Seven Principles at WPI: Technology as a Lever Principle Five: Good Practice Emphasizes Time on Task
January 8, 2007
In 1987, Chickering and Gamson first published their “Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education.” In 1996, Chickering and Erhmann published a follow-up to this original essay taking into consideration the new and innovative technologies available at that time that would enable the implementation of these principles in the classroom entitled “Implementing the Seven Principles: Technology as a Lever.”
During the next two newsletters, we will explore ways faculty at WPI can implement the remaining seven principles into their undergraduate and graduate courses using many of the technologies and resources supported by the Academic Technology Center.
Last month, we explored the fourth principle, “Good Practice Gives Prompt Feedback.” This month, we explore the fifth principle, “Good Practice Emphasizes Time on Task.”
Chickering and Ehrmann wrote: "Time plus energy equals learning. Learning to use one’s time well is critical for students and professionals alike. Allocating realistic amounts of time means effective learning for students and effective teaching for faculty” (1996). There are many ways by which technology can be used to improve time on task for both students and faculty in and out of the classroom.
For ideas and tips on using technology to increase time on task for both instructors and students, visit the following:
- Creating Assignments with the Assignment Manager in myWPI - The Assignment Manager allows course instructors and TAs to batch download submitted assignments and is integrated with the Gradebook tool.
- Post Class Notes Online Using myWPI - Posting class notes either before or after a lecture encourages students to pay more attention to what is being lectured rather than copying what is being displayed on the projector or whiteboard. Studies have shown that posting class notes online before lectures does not result in students no longer coming to class. In a November Food for Thought session, WPI’s own students confirmed this.
- Use visual examples such as Learning Objects and Virtual Field Trips to enhance content that is being taught and make it more meaningful for students in an efficient way.
- Use the Test Manager in myWPI or the Classroom Performance System to create assessments that can be automatically graded upon student completion.
Next month we will explore the sixth principle, “Good Practice Communicates High Expectations.”
References
Chickering, A.W. & Gamson, Z. F. (1987). Seven principles for good practice in undergraduate education. AAHE Bulletin, 39(7), 3-7.