Creating Practical Active Learning Stations to Transform and Improve Existing Learning Environments for Computer Science Students

主动学习和主动学习课堂已被证明是一种有价值的手段，可以更好地吸引STEM学生，增强他们的学习体验，提高他们在学习成果方面的表现。向更多学生提供主动学习教室的一个困难是，建造或改造现有教室的相关成本昂贵，对许多机构来说成本过高。我们需要更新、更经济的工具和方法来增加对这种新技术的访问，对这种新技术的评估将为不断增长的知识体系增添新的内容，即主动学习技术和教学法如何协同工作，以增强学生在课堂上的合作，提高学生在计算机科学入门课程中的表现和满意度。该项目将开发、部署和评估一种经济的方法，以适应现有的教室，促进计算机科学学生的主动学习。轻量级的、运行灵活的商用硬件和开源软件将用于创建一个由独立实用的、主动学习站（PALS）组成的网络。然后，这些工作站将被部署在现有的教室中，将其改造成一个主动学习教室。通过收集学生CS1和CS2的学习成果和感知学习经验的定性和定量数据来评估PALS系统的有效性。

Active Learning and Active Learning Classrooms have proven themselves as a valuable means to better engage STEM students, enhance their learning experience and increase their performance with respect to learning outcomes. One difficulty in providing more student access to Active Learning Classrooms is the associated cost of constructing or retrofitting existing classrooms is expensive and cost prohibitive for many institutions. Newer, more economical tools and approaches are needed to increase access and the evaluation of this new technology will add to a growing body of knowledge as to how Active Learning Technology and pedagogy work together to enhance student collaboration in the classroom and increase student performance and satisfaction in introductory Computer Science courses.This project will develop, deploy and evaluate an economical means of adapting existing classrooms to facilitate Active Learning for Computer Science students. Lightweight, commodity hardware running flexible, open-source software will be used to create a network of self-contained practical, active learning stations (PALS). These stations will then be deployed in an existing classroom to transform it into an Active Learning Classroom. The effectiveness of the PALS system will be evaluated through qualitative and quantitative data collected on student learning outcomes for CS1 and CS2 and perceived learning experience.