Making Pre-Class Assignments an Effective Tool Engaging Students in an Active Learning Classroom

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 4:55 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Supporting Student Learning and Engagement in Mathematics (Table 27)

Abstract

Little research investigated the activities that engage students in learning outside the classroom, specifically engaging students before class. When teaching an undergraduate course on introduction to mathematical proof, I observed that many students had a hard time understanding the content discussed in class because they did not know basic mathematical notations, did not know how to use the textbook, and did not know how to communicate their mathematical ideas. Lack of preparedness made students hardly understand the content and then their learning interests were turned off. This paper reports how the pre-class assignments affected student learning. Some strategies will be shared to make pre-class assignments an effective tool for improving student learning outcomes.

Author

• Su Liang, University of Texas - San Antonio