I teach a physics class that until recently was the exclusive domain of seniors. We have been accelerating qualified underclassmen through biology and chemistry over the past couple of years and the result has been that I now have classes that are anywhere between 10% to 30% sophomores and juniors.
This is great because because it puts pressure on the seniors to perform since the underclassmen do so well. However, on a day like today, when I don't have all my students in class. I could have been at a loss for an activity.
Enter the laptops...
Last week we had our King of the Hill car race competition. Students build mousetrap or rubber band cars, that race up a ramp. The first one to reach the top, or the car that knocks its opponent out of the way wins. It is an elimination competition that students really enjoy.
One of the things we require is that students have to write a final report documenting their cars performance in terms of physics variables and equations. One reason laptops in the classroom are a great boon is simply this: With my seniors gone, I have the resources to have my sophomores and juniors finish their reports in class.
It's very simple, but it allows me some time to get some prep work done for my seniors who are taking finals in 2 weeks, while allowing my other students to remain productive
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