Implementation Effort: Light

  • Confirming Our Worth as Human Beings via an Online Discussion Board

    Precalculus students listen to and discuss a talk which communicates to students that they have an inherent dignity apart from their grades. This message is foundational to creating a sense of belonging both in the classroom and in STEM fields.

  • Using Online Quiz Tools to Assess Prior Knowledge

    Professor Kimberly Jackson uses Chem Quiz to assess how students are progressing and determine any gaps in instruction that she can address. Professors address specific learning needs, adjust pace, and provide supportive pathways when necessary. This knowledge informs the course content, helping professors address specific learning needs and and provide supportive pathways when necessary.

  • 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.

  • Modeling Learning Tools and Strategies Through Courseware Data Reporting Features

    Michele Hampton, a professor of economics, uses McGraw Hill Connect’s learning reports for this purpose. She teaches students how to read and interpret the data in the reports to assess their learning and progress. She also models for students how to use these reports by allowing the reports to shape her teaching. When the data…

  • Leveraging Student Interests and Experiences Through Gamified Digital Assessment

    Michele Hampton, a professor of economics, uses Kahoot! to recap lectures and award students extra credit points if they make it into the top three of the class. Content can be tailored to student interests, and easily adjusted in real-time. Professor Hampton also incorporates celebratory music videos into her Kahoot! quizzes, adding an element of engagement and…

  • 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…

  • Digital Assignments and Tools that Foster Inclusive Practices and Norms

    One of Professor Neil Garg’s assignments asks students to identify a problem in STEM education to solve through a digital solution. QR Chem, a mobile-device compatible digital molecular model tool, was created through this assignment to provide a free, more accessible alternative to physical molecular model kits, which are required for many chemistry courses.

  • Creating Virtual Discussion Spaces with Perusall

    Kimberly Jackson, a professor of biochemistry, uses Perusall to enable Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) activities by creating question prompts and having students digitally respond to their peers in groups. Professor Jackson creates question prompts in Perusall and has students digitally respond to their peers in groups.