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.

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.

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.