Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Grant

Progress Update

Scott Orme

Topics:

  1. Comparing the use and non-use of PowerPoint in lectures as it affects student verbal behavior and participation.
    1. Does using PowerPoint inhibit verbal participation of students?
    2. Does it reduce the instructor (me) from seeking input from students?
    3. Does this impact learning?

    So far I have completed observations and assessment of participation of students with the two different formats. I have also surveyed the preferences of the students in terms of the format that is most engaging for them. Those results are being put together at this time. I am still looking for best ways to measure the impact on learning. Because my exams occur after both formats have been used, it is an inappropriate tool to use. I want to do more frequent probes, but no in a formal testing format.

  2. Comparing cooperation versus competition as it impacts deeper understanding.

In a rigorous measurement theory class, the terminal project is a group presentation of a psychological test. They provide information on the various psychometric properties of the instrument (reliability, validity, norms, ethical issues, etc.). My experiment will be carried out this semester. Some of the groups will cooperate in presenting the tests and others will prepare for a debate on an instrument. One side will be for the test as a valid measure, the other against. I am developing measures to assess depth of understanding of the measurement concepts based on the format of the presentations.