Students will be surveyed at the beginning and end of each term regarding their responses to the different methods used in class. Participation in the surveys is voluntary and is not part of the course grade. On the other hand, the various methods aimed at improving student learning will be used as essential parts of the coursework, in which case participation is a necessary part of the course. In other words, you can opt out of the surveys, but you can't opt out of the class activities without adversely affecting your success in the course. ConcepTests are multiple choice questions designed to check whether the class has grasped a particular concept, usually one assigned in reading or just covered in class.
Students simultaneously vote for the best answer by raising color-coded sheets of paper.
If the class is in good agreement on the correct answer, we move on. If there is disagreement, the class discusses the possible answers in small groups and revotes. Continued lack of agreement will draw helpful hints from the instructor. In a given class period, probably several ConcepTests will be performed. They will be collected and catalogued on the classs web pages and selected ConcepTests will be added to the database being established at the University of Wisconsin, Madison .