Tracking Participation in Large Classes Danny Garfield Timothy Kou Emma Miller Erez Morag Michael Vo

The Situation A natural part of class is the students’ participation. A natural part of class is the students’ participation. A participation is a communication from the student that boils down to one of two distinct actions: either the student is responding the instructor’s question, or the student is asking a question of his or her own. A participation is a communication from the student that boils down to one of two distinct actions: either the student is responding the instructor’s question, or the student is asking a question of his or her own. Instructors wish to collect data about their students’ participation habits. Instructors wish to collect data about their students’ participation habits. This includes how often students participate and the quality of each participation. This includes how often students participate and the quality of each participation.

The Problem In large classes, there is currently no easy way to record participation data without interrupting the flow of class. In large classes, there is currently no easy way to record participation data without interrupting the flow of class. Identification data is difficult to manage. Identification data is difficult to manage. Manually entering data into spreadsheets is a hassle; instructors “work the room” and can’t be tied down. Manually entering data into spreadsheets is a hassle; instructors “work the room” and can’t be tied down. Need to keep with current most natural form of student volunteering: raising of the hand. Need to keep with current most natural form of student volunteering: raising of the hand.

The Solution Mobility: Palm pilot Mobility: Palm pilot Naturalism: Student remote Naturalism: Student remote Efficiency: 2-click system Efficiency: 2-click system Flow: Continuous; no typing Flow: Continuous; no typing

Sort options: # of times Participated # of times Volunteered First person queued up to speak # of students (after those above) who volunteered to answer instructor’s question Next in line to ask a question or make a comment # of students (after this one above) who volunteered to ask a question or make a comment Dismiss Grade of quality: 0-10 Queue control