STUDENT ATTITUDES TOWARDS ACTIVE LEARNING METHODS IN A SENIOR-YEAR

COMPUTER ENGINEERING COURSE

Abdel Salam Sayyad Assistant Professor

Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringBirzeit University, Palestine

March 8th, 2016

Bio• 2015 - Present

– Assistant Professor of Computer Engineering, Birzeit University, Palestine

• 2014 - 2014– Visiting Assistant Professor, St. Mary’s College of

Maryland, USA• 2011 - 2014

– Ph.D. Student, West Virginia University, USA• 2005 - 2011

– Instructor of Computer Engineering, Birzeit University, Palestine

• 2000 - 2005– Electronic Engineer, Patton Electronics Company,

Maryland, USA• 1998- 2000

– Master’s Student, University of Maryland, USA• 1993- 1998

– Bachelor’s Student, Birzeit University, PalestineAbdel Salam Sayyad

Why does a dog wag its tail?

• Because a dog is smarter than its tail.

Abdel Salam Sayyad

• If the tail were smarter than the dog, then the tail would wag the dog.

The Flipped Classroom

Abdel Salam Sayyad

Exactly what to flip?

Abdel Salam Sayyad

Abdel Salam Sayyad

What to do with Class Time

“I focus on the pain, the only thing that’s real.”

“Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails (1994) Cover by Johnny Cash (2002)

Abdel Salam Sayyad

Let the Students Try

Abdel Salam Sayyad

Let the Students Collaborate

Abdel Salam Sayyad

There will be resistance!

Abdel Salam Sayyad

Bob Widlar

(1937 –1991)

Why the Teachers Resist (1)

Abdel Salam Sayyad

Why the Teachers Resist (2)

Abdel Salam Sayyad

Why listen to Student Attitudes?

Abdel Salam Sayyad

The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls, and tenement halls…

Survey QuestionRank the following methods on how they were useful for learning.

(Tally of ranks from 44 valid survey responses. 1 == BEST, 8 == WORST)

Abdel Salam Sayyad

Diversify your Methods

Abdel Salam Sayyad