The Laptop Classroom Reporting system

Increasing Student Engagement

Does IT Really Do Does IT Really Do Anything?Anything?

• Not if you don’t try different thingsNot if you don’t try different things• Create new learning exercises Create new learning exercises

around traditional content that around traditional content that requires computersrequires computers

• Use IT as a new communication Use IT as a new communication channel IN THE CLASSROOMchannel IN THE CLASSROOM

• Trivial IM exampleTrivial IM example

Pedagogical Goals and Intent

Push Content (e.g. words, spreadsheets, images, simulations, etc) to students and give them tools to manipulate content

Students use tools and publish back their results to one central location (which is displayed on the projector)

Variance in responses frames discussion

ExamplesExamples

• Symbol manipulationSymbol manipulation• Simulation ResultsSimulation Results• Compare ModelsCompare Models• By the way, student behavior By the way, student behavior

changes a bit when they realize they changes a bit when they realize they are pubishing to their peersare pubishing to their peers

ConclusionsConclusions

The instructor does not have to be The instructor does not have to be the main point of focus in the class the main point of focus in the class but the ideas/content should bebut the ideas/content should be

Students engage with the material Students engage with the material better if they are more active in better if they are more active in classroom – they don’t “check out” classroom – they don’t “check out” after 30 minutes of lecture.after 30 minutes of lecture.

““Super Clicker” approach seems to Super Clicker” approach seems to workwork