A novel approach to teaching large undergraduate courses using methods derived from ‘interteaching’ was investigated. Students in two large sections of undergraduate abnormal psychology received preparation guides, and took part in in-class discussion sessions during which instructors circulated to answer questions. Following discussion, students completed interteaching reports, based upon whic...

As asynchronous discussion forums become more prevalent in online and flexible-delivery modes of teaching, understanding the role that instructors play in student learning in these forums becomes an important issue. Whether the instructor chooses to lead discussions or to keep a low profile can affect student participation in surprising ways. In this study, we investigate how instructor partici...

This qualitative study explores how using Peer Learning Forums (PLF) in an online asynchronous computer programming course can be analyzed to derive information about Student Activity Focus (SAF) for adult Information Technology students. Three instruments are proposed to assist instructors classify questions posted by students on these forums, obtain easy quantitative measures of their SAF, an...

Retired Engineers are playing an important role in ensuring that older people are not excluded from the benefits of technological advances. Technology is playing an increasingly important role in the lives of older people as it is incorporated into assistive devices, home security, access to health care, banking, communication and many other areas. However, if older people are unfamiliar with n...

This paper describes the role of simulation-based training in the military. Interviews and observations of military instructors in the damage control and shiphandling domains provide examples of how the instructors extend the student’s training beyond the well-defined simulated world with qualitative reasoning about context, hypothetical variants, and critical factors of the scenario. An intell...

The use of massive open online courses (MOOCs) to expand students’ access to higher education has raised questions regarding the extent to which this course model can provide and assess authentic, higher level student learning. In response to this need, MOOC platforms have begun utilizing automated essay scoring (AES) systems that allow students to engage in critical writing and free-response a...

Educators are increasingly using online computer-based training and assessment software— especially with large classes or in distance education settings. This technology is often criticized, however, for hampering personalized interaction with students. This paper introduces a unique approach for analyzing student characteristics influencing their adoption and use of computer-based educational ...

Hands Free Always On (HFAO) technology, such as the next generation of smart glasses, will likely become undetectable, turn up in classrooms in the near future and change teaching and learning. This paper is an exploratory study that analyzes two focus groups with faculty members at a research university. Participants were former and current NJIT instructors who have taught at an undergraduate ...

A common learning goal for modern physics instructors is for students to recognize a difference between the experimental uncertainty of classical physics and the fundamental uncertainty of quantum mechanics. Our prior work has shown that student perspectives on the physical interpretation of quantum mechanics can be characterized, and are differentially influenced by the myriad ways instructors...

Student response systems (SRS) are keypad devices that allow students to provide responses to questions embedded within a lecture, which can then be used to provide real-time feedback. In the fall of 2005 a second stage pilot implementation of these devices was carried out at a Midwestern technological research University, with 417 students in large enrollment chemistry and calculus courses. Th...