Project

Tin Can Classroom

None

Classroom discussions may not seem like an environment that needs a new kind of supporting technology. But we've found that augmenting classroom discussions with an iPad-based environment to help promote discussion, keep track of current and future discussion topics, and create a shared record of class keeps students engaged and involved with discussion topics, and helps restart the discussion when conversation lags. Contrary to what you might expect, having another discussion venue doesn't seem to add to student distraction; rather it tends to focus distracted students on this backchannel discussion. For the instructor, our system offers powerful insights into the engagement and interests of students who tend to speak less in class, which in turn can empower less-active students to contribute in a venue in which they feel more comfortable.