Pre-class exposure to interactive simulations increases efficacy

Interactive simulations are powerful learning tools. However, students often miss the point of an interactive simulation if they see it for the first time in class. A different approach is to use unscripted activities that provide individual engagement with the simulation before class. Pre-class learning activities were created for the “Descriptive Acoustics” class at Brigham young University that use interactive simulations available on the internet. Provided with basic instructions, the students explore the simulation and write a description of their experience using terminology from the corresponding textbook chapter. Exploration followed by writing, even if incorrect, has increased the level of student understanding and provides a natural way to have students participate in class as they describe their experiences. The pre-class exposure to the interactive simulations also increases the efficacy of using the simulations during class, as each student is familiar with the interface and thus can better follow the in-class demonstration. Interactive simulations are a powerful active-learning tool for the current generation of students but only if they have had personal experience with the simulation prior to seeing it in class.Interactive simulations are powerful learning tools. However, students often miss the point of an interactive simulation if they see it for the first time in class. A different approach is to use unscripted activities that provide individual engagement with the simulation before class. Pre-class learning activities were created for the “Descriptive Acoustics” class at Brigham young University that use interactive simulations available on the internet. Provided with basic instructions, the students explore the simulation and write a description of their experience using terminology from the corresponding textbook chapter. Exploration followed by writing, even if incorrect, has increased the level of student understanding and provides a natural way to have students participate in class as they describe their experiences. The pre-class exposure to the interactive simulations also increases the efficacy of using the simulations during class, as each student is familiar with the interface and thus can better f...