A CLASSROOM PERFORMANCE SYSTEM AND THE ROLE IT PLAYS IN DEVELOPING

STUDENT METACOGNITIVE SKILLS

FRIBERG, LaVerne MFRIBERG, LaVerne M., Geology and Environmental Science, The University of Akron,

Akron, OH 44325-4101, lfribe1@uakron.edu.

OutlineOutline

• What is CPS?What is CPS?• Basic Format in ClassroomBasic Format in Classroom• AssessmentAssessment

– In class– Post class instructor review

• Concluding RemarksConcluding Remarks

CClassroom

PPerformance

SSystem

Pedagogy EnhancementPedagogy Enhancement TechnologyTechnology

ITL at UA provided: Dell laptopsOffice package

ExcelPowerpoint

einstruction (CPS)software hardware

PC with CPS &

software

RF Transmitters

RF Receiver

Physical Geology Students at Physical Geology Students at The University of AkronThe University of Akron

• Enrollment:Enrollment:– ~27,000 students– Open enrollment policy– Have science with a lab requirement

• Physical Geology student makeup:Physical Geology student makeup:– Freshman (18)– Sophomores (15)– Juniors (2)– Seniors (3)– 5th year or graduate students (3)

Who are they?Who are they?Spring 2009Spring 2009

• 5th year & graduate students: (2)MS Education (1) Dance

• Seniors: (3) engineering

• Juniors :(1) education (1) undecided

• Sophomore: (3) education, (2) fine & applied arts (1), (5) business , (1) biology, (1) physics/chemistry, (1) political Science, (1) undecided

• Freshman: (7) Business, (3) education, (2) fine & applied arts, (1) biology, ( 5) undecided

Individual response

Groupresponse

<65% >65%

Instructor lead discussion Continue with

lecture

Reading questionsReading questions

Basic Format in ClassroomPose

Conceptest

Vote on Answer

Majority Incorrect

Detailed Explanation

Vote Again

Majority Correct

Brief Explanation

Discuss with neighbors

Response Data ExportResponse Data Export

Early introduction of conceptestsEarly introduction of conceptests

Spring 2008 Spring 2008 reading questionsreading questions

• Individual 65% Group 85%

Multiple choice vs. numericMultiple choice vs. numeric

% 3 3131 0 59 % 14 72 3 0

Response Report (1 lecture)

Assessment

Three exam average vs. attendance

s

Avg84%

73%

Physical GeologySpring 2009

Students

%

Exam I

Attendance Attendance Attendance

Exam IIIExam II

Grades vs. Attendance (SP09)quartile analysis (n=36)

Question #1• The use of conceptests and CPS help me to measure my level of understanding of course

material.• A) Strongly Agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly Disagree

• Results • Students A B C D E• G&PM % (71) 15 32 27 14 3• Phys Geo % (31) 23 48 10 6 0

Student comments• Pro

– “it helps me to understand the material”– “I like the way it shows how the class responds to questions”– Encourages you to pay attention more in class and follow along with the

lecture– “Questioning your knowledge of things presented in lecture”– “made the class more interesting than straight lecture”– “promotes active learning”

• Con– Sometimes the clicker exercises were difficult– I missed to many. – “They use it to take attendance”

Question #2• The use of conceptests and CPS reinforced important concepts presented in lecture.• A) Strongly Agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly Disagree

• Results• Students A B C D E• G & P M % 30 31 21 13 0• Phys Geo % 19 55 13 3 3

Student comments

• Pro– “Reinforced important concepts presented in lecture”– “Questioning your knowledge of things presented in

lecture”

• Con

Concluding RemarksConcluding Remarks• Greater instructor-student interaction• Student response leads to immediate instructor adaptation of

lecture material (CPS)• Inquiry based instruction leads to improved understanding of

course material• Student can to do immediate personal assessment of their

success• CPS clickers are an efficient way to evaluate in class exercises

– limited to:• multiple choice format• numeric

Thank YouThank Youquestions?questions?