Prof Talk Pod

In this solo episode of The Prof Talk Pod, Becky Achen explains how she uses AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to revise assignments that aren’t working. She outlines her process: diagnose what’s failing using student work, feedback, and reflection; document course context and constraints; prompt AI for ideas (often in multiple models); combine and refine suggestions; and then have the models criti...

In this episode of the Prof Talk Pod, Becky Achen and Katie Metz revisit scaffolding as a core teaching strategy, focusing on how to build students toward learning outcomes by providing more support early and gradually increasing autonomy. They discuss a workshop framing scaffolding alongside AI use, emphasizing what students must master independently versus where AI can serve as a thought partner...

In this summer episode of the Prof Talk Pod, Becky Achen and Katie discuss practical ways faculty can use the summer to rejuvenate while still setting themselves up for a manageable fall. They talk about the realities of 9-, 10-, and 12-month contracts, the lack of PTO for many faculty, and why it can be appropriate to truly step away from email and teaching tasks when classes slow down. They emph...

In this episode of the Prof Talk Pod, Becky Achen and Katie Metz discuss how to compress a 14–16 week course into shorter summer, J-term, or mini-mester formats (as short as six weeks) without sacrificing rigor. They compare different institutional summer structures, note challenges like overlapping spring wrap-up and summer prep, and emphasize the faster pace of grading, communication, and conten...

In this episode of The Prof Talk Pod, host Becky Achen reflects on an in-class ethical debate about students using AI to generate a podcast script and publish it as their own, which leads to a discussion of nuance and “gray areas” in AI use. She shares how her thinking has evolved since exploring ChatGPT in late 2022, shifting from simple “buckets” of acceptable use to a more intentional approach...

In this solo episode of the Prof Talk Pod, I share a simple end-of-semester practice to help instructors improve courses the next time they teach them: keep a running “notes to self” document for each class. It can be easy to forget what didn’t work, especially when end-of-term grading fatigue sets in. Spending 10 minutes now to record what worked, what didn’t, and what needs changing and setting...

In this episode of the Prof Talk Pod, we talk about faculty burnout, using the World Health Organization definition and reflecting on how chronic workplace stress shows up in teaching. We discuss the emotional labor of being “on” in class, the added mental load of supporting students’ mental health (especially in freshmen and sophomore courses), and how student issues often bleed into academic lif...

In this episode of the Prof Talk Pod, we discuss how to increase student participation in end-of-semester course evaluations and how to make the feedback more useful. We cover how moving evaluations online lowered response rates and created challenges for improving courses and for promotion or reappointment decisions, and discuss research on bias and the limits of using numerical scores as a prima...

In this episode of the Prof Talk Pod, we discuss what it means to create an inclusive syllabus and why it matters for student belonging and retention. Katie frames inclusive syllabi as designing course policies so students have equal access without needing to ask for special permission or feel singled out, especially around accommodations. Then, we unpack practical examples such as technology poli...

In this episode of the Prof Talk Pod, Katie is back to tackle the topic of the course syllabus. Should it be a graphical, engaging roadmap or a traditional, standardized contract? Katie and I share what we think are the essential components of an effective syllabus and how to navigate adding university policies.  I share my strategy of writing the syllabus directly to the student to build buy-in,...

In this solo episode of the Prof Talk Pod, host Becky Achen shares how Generative AI is shifting the way I design active learning in the classroom. It’s no surprise that students have started leaning on ChatGPT to breeze through in-class activities. While the "quick answer" is tempting, our goal is to move them toward intentional, critical use of these tools. In this episode, you will le...

In this solo episode of the Prof Talk Pod, Becky discusses the importance of balancing student accountability with support, and offers actionable strategies to help students stay on track. From the hands-off approach to personalized check-ins, discover methods to foster a supportive learning environment while encouraging independence. Focused on retaining students and enhancing their success, Beck...

Join us for part two of our discussion on attendance and engagement with Katie, focusing on practical strategies for managing excused absences and fostering student participation. We discuss university policies for attendance and share our personal methods for tracking attendance and ensuring meaningful student engagement. Whether it's using in-class activities, allowing drops, or navigating u...

In the first episode of 2026, we discuss into one of the most challenging aspects of teaching: attendance. Listen in as we discuss how to balance accountability, the value of active learning, and the difference between attendance and engagement. We also explore institutional policies and share our own experiences and strategies for managing class attendance. Whether you're dealing with excused...

Welcome to the Prof Talk Pod, brought to you by The Engaged Professor. In this episode, we focus on the positive moments from the past year in teaching. Join us as we discuss the joys of connecting with students, implementing video reflections, and utilizing generative AI for creating dynamic assessments and scenarios. Learn practical tips on how to reflect effectively, use AI in class content cre...

In this episode of the Prof Talk Pod, Katie Metz joins again to explore how to adapt to constant changes in subject matter. Learn how to integrate current events into your curriculum, set parameters for updates, and maintain credibility with your students. Whether you teach a rapidly evolving discipline or a more stable one, this episode offers valuable insights to keep your teaching relevant and...

Welcome to Episode 032 of the Prof Talk Pod! In this episode, we talk about simple active learning strategies you can use in the classroom. Katie Metz joins us again to share her experience with strategies in more technical subjects like accounting and federal tax. Learn practical strategies that increase student engagement and hear about importance of iterative, low-stakes assessments. This episo...

Welcome to another episode of the Prof Talk Pod, where we share tips and strategies to enhance teaching effectiveness. In this episode, we are joined by a guest host, Katie Metz. Katie is a teaching professor at Indiana University specializing in international tax and policy. She shares her insights on the TILT (Transparency in Learning and Teaching) method, discussing its origins, benefits, and p...

Episode 030 of the Prof Talk Pod is a solo show focused on the concept of scaffolding in education. Learn about the zone of proximal development from Lev Vygotsky and discover practical methods to support student learning through temporary structures. Scaffolding can enhance student motivation, create a positive learning environment, and aid in achieving educational goals. Get ideas for strategies...

Welcome to episode 029 of the Prof Talk Pod, brought to you by The Engaged Professor. We discuss innovative ways to promote academic work beyond traditional peer-reviewed journals. Also, we explore the challenges and potential solutions for making research more accessible to a broader audience, including podcasting, Substack, and Reddit threads. If you've ever wanted to increase the impact of...

A year later, we revisit our thoughts on the approach to generative AI use in the classroom. Research on the impacts of generative AI use is mixed; some studies find it has negative effects on student thinking skills, while others find it can improve student learning. We discuss potential impacts on critical thinking and problem-solving skills, while sharing ideas for approaching the topic in the...

Want to get some tips on delivering engaging lectures? In this episode of The Prof Talk Pod, we discuss strategies for doing just that. We cover topics like opening mistakes that disengage students, breaking patterns to create 'aha' moments, and the importance of a powerful closing statement. Whether you're a new or experienced professor, this episode offers valuable insights on struct...

In Episode 026, we talk about the need to stay engaged with industry, no matter your academic discipline. Discover actionable strategies for keeping your teaching relevant, building credibility with students, and connecting classroom content to real-world trends. Learn more about: Why industry engagement matters for all faculty, not just those in professional fields How rapid changes (like AI and...

Let's face it, you can't always make it to every class. Maybe you have a conference, a sick kid, or an unexpected commitment elsewhere. In this episode of The Prof Talk Pod, we explore strategies for handling planned and unexpected class absences. From prerecording lectures to incorporating guest speakers, we give you practical approaches to ensure continuity and value in student learning. We also...

In this episode of The Prof Talk Pod, we share essential tips for new college teachers as they approach their first day of class. Drawing from our own experiences and advice from colleagues, we discuss the importance of being authentic, managing first-day anxieties, and setting the tone for a successful semester. Listen in for ideas on how to feel comfortable on day one, navigate common early chal...