2007 team-based learning conference - vancouver, b.c. understanding the tbl divide: examining the...
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2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
Understanding the TBL Divide: Examining the Similarities and Differences between Writing and Programming
Keith WhittingtonRochester Institute of Technology
kjw@it.rit.edu
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
The Course - Applications Programming
Upper UG level
Part of a concentration in computer programming
Learn to use several programming applications
Meet twice a week for 2 hours
Computers in the classroom
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
Learning Goals
Integrate all topics of the course into a stable, well tested, cohesive program
Create a complex integrated program Efficiently work together in a team Share ideas and knowledge with other
students Create a project that meets its stated goals Create a project that is useful
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
Previous Way of Teaching
Each class: PPT slides followed by a simple in-class exercise done individually
Weekly programming assignments and take-home tests
Basically a passive learning environment
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
Motivation to Switch to TBL
Personal success using cooperative learning activities in introductory courses
Wanted to go further in upper level course
TBL’s claim that it creates an environment where the team can outperform the ability of their best member deeply resonated with me
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
Changes Made
Threw away all existing materials Custom book Reading assignments RAP – one test per week In-class Activities Team Project Weekly in-class activity on project No exams External evaluation
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
First Day of Class
Discussed TBL design
Formed teams
RAT on the Syllabus
Grade Weighting Activity Convinced teams can outperform their best member Chose the maximum allowable percentages for the
team portions of the grading
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
Formative Evaluations
Several surveys given throughout quarter
Students evaluated each part of the course
Adjusted based on feedback
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
Custom Book
No comprehensive book existed that covered every topic
SafariU from O’Reilly First year
Custom book with specific materials Students purchased expensive
Second year – Online, 3 month student access cheaper
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
Reading Assignments
Initially, too detailed and long Promoted memorization
Adjusted to more general readings Covered the language details in class
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
RAP
Attempted 2 in one week Too much for students
Tests initially too detailed Student frustration
Eventually became 10 multi-choice questions Removed NOTs
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
In-class Activities
Kept students switching between teamwork and individual work.
Got them working together and helping each other while still coding on their own
Steps whenever they had a question: Ask one team member for help Ask the team for help As a team, ask the instructor for help
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
Team Project
Integrate every application into one program
Additional weekly in-class activities to make them work on various aspects of the project as a team Kept teams from dividing up all the work and
programming independently on the project Program requirements, project design, and usability
testing
Conduct a poster session
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
External Evaluator
Member of Industrial Advisory Board
Attended the poster session
Qualitative analysis of each project
Part of the grade for their projects technical and design evaluated by instructor
Students evaluated by potential employer
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
Student Performance
Non-TBL course 11 A’s, 3 B’s, 1 C, 0 D’s,1 F
TBL course 12 A’s, 2 B’s, and 0 C’s, D’s, F’s
Certainly not proof of increased learning, but encouraging
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
Evaluator’s Impressions
The teams seemed to genuinely have good chemistry Teams respected the idea of respective strengths and
leveraging skills Teams competitive in a healthy good natured way I liked the enthusiasm of the teams, they were proud
of their work and that is very healthy I think they invested a lot preparing for the
presentations Even the story boards were good
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
Overall Impression
I saw nothing negative....and frankly am quite impressed by the level of teamwork demonstrated in the class...projects in the real world are built by work teams who learn to rely on one another...these guys demonstrated that in spades...if they walk out with a grasp of how teams need to be productive and interoperate then they will have learned a great deal more than simple programming...congratulations
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
Students Evaluations
Effectiveness at reaching the stated goals 84% - Working together as a team 92% - Self-Directed Learner 100% - Share ideas with members of team 84% - TBL method of learning 92% - Favorable experience with the team
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
Typical Student Comments
Good team work and communication The team was great My team was better than any other team in the
history of teams not counting the 2004 Red Sox Good group of guys to work with, all wanted to
succeed, everyone communicated well The team was a lot of fun and worked very well
together Group was fun to work with and entertaining Really funny ambiance, nice guys, i really had some
pleasure exchanging and talking with them
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
My Concerns
Teams tended worked separately Did rely on teammates for help Integrated work
Divide and conquer mentality
One computer, multiple teammates
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
Problems
Predominately a writing discipline
Show mastery in a new language every week
2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C.
Activity Questions
When writing in a new language
How do you work together?
How do you invoke intra-team discussions?
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