Rationale Success in the introductory mathematics course sequence is essential for students who seek degrees in science, engineering, or mathematics. In the past, students have struggled in the pre-calculus/calculus course sequence and then they chose to pursue other non-technical majors. We envision a change in student performance due to both the novelty of the classroom experience and the enhanced learning environment that we have created. We will use Classroom Presenter to view student work in real time, developing peer-critiquing skills and highlighting areas of misconception during class time. We also hope to engage students through active participation in the class.

Implementation (pedagogy) The mathematics course sequence has traditionally been taught as a "chalk talk" with absolutely no technology such as calculators or computers. In the new course, we will use the tablet PCs with Classroom Presenter for both note-taking and in-class problem solving, including the display of student work so that students can learn from their classmates. All classes are recorded using Camtasia Studio and audio/video Flash files are provided to students though a course management website (CourseInfo).

Implementation (technology) The tablet PCs should enhance student learning by providing a means for students to learn from their classmates. The display of correct and incorrect methods of solution should also enable the instructor to address misconceptions and errors before they escalate into insurmountable difficulties.

Impact on Teaching The overarching goal of this project is to improve student retention in science, engineering, and mathematics undergraduate degree programs at Boston University. We seek to address this goal by using tablet PCs to improve student understanding and performance in SEP's mathematics courses. We expect that the classroom will be more student-centered and will be more responsive to the needs of students. Rather than relying on prepared lecture notes, the class will be guided by student understanding as manifest in problems that are solved on the tablet PCs and displayed for discussion.

Impact on Student Learning Student performance is the most important short-term measurement that we seek to improve through this project. In the long-term, however, we seek to improve student retention in science, engineering, and mathematics degree programs.

Ms. Cathy Lysy, SEP's Senior Academic Counselor, in FLR 247, SEP's Tablet PC Classroom

Quick Facts Dept: Science and Engineering Program Courses Impacted: MA 118 (in Fall 2008) # Students Impacted: 20 students are taking the course in Fall 2008 and 9 former students helped to develop the course materials during Summer 2008 # Faculty Involved: 2 This project is funded in part by a 2007 HP Technology for Teaching grant.

Contact Us Principal Investigator: Dr. Carla Romney 617 353-5530 http://www.bu.edu/met/sep Collaborating Faculty: Dr. Fabian Torres-Ardila 617 353-5530

References & Publications None yet.

This project supported in part by an HP Technology for Teaching grant.