Using Digital Discussion Platforms to Enable Students to Problem Solve Together

Binoymin 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.

Digital Resources

Piazza

https://piazza.com

Piazza is a learning management system which allows students to ask questions in a forum-type format. Instructors are able to moderate the discussion, along with endorsing accurate answers. It features Features LaTeX editor and highlighted syntax and code blocking. It integrates with every major LMS.

Overleaf

https://www.overleaf.com

Overleaf is a free, online platform for creating and editing documents using LaTeX, a markup language for formatting and displaying information. Overleaf is open source and platform-independent, so any LaTeX-based program can read and format Overleaf documents.

Digital Enablement

Collaboration and communication in a virtual setting requires the tool to enable rather than prevent students engaging with each other. Using virtual discussion forums that are rich in relevant features is key for students to actively problem solve together.

Active Learning Peer Collaboration

Implementation Effort:

Light

Subject:

Math Chemistry

Use Case:

Assignment Instructional Activity