Hi Karen
We routinely use TBL in classrooms of 160 students (fixed
seat tiered lecture theatre)
And use a variety of reporting strategies in the larger
classes.....mostly the typical hand paddles...but have used a Google doc a few
times (all teams can edit same document at same time.....Instructor preformats
document then share login info with whole class.....instructor can display the
results instantaneously after student report)
The only struggle we have is with energy in the reporting
discussion since only 1 of 160 can speak at one time
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One of my courses divides the room into 4 divisions
with 7-8 teams in each division.....this help the instructor move the discussion
around the room
In this same course they do a lot of activities where the
lowest price option that survives class scrutiny wins some bonus marks.....they
use the division here as well....I get bonus points if my division wins....so
even though my teams design may have been eliminated......I may argue for
another team in my division.....to get my bonus marks
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I think at University of Texas Austin they have done TBL in
classes of 380
I have heard rumours of classes of 500....but no
details
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With 280 students you could consider using your course
management system to move the individual test out of class time?....maybe
clickers?
Cheers
Jim
Hello Everyone,
I will be attending my first TBL conference in Austin this March and am
hoping to connect with others teaching undergrad intro science courses,
specifically Biology. I am experienced with interactive engagement
teaching approaches in smaller class sizes (e.g. 30 students) but I am looking
for expertise and resources applicable to using the TBL approach in large
sections of an intro non majors biology course with 240 students for Fall 2009.
Also, I am very interested in learning more about technology enabled TBL
in large courses. Thanks, in advance for your time. I am looking
forward to meeting new TBL colleagues and sharing ideas!
Regards,
Karen
Karen Sirum, PhD
Assistant Professor, Biology Education Research and
Development
Dept. of Biological Sciences, 202 Life Sciences Building
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403
tel. 419-372-3877
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Science is telling a story and the process of getting it less
wrong.
-- paraphrased from Paul
Grobstein