Subject: Re: Electronic discussion in math classes
From: George Dorner (gdorner@harper.cc.il.us)
Date: Mon Mar 20 2000 - 10:44:09 EST
I have used www.nicenet.org for several years, chiefly as a communicion scheme
and web referencing scheme with classes. I also post solutions which I link
to. (I do these by hand and scan them - I'm too impatient for typing solutions
which don't have the character of handwritten material.)
Occasionally, a student will start a discussion with classmates - often along
the lines of: "How do you do #23?" These have occasionally continued for a
little while. I think your observation about initiation and prodding are
correct.
I have been disappointed in the use of this neat and free facility by
students. Many need to be pushed by an assignment to use it. But most of our
students are working and many don't have access from home. And again, I don't
see much on the web which is really useful in my courses.
A colleague here is posting "thought problems", not from the text and somewhat
more conceptual, for students weekly (or more often). He is pleased, I think,
with how it helps to get students engaged in the material (3d calculus.) He is
tuned in here and may respond to you, too.
geo dorner
Harper College
Geoffrey Akst wrote:
>
> Some of my colleagues in other disciplines are using threaded discussion
> groups to encourage student/student or student/faculty interaction --
> generally within the classroom but sometimes from home. Of what value is
> such discussion in a college math class? I think the key to its value is
> the kind of question with which the instructor starts a
> discussion. Perhaps such an arrangement can foster student interaction in
> attacking problems. I'd be grateful to learn of any experience which
> you've had with this teaching strategy, and in particular, what topics you
> set for the discussion.
>
> Cordially,
>
> Geoff Akst
>
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