Active Classroom

We use this term to describe the environment we create to foster rich problem-solving experiences for students. We create an Active Classroom using Hardware resources and Class Mechanics.

Hardware

In-Class Communication Systems are used to facilitate student engagement in problem-solving in the lecture hall.

• ClassTalk -- a hard-wired system using TI Graphing Calculators, a a local network, and Macintosh software
• PRS -- a wireless, PC based system

Class Mechanics

• Instructor leads brief introduction of topic and rationale for problem
• Instructor poses a problem using In-Class Communication System
  • Student small group discussion
  • Enter answers
  • Answers from the whole class are compiled
  • Histogram of answer choices are displayed
• Discuss strategy for problem solving
  • Whole class discussion
  • Instructor facilitated, student-centered

The in-class problem solving is supplemented with a Weekly Quiz to distinguish:

1. group work encouraged during classroom problem solving
2. individual accountability for problem solving skills