Using PrarieLearn for Remote Active Learning and Mastery Learning in Large-Scale Undergraduate Engineering Courses

Mark Fuge | Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

This presentation describes how two large undergraduate engineering courses -- Dynamics and Statistics -- leveraged an online, open-source, Mastery Learning system called PrarieLearn to enable each course's remote assessment and active learning activities during online and hybrid instruction. Specifically, the PrarieLearn (PL) system, developed out of UIUC, enables large-scale question randomization and analytics that allow students to instantly gain feedback on course concepts to support Mastery Learning. It also allows instructors access to advanced question- and course-level data and analytics.

In this presentation, I will briefly cover four topics. First, I will briefly review what the PL system does and how it complements existing campus educational services. Second, I will provide examples of how both courses leveraged the system's unique question abilities to support both Mastery Learning and Active Learning during the Fall '20 and Spring '21 semesters, including how it influenced course design compared to prior offerings. Third, I will highlight new instructional and educational research and analytics possibilities that become possible with this tool, which is now available for the campus community, including visualization tools and how integrations with other campus services such as Panopto provide new views into how students engage with Active Learning course design that was not previously possible. Lastly, I will review resources, ideas, and next steps for those on campus who wish to join our community of practice or leverage this system in their courses. Interested attendees can learn more about UMD's deployment of this system at https://prairielearn.umd.edu/ which was supported through a Provost's Teaching Innovation Grant in Summer 2020.

Presentation