Week 1 - (2.27.12)

I decided to use the laptops this week at each of my tables to have students play PowerPoint Jeopardy. The laptops served as game consoles and allows multi-player jeopardy. Each table corresponded to a team, and I had teams of 3-4 students

Using an idea given to me by Ramsey Musallam, I created a Google form to be used as a time-stamped jeopardy answer sheet for each student team. A shortened link was provided  (bit.ly/yrx5ko)

  
Students would see the following question projected:

After giving them some time to solve the problems on whiteboards and enter their responses (in the form of a question) I would show the correct answer. 

 Students would then see who the winner was by correct answer AND time stamp:

 Advantages:
1) Great formative assessment
2) Student engagement in the spirit of friendly competition
3) We cover more problems in 40 minutes than normal because students want to play
4) When all the team responses are incorrect, I can reteach, solve a problem, or clear up misconceptions on the spot.
6) Technology enhances pedagogical outcomes in way that would not be possible without it (eg. the time stamp allows me to see how apart the students are in time-spread for solving a problem.)


Disadvantages
1) Not every student is completely engaged and there is opportunity for some to not pay attention and solve problems
2) Very little student teaching as they are interested in solving the problem and being fast
3) Hard to assess if every student is learning or participating


I am sure there are other advantages and disadvantages, but I have not thought of them yet. 


I will be fine-tuning this approach to make it more engaging both in terms of enjoyment and in terms of really getting all students to participate and solve problems.


Stay tuned...