EDCI 270 - Large Lecture Technology Solutions

Yesterday, I gave a brief presentation on the different types of software that future teachers could consider using. Based on many of my free demo from MACUL, I was able to consider some of the more pertinent software for these students. A PodCast of the lecture is available via BoilerCast (March 20). I felt it went rather smoothly, although we did have one quick problem when accessing Google Earth and the computer went down. Luckily, Dr. Newby was able to tell a story about Google Earth, and I was able to call on one of my students from another class (Laura Goldin in EDCI 271) and we discussed how she used Google Earth in one of her practicums when students were studying Geology. The other software items I presented were Scholastic Keys, Online Frog Dissection, BrainPOP, and we briefly talked about software evaluation. One of the interesting things I love about this large lecture is the opportunity to reach so many potential teachers and therefore so many K12 students in the future. If I can change their minds about technology, think of how many more K12 students may be affected - and that's the entire purpose after all: to change and improve K12 education. At least that's why I went into this business. Large lectures (contrary to popular belief) do not have to always utilize the "Sage on Stage" approach. However, with 465 students in our large lecture each semester, it becomes difficult to be a "Guide on the Side". Here are some ways we've tried to solve that:

1. Lab Pockets in Lecture. We organize students in their lab sections in lecture so they have a smaller community within the large lecture. The lab TA sits with these students and uses a sign (mine is bright pink with sparkles) to let the students know where they are sitting. Students feel more comfortable asking questions, and we can have active small group discussions/activities with the lab TA and a smaller more manageable number of students.

2. Email Students. When a student participates in lecture, the TA sends Dr. Newby their name, email, and comment. Dr. Newby then emails the student to thank them and offer additional information on their comment. You wouldn't believe the impact - they act like someone famous has emailed them and they brag about it in their lab!

3. Videos on Basic Materials Ahead of Time. In order to engage in more applied knowledge (the whole point of education), Dr. Newby goes over his basic knowledge from the book in his "From The Author" video presentations. Students watch these before lecture and come prepared to discuss the material from the book and those videos. We apply that knowledge with some type of classroom activity.

4. Clickers. We use the clickers for more student interaction, polls, attendance, all sorts of things! Still technical problems, but we're working through them. We like to model as much technology integration as possible, as well as show them to have a back-up plan and be flexible. :)

I found a few other good ideas for technology integration in large lecture courses:

EDCI 270 - Large Lecture Technology Solutions