How did you use this product/subscription in your course?
I utilized the CatchBox for class discussions, which happened in the majority of my classes. I also explored using it to amplify my lecture or serve as an example of technology on occasion.
In what ways do you feel the product/subscription supported student learning, if at all?
The CatchBox dramatically aided in the students’ engagement, communication, and focus in class discussions.
This happened in a few different ways:
- When the CatchBox was thrown from one classmate to another, the energy in the class immediately perked up and then settled into focus once the speaker had the CatchBox. This broke up the monotony of individuals speaking their thoughts, feedback, inquiries, announcements, and questions. In addition, the novelty of the unique device motivated students to want to get it thrown to them so they could speak.
- In a traditional lecture classroom, everyone faces forward and therefore in discussions the instructor really is the only one with the best ability to hear the discussion. Often if the speaker is quiet or near the front of the room, the rest of the class either misses the content or the instructor hs to repeat the idea of the comment for the class. The CatchBox serves as a democratization of communication allowing the entire room to hear the speaker’s comments, no matter where they were located in the class or the volume of their voice.
- With the ability to hear a speaker, it put a clear focus on the discussion. I tested this theory by not using the CatchBox at two different points in the class after it had been introduced and noticed a considerable increase in the amount of classroom chatter during the discussions without the CatchBox.
In addition, it was a bonding experience for the students, which produced a comedic moment in one of the final presentations regarding the CatchBox being thrown around the room. This referential moment produced laughter from the entire class and as such demonstrated the technology as a memorial element to our class about technology, presentation, and performance.
I believe this engaged and interactive peer-to-peer learning is the most powerful way to support student understanding.
What challenges, if any, did you encounter when using this product/subscription?
The expected challenge was the technology and time to set up the CatchBox.
- If the room’s technology is set up properly, it is easy to integrate and use this device. If not, it can take some time troubleshooting. Also if the CatchBox goes in the exact wrong place (which is rare), it does have the potential for feedback (like any microphone).
- It does take a few minutes to set up the system – not a lot of time, but it is time.
The unexpected challenge was the time it added to discussions to pass the CatchBox from one student to another. With limited time in class, I had to make adjustments to my agenda and to budget time for the students’ interactions with the CatchBox. In exploring discussions both with and without the CatchBox, the benefits far outweighed the negatives in this area. Also there was some uncertainly as to where the CatchBox goes between discussions.
I was curious if I could use the box to save from projecting my voice, but it did not seem to work well in this capacity for the classroom of a little over 100 students. I could see this work better in a larger classroom setting that needed amplification.
What advice would you give to a colleague who’s interested in using this product?
- Read the instructions (don’t throw it by the strap as it will detach the mic from the box unintentionally).
- Give an introduction to the technology to the class, including how to throw it and reassure them that it will not hurt them if it lands on them unexpectedly.
- Budget time before class to set up the CatchBox and to test the CatchBox.
- Budget time in class for discussions to go longer due to the time it takes to transition the CatchBox from student to student (it is not instantaneous like calling on one raised hand to the next).
- Consider and denote to the class where the CatchBox goes between discussions/use.
Overall, would you recommend this product/subscription to other faculty?
Yes