Using Laptops in Classes

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Using Laptops in Classes

• Terrie Shannon

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Practical Advice

• Need extension cords! (dead batteries)
• Duct tape!
• Always have a back-up plan

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Decisions, decisions, decisions

• Whether/when to use laptops in class
• When NOT to use laptops in class
• How to use laptops effectively
• Option 2 classrooms in 1
• (open laptops/closed laptops)

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Classroom Management Issues

• Can students multi-task?
• Faculty members rights and responsibilities
• Concerns? Questions?

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In-class Laptop Use(vs Out-of-class)

• In class
• To motivate students
• When different perspectives will be helpful
• Want teams/partners to work together
• Need access to real-time or real-world data
• Want groups to teach each other
• Want to model use of new software, how to
  effectively navigate relevant websites, etc.

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Examples of In-class Use

• Teaching how to use RefWorks
• Small groups creating presentations
• Critically evaluating the quality of websites

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Example modeling downloading software

• http//www.smarttech.com

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Enhancing Learning with Laptops in the Classroom
(8 categories)

• From Tomorrows Professor BLOG
• published by MIT and Stanford
• where people can discuss teaching learning
• http//amps-tools.mit.edu/tomprofblog/
• http//amps-tools.mit.edu/tomprofblog/archives/200
  6/05/727_enhancing_l.htmlmore
• From BOOK Enhancing Learning with Laptops in the
  Classroom
• Nelson Weaver Jossey-Bass

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1. Student-Data Collection

• virtual first day index cards
• Surveys
• The Muddiest Point, One-Minute Paper
• Reactions to videos, demonstrations, lectures
• Questions after a class activity
• Feedback on peer presentations
• Midsemester feedback on course

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2. Student Assessment

• Quiz over reading assignment
• Open-book or open-note test
• Collaborative group quiz
• Reaction to a guest speaker
• Practice test (as review for real test)

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3. Student Self-Assessment

• Learning Styles and Preferences
• Personality and Temperament
• Leadership Skills
• Your own pre-tests or surveys

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4. Student Research

• Small groups doing research on the Web
• Example WebQuests
• Professor has pre-selected Internet sites for
  students
• Students work in small groups
• Each group has different tasks
• Each group teaches class what they learned

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5. Simulated Experiences

• http//people.clemson.edu/rllafg/mmlhome.htm
• Tons of these on the Web!

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6. Analysis of Digitized Performances

• Music
• Dance
• Theatre
• Case Studies

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7. Student Collaboration

• Think-Pair-Share (can post in discussion forum)
• Discussing/Responding to case studies
• Finding information on the Web, sharing with
  class (either live or in discussion forum)
• LOTS of other examples

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8. Learning Exercises

• http//www.merlot.org
• http//www.onlineethics.org/CMS/workplace/workcase
  s/Lockheed.aspx
• http//shodor.org/interactivate
• http//www.wisc-online.com/index.htm
• http//elearning.utsa.edu/guides/LO-repositories.h
  tm

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Contact Information

• If questions, zip me an email
• tshannon
• 6349