JiTT Example Implementation
The following is an example of how Laura Guertin at Penn State Brandywine schedules her JiTT assignments, what she calls "GeoBytes." She uses JiTT in her introductory-level geoscience courses that are in a lecture-only format. The class meets for 50 minutes three days a week.
Saturday, 8:30AM, three short-answer questions appear in a web-based form linked in ANGEL, Penn State's course management software system (similar to WebCT and Blackboard). Along with the form are the directions and assigned readings needed to answer the questions.
Friday (six days later), 8:30AM, by this time, students must have answered the questions. The link to the form disappears in ANGEL at 8:30AM so late submissions cannot be accepted.
Friday, 8:30-10:30AM, Guertin reviews the student responses, looks for consistent errors or misinterpretations, designs follow-up questions for discussion and group work for lecture that morning.
Friday, 10:30AM, students arrive for class. Instead of a traditional lecture period, Guertin presents highlights of student responses without revealing the identity of the student who provided the answer. By showing some responses, students can connect with interpretations similar to theirs, or use these as starting points for discussion.
Example class period: Start by restating the first question from the JiTT exercise (it is helpful to show the question on an overhead, written on the front board, or bring up the webpage students accessed outside of class). Ask for volunteers to respond, and challenge each student to present the reasoning behind their response. After a few students respond, review any terminology or concepts that were points of confusion in the WarmUp. Extend the discussion to include a current geoscience event or news story related to the topic. Students may be presented an additional quantitative problem to work on individually, then share the results in groups. Some of the WarmUp questions may lend themselves to discussion more readily than others. Do not be afraid to let the discussion stray from the original topic if you see students are showing interest. If any students are not actively participating, call on them and ask, "Tony, what are your feelings on this? Do you agree with what Nancy just said?" It is especially helpful for introductory students if the material is connected back to their lives (either a local connection or why society should be concerned or pay attention to these topics).
Friday, 11:20AM, class ends after a period of active learning.
Saturday (the next day), 8:30AM, next set of GeoByte questions appear in ANGEL
This continues every week throughout the semester.
NOTE: No matter how frequently JiTT is used, it is recommended to post the next JiTT assignment (for a Wednesday class, for example) AFTER the previous class (Monday) has concluded. This is useful for the instructor that may want to revise the assignment for something that took place in the previous class.
