Motivation These skill checks were created as we developed our online courses for music theory. They represent the skill competencies required for our two year lower division music major including skills required in preparation for the major. The skills are "learning slices," graduated in difficulty. The goal was to have the slices match in increasing difficulty and offer students a steady stream of successes as they move through the curriculum. The interactive java applets allow students to shoulder their own learning and move at their own rate.

Background We use these skill checks in a wide range of classes, some fully online and others in a traditional face to face setting. They are particularly useful in a lab setting where students can focus on their own learning needs and drill their weaker competencies. The immediate response to each question proves effective in keeping students on task and helps them target which "learning slices" need their attention. These are particularly useful in settings where student work needs to be individualized. Rate this Snapshot!

Learning Activities This group of applets works as our virtual practice room for student skill development. Some classes are entirely online so students work at a distance, while other classes use this practice room in an open lab setting with the instructor working in a coaching role. These skill checks are also used by tutors to help quickly assess student problems and demonstrate solutions Because they are graduated and slices of larger competencies, problems can be quickly targeted.

Impact of Use on Teaching and Learning These interactive skill checks have exceeded our expectations. Without them we would be hesitant to offer our theory classes online. We have found students who work online match skill levels with those in our face to face classes. The sequence of classes covers the first two years of the major and both populations are equally successful at the back end of the curriculum. In fact, we have moved the skill checks which were at first only used online into the curriculum of our face to face classes. Student responses are also consistently positive. One unexpected benefit is that students ask more focused questions when they seek out help. They identify which skill check is most problematic, which allows us to give very targeted help. We feel our teaching is more efficient as a result.

Tips for Teaching These skill checks can be used in a variety of settings where competencies need to be drilled. They are particularly effective for individualizing the learning activities of a class. In a lab setting this virtual practice room allows the instructor to operate more as a learning coach as students focus on their own learning needs.

Reflections I've learned that in many of my classes my teaching was being scattered across the class with hope that it would land productively on the students who needed it. As we moved students into the lab and gave them interactive tools for learning, our teaching became much more efficient. Our help is now more targeted and the student more engaged. The teaching learning ratio has tipped dominantly toward student learning. My next project is an expert applet that uses the same skill checks to assess student progress throughout the major curriculum. (See the Smart Test in the Merlot database.) Smart Test Link to Smart Test