Using “YouTube” in Calculus I

Using pre-lecture video technique to increase class participation in

calculus I

The specific problem – “Class Participation”

Using “YouTube” as pre-lecture videos

Some data showing the implication of this method

Advantages

Disadvantages

Sample

This is my personal experience

This is only conducted once in the spring 2011 semester in the Hostos Community College

This experiment is only conducted over 29 students

I am not claiming this to be a scientific experiment nor recommending this to any instructor.

In the beginning of the class – no response

In the beginning of the class – no response

In the middle of the lecture (usually 3 to 4 times) – no response

In the beginning of the class – no response

In the middle of the lecture (usually 3 to 4 times) – no response

At the end of the lecture – no response

In the beginning of the class – no response

In the middle of the lecture (usually 3 to 4 times) – no response

At the end of the lecture – no response

Of course, there are a few exceptions

Understanding everything They are too confused to ask any question They do not even know what to ask There are other factors, for example, some

students are shy to speak out in the classroom setting.

Why so confused???

Forget pre-calculus materials Break of study May be some topics skipped in pre-

calculus Other reasons include “lack of

motivation”, “laziness”, “don’t care mentality” etc

Post pre-lecture videos on blackboard All students must watch it before they come to the

lecture. That is why it is called pre-lecture video Each video is approximately 10 minutes long based on

some specific topics Usually topics are selected from pre-calculus. This will

refresh their mind on that particular topic. For example, students watch the video on the factoring

of trinomials and the next day I gave lecture on the finding limit using algebraic approach. Believe it or not approximately 50% of the students have problem factoring – a topic in remedial math course.

What I get out of it?

What I get out of it?

Students are getting less confused in the lecture

What I get out of it?

Students are getting less confused in the lecture Students are more focused during the lecture.

What I get out of it?

Students are getting less confused in the lecture Students are more focused during the lecture. Class participation triple. From 2/3 students to 9/10

students. Still low for a class size of 30 students but at least this is an improvement.

What I get out of it?

Students are getting less confused in the lecture Students are more focused during the lecture. Class participation triple. From 2/3 students to 9/10

students. Still low for a class size of 30 students but at least this is an improvement.

More students asking questions about the calculus part of the lecture instead of the basic things.

Advantages

Spending less time explaining basic stuff

Advantages

Spending less time explaining basic stuff Students are more prepare to understand the

lecture

Advantages

Spending less time explaining basic stuff Students are more prepare to understand the

lecture More participation means more

encouragement for me

Advantages

Spending less time explaining basic stuff Students are more prepare to understand the

lecture More participation means more

encouragement for me Sometimes students learn more that one way

of solving a problem – one from the pre-lecture video and the other from the lecture

Advantages

Spending less time explaining basic stuff Students are more prepare to understand the

lecture More participation means more

encouragement for me Sometimes students learn more that one way

of solving a problem – one from the pre-lecture video and the other from the lecture

Students like to watch instead of reading. This may not be a good thing but it is the reality

)) [Using chain rule]

)) [Using chain rule]

Using simplification first

)) [Using chain rule]

Using simplification first

Using a slightly different method of simplification.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages

How to make sure all students watch the pre-lecture video that is posted?

Disadvantages

How to make sure all students watch the pre-lecture video that is posted?

Sometimes in the video wrong information is posted. So you need to watch the entire video before posting it in the blackboard

Disadvantages

How to make sure all students watch the pre-lecture video that is posted?

Sometimes in the video wrong information is posted. So you need to watch the entire video before posting it in the blackboard

Not all has high speed internet in their home and some do not even have a computer

Disadvantages

How to make sure all students watch the pre-lecture video that is posted?

Sometimes in the video wrong information is posted. So you need to watch the entire video before posting it in the blackboard

Not all has high speed internet in their home and some do not even have a computer

Technical difficulties

This is a very individualize experience It may not be appropriate for other subjects and

other colleges

Thank you