Instructor’s Name

Elizabeth Birmingham

Course No., Name, and Call#

English 120, Composition II, Call # 44148

Semester Taught

Spring 2003

No. of Students

23

Type of Active Learning (AL): Cases/CL/ PBL/etc.

Daily group work, peer review of work (Although I did not use any specific "problems" written for this course, I attempted to employ active learning strategies that required students to be responsible for their own, and their peers’ learning. Moreover, I attempted to help students learn by doing.

Frequency of AL: Used in how many percentage of your class.

Everyday. I don’t lecture–I occasionally present information (10 minutes or less 1 or 2 times in a 75 minute class period), use directed small group discussion, employ in-class writing, use student presentations, have students do work and receive feedback in class.

Brief Description of AL methods? How did you use them? Your reflection on how effective the methods were in enhancing student learning?

I think the class was successful–students developed interest in peer reviewing and came to trust their peers for help and information. Students produced average work–though I required a lot work, both in and out of class. What surprised me was their attendance–12 absences total all semester, and willingness to undertake extra work. Over 3/4 did some kind of extra credit work–addition peer reviews, taking a course at the TLC, using the Center for Writers for help, etc. Although student work was very interesting, it was typical first year writing. However, students showed real engagement in the course in terms of interaction, class activity, and attendance.

Please rate

Considering the types of active learning methods (cooperative learning, problem-based learning, etc.) and how often they were used in your class, please rate the overall usage of AL method(s) in your current class as (please bold one): 1) Never, 2) Occasionally, 3) Often, and 4) Very often

If applicable, rate the overall usage of AL method(s) in your class taught in the previous semesters as (please bold one): 1) Never, 2) Occasionally, 3) Often, and 4) Very often. NA–first time teaching this course.

Class Score on the Survey of Student Engagement

Course URL (if any):

Other Comments

Elizabeth Birmingham
Assistant Professor, Department of English
320J Minard Hall
North Dakota State University
Fargo, North Dakota 58105

Office: (701) 231-6587
e-mail: Elizabeth.Birmingham@ndsu.nodak.edu

Prospective students may schedule a visit by calling: 1-800-488-NDSU.