ntltc 2011 - using pencasts to teach trade calculations and problem solving in thermodynamics

Using Smartpens in Teaching8 April 2023

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Using Pencasts to teach trade calculations and problem solving in Thermodynamics

Cliff McKenna, Martin Kelly, Frank Cook and James MackayWellington Institute of Technology

Using Smartpens in Teaching

• What we can do with smartpens• Students making Pencasts• Tutors making Pencasts

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How smartpens work and using smartpens to record information

– Make pencasts of mathematical procedures that are relevant for the trades

– Make pencasts explaining mathematical concepts that are difficult to understand

– Use pencasts to help with diagnosing student problems

– Make pencasts to help students develop problem solving techniques in thermodynamics

– Make pencasts to explain how things work

Uses we have found for Smartpens

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Using Action Research to evaluate the use of smartpens at WelTec

CYCLE 1

–Trial period – making pencasts and getting a feel for using smartpens in teaching mathematics ideas, getting ethical approval (Completed)

–Gathering Data – Collecting pencasts, interviewing students, looking at test scores – to be completed by the end of October

–Data analysis – Ongoing

–Re-adjust – collate findings and write first report (November)

CYCLE 2: Repeat 2012

Research Plan

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Using Smartpens to teach auto electrical calculations

• Series circuit student calculation• Parallel circuit student calculation• Tutor Demonstration Pencast

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Using Smartpens in Auto electrical

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Student Pencast: Series Circuit Calculation

Using Smartpens in Auto electrical

Student Pencast: Parallel Circuit Calculation

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Using Smartpens in Auto electrical

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Tutor Pencast: Demonstration calculation on parallel circuits

Using Smartpens to teach trade calculations in Plumbing

• Student calculation• Tutor Pencast

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Using Pencasts in Plumbing

Student Pencast: Plumbing Calculation

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Using Pencasts in Plumbing

Tutor Pencast : Plumbing Calculation - Circles

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Using Pencasts in Plumbing

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Tutor Pencast: Interaction with students

Using Smartpens to teach problem solving in Thermodynamics

• Problem Solving Methodolgy• Tutor Pencast – solution to a

problem• Tutor Pencast – Explaining an idea

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Using Pencasts to teach Problem solving in Thermodynamics

Problem Solving Methodology – Not Plug and Chug1.Problem Statement2.Schematic3.Assumptions and Approximations4.Physical Laws5.Properties6.Calculations7.Reasoning, Verification, Discussion

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Using Pencasts to teach Problem solving in Thermodynamics

Tutor Pencast – solution to a problem

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Using Pencasts to teach Problem solving in Thermodynamics

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Tutor Pencast – explaining an idea

Main Findings

• Start up issues• Building capacity - Tutors making

pencasts• Students use of pencasts• Students making pencasts

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Start up issues

Purchasing pens and books took time

Loading the software onto staff computers took time

How easy the software was to use

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Issues that needed some work at the beginning:

Building capacity – tutors making pencasts

“I am more relaxed with the time constraints as courses have been merged I can give the students the pen (pre teach) and carry on with other students and return to the pen and student and they often have the concept.”

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Comment by tutor:

Building capacity – tutors making pencasts

“It is another tool that I can use. It freezes time, allows me to be in two places at once.”

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Comment by tutor:

Students use of pencasts

“This was really useful especially for some of the hard problems” – Thermo

“It helps us with new ideas” – ThermoThe Tutor “is on tap and I can go back half way through a problem” - Thermo

Some comments by students

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Students using pencasts

“Once the students realise that we have a replay they seem to relax during the maths and pick up the concept faster. It is as if well if I miss something I can replay it. They don’t seem to want to listen and use the pen too often – the pen transferred the knowledge as some kind of insurance scheme.”

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Comment by tutor:

ConclusionDid the tutors gain anything?Did Students gain anything?

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Next steps?

8 April 2023

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Gail Kirkland and James Mackay

James Mackay

Wellington Institute of Technology

Wellington Institute of Technology