Flex Classroom Learning Environment

Student Testimonials

• This was probably the best class experience.  I wish more classes were small and interactive like this one. 
• If I was not able to work in a group, or discuss homework during discussion I probably would have not got a good grade in the class; it would have been much harder. 

 

Student Engagement

Sitting in groups allowed me to communicate and get to know a small number of people very well. I think it also helped the four of us in comparing notes and asking questions to each other in a pressure-free environment. It was helpful because when there was something in lecture that wasn't easily understandable we could easily ask each other and communicate. The in-class assignments and group activities helped *MONUMENTALLY* in understanding the material. More helpful because the chairs aren't bolted to the floor.  Also, the whiteboards all around the room wre helpful. This is a great way to work on problems as a group and interact with the group members.

Student Collaboratory

Using the white board for activities tests our understanding of the material, and we also have our code looked over to find mistakes. The hands on exercises allowed all students to learn interactively about possible problems in the real world that could be used not only in class but prepare us for grad school or in the real world experiments.  We used these to work in groups, very good tool to use, allows groups to work together and explain the code we wrote. Clarifies any misunderstandings. I prefer whiteboard learning over seeing powerpoint slides, since it forces the professor to slow down to a level where the students can understand what (s)he is talking about. However, the projection screens were almost always down and the professor often would use a tiny space on the whiteboard in between the two screens where he would write on the board as he was explaining something. Given the small area of the whiteboard space he was using, he often blocked the diagrams he was drawing to at least half of the class with his back. He rarely repositioned himself so that the blind half of the students could see the diagrams. The large amount of white boards worked well for the in class exercises. Instructor used the white boards effectively because the group work was written on the boards where everyone could view them. .

Student Team Interactions