Proposal Title
A novel resource for problem-solving and peer evaluation
Session Type
Presentation
Room
Somerville House, room 3317
Start Date
13-7-2023 10:30 AM
End Date
13-7-2023 10:50 AM
Keywords
peer-evaluation, problem solving, feedback
Primary Threads
Teaching and Learning Science
Abstract
Have you ever considered in-class opportunities for problem-solving? Critical thinking? Peer evaluation? These active learning activities provide our students with skill development paired with immediate feedback. Our students can build connections with their peers while increasing their confidence in their own abilities. For instructors, however, the idea of incorporating these activities can be daunting. There may be logistical challenges, technology constraints, and in many high-enrollment classes instructors alone cannot provide personalized feedback to all students.
To address these challenges, we have created a novel worksheet that facilitates in-class problem-solving and peer-evaluating activities.
How does it work? In our first-year chemistry and physics classes, students are presented with a problem and craft their solution directly on the worksheet. Once completed, the worksheets are re-distributed for immediate peer feedback and evaluation. The instructor guides students through the peer evaluation process using a well-designed rubric. Upon completion of the activity, the worksheets are collected and scanned, with student, grader and grade information automatically collected into a spreadsheet. Each student is sent an e-copy of their peer-graded answer with feedback. For students, there is no additional technology for them to learn; this is a “back-to-basics" approach that engages learners through pen-to-paper work.
The worksheet enables us to provide opportunities for collaboration and student-to-student interactions that are otherwise difficult to facilitate. The simple design of the worksheet allows it to be used for a variety of active learning activities, and it can easily be adapted for use in any course, large or small. In this presentation, we will show examples of how the worksheet enhanced our courses and discuss potential uses.
Elements of Engagement
In this in-person presentation, in-person participants will be given an opportunity to use the worksheet as a student by completing a pen-to-paper peer-review activity. Online participants will be provided with a QR code to view the worksheet and all participants can engage in a discussion of potential uses.
A novel resource for problem-solving and peer evaluation
Somerville House, room 3317
Have you ever considered in-class opportunities for problem-solving? Critical thinking? Peer evaluation? These active learning activities provide our students with skill development paired with immediate feedback. Our students can build connections with their peers while increasing their confidence in their own abilities. For instructors, however, the idea of incorporating these activities can be daunting. There may be logistical challenges, technology constraints, and in many high-enrollment classes instructors alone cannot provide personalized feedback to all students.
To address these challenges, we have created a novel worksheet that facilitates in-class problem-solving and peer-evaluating activities.
How does it work? In our first-year chemistry and physics classes, students are presented with a problem and craft their solution directly on the worksheet. Once completed, the worksheets are re-distributed for immediate peer feedback and evaluation. The instructor guides students through the peer evaluation process using a well-designed rubric. Upon completion of the activity, the worksheets are collected and scanned, with student, grader and grade information automatically collected into a spreadsheet. Each student is sent an e-copy of their peer-graded answer with feedback. For students, there is no additional technology for them to learn; this is a “back-to-basics" approach that engages learners through pen-to-paper work.
The worksheet enables us to provide opportunities for collaboration and student-to-student interactions that are otherwise difficult to facilitate. The simple design of the worksheet allows it to be used for a variety of active learning activities, and it can easily be adapted for use in any course, large or small. In this presentation, we will show examples of how the worksheet enhanced our courses and discuss potential uses.