Just-in-Time Teaching and Its Modifications in the Statistics Classroom

• Activity Number: 547
• Type: Roundtables
• Date/Time: Wednesday, August 4, 2010 : 12:30 PM to 1:50 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Education
• Author(s): John D. McKenzie, Jr.*+
• Companies: Babson College
• Keywords: adjustments ; clickers ; JiTT ; learning ; muddiest point ; pre-class assignments

Abstract

As explained at www.jitt.org, this technique is defined as a teaching and learning strategy based on the interaction between web-based study assignments and an active learner classroom. In its original form, students respond to questions prior to the class and the instructor reads their responses and adjusts the class to suit the student needs. The major goals of JiTT are to maximize the efficiency of the classroom, maximize learning by structuring out-of-class time, and create a team-orientated course to maximize the amount of retainable knowledge. Among recent modifications to this technique are asking students about the muddiest point in the assigned reading prior to class and asking "clicker" questions during class for just-in-time in-class adjustments. You are invited to share your experiences with the use of JiTT in statistics courses (or learn from the experiences of others).