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Whether you are a first-time instructor using Expert TA, or an educator who has leveraged our online homework system for many years, the following blog will provide a look at how easy it is to get started within the Expert TA environment.
Many instructors are frustrated with students using the internet to cheat on homework and other assignments. This article is an example that instructors and schools are not powerless. As TCU is showing, a firm position can be taken and something can be done about this problem.
Many educators look for new and innovative ways to teach their students. Thanks to today’s technology, content is provided in a wide range of formats to suit different...
Student engagement refers to the degree of attention, curiosity, interest, optimism, and passion that students show when they are learning or being taught. High engagement is the expected outcome of a wide range of instructional practices, encompassing everything from active learning strategies to inquiry-based experimental design, and methods for student reflection.
In previous posts we have discussed the complex issue of academic integrity due to the environment created by online cheating websites and so-called tutoring services available on the web. These elements have made it much easier for students to find answers online, and pose a threat to authentic assessment in the classroom.
According to Vanderbilt University’s Center for Teaching, Classroom Response Systems (CRS) are a series of tools used by instructors to facilitate teaching by actively collecting and analyzing student responses in real-time. A common form of CRS technology are in-class “clicker” systems. For example, an instructor may pose a question to the class and each student may respond using a clicker (handheld transmitter), a computer, or a mobile device. These responses are sent to the instructor’s computer that uses software to collect and summarize the student data.
So you’ve decided to flip your classroom, or maybe you have been using the flipped model for some time. Either way, you may be looking for effective in-class activities to engage students during the time in which they would traditionally be attending the lecture portion of your class. There are several ways to schedule this time in order to get the most out of the class session, which may include:
Background of PhET
PhET is a collection of more than 100 research-based interactive computer simulations developed by the University of Colorado, Boulder. The name "PhET" was originally an acronym for "Physics Education Technology." However, the PhET site now includes a broader suite of simulations not limited to just physics, but with chemistry, math, biology and earth sciences being supported as well.
Many instructors reading this are probably familiar with the flipped classroom model. The overall idea is to reverse the common classroom structure. Instead of lecturing in class and having assignments take place outside class time, students watch a pre-recorded lecture and come to class prepared to engage in discussion, group work, and projects. According to the Flipped Learning Network (FLN), it may be defined as “a pedagogical approach in which direct instruction moves from the group learning space to the individual space” making the group space a “dynamic, interactive learning environment where the educator guides students as they apply concepts and engage creatively…”
If done appropriately, in-class physics demonstrations can be a great way to engage students and exhibit key concepts. Dr. Adam Beehler, Lecture Demonstration Specialist at the University of Utah shares a few of his favorites in the list below. Many of these examples are simple to implement in any classroom, though if resources are a concern, utilizing a video of the demonstration may be an effective alternative.
