Melissa Miller and Willie Williams

Miller’s and Williams’ innovative teaching idea, “Engaging Students with a CPS (current population survey),” is focused on implementing a computer response system in science and social studies classes. By doing so, a student-centered learning environment will be created to motivate and engage the entire sixth grade student body. The system will be used to encourage communication between students as informal polls are conducted. The system will also be used to provide ongoing formative assessments on a daily basis, enabling the teachers to construct interventions to target the needs of specific students as they arise, promoting increased achievement for the students. The CPS will also enable teachers to encourage additional interaction in the class by polling students about controversial topics in science or social studies, then allowing time for discussion and debate within the lesson. The class will then end with a follow-up poll to determine the effects of the discussion. The overall goal is to create an environment where even the most reserved student is actively engaged in the learning process.