Tech in Teaching

Case 1:

Linear Algebra for INFK

Setting

• Type: Mandatory first year service lecture
• Size: 300 students in one well equipped lecture hall, plus exercise classes
• Style: Traditionally taught by writing on the blackboard
• Materials: Script available to everyone
• Content: Abstract mathematics and algorithms; Need for high precision

Challenge

Algorithms are introduced as baby versions and later extended. How to present such extensions without copying the whole basic algorithm to the blackboard again?

Typical solution: Use slides on the projector

Problem with that: No persistence. Unable to show the algorithm and a sample computation at the same time.

Solution: Use Black

Only use the upper part of the projector canvas, fill the lower part with black!

Question

• Which challenges do you encounter when presenting your material?
• How do you use the classroom equipment, and why?

Discuss in pairs!

Case 2:

Analysis for MAVT & MATL

Setting

• Type: Mandatory first year service lecture
• Size: 650 students in one lecture hall and a live stream to a second hall, plus exercise classes
• Style: Traditionally taught by writing on the blackboard
• Materials: Script available for purchase
• Content: Many theorems and computations by hand
• Video podcast available to students (my choice)
• Exercises already contain automatically graded MC questions

Challenges

• Lecture always at 8-10, students are tired or less likely to come
• Little feedback on how the class is doing
• Content is sometimes abstract, difficult to get an intuition
• Using the blackboard is messy and takes time

Year 1: Introducing EduApp

Ask one MC question 25-30 minutes into each 45 minutes of lecture time

• Wakes students up
• Makes them to use the new material
• Feedback for students and for me

Open a Feedback Channel in EduApp

• Students can ask questions outside of classroom time
• More feedback for everyone

Year 2: Introducing GeoGebra

GeoGebra is a free and easy to use software to visualize geometric objects in 2D and 3D while allowing algebraic manipulations

• Large online repository of applets freely available
• Did not have time to develop own applets, simply copied from others
• Strongly helps students getting a grasp of what's going on in 3D analysis
• No crappy blackboard drawings anymore

• GeoGebra is available for all platforms, even in a browser and mobiles.
• GeoGebra applet: Evolute einer Polynom-Funktion

Year 3: Introducing Xournal

Switched from blackboard to digital notebook writing

• Whole lecture now taught on projector, no more going back and forth
• Digital notes are easy to edit, during and after class
• PDF of my proof-read notes available to students
• Drawing in Xournal is faster, easier and clearer than on blackboard

• Xournal: A digital presentation notebook for Linux systems. Similar software exists for other operating systems!
• Sample PDF of lecture notes, requires NETHZ login

Year 3: Innovedum Grant for GeoGebra Applets

Hired a scientific assistant to create a complete set of GeoGebra applets for my whole course

• Designing applets for classroom and student use, tailored to our standards
• Writing new exercises involving the applets
• Creating a style guide and best practices on how to use GeoGebra in this setting
• Sharing applets with lecturers teaching similar classes

More advanced GeoGebra applet: Tangent planes and the total differential, requires NETHZ login

Also available for students on the web (mobile compatible!)

Lessons learned (General)

• Take small steps, improve incrementally, polish the material from previous years
• Every change takes preparation and practice
• Have a fallback ready in case your tech breaks down
• Keep an overview of how you teach and what your changes do
  • My case: Blackboard cleaning was an important mini-break for students. I now spend more time reviewing where we are and what we've done so far on that day

Lessons learned (Technical)

• Cable internet is much more reliable than wireless
• Prepare all digital media/browser tabs before class, bring your laptop ready to go
• Set up your laptop distraction-free, e.g.:
• Quit programs with notifications (e-mail etc.)
• Use a different, clean browser in class than for your daily work
• Use full screen modes whenever possible, also in browsers
• Use virtual desktops/workspaces to switch seamlessly between content

What challenges did you face when using technology?