Digitally-Enabled, Evidence-Based Teaching Practice: Active Learning

  • Online Graphing Calculators Support Students to Focus on Mathematical Patterns

    Using an online graphing calculator can allow students to quickly see mathematical patterns, without the risk of being distracted by minor calculation errors or mistakes plotting points by hand.

  • Using an Online Simulation to Connect Linear Equations and Electrical Circuits

    Active learning through online simulations and explorations increases student participation, moving them beyond receiving information to creating knowledge. This particular example builds connections between the theory of solving one-step linear equations and the application of Ohm’s law and electric circuits.

  • Student-designed AI Chatbot Lab Teaches Both Math Content and AI Literacy

    This activity is implemented as a low-stakes lab designed to support conceptual understanding of challenging integration techniques while simultaneously teaching responsible, effective use of generative AI as a learning tool.

  • Structured Online Discussions in Calculus

    Students engage in a structured online discussion process designed to deepen understanding and foster community.

  • Testing Probabilistic Intuition Using Thousands of Trials in a Digital Environment

    Students are directly engaged through hands-on coding and experimentation in R, rather than passively receiving information. They create simulations, run trials, visualize outcomes, and dynamically explore probabilistic concepts, thus becoming deeply embedded in their own learning process.

  • Virtual Breakout Rooms for Student Co-Participation in a Course

    Edray Goins, a professor of mathematics and statistics, has students work on differential equation problems in Sakai LMS in virtual breakout groups. Working problems out in small groups allows students to work out numerical examples before coming back together to discuss with the larger class.

  • Using Digital Discussion Platforms to Enable Students to Problem Solve Together

    Binyomin Abrams, a professor of chemistry, and Edray Goins, a professor of mathematics and statistics, use Piazza and Overleaf, which in particular, brings STEM-specific collaboration to a centralized digital space. Both professors utilize its LaTeX editor, anonymous posting, and customizable polls to encourage peer collaboration.

  • Question Embedded Videos with Low- to No-Stakes Assessment

    Professor Binyomin Abrams started the Abrams Research Group, which provides question-embedded videos for K-12 and college-level science education. Questions on foundational concepts are embedded at key points throughout Abrams Research Group videos for students to informally assess their understanding of the material.

  • Engaging Students Through Gamified Digital Learning Curriculum

    Neil Garg, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and a group of UCLA students developed the app, Backside Attack, to help students learn the SN2 mechanism, a key concept for organic chemistry. The app mixes both games alongside assessment pieces to ensure that students can translate what they are learning to how they may be…

  • Creative Assignments that Leverage Technology for Peer Collaboration

    Neil Garg, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry, assigns projects that ask students to translate chemistry concepts into creative exercises. In his organic chemistry music video assignment, he has students form groups to create music videos illustrating chemistry concepts that in turn teach their peers. More than 1200 students in Neil’s Chem 14D course have…