conversation with Adam Weinberg about the use of generative AI and its implications for higher education. During that conversation, I recommended two things:
When we met last week, Adam shared his enthusiasm for Mollick’s book—he even purchased copies for the entire senior staff! |
Restoring Trust in the Age of AI
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| Trust is a peculiar thing. It is not unique to humans—I think my dog trusts me—but it is clearly something that chatbots do not possess. In his recent piece in The Chronicle, ‘Why We Should Normalize Open Disclosure of AI Use‘ Marc Watkins aptly notes that “Teaching is all about trust, which is difficult to restore once it has been lost.” |
Tidbit: First Day of Class
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| Preparing for the first day of class, I always revisit Lang’s four key things to set the right tone: curiosity, community, learning, and course expectations. This one-page newsletter gives a brief summary as well as a link to the more comprehensive article.
I am going to be particularly vigilant this semester not just for the first day but for the first two weeks. |
Tech: Canvas, Reproducibility, and Gemini
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| Canvas Updates and Support ETS created a page on My Denison to share tips for using the new Canvas template, so you can ensure your courses are student-friendly! Check it out to find important information, such as posting your syllabus in the most effective location and how to get more support. Reproducibility Using RStudio for Teaching and Research |