Prof Talk Pod

The Engaged Professor

Welcome to the Prof Talk Pod, hosted by Dr. Becky Achen, a professor of practice at the University of Kansas and founder of The Engaged Professor. This podcast is a resource for teachers in higher education who want to improve their teaching and stay up-to-date on trends. Whether you’re an educator or simply passionate about learning, Prof Talk Pod provides insights to inspire and elevate your approach to teaching.

  1. 1D AGO

    Approaches to Early Student Success in Your Course

    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, Becky emphasizes the human aspect of teaching and shares tips for developing student skills in attendance, participation, and assignment completion.

    23 min

  2. JAN 22

    Attendance vs. Engagement Part 2

    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 university policies, we cover actionable tips to help professors improve their classroom dynamics. Discover how to balance accountability with flexibility, and how to motivate students to attend and participate actively. If managing attendance has been a challenge for you, this episode offers valuable insights.

    36 min

  3. JAN 8

    Attendance vs. Engagement Part 1

    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 absences or trying to keep students engaged, the first episode in the 2-part topic offers valuable insights and shares some research on the importance of attendance.

    33 min

  4. 12/26/2025

    What Went Well in 2025

    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 creation, and keep track of improvements for future courses.

    33 min

  5. 12/11/2025

    How to Adapt Your Teaching in Rapidly Evolving Fields

    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 engaging.

    30 min

  6. 11/27/2025

    Simple Active Learning Strategies You Can Use Tomorrow

    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 episode offers insights into making class discussions more effective, how to utilize think-pair-share techniques, and tips for assessing the success of active learning activities. Whether you're teaching in a large or small class, undergraduate or graduate level, this episode is filled with actionable advice to enhance your teaching methods.

    32 min

  7. 11/13/2025

    Transparency in Learning & Teaching, Equity & Accessibility in Higher Ed

    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 practical application in the classroom. Learn about how TILT can improve student equity, clarity in assignments, and reduce faculty workload by providing clearer guidelines and expectations. This conversation is packed with actionable tips for improving your teaching methods and fostering a more transparent and supportive learning environment. https://www.tilthighered.com/

    28 min

  8. 10/30/2025

    Providing Structure for Students Through Scaffolding

    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 to build students' knowledge and skills through smaller assignments, tip sheets, and feedback sessions. The early history of the scaffolding metaphor: Bernstein, Luria, Vygotsky, and before https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10749039.2019.1574306#d1e164 Effective Teaching and Learning: scaffolding revisited ⁠https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0305498960220103⁠

    23 min
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About

Welcome to the Prof Talk Pod, hosted by Dr. Becky Achen, a professor of practice at the University of Kansas and founder of The Engaged Professor. This podcast is a resource for teachers in higher education who want to improve their teaching and stay up-to-date on trends. Whether you’re an educator or simply passionate about learning, Prof Talk Pod provides insights to inspire and elevate your approach to teaching.

Information

  • Creator
    The Engaged Professor
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Engaged Professor
  • Show Website
    Prof Talk Pod