USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN GENERAL CHEMISTRY COURSES TO AID IN STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

Student engagement in college courses is essential to foster the active learning process in large classrooms. A software-based student-response system (ResponseWare) was used in conjunction with group work. Students formed groups of 3-4 students in the beginning of the semester to work together on in-class activities. They also made sure that their group had at least 2 members who had a device (laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc.) that they could bring to class every day. The group would have one member log in during a lecture - and that person would act as the group 'spokesperson' for the day. They would then rotate who logs in and is the spokesperson for each lecture. The result is that the instructor gets immediate feedback on how well students understand the in-class activities and it reinforces the students learning from each other by working together on activities within the groups. Additionally - the iPad has been used to wirelessly run lectures (Doceri) - control anything on the host computer - and smoothly annotate over anything on the screen/projector. This untethered the instructor from the front of the room and gave better access to engage other students in the classroom. The presenter will demonstrate the uses of these technologies in order to foster a more productive student-centered learning environment.