Innovative Course Structures for Engaging and Motivating Students in Higher Education

 
Course Structures that
Engage and Motivate
 
Kim Sheppard
Cecil College - Maryland
Alketa Nina
WorWic Community College -  Maryland
 
CECIL College
 
Flipping a Statistics
Course
 
Classroom Setting
 
30 seat computer classroom
Epson Bright link Projector
2 additional large display screens
3 large white boards across the front
2 additional white boards on side and back walls
Instructor station has document camera
Apple TV
 
NETOP Vision PRO Software
www.netop.com
 
NETOP Vision PRO
Software
 
Share instructor screen with all
students in the classroom
Showcase student’s screens
Control Internet access
Blank screen all computers
Operate computers remotely
 
Blackboard
 
At the start of each class, I give a 5 minute
Blackboard quiz
Quiz opens 5 minutes prior to class
starting and ends 5 minutes into class
Quiz is timed (5 minutes) and open notes
Students arrive on time and prepared and
ready for class
 
5 Minute Blackboard Quiz
 
Blackboard Achievements
 
Flipped Statistics Class
 
Students watch video lectures at home
They take notes in a course notebook we
provide them
5 minute Blackboard quiz is on video
lectures
Class time is spent clarifying concepts,
doing activity based learning, and
collecting and analyzing data
Video Lectures – Prep Work
(CLICK HERE)
 
StatCrunch
 
We have a group page for all students taking
Statistics
The group page contains approximately 100
data sets
Surveys are posted to the group page and
completed by approximately 300 students
Survey data is posted and used in class and on
assignments
Instructor Group Page
 
StatCrunch Group Page
 
StatCrunch Surveys
 
Activities
 
Library Data Collection Day
 
Students select a random aisle, a random bookcase on that aisle, and a
 
random book on that bookcase at the library to select a book for which they
 
collect the following data: weight, length, width, height, title, author, gender of
 
author
 
The data are used to evaluate categorical and quantitative variables, regression
 
analysis, and inference, both in class and on take home assignments.
 
Large Student Survey
 
This 60 question survey is administered via StatCrunch to all students enrolled in
 
statistics courses at Cecil and collects demographics and non-demographic
 
information, such as political affiliations, smoking, commuting time…etc.
 
This database is used frequently throughout the semester in class to
 
calculate descriptive and inferential statistics.
 
Activities
 
McDonald’s French Fries
 
Students purchase a small order of French fries at one of the three local
 
McDonald's. They bring the fries to campus and weigh them in order to
 
conduct a test hypothesis (McDonald’s website says a small order should
 
weigh 71 grams).  This is also a nice data set to use to discuss variation.
 
Regression Vehicle Data
 
Students collect vehicle data online (using a website like AutoTrader). They
 
record mileage, year, price….etc., for a particular make and model of car and
 
then this data is used for regression analysis.
 
Sampling Distribution
Activity
 
Sampling Distribution
Activity
 
We have created two fake population data sets;
one containing the age of every Cecil College
student (N=2861). The second data set contains a
categorical variable for every Cecil student on
whether or not they are a first generation college
student.  We use these data sets for sampling
distribution activities.
 
Sampling Distribution
Activity
 
For the sampling distribution of the sample mean, we
have students take a random sample of students from
the fake population and compute the sample average for
their sample.  Every student does this and we talk about
how the sample means vary.  Each student takes 2-3
samples and notes the sample mean each time. The
sample means are recorded onto sticky notes and posted
on white board. This white board with sticky notes stays
in class until the end of the semester.  We then use an
Applet in StatCrunch to continue to grow the distribution
of the sample means.
 
Sampling Distribution
Activity
 
A similar activity is done for the sampling distribution of
the sample proportion.
 
StatCrunch Applets
 
StatCrunch Applets
 
StatCrunch Applets
 
Wor-Wic CC
 
Course Structures
 
College Algebra & Trigonometry
Organization
 
Calculus I – Course Organization
 
 
 
Start with Introduction, Definitions,
Rules,
 
Follow by a demonstration
 
Then class works in groups on practice
problems.
 
….repeat again for next concepts
 
Class Flow
 
 
D
e
f
i
n
i
t
i
o
n
s
/
R
u
l
e
s
 
E
x
:
Practice
 
1.
 
 
2.
   
  
 
  
Solutions
 
3.
Practice
 
 
       
Solutions
Strategies
 
Notebooks
and
Workbooks
 
I have compiled the lecture notes into notebooks or workbooks which I
distribute out to the class in the beginning of the semester. This helps the
students keep their notes organized and also pay attention to the
concepts rather than hurry to copy everything down.
The practice problems are done as group work during class and posted
on the board.
Strategies
Pass the Ball  
In an effort to increase participation, without putting
myself in a position to pick on students, I bought two
balls which I pass out to two students in the beginning
of the class.
During class every time I ask a question the person who
has the ball has to answer it.
Once the person answers a question then (s)he passes
the ball to another student who will be responsible in
answering the next question.
Strategies
Encouragement vs Criticizing
When I taught online classes, I would send emails
to students who were falling behind to let them
know about it.
A few years ago I decided to change the way I
communicated with students in my online classes,
and it has made a huge difference.
Strategies
Encouragement vs Criticizing
When I taught online classes, I would send emails
to students who were falling behind to let them
know about it. I must admit that tactic was a failure.
A few years ago I decided to change the way I
communicated with students in my online classes,
and it has made a huge difference.
Strategies
    
Encouragement vs Criticizing  con’t
In particular, I will email every student individually during the
second or third day of the semester to congratulate them for logging
into the course and/or starting any of the homework.
Here are some examples of emails I send:
“What a great start you are making to the semester Sam!!!! Keep it
up 
“What an awesome job on homework 1.2 Sam, I can tell this is
going to be a very productive semester 
. Keep it up.
     Just a friendly reminder that section 1.3 is also due this Saturday”
“Hi Sam, you did a very good job on the first few problems of
section1.3, but I noticed that you stopped working on them. Are
you stuck on any of the concepts? Please let me know if you have
any questions so I can help you”
Strategies
 
    
Encouragement vs Criticizing  con’t
The response has been overwhelming.
Students feel I am more approachable.
They email me questions more often.
They thank me for encouraging them, stating that it means a lot to them.
They gain confidence about the material and want to do better.
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Engage and motivate students using flipped classroom approaches, Blackboard quizzes, and video lectures. Utilize interactive technologies like NETOP Vision PRO software for enhanced classroom participation. Create a dynamic learning environment with collaborative tools for data analysis and hands-on activities.

  • Innovative Education
  • Engaging Students
  • Flipped Classroom
  • Interactive Technologies
  • Student Motivation

Uploaded on Sep 14, 2024 | 0 Views


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  1. Course Structures that Engage and Motivate Kim Sheppard Cecil College - Maryland Alketa Nina WorWic Community College - Maryland

  2. CECIL College Flipping a Statistics Course

  3. Classroom Setting 30 seat computer classroom Epson Bright link Projector 2 additional large display screens 3 large white boards across the front 2 additional white boards on side and back walls Instructor station has document camera Apple TV

  4. NETOP Vision PRO Software www.netop.com

  5. NETOP Vision PRO Software Share instructor screen with all students in the classroom Showcase student s screens Control Internet access Blank screen all computers Operate computers remotely

  6. Blackboard At the start of each class, I give a 5 minute Blackboard quiz Quiz opens 5 minutes prior to class starting and ends 5 minutes into class Quiz is timed (5 minutes) and open notes Students arrive on time and prepared and ready for class

  7. 5 Minute Blackboard Quiz

  8. Blackboard Achievements

  9. Flipped Statistics Class Students watch video lectures at home They take notes in a course notebook we provide them 5 minute Blackboard quiz is on video lectures Class time is spent clarifying concepts, doing activity based learning, and collecting and analyzing data

  10. Video Lectures Prep Work (CLICK HERE)

  11. StatCrunch We have a group page for all students taking Statistics The group page contains approximately 100 data sets Surveys are posted to the group page and completed by approximately 300 students Survey data is posted and used in class and on assignments Instructor Group Page

  12. StatCrunch Group Page

  13. StatCrunch Surveys

  14. Activities Library Data Collection Day Students select a random aisle, a random bookcase on that aisle, and a random book on that bookcase at the library to select a book for which they collect the following data: weight, length, width, height, title, author, gender of author The data are used to evaluate categorical and quantitative variables, regression analysis, and inference, both in class and on take home assignments. Large Student Survey This 60 question survey is administered via StatCrunch to all students enrolled in statistics courses at Cecil and collects demographics and non-demographic information, such as political affiliations, smoking, commuting time etc. This database is used frequently throughout the semester in class to calculate descriptive and inferential statistics.

  15. Activities McDonald s French Fries Students purchase a small order of French fries at one of the three local McDonald's. They bring the fries to campus and weigh them in order to conduct a test hypothesis (McDonald s website says a small order should weigh 71 grams). This is also a nice data set to use to discuss variation. Regression Vehicle Data Students collect vehicle data online (using a website like AutoTrader). They record mileage, year, price .etc., for a particular make and model of car and then this data is used for regression analysis.

  16. Sampling Distribution Activity

  17. Sampling Distribution Activity We have created two fake population data sets; one containing the age of every Cecil College student (N=2861). The second data set contains a categorical variable for every Cecil student on whether or not they are a first generation college student. We use these data sets for sampling distribution activities.

  18. Sampling Distribution Activity For the sampling distribution of the sample mean, we have students take a random sample of students from the fake population and compute the sample average for their sample. Every student does this and we talk about how the sample means vary. Each student takes 2-3 samples and notes the sample mean each time. The sample means are recorded onto sticky notes and posted on white board. This white board with sticky notes stays in class until the end of the semester. We then use an Applet in StatCrunch to continue to grow the distribution of the sample means.

  19. Sampling Distribution Activity A similar activity is done for the sampling distribution of the sample proportion.

  20. StatCrunch Applets

  21. StatCrunch Applets

  22. StatCrunch Applets

  23. Wor-Wic CC Course Structures

  24. College Algebra & Trigonometry Organization

  25. Calculus I Course Organization

  26. Blog (click here) Demonstration Depository & Mini Lectures

  27. Class Flow Start with Introduction, Definitions, Rules, Follow by a demonstration Then class works in groups on practice problems. .repeat again for next concepts

  28. Definitions/Rules Ex: Differentiation Rules d dx 1 n n ( ) f x = ( ) f x ( ) n f x d dx ( ) a = x x ln a a d dx dy dx ( ) d dx ( ) ( ) g x e = 1 n n = ( ) g x ( ) g x y ny e

  29. Practice d dx ( ) 1. 3 = cos x x y e 2 5 x 4. ) ( d dx ( ) 2. p 2 3 5 7 x x = + rx 5. ( ) g x 2 ra n Solutions 4 ( ) 3 ( ) de dx = + + 2 6. ( ) f x sin x x x 2 + 3 5 x x 3.

  30. Practice ( ) = 2 7. ( ) f x cos 3 10 x ( ) x = 2 7 8. ( ) f x 2sec 9. Solutions = ( 5 ( ) f x 2 3tan(2 ) ) x x 3 2 10. ( ) = 2 sin t sin f t e

  31. Strategies Notebooks and Workbooks I have compiled the lecture notes into notebooks or workbooks which I distribute out to the class in the beginning of the semester. This helps the students keep their notes organized and also pay attention to the concepts rather than hurry to copy everything down. The practice problems are done as group work during class and posted on the board.

  32. Strategies Pass the Ball In an effort to increase participation, without putting myself in a position to pick on students, I bought two balls which I pass out to two students in the beginning of the class. During class every time I ask a question the person who has the ball has to answer it. Once the person answers a question then (s)he passes the ball to another student who will be responsible in answering the next question.

  33. Strategies Encouragement vs Criticizing When I taught online classes, I would send emails to students who were falling behind to let them know about it. A few years ago I decided to change the way I communicated with students in my online classes, and it has made a huge difference.

  34. Strategies Encouragement vs Criticizing When I taught online classes, I would send emails to students who were falling behind to let them know about it. I must admit that tactic was a failure. A few years ago I decided to change the way I communicated with students in my online classes, and it has made a huge difference.

  35. Strategies Encouragement Encouragement vs vs Criticizing In particular, I will email every student individually during the second or third day of the semester to congratulate them for logging into the course and/or starting any of the homework. Here are some examples of emails I send: What a great start you are making to the semester Sam!!!! Keep it up What an awesome job on homework 1.2 Sam, I can tell this is going to be a very productive semester . Keep it up. Just a friendly reminder that section 1.3 is also due this Saturday Hi Sam, you did a very good job on the first few problems of section1.3, but I noticed that you stopped working on them. Are you stuck on any of the concepts? Please let me know if you have any questions so I can help you Criticizing con t con t

  36. Strategies Encouragement Encouragement vs vs Criticizing Criticizing con t con t The response has been overwhelming. The response has been overwhelming. Students feel I am more approachable. Students feel I am more approachable. They email me questions more often. They email me questions more often. They thank me for encouraging them, stating that it means a lot to them. They thank me for encouraging them, stating that it means a lot to them. They gain confidence about the material and want to do better. They gain confidence about the material and want to do better.

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