Exploring Teaching and Learning in Active Learning Room with Special Programme in Science
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The document discusses the Active Learning Room (ALR) at the National University of Singapore that is used for the Special Programme in Science (SPS). It provides an overview of the SPS curriculum and goals. The ALR is described as having movable furniture and equipment at each student desk that allows for interaction and problem-solving in small groups. A typical lecture in the SPS course SP3176 involves the professor presenting a problem for student groups to discuss and present solutions. Student feedback indicates the ALR facilitates collaboration and learning. The conclusion discusses the role of the ALR in the future of education.
![Utilizing ALR’s Facilities:
A typical Day in SP3176 Lecture
• Significant portion of the lecture is
dedicated for problem solving.
• Problems are usually given in the
midst of introducing a new
concept.
• Students are given 5-10 minutes
to discuss within the group.
• A group is randomly chosen to
present the answer from their
desk.
• Alternative answers from other
groups (if any) are discussed.
Example of SP3176
Lecture Problem:
Reason that the cosmological prin-
ciple1 implies that any observer
looking at the motion of galaxies will
find the radial velocities proportional
to the distance between her and the
galaxy.
[10 + 5 min]
1The cosmological principle: The Universe
is homogeneous and isotropic.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/buzzed2014dewanto-160130132343/85/Exploring-Teaching-and-Learning-in-Active-Learning-Room-with-Special-Programme-in-Science-11-320.jpg)
Exploring Teaching and Learning in Active Learning Room with Special Programme in Science
- 1. EXPLORING TEACHING AND LEARNING IN ACTIVE LEARNING ROOM WITH SPECIAL PROGRAMME IN SCIENCE Andreas Dewanto Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore Block S16 Level 3, 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546
- 3. Acknowledgement: Special Programme in Science Staff Dr. Chammika Udalagama Dr. Leslie Gapter Dr. Linda Sellou Mr. Andreas Dewanto (Assistant Director) Dr. Adrian M. Lee (Director) Dr. Lim Zhi Han
- 4. Outline • SPS in a Nutshell • Active Learning Room Setup • Teaching and Learning in ALR • Student Feedback • ALR in the Future Photos courtesy of Sum Yuheng
- 5. SPS in a Nutshell • Established in 1996 to expose talented science students to multidisciplinary science and train them toward research excellence • Practice Integrated Science Curriculum, which cultivates: – Scientific methodology – Computation skill – Communication skill – Collaboration through peer- learning and mentorship in problem-solving. Photos courtesy of Andreas Dewanto
- 6. Integrated Science Curriculum Year of Study Semester 1 Semester 2 1 (Freshmen) SP2173 Atoms to Molecules SP2174 The Cell SP2171 Discovering Science 2 (Sophomore) SP3175 The Earth SP3176 The Universe SP3172 Integrated Science Project 3 Junior mentorship 4 (Honors) Senior mentorship • Run in addition to student’ respective core programme • 2-year programme, consists of 4 thematic-based modules (73, 74, 75 & 76) and 2 research-based modules (71 & 72) • Dynamic and intensive teaching and learning environment, involving staff, students, and mentors (3rd, 4th, and postgrad)
- 7. Active Learning Room • Located in S16 Level 3 • Commissioned in 2011, under the purview of Science Dean’s Office • Co-funded by FoS and Centre for Instructional Technology • Max capacity: 42 students. Ideal capacity: 20 – 30 students Instructor’s desk Students’ desks. Each desk is able to accommodate up to 6 students Semi-circular layout to maximize instructor-students interaction
- 8. A Closer Look at ALR’s Facilities: Students’ Desk Photo courtesy of Lim Zhi Han 40” screen, to display input from instructor’s desk or other students’ desks Visualizer, to present students’ work to the main projector or other desks Each desk is also equip- ped with the standard Audio-Video I/O for students to connect their laptops to. Apart from the instructor’s desk, the whiteboards and projector, other furniture in ALR is movable. This allows fluidity and mobility in the class, which in turn encourage interaction.
- 9. A Closer Look at ALR’s Facilities: Instructor’s Desk Photo courtesy of Lim Zhi Han AV panel enables instructor to control what is being cast into projector screen and/or individual monitors on students’ desk, which input that comes from either the instructor desk or individual students’ desk. Instructor is also equipped with visualizer and standard Audio-Video I/O.
- 10. A closer look at ALR’s Facilities: Layout Photos courtesy of Lim Zhi Han Secondary screen mirrors the main projector for instructor’s reference Whiteboards along the wall for students’ use
- 11. Utilizing ALR’s Facilities: A typical Day in SP3176 Lecture • Significant portion of the lecture is dedicated for problem solving. • Problems are usually given in the midst of introducing a new concept. • Students are given 5-10 minutes to discuss within the group. • A group is randomly chosen to present the answer from their desk. • Alternative answers from other groups (if any) are discussed. Example of SP3176 Lecture Problem: Reason that the cosmological prin- ciple1 implies that any observer looking at the motion of galaxies will find the radial velocities proportional to the distance between her and the galaxy. [10 + 5 min] 1The cosmological principle: The Universe is homogeneous and isotropic.
- 12. Dr. Lim Zhi Han in Action during SP3176 Lecture Photos courtesy of Lim Zhi Han Getting close and personal with the students A student presenting his solution, a typical scene in SP3176 lecture
- 13. Students in Action during SP3176 Lecture Photos courtesy of Lim Zhi Han
- 14. SP3176 Internal Student Feedback on ALR (1) SD: Strongly disagree SA: Strongly Agree D: Disagree A: Agree Reference: Z.H. Lim, C. Udalagama, L. Gapter, A. Dewanto, L. Sellou, A.M. Lee (2013) Active and Collaborative Learning in an IT-enhanced Interactive, EDULEARN13 Proceedings, pp. 3997-4004.
- 15. SD: Strongly disagree SA: Strongly Agree D: Disagree A: Agree Reference: Z.H. Lim, C. Udalagama, L. Gapter, A. Dewanto, L. Sellou, A.M. Lee (2013) Active and Collaborative Learning in an IT-enhanced Interactive, EDULEARN13 Proceedings, pp. 3997-4004. SP3176 Internal Student Feedback on ALR (2)
- 16. Dr. Adrian Lee in Action during Interactive Tutorial Group Discussion The mobile desks are convenient to be moved around to set simple table-top experiments up anywhere in the room Making use of the white- board for discussion Photos courtesy of Andreas Dewanto
- 17. The Role of ALR in the Future • Con: not suitable for conventional teaching en-masse, resource intensive. • Pro: ideal for seminar-style, problem-based and collaborative teaching and learning • ALR is ideal for flip teaching. • ALR facilitates university’s iBLOC (Internal Blended Learning Online Course) initiative • Is ALR going to be a norm in future? I believe it is just a matter of time
- 18. Thank you Photo courtesy of John Ouyang Contact: Dr. Adrian Lee (chmaml@nus.edu.sg) Mr. Andreas Dewanto (andreas.dewanto@sps.nus.edu.sg)